The grand dining hall, once filled with the warmth of conversation and clinking silverware, now sat in chilling silence. The metallic scent of blood still lingered faintly in the air as Sion turned without a word, his cloak billowing behind him as he stormed out of the palace in fury.
"Sion!" Sara called after him, but he didn't stop.
"Sion, wait—!" Katherine added, her voice laced with concern.
Neither of them could catch up. He was already gone, his footsteps swallowed by the palace corridors.
"Sara, Katherine," Queen Elizabeth's voice rang calmly but firmly, halting them. "This is not the time. He's not in a state to talk. Give him space."
The two girls hesitated, their hearts clenching, but reluctantly obeyed. They watched the hallway, hoping he'd return soon.
At the now-silent table, King Nathan exhaled deeply, breaking the tension. "John," he asked with narrowed eyes, "what is your son?"
John Ragnar was silent for a moment. He looked down, then up at the king, uncertainty written across his normally calm expression. "To be honest, Your Majesty… I don't know anymore."
Meanwhile, in the quiet of the riverside garden, the breeze rustled gently through the trees. Sion stood staring into the flowing water, his face a mixture of exhaustion and inner turmoil.
Raphael hovered quietly nearby. "What's wrong with you?" the angel finally asked.
Sion didn't respond immediately. Then his voice came, low and tired: "I'm not Sion… I'm Allen."
Raphael blinked, stunned.
"I'm tired, Raphael. Tired of this endless bloodshed. Tired of pretending. These enemies… they have no mercy. They corrupt, poison, manipulate—and I… I don't even know if I'm winning anymore."
"You accepted this mission to save Earth from the Fallen Angels," Raphael said gently. "Why are you doubting now?"
Allen's gaze didn't leave the river. "Do you remember why I became king in the first place?"
Raphael was silent.
Allen continued, "It wasn't for glory. It was to build a peaceful world. To protect those I loved. That's why I took this second chance… not for battles or thrones, but for peace."
Raphael floated closer, his wings glowing softly in the moonlight. "Then you've already answered your own question, my king. That's why you're here. Not every burden is meant to be easy. But with every challenge you overcome, you shape that peaceful world with your own hands."
Allen closed his eyes for a moment, breathing deeply.
"Also," Raphael added with a smirk, "I think it's time to consider the safety of the royal family. The palace is compromised."
Allen opened his eyes. "You're right. We'll move them. In secret. To the Persia Dukedom. It's safer there."
"And…" Raphael teased, nudging his shoulder, "you should prepare to face your two not-so-happy love interests. Ignoring them was bold."
Allen groaned, rubbing his temples. "Why did I choose this world again…?"
Raphael chuckled, folding her arms. "Because you're the only one mad enough to save it."