(A/N):
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Meanwhile, far away from the Royal Capital, deep within the secluded valley that had been chosen as the site for one of the greatest magical rituals in history, preparations had finally reached their last stage.
Three weeks of relentless work had transformed the once empty valley into an enormous ritual ground.
Countless arrays were engraved into the earth with extraordinary precision.
Thousands upon thousands of ancient runes intertwined with one another, stretching across the valley floor like the roots of a colossal tree.
At the very center rested the nine Magic Stones, each carefully placed in its designated position.
Even while dormant, the stones continuously released immense mana that caused the surrounding air to shimmer.
Around the ritual formation stood numerous newly created artificial bodies.
Each one had been painstakingly crafted through a combination of Creation Magic, ancient forbidden knowledge preserved by the elves, and the enormous mana stored inside the Magic Stones.
Although they resembled living people, there was no life within them.
Not yet.
They were merely empty vessels.
Waiting.
Waiting for the souls that had wandered for five hundred years.
Rhya stood silently before the ritual circle.
Beside him stood Fana and Vetto.
Unlike before, there was no madness in their eyes.
No burning hatred.
Only anticipation.
Behind them, the remaining members of the Eye of the Midnight Sun quietly watched the preparations.
Many of them had tears forming in their eyes.
For centuries...
They had dreamed of only one thing.
To see their families again.
To hear the voices of their parents.
Their brothers.
Their sisters.
Their comrades.
Now...
That impossible dream was finally within reach.
Rhya slowly looked across the rows of empty bodies.
"...Soon."
His voice carried emotions he could barely suppress.
"Our people..."
"...will finally return."
Fana gently placed a hand over one of the lifeless vessels.
"It almost feels unreal."
She smiled faintly.
"Five hundred years..."
"We spent five hundred years chasing revenge..."
"...only to find ourselves preparing for a new beginning."
Even Vetto, usually the loudest among them, remained unusually quiet.
He folded his arms while looking toward the ritual formation.
"...Licht..."
He whispered looking at the sky.
"...we're finally bringing everyone home."
Not far away, several Clover Kingdom Magic Knights continued assisting with the preparations.
At Ben's personal request, the elves had been given everything they needed.
Construction materials.
Magical resources.
Protective barriers.
Even transportation for the enormous ritual equipment.
No corners had been cut.
A promise made by the King...
Would be fulfilled by the Kingdom.
Several elves noticed the human Magic Knights working alongside them.
There was still awkwardness.
Centuries of hatred could not disappear in a matter of weeks.
Yet...
Neither side spoke with hostility anymore.
Instead...
They simply worked.
Together.
It was a small step.
But perhaps the most important one.
Every few days, the Wizard King himself had visited the ritual site to inspect the progress.
Not because he doubted the elves.
Quite the opposite.
His presence served as proof.
Proof that the Clover Kingdom was sincere.
Proof that Ben's promise wasn't merely political convenience.
Julius had personally examined the ritual arrays several times, occasionally offering suggestions to improve their stability.
His vast knowledge of ancient magic had proven invaluable.
Even Rhya had admitted that without Julius' assistance, several sections of the resurrection array would have required months to perfect.
During one of his inspections, Julius stood quietly before the completed formation.
The nine Magic Stones glowed softly before him.
Rhya approached respectfully.
"The preparations are complete."
Julius slowly nodded.
"I can see that."
His gaze swept across the valley.
The countless magic circles.
The empty bodies.
The waiting elves.
Then he smiled.
"I'll admit..."
"I never imagined I'd live to witness humans and elves preparing a resurrection ritual together."
Rhya let out a quiet laugh.
"Neither did I."
Silence settled between them.
After several moments, Rhya spoke again.
"...Thank you."
Julius looked at him.
Rhya lowered his head slightly.
"For trusting us."
"For trusting King Benjamin's decision."
Julius smiled warmly.
"I trusted Ben."
He looked toward the enormous ritual array once more.
"And because I trusted him..."
"...I chose to trust all of you as well."
Rhya slowly followed Julius' gaze.
His expression became resolute.
"This time..."
"There will be no hatred."
"No manipulation."
"No devil hiding in the shadows."
"We'll bring our people back..."
"...the way it should have happened five hundred years ago."
Julius nodded quietly.
"I sincerely hope so."
A gentle breeze swept through the valley.
The Magic Stones shimmered softly beneath the afternoon sun.
For the first time in five centuries...
The resurrection of the elves was no longer driven by vengeance.
It was driven by hope.
Meanwhile, in the royal training grounds of the Clover Kingdom...
A certain captain was deeply regretting every decision that had led him to this exact moment.
"AAAGHHH!"
BOOOOM!!
A blazing fist slammed straight into Fuegoleon Vermillion's stomach, launching him like a cannonball across the training field.
He skipped across the ground several times before crashing through three enormous boulders.
CRAAASH!!
Dust rose into the air.
Several Royal Knights watching the scene instinctively took a few steps backward.
"...Captain Fuegoleon..."
"...is getting beaten up again."
"...Should we help him?"
"...Help?"
One knight swallowed nervously while looking toward the woman responsible.
"...You go first."
