Choices

Walking alone through the dimly lit corridor of the castle, Isabella's words echoed in my mind. SAMAL wasn't a gate to Hell as She'd been led to believe—it is an interdimensional gateway between anime worlds.

The implications of this level of Artifacts are profound, As Those Bastard are Trying to play with things that are out of their league

I glanced at my shadow and spoke softly, "Night-Wing, are you there?"

From the darkness emerged Night-Wing, leader of the BatKhans, his eyes gleaming with an ominous glow. "Always, Master," he replied in a resonant voice.

"I need you and the Batkhans to find the group responsible for trying to Activate SAMAL," I instructed. "Discover its location and determine how quickly we can reach them ."

"And Remember, Do not Interact with them unless they are on the verge of Activating SAMAL. If it is the Worst case, Take them Down and stop its Activation, Understood?"

"Yes, Master. We Shall take our flight now."

Night-Wing nodded silently before melding back into the shadows. As I sensed him Going away.

As I was walking absent-mindedly, A voice called out drawing my attention. It was Nui, The Doppelganger, back in her Maid Outfit.

"Nui..?"

"Master Grey. I was sent here by Mistress to inform you that you are requested to come to the dinner at 7 in the eve" she said softly as she bowed.

"Dinner? at 7? That's Early...Wait, it's even more weird that you are informing me now...It's 2 in the Afternoon...!!" I was Perplexed by her words,

'Is this how the Royal household works??' I thought as it was surprising for someone from a Normal Household.

"Yes, Master Grey, I was Indeed ordered by my Mistress...It is actually a Common Practice to Inform of such Activities beforehand to avoid any Skipping in the pretense of Work" she said with a smile,

"Well then, if there is nothing. I shall take my leave" she said as she turned and left.

'welp, She Comes and goes like wind....'

With That, I went to my room, 

I Locked the Door and Immediately liberated myself from the Worn and Sweat drenched Clothes,

"Wuu~ It's Soo good to be Free, no wonder Our Ancestors preferred to be 'open'. Right?" I said with a Relief as I looked down at my dangling dragon. 

I quickly made my way to the bath chambers. The scent of steam and heated water greeted me as I entered, a rare moment of tranquility amid the chaos of recent battles.

I eased into the warmth of the bath, feeling the tension in my muscles gradually dissolve. It was the first real relaxation I'd allowed myself since the calamitous events unfolded.

"haa~...I can feel my stress dissolve.." I said as I relaxed in the tub as look in the distant lost in thought.

~Thinking of the Spear strike?~ A familiar voice asked,

"Ddraig...Yes...Yes I am" I confessed as my face became grim, "I should have died there Ddraig. His Spear Pierced with a Soul extinguishing spell...I felt it, I felt the Shiver in my soul as it neared me..."

~And Yet you survived...~

"indeed...That's what bugging me, It was a Sure hit yet...He missed??" I said with suspicion.

~..Hmm...Maybe your Blind Luck?~

"Luck...huh? No, It was a calculated Outcome, there was no uncertainty for Luck to factor in..."

"Its..It's so Bizarre and Frankly bothering me in the back of my head" I sighed

~ It's useless to beat our heads at something where we don't know what happened, let alone how.

But one thing I will say for sure~

"Um?"

~You Were Reckless and Blinded by Overconfidence..~

"I-"

~Let me Finish, Grey. You believed he was a tiny threat compared to your level and Forgot to list his Abilities...This ultimately led to your Near Death Scenario as well as putting everyone in Danger~

~This is Not only Dangerous to You but Also To Me and our Promise....This is not the Way of the Dragon nor The Way of the Emperor, Grey~

"I-I Really did Mess up Big time Ddraig, I underestimated my Enemy, Neglected my training and Cultivation...I was too High on my Horse, I am Sorry Ddraig" I said as I realized how foolish I acted.

