Despite losing consciousness, Decar’s face still had a smiling expression. At that moment, Delina called Velion again.

“Your Excellency! Please hurry!”

The smoke was approaching Velion and Decar. Only then did Velion turn away and, for the last time, glanced at Decar.

“Do you have any last words?”

“Last words? When did I do such a sentimental thing…”
Saying that, Decar gradually closed his eyes. Velion, who silently watched him, turned around and quickly walked away.

“…”

Now, the poison smoke completely enveloped Decar’s entire body. Decar opened his eyes slightly, which he had been keeping closed. Though his vision was blurred, he could see Velion’s receding figure in the distance and his shattered mask lying beside him.

“Unfortunate fellow.”

Finally, a sincere word emerged from Decar. Closing his eyes again, memories of the past unfolded in his mind like a painting. Young Velion, the people gathered around him, and the figure of the Emperor watching them.

Yes, I don’t want to admit it, but maybe I was jealous of you. Despite having a good family, friends, and a lover, I disliked your always composed face. I might have gone through all this just to see your face distort.

“…Now is not the time for useless thoughts.”

Yes, but one thing is certain…

“It was interesting.”

The Helium Empire, everyone involved with Velion. Everything he set in motion towards them. All of it was incredibly interesting, he thought. Decar’s mouth gradually lifted. However, as the strength drained from his body, his mouth remained stiff.

“Milord, over there!”

The Helium Empire members were avoiding the poison smoke and were in a safe area near the border, near the cliff.

Edwin and Estelle, who were quietly watching from the cliff, soon noticed the rising smoke near the forest. Felic, who was observing the scene with them, suddenly darkened.

“No way, is that…?”

Felik’s face also darkened as Edwin, who heard someone respond.

“No, it should be okay.”

It was Estelle. She observed the spreading smoke.

“The range of the smoke is very narrow. Maybe the amount of powder was small. Moreover, at this speed, we should be able to avoid it easily.”

While analyzing the smoke, Estelle, still anxious, looked down towards the entrance of the forest. Simultaneously, everyone’s gaze was directed at the entrance, and soon another knight’s voice was heard.

“Milord, there! Over there!”

Not only the knights but everyone’s attention was on the figures walking from the forest entrance. They were supporting each other, and although everyone’s condition was not excellent, they returned safely.

“Uh… but, who is that person?”

However, upon seeing Velion’s bare face walking ahead, the others were bewildered. They didn’t recognize Velion. Seeing this, Felic shouted loudly.

“Your Excellency!”

At the booming shout of Felic, the gazes of those coming out of the forest turned upward. At the cliff, the people of the Helium Empire were gathered. The knights who realized that Velion was leading them joyfully shouted with bright faces.

“Wow!”
In response to their cheers, Delina simply chuckled with a tired expression.

“Receiving cheers from so many people after the clown performance, it’s the first time for me.”

“Everyone must have been waiting for us that much. It’s only natural that it turned out like this. Shake hands or something naturally.”

“I’d like to do that too, but I really can’t move a finger. Are you okay, especially carrying me? Isn’t it tough?”

Delina asked with concern while looking at Noah, who was carrying her.

“Well, I’ve been trained a lot. I can handle a weight like a wild boar without a hitch.”

“…How about getting bitten by those wild boar teeth?”

While bantering with Noah, Delina looked around at the children and Velion who were around her. Then, she gazed at the horizon, where the sun was gradually rising, squinting her eyes as if dazzled by the sunlight, and smiled.

“Let’s go back now.”

It was the end of the war.