The Captain of the Red Tiger Knights departed with his men, King Basileus remained standing by the window.
He looked out at his kingdom—now reduced to ruin.
Ash drifted through the air like gray snow. Burned structures, shattered walls, and silence filled the once-glorious capital.
With a quiet sigh, he turned and made his way toward Elizabeth's room.
When he entered, Elizabeth was asleep on her bed, exhausted beyond her limits.
Queen Eirene sat beside her, gently holding her daughter's hand.
Basileus paused for a moment before walking closer. He sat beside his wife.
"You should eat something," he said calmly. "You haven't eaten either."
"I'm not hungry," Eirene replied in a lifeless voice, her gaze fixed on their sleeping daughter.
After a moment, she asked softly,
"Why did the Captain of the Red Tiger Knights visit?"
"He wanted to know what happened," Basileus answered.
As he spoke, his remaining hand slowly clenched into a fist. It trembled before he gently placed it on her shoulder. Tears fell from his eyes, though he did not weep.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly. "It is my fault. I was useless. All I did was watch."
He paused.
"I failed not only as a king… but also as a husband and a father. Because of the deeds of my ancestors… because their blood runs through our veins… my child and my people paid the price."
Eirene turned to him.
"What are you saying?" she asked softly. "You are a good father. And a good king."
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"As for being a good husband… if you weren't, I would have run away long ago."
She wiped away his tears with one hand.
"All of this… is that damn monster's fault."
Her voice was calm, but her heart was heavy.
By evening, the sun had already set. The room was dim and quiet.
Both Basileus and Eirene remained seated beside Elizabeth.
Slowly, Elizabeth opened her eyes.
She looked at her parents.
Her mother—with only one eye.
Her father—with only one arm.
Guilt and sadness struck her heart.
"Dad… Mom?" she whispered, trying to sit up.
"Yes, my daughter. We're here," they said gently. "You don't need to get up. Just lie down."
"You must be hungry," Eirene said softly. "Should I get some food?"
"It's okay… I'm not hungry," Elizabeth replied, her face filled with guilt.
"But you should eat," Basileus said with a cheerful voice, pretending to be fine. "Your mother hasn't eaten either. And if she doesn't eat, how am I supposed to eat?"
He knew he had to stay strong—for the sake of his family.
After a moment of silence, Elizabeth agreed.
The king called for a maid. She entered with bandages wrapped around her head and wounds on her arm—another reminder of the devastation.
A few minutes later, food was brought.
Queen Eirene picked up a spoonful and gently fed Elizabeth with a small smile.
After three spoonfuls, Elizabeth stopped her.
"Mom… you should eat too."
She picked up another spoon, filled it, and held it toward her mother.
"Okay," Eirene said softly, tears of joy forming as she opened her mouth.
The king leaned forward with a smile.
"Ahh… and where is mine?"
For a brief moment, they ate together like a happy family in the middle of a crisis—keeping each other alive.
After finishing, Elizabeth lay back down.
"I feel sleepy," she said softly.
"Then you should rest," Eirene replied with a gentle smile.
"Good night, our lovely daughter. Sleep well," both parents said as they prepared to leave.
Elizabeth looked at them.
"Mom… Dad… I love you both."
They smiled through small tears.
"We love you too."
Then they left the room.
As Elizabeth fell asleep, the nightmare returned.
The cries of burning souls echoed in darkness.
"It was your fault, you witch!" a voice screamed in agony.
"I'm sorry… I'm sorry…" Elizabeth murmured in her sleep.
"Why did you release that monster?!"
"I was trying to help…"
"Help?!" the voice roared with anger.
"Avenge us."
Then countless voices began chanting together.
"AVENGE US. AVENGE US. AVENGE US."
They echoed endlessly, dragging her down into a pitch-black swamp.
Elizabeth jolted awake, drenched in sweat.
The voices still rang in her head.
She sat up, covering her ears.
Then she slowly lowered her hands.
"I'm going to kill him," she whispered, her face filled with horror.
"I was the one who released you… and I will be the one to kill you."
Her voice became calm.
Determined.
The next morning, the king gathered his remaining ministers and officers to discuss their situation.
With no defenses left, neighboring kingdoms could seize this opportunity and attack at any moment. The kingdom had fallen. Only a few survivors remained within the palace.
Everything was destroyed.
Suddenly, the doors burst open.
Queen Eirene rushed in, shouting in panic.
"Eliz is not in her room! I can't find her anywhere!"
Shock spread across the chamber.
The king immediately ordered everyone to search every corner of the palace.
But Elizabeth was already gone.
Outside the ruins of what was once a beautiful kingdom, Elizabeth stopped and looked back.
Ash drifted through the air.
"…Until we meet again, Shin Yato," she said softly.
There was guilt in her eyes.
And determination.
Then —
Without hesitation —
She turned and walked away.
Into the unknown.