And Thus… It All Comes to an End - Chapter 22

It was my grandfather who finally broke the silence of the meeting gathered to discuss our future.

“—The Bracelet of Subordination. Most likely, it was something held within the Royal Treasury.”

His voice dropped low, echoing dully against the oppressive ceiling. Each word sank into the room, causing the space to fall even quieter.

“Originally, it is a ‘taboo item’ forbidden from even being taken outside. I have heard that ancient relics are stored within that treasury. The King is the only one who holds the key even I have never peeked inside.”

Silence returned. No one opened their mouth, as if savoring the weight of that revelation. Eventually, Rutherford knitted his brows.

“Which means there is no room for doubt that the King himself is involved.”

“Yes,” Emilia nodded quietly. “The Crown Prince also said he ‘received it from his father.’ He certainly said those words.”

Grandfather exhaled a deep breath and pressed a hand to his temple.

“Perhaps, from the very beginning, they had no intention of accepting the treaty. They likely planned to turn Luciana into a hostage under the guise of ‘Consort.’ …How foolish.”

His voice seeped with deep disappointment rather than anger. The fire in the fireplace popped, dropping a small sound into the heavy silence.

“I will send a letter of protest immediately!” Marcel declared, standing up with a surge of energy.

“We shall send it, of course. However, they will not admit to it,” Grandfather said coldly. “In the worst-case scenario, the King may be prepared to discard the Crown Prince entirely.”

“The Prince is his only son!” Marcel’s voice trembled.

“That King… he loves no one more than himself.”

I opened my mouth quietly.

“If that is how they intend to play it, then we have no reason to hold back.”

Everyone’s gaze shifted to me. A voice tinged with a chilly light spilled naturally from my lips.

“Then we will carry out what we planned tonight. After all, they are the ones who provided us with the perfect justification.”

“Understood.”

Julius nodded and cleared the cloth from the table. Spread out before us was a map of the Royal Capital, Dreisburg. The streets, towers, and even the canals were drawn in meticulous detail; in the center was a gold mark symbolizing the Royal Palace. Around it, five red dots reflected the light.

“Shall we manifest the magic circles at these five locations?” Julius traced the marks with his finger.

I leaned over the map, running my eyes carefully across it.

“The outskirts of the South Gate, the alleyways of the market. In front of the West Church, the shadow of the North Tower, the ruins of the Old Theater… yes, these are all places where people gather easily. The positioning of the marks is perfect.”

“In the unlikely event that the Capital’s barrier interferes, the teleportation formula will be maintained as long as these five points are connected.”

Julius’s voice was calm, but his fingertips trembled slightly. He understood the weight of this plan and the danger that accompanied it.

“I will speak to them from the fountain plaza in the heart of the Capital.” I placed my finger on the gold mark at the center of the map. “My voice should reach the entire area. Anne, will that be a problem?”

“No.” Anne’s reply was short, yet filled with absolute conviction.

The night was still ahead, but the time for execution was fast approaching.

The Royal Capital at night was eerily silent, as if the city itself were holding its breath in anticipation of our actions.

“Anne, are you ready?”

“Yes. Activating now.”

Anne folded her hands in front of her chest and quietly closed her eyes. In that instant, the density of the air shifted. As if an invisible membrane had been stretched over us, outside sounds grew distant, and the world fell under the dominion of her magic.

A faint, pale blue light began to spread from beneath her feet. Light spilling from her fingertips danced in the air, weaving a meticulous pattern. Despite the windless night, Anne’s hair floated gently, and pale particles enveloped her surroundings.

“—The connection is established,” Anne’s voice resonated.

“Well done.”

I nodded and took a quiet step forward. I released my voice as if to make the night sky tremble.

‘To the children of the Goddess who grieve for this country, hear my voice. —My name is Luciana Eisenberg, Apostle of the Goddess. There is no future in this land. Believe in me, and come to the Kingdom of Veridia. In the name of the Goddess, I swear to protect you all.’

The voice transformed into light, filling the Capital and making the darkness shudder.

Silence.

A night where not even a single breath echoed. I clenched my trembling fingers and asked, “…Anne, how is it?”

Anne answered, her eyes still closed. “Around the magic circles, I sense the presence of people starting to gather.”

I gasped at the report. My heart pulsed painfully. The first person. That one step would change everything.

An eternity of stillness followed. Even time seemed to be holding its breath. Anne knitted her brows, deepening her focus.

“…The reaction is growing stronger.”

Unconsciously, I clenched my fists. Someone. Just one person is enough.

In that moment, the light burst.

“Ah…!” Anne’s eyes flew wide open. “One person has entered!”

Something unraveled deep within my chest. I exhaled a long breath and quietly closed my eyes.

It was a mere, tiny beginning. But it was, without a doubt, the first step that would “move the nation.”