The distant echoes of the royal courtroom had long faded.
Silence now ruled the quiet gallery where Roman and Ezra stood side by side, far from the suffocating weight of nobles, king, and judgment.
Moonlight slipped through the tall stone arches, painting pale silver across the marble floor.
Yet even that calm light could not soothe the storm inside Roman's heart.
Grief lingered.
Not loud.
Not visible.
But deep… and heavy.
The truth about his mother had finally surfaced.
The name of the one responsible had been spoken aloud before the entire kingdom.
And tomorrow…
Noah Rockson would hang.
Justice had already been declared.
There was nothing left for Roman to do in that matter.
So why…
did the pain remain?
His fingers curled slowly at his side.
Because another truth still existed
one far more dangerous than Noah's crimes.
A truth he could never reveal.
The truth that the real Roman Crowell… was gone.
And that another soul lived within this body.
A reincarnated emperor.
A stranger wearing the face of a son…
and a brother.
He had lied.
To Jacob.
To Selena.
To the only family this body had ever known.
Roman closed his eyes briefly, steadying the chaos inside him.
When he opened them again, the calm mask had returned.
He cleared his throat softly.
"Miss Ezra," he said quietly, his voice controlled yet carrying a faint edge,
"I clearly stated during the meeting with the Pope… that my identity as the Warherald must remain hidden."
A pause.
"Then why," he continued, turning his gaze toward her,
"did you reveal it today in front of the Clover nobles?"
Ezra stiffened instantly.
Guilt flashed across her face.
"I… I'm really sorry, Roman," she said quickly.
"It just… slipped out. The Prime Minister kept pushing and provoking me, and I "
She lowered her head.
"I shouldn't have said it. I'm truly sorry."
Roman studied her silently for a moment.
The moonlight reflected in his eyes, but the emotion behind them remained unreadable.
Finally, he exhaled.
"…Alright," he said.
Ezra looked up in surprise.
"But keep watch on them," Roman added calmly.
"Make sure none of the nobles spread this information further."
"Yes," Ezra nodded firmly.
"I'll order the spy division tonight. They'll monitor every noble present in the court."
Roman gave a faint nod, accepting the answer.
Then his tone shifted
back to the voice of a commander preparing for war.
"How are the preparations?" he asked.
"Are the regiments ready as planned?"
Ezra straightened immediately.
"Yes," she replied.
"Nearly five thousand active Paladins have already been stationed near the surrounding kingdoms and empires."
She continued steadily:
"Holy clerics have been dispatched according to regional need."
"Blessed archer units are already on the move."
"And approximately twenty-two thousand shieldbearers have been deployed to defensive positions."
Roman listened without interruption, his expression sharpening with focus.
"And the artillery division?" he asked.
"Fully deployed," Ezra answered.
"Mana-infused cannons for long-range bombardment, holy ballistae, and ritual siege engines… all in position."
"…Good."
For a brief moment, silence returned.
"And your team?" Roman asked next.
"The Holy Pope is still determining final deployment locations," Ezra said.
"But my assignment and Captain Gabriel's have already been decided."
Roman glanced at her.
"I am placed in charge of the Holy Empire's central command," she continued,
"and Captain Gabriel Velk will oversee operations within the Clover Kingdom."
A faint approval crossed Roman's face.
"He's strong," Roman said quietly.
"A reliable swordsman… and a steady leader."
"Yes," Ezra nodded.
"Everything is moving exactly as you planned."
She hesitated slightly before adding:
"…But the signs are appearing."
Roman's eyes narrowed.
"The Paladins are noticing changes during minor dungeon breakouts," she explained.
"The monsters… are getting stronger. More aggressive.
And our casualties… are rising."
Roman looked ahead into the darkness of the gallery.
"…A signal," he said softly.
"The Second Dungeon Breakout is approaching."
His voice remained calm
yet carried the weight of certainty.
"We must be ready to defend against it."
Ezra forced a small, reassuring smile.
"Don't worry, Roman.
Everything will be fine."
But Roman did not answer.
Because deep inside…
his heart felt something else.
A distant tremor.
A silent warning.
Something far more dangerous than a dungeon…
was approaching this world.
And it was very close.
Still, his expression hardened with resolve.
"…No matter," he murmured.
"I'll deal with it."
Suddenly, he turned toward Ezra again.
"What do you think about the King of Clover… Augustus Nova?" he asked.
Ezra blinked slightly at the unexpected question.
"Why do you think," Roman continued,
"he accepted defeat so easily?"
Ezra's gaze darkened with thought.
"As far as I know," she said slowly,
"he is not someone who accepts defeat without a plan."
She paused.
"The Pope once told me…
that Augustus Nova is cunning… and ruthless."
"He will do whatever is necessary… to achieve what he wants."
"…Is that so."
Roman's eyes grew distant.
Then, in a voice completely calm
almost casual
he asked:
"…What do you think…"
A brief silence passed between them.
"…Should I change the king?"
And the quiet gallery seemed to hold its breath.