Dawn came late to Eldoria.
It was as if the sun itself feared to illuminate the bodies draped in blankets, the smoldering ruins, and the swords still stained with blood. The capital's bells tolled in solemn mourning, each chime a reminder of how many would never return home.
But in the central square, where the imperial banner hung gray beneath a veil of ash, the people did not whisper about the tragedy… but about the man who had died defending them.
Marcus Valentine.The Iron Jackal.Their governor.
They said that when the enemy breached the walls, he stayed behind to open the gates for the civilians.They said he fought ten, thirty, a hundred.They said his final breath was a roar to protect them.
The rumors were more beautiful than the truth.And that was enough.
At the center of the square, a young woman stood before the makeshift statue of her father. Barely twenty-two, her face was set, her hands clenched against the cold. The wind stirred her black coat, but not her gaze. She looked straight ahead, just as he once did.
Laura Valentine.The Jackal's only daughter.
The soldiers watched her in silence—some with genuine respect, others with a guilty kind of gratitude. No one had known how to extinguish fear quite like that man. And now they all stood still… waiting for someone to tell them how to go on.
Laura spoke. Without trembling. Without tears.The silence of the square held her words like an oath.
"Here… where he trained his soldiers," she said, her face unmoving, "my father died fulfilling his duty." Her voice, steady as steel, rose above the crowd. "He gave his life for Eldoria and its people. And I swear this to you: I will not allow his sacrifice to be forgotten… nor bargained away."
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
"The Empire… has chosen to honor his memory," she continued. "And I… will assume his position as acting governor. Until this city can rise again."
The soldiers brought their fists to their hearts.
There was no applause. Only a respectful silence—thick, painful, real.Laura Valentine did not need ovations. Her presence alone said what everyone feared:
The Jackal is dead.The Jackal's daughter has risen.
The crowd had just begun to disperse when four figures moved through the smoke-blackened banners. Lusian walked at the front, Elizabeth at his right; behind them, Emily and Kara followed in silence, like disciplined shadows.
Laura Valentine did not move. She kept her gaze fixed on her father's monument until their footsteps stopped before her.
"Valentine," Lusian greeted, his voice neutral, devoid of condolences.
The young woman turned her head slowly. Her eyes did not seek compassion—only recognition.
"Duke Douglas. Princess Elizabeth."
Elizabeth inclined her head with genuine respect, not pity.
"Eldoria has lost a brave man," she said. "But today, it has gained a leader."
Laura neither lowered her gaze nor smiled. She accepted the words as one would accept a weapon.
"I will do what must be done to rebuild this place. With or without imperial aid."
Kara raised an eyebrow at the implication. Emily, by contrast, stepped forward, shoulders squared.
Lusian spoke then, with the taut calm of someone who knew the danger had not yet passed.
"We will remain for one day," he said without hesitation, "before continuing our journey."
Elizabeth glanced at him. Kara frowned. Emily tightened her grip on her weapon.
Silence fell… heavy.
Laura stepped forward, the shadow of grief buried beneath urgency.
"One day?" Her words cut like a blade. "The monster that attacked us was not defeated here. It withdrew. It could return at any moment."
Her eyes burned—not with fear, but with fury restrained by responsibility.
"My father was the strongest warrior in Eldoria. Now… we are defenseless. If you leave so soon, who will stop that thing when it returns?"
Kara planted her spear firmly against the ground.
"We're not leaving," she said with a resolve that asked for no permission. "Not while civilians are at risk."
Emily drew a slow breath, her voice soft but bright as the magic in her veins.
"That monster didn't attack at random, Laura. It will return. And when it does… we'll be here."
Elizabeth looked at Lusian. She did not command him.But in her eyes, it was written clearly: you can't leave them like this.
Lusian closed his eyes for a brief moment. He knew what staying meant—delaying the journey, exposing themselves, rewriting the future he believed he knew from the "game."
When he spoke, it was in that tone that never asked for recognition, but always demanded respect.
"Then…" he said at last, "we will not leave until that monster is defeated."
For the first time, Laura's shoulders eased. It was not relief. It was… hope. A faint spark, but real.
"Thank you," she whispered. "Eldoria will not forget this."
Kara smiled with fierce satisfaction. Emily, with compassion. Elizabeth, with quiet pride.
Lusian simply nodded.