The thunder began to fade that night. The sky, once filled with lightning and roaring storms, slowly grew calm — leaving only the distant echo of thunder rolling far away.
Elina ran through the kingdom's gates. Her breath came in ragged gasps, sweat trickling down her forehead. Panic was written plainly across her face — something rarely seen on someone who was usually so composed.
The sight before her stopped her dead in her tracks.
The ground was cracked like a giant spider's web. Stone rubble was scattered everywhere — some pieces still smoking. Walls were torn open, pillars had crumbled. Signs of a fierce battle marked every corner.
Her eyes swept the area in a panic until finally —
"Zenya!" she cried out, her voice trembling with dread.
There. In the middle of the ruins, lay a figure she recognized.
Zenya. Motionless.
"ZENYA!"
Elina ran without care for the sharp rocks or the wounds on her feet. She dropped to her knees beside the still body, her hands shaking as she touched the cold form.
"Zenya! Zenya! Can you hear me?!"
No answer.
Both her palms radiated a soft green glow — healing magic flowing from her hands into Zenya's body. But the wounds were too many, too deep.
"Please... please..." she whispered, almost like a prayer.
Slowly, ever so slowly, Zenya's eyelids flickered and opened just a little. Her gaze was unfocused.
"Elina?"
Her voice was hoarse, barely audible.
"Yes! Yes, I'm right here!" Elina held back her tears. "Hold on, Zenya. You have to hold on, please!"
Zenya smiled faintly — a weak and bitter smile.
"Just let it be."
"No!" Elina's voice rose, firm yet desperate. "You can't leave like this!"
Tears streamed down her cheeks.
"You've always pulled through no matter what. Back then, when I told you not to hurt the villagers — you listened to me."
She stared into Zenya's eyes as they slowly began to close.
"So now I'm telling you not to go! You have to keep fighting!"
Zenya gave a small smile — a rare, genuine one.
"Elina... you never stop nagging, do you."
Then her eyes closed fully. Her body went limp.
"Zenya!"
Elina's cry echoed among the ruins of the kingdom — filled with desperation and a grief too deep for words.
-
The light of dawn crept through the bedroom window. Warm and soft, like a comforting embrace.
Zenya slowly opened her eyes. The familiar ceiling of her own room greeted her — with its lavish decorations and furniture she knew so well.
She was still alive.
Her body felt heavy, every movement bringing a dull ache.
"Elina..." she murmured quietly, only now realizing who had saved her.
The door opened. Elina walked in carrying a tray with soup and medicine. The moment she saw Zenya awake, her face flooded with relief.
"Zenya! Thank goodness you're conscious!"
She set down the tray and hurried over, her hands glowing with healing light once more.
"Don't move yet — your body still needs time to recover."
"Tch." Zenya turned her face away. "Why did you do it?"
Elina was quiet for a moment, then sat on the edge of the bed.
"What do you mean?"
She looked at Zenya, then added softly,
"And also... what really happened yesterday?"
Zenya stared at the ceiling, her expression complicated — somewhere between anger, frustration, and something else entirely.
"Raksha," she said at last. "He was there. Saving two girls who had been invited by Parli."
She drew a slow breath, her voice dropping lower.
"I was deceived too. Parli had been hiding something in this kingdom for a long time. He was even the one who killed the previous King — just to take his place as the kingdom's head."
Elina stared at her, stunned.
"He made every murder look like an accident. And I was the only one who knew. Back then, I stayed silent... because I didn't care enough to do anything about it."
Elina lowered her gaze. "I always felt something was off... but I never knew it had gone that far."
Silence filled the room.
Then Elina lifted her face and looked at Zenya with a firm, unwavering gaze.
"Zenya, before the people lose control over everything that's happened... lead this nation."
Zenya turned sharply. "What?"
"I believe in you. You're a strong woman. A decisive one. Make this country better than it's ever been."
Zenya shook her head quickly. "I don't want to. I've never been interested in power or anything like that."
"But every soldier you've ever led has excelled in battle against any monster." Elina pressed on. "You've even been given the title Commander of War. The God of War."
"You can't force me," Zenya replied bitterly. "Besides, I've already given up. I gave up on strength."
She exhaled — a painful admission.
"That man, Raksha... he's a formidable opponent. He even managed to defeat Parli."
Elina smiled gently — a smile that carried both sorrow and hope.
"Maybe your obsession with strength has been wrong all this time, Zenya."
She took Zenya's cold hand in hers.
"You don't need to beat anyone. Sometimes, defeat becomes a kind of strength you never thought possible."
Zenya said nothing. Her gaze softened, just slightly.
"Look at yourself right now," Elina continued. "You're still alive. You can still eat, still drink, still do good things going forward."
Zenya let out a quiet scoff. "You're always so strange. And so noisy."
"I've made my decision," said Elina, rising to her feet. "I will lead this nation. I'll make it a peaceful and comfortable place for everyone."
She looked at Zenya with eyes that left no room for refusal.
"And you're going to help me."
Zenya drew a long breath. "Fine. Whatever you want."
But there was a faint smile at the corner of her lips.
-
The next day, the town square was filled with people. A simple stage had been erected for a momentous announcement.