~*sigh* Look Grey, I am Not Lecturing you, I am just pointing out your Mistakes in hopes you can improve...Since it is not just you, it is also me That has been tied to you from the moment we bonded~

~I hope you understand my Worries, Partner~

"I hear you Ddraig, Loud and Clear...From Now, I'll be Serious" I said with convection,

"It's Time to set in Motion my phase 2 of Army training.." I said as I Took out the Communication Crystal.

~Oh?~ Ddraig said as he was excited about what new things ill pull out of my Ass- I mean I pull out from my Crazy Mind...

-------> CONNECTING...

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-------> CONNECTED

"Well well well, it seems somebody missed their favorite arch-bishop" the voice came revealing Arya on the other side with a cheeky grin.

"You know I do. It's been a while Arya, How have you been?"

"All good, My lord, all good. You know the courses here are sure interesting but nothing your strongest mage can't solve" he said proudly.

"Arya, How many times should I remind you not to call me 'My Lord' outside of Official Meetings." I sigh

"Anyways, How is Emily doing? She must be feeling lone-" before I could finish I heard Emily's voice.

"Babe, What should I wear for the field trip? I mean this Crop top looks good but my new tank top is perfect I guess, What do you say?" She said as she came beside him in her bra, holding the 2 tops.

"whoa- My-my lord, Hello...Hi, I didn't see you talking with ba-I mean Master Arya...I'll wear something..!!" She ran feeling embarrassed.

I smile as I slowly turn my head towards Arya who is having an awkward smile, "It seems you are taking 'Good Care' of Emily"

"well..." he smiled sheepishly trying to explain

"Leave it I won't probe much, But...since when? I am sorta curious" I ask feeling intrigued by this new development.

"It was when you first assigned her to me...We kinda spent all nights cooking up potions and other stuff. And I don't know how, but we clicked...so...yeah." he said scratching his head.

"But I Swear My Lord, it is not affecting her Training nor my Work, I promise," he said sincerely.

"Arya, you are an adult...Who you date and have relationships with, is not my concern as long as Our Friendship and your loyalty to our vision are not affected" I said softly.

"..thank you, My Lord"

"Anyways, since we are on the topic of work. Have you finished what I asked you, Arya?" I said looking excited.

"I di- Wait a minute, Now I Know Why you called after a year of radio silence, Grey"

I chuckle, "Hey, hey, you are jumping to conclusions...I really did miss you, my friend, trust me"

"...yeah," he said sarcastically showing me the Finger.

"huh~ It is done. At least the Prototype of it. Seriously though, You ask me some weird stuff to make bruh, and it's only been a year since I last saw you...!"

'oh? For him, its been only a year whereas for me technically it is around 5 yrs, roughly speaking' I thought.

"Oo I know you can do it, Arya, I Always had faith in you, O Great Arch-Bishop"

"Ok ok, cut it out. I get it. Anyway, I will send it through Shadow Khan...I tried to add as much as I possibly can, according to your requirements.

But grey, You Need an Actual Magic-based Mechanical engineer to build this...It's too complex for me to handle" he said knowingly.

I nod, "I understand. But thank You, Arya, for making this at such short notice. You have no idea how greatly this improves our Firepower once completed" 

I praised his talent, as it is no easy feat to make a Custom Weapon while being an arch-mage with expertise in Spells.

With that aside we chatted for a while as I shared my conquests and my plans, before he was called upon to honor his Duty as a Boyfriend.

"Got to Go, Grey, I guess I'll see you after a year. when my course completes?"

"Yeah, I'll Come and pick you guys up Personally, if all goes well. Take care of yourself and Emily, Arya"

"Hai hai, My Lord"

We chuckled before ending the call.

-------X DISCONNECTED

I spent a few more moments soaking in the bath, letting Arya's teasing and the pleasant catch-up wash over me. But soon, my thoughts turned to the upcoming dinner with Lily. The new queen at just seventeen, she had a lot on her shoulders, and our relationship added another layer of complexity to her already demanding life.

I sighed, knowing what I had to do. "This isn't going to be easy, Ddraig," I muttered, leaning back against the cool marble edge of the tub.

