Aisha woke up before dawn.
The others were already feeling the weight of their drawbacks, but none of them complained. They knew one thing — they had to find Ryo.
They searched through the frozen fields of Sovielia, breath turning into mist with every step. Just before the sun began to rise, they found him.
Ryo was lying in the snow.
Completely drained.
The battlefield around him was destroyed — trees shattered, the ground torn apart, ice cracked and blackened. It looked like a war had passed through.
They all stared.
"What the hell happened here…" someone whispered.
Zain didn't waste time. He lifted Ryo onto his shoulder, and together they headed back.
Morning came.
Ryo's eyes slowly opened.
The first thing he asked:
"Where are the slaves?"
Zain gave a small smile. "Relax. We brought them back with us. They're free now."
Ryo's face lit up, relief washing over him.
"I'm glad…"
He turned his head toward Aisha. "Where were you? I didn't see you."
Aisha crossed her arms slightly. "That woman poisoned me while I was asleep."
Zain nodded. "It makes sense. Your power is fire… and she was made of rubber. You were a direct threat."
Ryo processed that quietly, then looked at Scarlet.
"How are you holding up?"
Scarlet gave a faint smirk. "Guess now I know how you feel."
They filled Ryo in on everything that happened after he collapsed. When he heard about Rimazu's part in it, he looked at him.
"Rimazu… you were amazing."
Rimazu scratched the back of his head. "Thanks, Ryo."
After a moment, Ryo sat up.
"I want to walk around the kingdom before we leave."
Everyone immediately wanted to join. Ryo agreed.
They walked through Sovielia together.
The citizens bowed their heads. Some thanked them openly. Former slaves rushed forward, tears in their eyes.
That night, the people threw a massive celebration in their honor.
Food, music, laughter — for the first time, the kingdom felt alive again.
And they all enjoyed it.
The next morning, they prepared to leave for Vilamon.
Everyone was ready — except Ryo, Rimazu, Zain, and Abraham.
Rimazu stood in front of his mother, who had been among the freed slaves.
"The battle isn't over," he said quietly. "I want you to stay here without worrying. Even if I have to die for that, I will."
His mother placed her hand on his face.
"Go, my son. No matter what happens… I will always be proud of you."
Abraham suddenly spoke up. "How are my parents doing?"
Zain shrugged slightly. "They're probably fine."
Rimazu's mother turned to them. "My son isn't causing trouble, is he?"
Zain smiled. "Don't worry. He's a good kid."
She smiled warmly and returned inside.
Just before they were about to leave for Vilamon, Abraham said—
"Wait."
He ran off.
Aisha raised an eyebrow. "So that's why you were so eager to go to the market. It wasn't just for ingredients."
Abraham came back holding something wrapped in cloth.
"Heh… my bad."
Benjamin and Zain looked at him. "Does the kingdom know about this?"
"Yeah. In fact, they helped me make it."
Leona and Scarlet exchanged looks. "You do realize Bakundar hates us, right?"
Abraham grinned. "Exactly. So just in case they get stronger and decide to attack Sovielia… and they see this… they'll think twice."
Rimazu nodded. "Yeah. I think that's a great idea."
Ryo smiled.
"Do it."
They walked to the entrance of Sovielia.
And they planted it.
A bright red flag.
With a massive black letter Z in the center.
A warning.
A declaration.
A symbol.
And with that, they turned their backs to Sovielia… and began their journey to Vilamon.