Ludwig remained still for a moment after stepping away from the now-absent tower grounds, staring at the empty stretch of sky where the Tower of Trials had stood only moments ago. Even after everything he had experienced inside it, the disappearance felt surreal in a way that killing Pride somehow had not.
A thing so ancient, so stubbornly present, had simply decided it was done with this world and left without ceremony. No farewell. No reward speech. No grand declaration. Just absence.
He exhaled slowly and finally allowed himself to focus on something far more immediately relevant.
The notifications.
A flick of his hand brought the translucent windows back into view. For the second time.
There were far too many.
Ludwig grimaced. "Right. Let's see what absurd nonsense I've been handed this time."
His eyes moved across the floating text.
[You have slain the Usurper of Death: Prideful Death.]
[Vanitas Fiero has been defeated.]
[You have obtained: Crown of Pride.]