~No, it won't be,~ Ddraig agreed, his voice resonating in my mind. But it's the right thing to do. She's young, with a whole kingdom to lead.

"Yeah, she deserves to focus on her responsibilities without any distractions," I murmured, feeling the weight of the decision settle over me.

After drying off and getting dressed, I made my way to the dining hall. 

The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm, golden light through the castle windows. I could hear the faint sounds of the household staff preparing for dinner, the clinking of dishes and the soft murmur of voices.

As I approached the entrance to the hall, I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the conversation ahead. Lily deserved honesty and respect, and I intended to give her that.

The doors opened, The dining hall was bathed in a soft, golden glow, the flickering candlelight casting long shadows on the walls. 

And there she was, seated at the head of the long, elegantly set table. 

Lily looked radiant, her blonde hair cascading over her shoulders, a serene expression on her face. But there was a hint of apprehension in her eyes as she saw me enter.

"Grey," she greeted warmly, though there was a slight quiver in her voice. "I'm glad you could make it."

I smiled, taking my seat beside her. "Of course, Lily. It's been a while since we had a proper meal together."

She nodded, and we sat down as the first course was served. 

The conversation flowed easily, touching on light topics like the kingdom's affairs and our mutual allies. But I could sense the underlying tension, the unspoken words hanging between us.

I could see her hands nervously toying with her glass, her eyes filled with unspoken fears. Every time our gazes met, she quickly looked away as we both knew what was coming.

As the main course was brought out, I decided it was time to broach the subject. "Lily, there's something we need to talk about," I began, setting down my fork.

I finally spoke, my voice betraying the turmoil within. Her eyes shot up, wide and expectant, as if she had been dreading this moment as much as I had. 

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself.

"It's time for me to leave," I said, each word tasting bitter on my tongue. Her face paled, the color draining from her cheeks as the reality of my words sank in. 

She frowned slightly, her eyes searching mine. "Grey, if this is about the rumors or the court's expectations—"

"It's not just that," I interrupted gently. "You're young, and you have so much to learn and experience. You've been thrust into the role of a queen, a leader of your people. 

You need to focus on that, on becoming the ruler they need you to be."

her eyes widened in disbelief, her face draining of color as my words sank in. 

She clutched the edge of the table, as if it were the only thing keeping her grounded.

"So... you're saying we should end things?" Her voice wavered, a desperate edge creeping in. "That you'll leave me?"

I winced, hating myself for the pain I was causing her, but there was no other way. "Lily, I—"

But she didn't let me finish. "Grey," she interrupted, her voice rising, thick with emotion. 

"You can't just walk into my life when I needed someone, when I was lost and alone, hold me close... And now, you're just going to leave me?" Her words tumbled out in a rush, her voice trembling as she fought to hold back tears. 

"You can't, Grey... This isn't fair!"

Her outburst cut through me like a knife. She wasn't just pleading—she was unraveling, her composure slipping with every word.

The sight of her, so vulnerable, so desperate, nearly broke me. But I couldn't let that sway my resolve. I had to be strong for both of us.

"Lily," I started, my voice strained, "this is for the best. You have to understand—"

"Understand?" she echoed, her voice tinged with disbelief. "Understand what?! That the one person I trusted, the one person who made me feel safe, is abandoning me?" Her eyes were wide and pleading, searching mine for any sign that I might change my mind, that this was all just some terrible mistake.

"tell me Grey..?!"

But I couldn't give her that. "It's not abandonment..!," I said, trying to keep my voice steady, though it wavered under the weight of her anguish. "You're strong, Lily. You don't need—"

"Don't need you?" she cried, tears finally spilling over, running down her cheeks. "I do need you, Grey! I need you more than you know. 

How..How...can you say I don't need you when you're the one who's always been there for me?"

Her pain was palpable, each word laced with the heartbreak she could no longer contain. She reached out, grabbing my arm, her fingers digging into my skin as if she could physically stop me from leaving. 

"Please, Grey, don't do this. Don't leave me. I don't know how to do this without you. I don't want to do this without you."