Everyone immediately shook their heads.
Not a single person was suicidal enough to interrupt her.
Standing in the middle of the destroyed training ground...
With flames dancing wildly around her body...
Was none other than Mereoleona Vermillion.
Her golden eyes burned brighter than the fire surrounding her.
She slowly cracked her knuckles.
"So..."
Her voice was unusually calm.
"My dear little brother."
The smile on her face was terrifying.
"...Do you have anything you'd like to explain?"
From inside the pile of rocks...
Fuegoleon slowly climbed out while coughing.
"...Sister..."
He dusted himself off.
"I can explain."
"Oh?"
She smiled even wider.
"Wonderful."
She raised another fist.
"You can explain while flying."
Before Fuegoleon could react—
She disappeared.
BOOM!!
Her fist connected squarely with his face.
Fuegoleon shot into the sky like a shooting star.
Several birds peacefully flying overhead immediately scattered in terror.
Mereoleona bent her knees.
Then—
BOOOOM!!
She launched herself after him.
High above the training ground—
Fuegoleon barely stabilized himself before another blazing kick struck his side.
BANG!!
He changed direction instantly.
Another punch. Another kick.
An elbow.
Every strike sent him bouncing through the air like a ragdoll.
Watching from below, several Magic Knights winced in sympathy.
"...Captain... Stay strong."
"...We're praying for you."
Finally...
Fuegoleon crashed back into the training ground.
THOOOM!!
A crater immediately formed beneath him.
Before he could even sit up—
Mereoleona landed directly beside him.
She grabbed the front of his uniform.
Then lifted him with one hand.
Her smile hadn't disappeared.
If anything... It had become even brighter.
"So..."
She repeated.
"You left the capital."
"Fought elves."
"Negotiated with them."
"Prepared the resurrection ritual."
"And..."
She leaned closer.
"A devil appeared."
Fuegoleon closed his eyes.
"...Yes."
"And..."
She tightened her grip.
"...you somehow forgot..."
"...to tell your older sister to went to meet the king."
"...Yes."
Another pause.
"And..."
The flames surrounding her intensified.
"...you honestly believed..."
"...that I wouldn't find out?"
Fuegoleon sighed.
"...No."
She nodded her head.
"Good."
Then—
BAM!!
She smashed him headfirst into the ground.
The crater doubled in size.
"I was worried."
Another punch.
BOOM!!
"I was genuinely worried."
Another.
BANG!!
"A High-Ranking Devil appeared."
Another.
"You fought a creature from the Underworld."
Another.
"And not once..."
BOOOM!!
"...did you think..."
Another.
"...'Perhaps I should inform my wonderful older sister?'"
Fuegoleon finally managed to raise one hand.
"...Sister..."
"Hm?"
"I knew..."
He smiled helplessly.
"...you'd react exactly like this."
Mereoleona blinked.
Then immediately punched him again.
"Exactly!"
BOOM!!
"You know me well!"
"So why didn't you call me?!"
Several nearby Royal Knights looked away.
None of them wished to witness the public execution of the Crimson Lion captain.
Fuegoleon slowly climbed out of yet another crater.
His uniform was torn. His hair was a mess.
Yet somehow...
He remained perfectly dignified.
"...You were on a mission."
Mereoleona folded her arms.
"So?"
"It was important."
"So?"
"I didn't want to interrupt your work."
"So?"
"..."
"..."
Fuegoleon realized every answer led to another "So?"
Finally, he gave up.
"I made a mistake."
Mereoleona nodded approvingly.
"There."
"That wasn't difficult."
Then her expression softened.
Only slightly.
She looked away for a brief moment before speaking again.
"You idiot."
Her voice had become much quieter.
"Do you honestly think..."
"...I'd care more about a mission..."
"...than whether my little brother was alive?"
Fuegoleon smiled faintly.
"I know you would."
"Then why?"
She sighed deeply.
"I only heard about everything afterward."
"An elf uprising."
"A High-Ranking Devil."
"The King nearly getting abducted."
"You were all fighting monsters..."
"...while I was climbing some stupid volcano."
She clicked her tongue in annoyance.
"What a waste."
Fuegoleon couldn't help chuckling.
"You would've enjoyed the fight."
Mereoleona grinned back at him.
"Exactly."
Then she cracked her knuckles again.
"So..."
Fuegoleon immediately sighed.
"...There's more?"
"Obviously."
She pointed toward the training ground.
"You owe me three weeks' worth of sparring."
Fuegoleon looked at the dozens of fresh craters surrounding them.
"...Haven't we already started?"
Mereoleona laughed loudly.
"Hahahaha!"
"No."
She burst forward once more.
"This..."
Her blazing fist flew toward his face.
"...was merely me expressing my concern!"
BOOOOOOOM!!
The entire training ground shook once again.
Watching from a safe distance, several Royal Knights nodded solemnly.
"...The Vermillion family..."
"...really has a unique way of showing affection."
One knight quietly added,
"...I'm suddenly very grateful I don't have an older sister like Captain Mereoleona."
Every knight nearby immediately nodded in unanimous agreement.
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(Author's POV)
(A/N)Thanks for reading the chapter!
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