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King Collard’s brow furrowed in suspicion, but Chloe, seemingly understanding what was about to be said, gave a quiet, knowing nod.

“If something happens to me… I would like to entrust the care of my child to the two of you.”

Shock rippled through the room. Everyone reacted—except Chloe, who remained composed as though she had expected this all along.

“I never would have chosen this path if there had been another way. It’s not because of what we discussed earlier, it’s simply the reality of pregnancy. No matter how careful you are, things can still go wrong.”

Hiyuki’s voice remained calm, just as it had been at the start of the meeting. Yet, despite the lack of physical strain, clear exhaustion crept into her expression. “Princess, perhaps you should rest now…” Mikoto and Amari hurriedly cast healing spells, their worry evident as they urged her not to push herself.

“Thank you… I do feel a bit better. But please, allow me to say just a little more.” Hiyuki gently shook her head and turned her gaze toward King Collard, who was still frozen in stunned silence.

“This isn’t a command. I simply believe that Amitia’s atmosphere—and the warmth of you both—would offer the best possible environment for this child. Sky Garden would be little more than a gilded cage, isolating them from the world.”

“This is, well—”
“A great honor, of course! If anything, I’m happy you trust us that much. And if anyone has an issue with it, they can come talk to me. Right, dear?”

Chloe nodded cheerfully and gave her husband a playful slap on the back before he could voice any further concerns.

“Yes, I get it. But just so we’re clear—we won’t pamper the child just because they’re yours. We’ll raise them the same as we would our own. If you’re fine with that, then we have no reason to refuse.”

Still slightly hunched from Chloe’s smack and rubbing his back with a teary eye, King Collard gave his answer. Hiyuki bowed her head deeply in appreciation.

“Thank you. That’s exactly what I was hoping for.” She then turned her attention to the others. “Our Empire is no longer the peak it once was, not since we lost nearly all the Demon Generals. Even so, I believe protecting Amitia is still within reach. Do not let harm fall upon it.”

◆◇◆◇

Noticing Hiyuki’s growing fatigue, the rest of the group quietly excused themselves. And with that, the audience came to a gentle, natural close.

Hiyuki, flanked by Mikoto and the others, returned to her chamber. She took a small glass of freshly prepared blood and drank it slowly. With a long sigh, she changed out of her clothes with sluggish movements and collapsed onto the bed like a marionette with cut strings.

“I have to admit… I’m feeling a bit worn out.”
“Princess…” Mikoto looked at her with the same pained expression Oliana had worn earlier.
“Mikoto, if I don’t make it after the birth—”
“Please don’t say that, Princess!”

“Hey, it’s just a hypothetical,” Hiyuki said with a quiet chuckle, glancing sideways. “If it comes to that, I hope you’ll take over Sky Garden and look after the child. Only you, Hazumi, and Amari remain from the Round Table now. I’ve already handed the control codes to Kagerou, so the Garden won’t collapse… though I doubt Kagerou will ever return.”

Hiyuki’s eyes briefly dimmed with sorrow as she mentioned Kagerou’s name.

“I’ve done nothing but leave him with a cruel burden, haven’t I? While the others sleep eternally, he alone must stay behind to keep Sky Garden afloat. It will always weigh on my heart.”

“Princess…”

“Please, don’t follow me into death. Tengai, his elite forces, and the other titans are all gone. I’m counting on you.”

Since that day, Imperial Crimson was no longer the monstrous force it once had been. When the Void Mist vanished, Hiyuki returned unconscious and gravely wounded, her body marked by unspeakable suffering. The sight drove even Lubbock and Tamegoro into a silent rage, their eyes bloodshot with fury. That day, no one hesitated. The entire army cast aside their restraints, and with ten thousand warriors, the monsters of Imperial Crimson charged toward the Blue Divine Tower, the last structure standing at the continent’s heart. Their very presence seemed poised to tear the world apart.

The ground trembled violently, the skies tore apart, and rivers overflowed with blood. The calamity raged on for three days and three nights. Then, as suddenly as it began, everything stopped. Yet no one came back.

After the dust settled, investigations revealed that the heart of the continent had been wiped clean. Even the towering structure was gone, suggesting that the Azure God and the monster army had destroyed each other. But when Hiyuki finally regained consciousness, she offered a different view. “He must have lost interest in everything… and simply walked away from this world.”

“If this is your command, I will obey, Princess. But I will only ever serve one master—and that is you,” Mikoto said, her expression full of reluctance. It was her way of saying she had no intention of raising the child.

Hiyuki responded with a faint, wry smile.

“I’ll always stay by your side, Princess. There’s no point in living in a world without you. If you vanish, then so will I,” Amari said, calm and resolute.
“You’re not bound to me. You have your own life to live,” Hiyuki replied gently.
“If that’s true, then this is the life I choose.”
Hiyuki let out a tired sigh. “Honestly… you’re all impossible to deal with.”

With resignation, she shut her eyes.

“I’ll rest for a bit. You should, too. Let someone else handle things for now.”
“Yes, Princess.”

Already half-asleep, Hiyuki murmured softly.

“And… the child’s name. I picked one that suits both a boy and a girl. I’ve decided on ‘――.’”
“I’ll let the others know.”

As she drifted toward sleep, Hiyuki placed a gentle hand on her belly.

“――. I hope the world you’re born into is a beautiful one.”

◆◇◆◇

I came to my senses and realized I was closing the red door.

“…Wait a second. I chose the black one. Why am I here?”

No—more importantly, what was that strange lucid dream from before?

It had to be another trick by the Azure God. And yet, it felt different. Not like that absurd first illusion, which felt like something straight out of a cliché manga. This one felt… real. Every moment carried weight. Nothing felt fake.

“What in the world is going on?” I retraced my steps to the fork in the road. “The doors are still shut… Looks like I’m being forced to choose again.”

Would they show the same dream again? Or something new this time? As I hesitated, I noticed the glowing path beneath my feet fading. Turning around, I saw the endless road breaking apart, the crumbling edge steadily closing in on me.

“Okay, safe to say I’m in a tight spot. Fantastic.” But I already knew which door I would choose. “This better lead straight to the boss room!” Without wasting another second, I threw the door open and dashed through it, just as the collapsing path nearly reached my heels.

The world plunged into darkness. And just for a moment, I thought I heard a soft whisper—“Thank you”—brushed against my ear. There was no time to turn back. I had already crossed the threshold, heading straight to where the Azure God awaited.

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