I pulled her in my embrace as I spoke softly, "This isn't goodbye forever," 

I whispered, my voice cracking under the weight of my emotions. "But it is for now. You need to learn to stand on your own and become strong, Lily."

She shook her head, as she held tight. "No, Grey, I don't want to be strong on my own. I want you by my side. Why can't you see that?"

"Lily, I'm holding you back," I whispered, finally meeting her gaze, my own eyes burning with unshed tears. "You need to become the woman you're meant to be, and that won't happen if I stay."

Her face crumpled, and a sob escaped her lips, her shoulders shaking as the reality of my words hit her like a wave. "Please," she begged, her voice breaking. "Please don't leave me. I love you, Grey. I don't know how to do this without you."

I reached up, gently wiping away her tears with my thumb, my heart shattering with every touch. "I love you too, Lily," I whispered, the words tasting bittersweet.

I cupped her tear-streaked face gently, lifting her chin until our eyes met. "Look into my eyes, Lily. What do you see in the reflection?" I asked, my voice soft but firm.

She hesitated, her voice trembling as she whispered, "...Me?" 

The uncertainty in her voice echoed her own inner turmoil.

"Not quite," I said, shaking my head gently. "What I see is a sobbing princess who still wants to be held inside the cape of her knight...to feel safe from the world."

I paused, my gaze locking with hers, a fierce determination burning in my eyes. "But that's not what I want to see, Lily. What I wish to see is a proud queen, one who can stand in front of others and say she fucking rules this damned world."

Her eyes widened slightly as my words sank in, a flicker of understanding cutting through her despair. "You get me, hm?" I asked, my voice softening as she slowly nodded, still struggling to hold back her tears.

She buried her face in my chest, her sobs now quieter, her tears soaking through my shirt. I wrapped my arms around her, holding her close, knowing this was the last time I'd feel her warmth, the last time I'd hear her heartbeat against mine for who knows how long.

When she finally pulled away, her eyes were red and swollen, her face streaked with tears, but there was something new in her gaze—a resolve that hadn't been there before. She was still hurting, still broken, but I could see the spark of strength growing within her.

"Go," she whispered, her voice hoarse and raw from crying. "Go, Grey. But know that I'll never forget you. I'll wait for you...even after my death."

Her words struck me with a force I hadn't anticipated. She stood, her legs wobbling beneath her, but she didn't falter as she walked to the balcony. She didn't look back, didn't wait for a reply. She had made her decision.

I watched her go, a sad smile tugging at the corners of my lips. Reaching for the wine glass on the table, I turned it upside down, a symbolic gesture, and placed a ring on top of it—a silent promise left behind. Then, with a heavy heart, I stood and left the room.

As I walked down the hallway, I spotted Isabella waiting for me, her eyes filled with concern. "How did it go?" she asked quietly, her voice laced with understanding.

"It's done," I replied, my voice hollow, the weight of what I had just done pressing down on me.

Isabella sighed, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. "She'll be okay," she murmured. "In time."

"It was harder than I expected," I admitted, running a hand through my hair as a tear slipped down my cheek. "But it had to be done. Lily needs to find her own path."

Isabella nodded, her expression sympathetic. "She will. She's stronger than she looks. She just needs time."

I nod, "Isabella, Speak to Zef, Get the Army ready....We will leave tonight" I said my eyes determined, as we walked down the corridor. 

Neither of us noticed Lily standing just around the corner, her back pressed against the cold stone wall. She had heard every word, and though her heart ached, something inside her shifted. What was once fragile and filled with doubt was now hardening with a resolve she hadn't known she possessed.

"...Baka..." she murmured softly under her breath, a small, determined smile playing on her lips.

'I'll become the queen this kingdom needs. The queen you want to see,' she vowed silently, wiping away the final tears that had fallen.

'And when I see you again, I'll be worthy of standing beside you, not as just a woman beside the man she loves but as a queen beside her emperor' 

And with that thought, she smiled softly, kissing the ring she had slipped onto her finger, the one I had left behind by me.