After the intense meeting at the palace, Sion stepped through the wrap gate and emerged instantly within the grand marble halls of Presia Dukedom—his childhood home.
The air was calm, unlike the storm brewing inside his mind. As his boots clicked softly against the polished floor, he noticed Jerin, the newly appointed head butler, giving quiet instructions to the staff. Jerin bowed deeply upon seeing Sion.
"Welcome back, my lord. The estate is running smoothly, as per your instructions."
Sion gave a nod, "You're doing well, Jerin. Keep things steady. I may be away more often in the coming days."
Before entering the palace's main wing, Sion took a walk through the local areas of Presia, where common folk bustled about. The presence of their duke's son brought joy and curiosity. A group of elderly women approached him first.
"My lord, we heard you've become quite the hero in the capital," one said, smiling warmly.
"Hero?" Sion chuckled. "Not quite. I just end up doing what no one else wants to."
A young boy tugged his coat. "Is it true you fought monsters and made giant magical tanks?"
Sion bent down. "Yes, and they're loud enough to scare even the bravest beast away. But don't go near them—they're not toys."
The people laughed. The moment of lightness gave Sion the courage to carry the burden he bore.
Soon after, he returned to the palace and stepped into his father's office. Duke John, seated among piles of documents, looked up with tired eyes. Upon seeing his son, his face relaxed into a rare smile.
"How are you doing, Sion?"
"That's my line," Sion replied with a smirk. "I've come to speak about something important."
John gestured to the chair across him. "I assume it's about the coronation? Katherine becoming Queen and King Nathan's sudden abdication… Yes, I received the news. It shocked me, but I'm relieved the situation didn't crumble."
Sion nodded seriously. "That was just the beginning. What I'm going to tell you now is even more critical."
John straightened. Sion continued:
"The reconnaissance team I sent returned yesterday. They only lost one soldier, but the things they encountered… were unnatural. They described the location as a graveyard of silence. Complete darkness, whispering voices, lurking shadows. There was something massive there—beast-like. Thankfully, the magical tank helped them repel the threat, but we couldn't recover the missing soldier.
It wasn't just danger. It was… a reality bending into something else. They said it didn't feel like Clover anymore. It felt like hell."
John's face turned pale.
"Hell? Are you sure?"
"I trust my men, and I trust the machines. But that's not all. Tomorrow, I'm going there myself."
John slammed the table. "You are not allowed! Don't you understand what you're facing?!"
"Father," Sion's voice was calm but firm. "I am going. I know you're worried. But this is something only I can do. I've lived too long in the shadows of others. Let me face it."
At that moment, Lady Mary entered the room, having overheard everything. Tears welled in her eyes as she ran to her son and embraced him tightly.
"You are not going anywhere, Sion. I won't let you walk into that… place. You've already done so much—don't risk your life now!"
Sion held her gently. "Mother, I promise. I'll come back. I'll be safe. I have things to protect… including both of you."
They stood in silence, hearts heavy. Finally, Sion stepped away and left the room.
As he walked through the corridor, Raphael appeared beside him in a shimmer of light.
"You're burdened again," she said quietly.
"You know why," Sion replied, his voice low. "They care about me, but… I'm not really their son. I'm just a soul clinging to his body."
Raphael looked away, unable to respond. The truth cut deeper than any sword. Sion continued walking.
"I can't run from what I am. But that doesn't mean I can let this world fall."
Finally, he arrived at the door to Janet's room—his younger sister. As he reached for the handle, the weight of family, destiny, and identity pressed against him… but he stood tall.
Tomorrow, he would face the unknown.