Elina stood at the center, with Zenya and several soldiers positioned behind her. The sun shone brightly, but the air was still thick with tension — people had come carrying a mix of anxiety, doubt, and hope.
Elina took a deep breath, then began to speak. Her voice rang out clearly — firm, yet also warm.
"Today, we gather here to honor the sacrifice of the late Parli."
The crowd began to murmur.
"He eradicated the root of the previous monster attacks... but he paid a heavy price."
She paused for a moment, then continued in a calm, measured tone.
"Though his leadership was sometimes misguided, we all survived because of it."
Elina looked out at the faces before her — tired, scarred, but still standing.
"People of this nation. I do not dare ask for your forgiveness, for I have witnessed too much evidence of the suffering you have endured for far too long."
Her voice wavered slightly as she held back her emotions.
"But I want us to work together. We all know that without your perseverance and hard work, this nation would not have endured — and the seeds of civilization would have had no chance to grow."
"For that, I want to thank you."
The crowd grew still, listening intently.
"I believe that with all of our spirit and determination, this nation will find its prosperity again. But before that..."
Elina looked out at everyone with eyes full of resolve.
"With humility, I ask you to trust me. Together with Zenya, I will lead us toward a better future."
She placed her hand over her heart.
"I, Elina, swear upon the name of this nation."
A moment of silence — as if the entire city held its breath.
Then, a single voice rose from the crowd.
"MISS ELINA!"
Followed by dozens, then hundreds more.
"LEADER ELINA! FOREVER!"
Cheers erupted. Some wept with relief, some smiled through tears, some waved their hands, some pulled the person beside them into an embrace.
Hope — long lost — had finally returned.
In the middle of the crowd, the children from the orphanage stood together. Alice, Ensei, Selena, Varesa, and the others — even Miss Novy. Every one of them was smiling, clapping with pure and unguarded joy.
And far away, on the rooftop of a building unseen by anyone, Han stood. He watched the speech with an expression that was difficult to read — but in his eyes, there was something that looked very much like approval.
Time passed.
Within a week, Elina had managed to reignite the spirit of her nation in a way no leader before her had ever done. She went directly to the people — listening to their grievances, offering solutions.
Zenya, though reluctant at first, now led the soldiers in an entirely different way.
No longer through fear, but through a renewed sense of purpose.
"Distribute food to those who need it," she ordered her troops. "Help the people rebuild their homes. We are protectors — not oppressors."
The soldiers, so accustomed to Zenya's harsh and strict approach, were taken aback at first — but they followed her orders without question.
Slowly, they began to see something new in the eyes of the people: respect, rather than fear.
-
One morning, Elina approached Zenya, who was overseeing the soldiers' training.
"Zenya, come walk with me. I want to see how things are going across the nation."
Zenya didn't look up, still focused on her soldiers. "I don't need to come along."
"You do." Elina's tone left no room for argument.
"You're always holed up in the palace. Try looking around for once."
Zenya let out a long sigh — the weary exhale of someone who already knew she'd lost.
"Fine. Whatever you want."
But there was just a hint of amusement in her voice.
Elina smiled with quiet satisfaction.
They walked through the city streets and into the villages.
"Miss Elina! Miss Elina!"
The townspeople greeted her with joy, calling her name with genuine warmth and reverence. Children ran up to meet her.
Elina laughed, kneeling down to speak with them eye to eye.
Zenya walked a few steps behind, her posture still stiff.
Though the hostility from the people was gone, their eyes still held a flicker of unease whenever they glanced her way.
Then, suddenly —
A small child came running carelessly, not noticing the stone in the path ahead.
Thud.
The child tripped and fell — not too hard, but enough. The little one winced, eyes glistening, trying very hard not to cry.
Zenya — on pure instinct — stepped forward immediately. She knelt down, reached out, and lifted the child with a gentleness that surprised even herself.
"You should watch where you're going."
Her voice was flat — automatic, as though she were issuing a military order.
The child froze. Their lip trembled, eyes going wide with fear. Zenya's aura — even softened as it was — was still far too overwhelming for someone so small.
"S-sorry..." the child whispered, trembling.
Elina quickly closed the distance, her expression a mixture of concern and mild exasperation. She knelt beside the child, her gentle hand soothing the little one's head.
"Don't be afraid." Her voice was warm and reassuring. "She sounds scary, but she was only trying to protect you."
She glanced at Zenya with a quiet smile.
"Zenya... won't hurt anyone anymore."
The child gave a hesitant nod, then bolted back into the arms of their panicked mother.
Zenya watched the small figure go with a complicated expression — something between frustration, bewilderment, and something that might have been... pain.
Elina rose to her feet and looked at Zenya with a faint but meaningful smile.
"Your kindness is real, Zenya. You just have to learn... how to show it."
Zenya startled. A faint flush crept across her face — a rare trace of embarrassment. She quickly turned her head away, crossing her arms into a defensive stance.
"Tch... don't get the wrong idea. I just... don't like watching fools fall flat on their face."
Elina laughed — a light, genuine sound. She raised her hand to her lips, her eyes bright with barely-contained amusement.
"Then next time, try saying it in a softer voice. So they know what you really mean."
Zenya gave a quiet scoff, stubbornly keeping her face turned away. "Tch... I know what I'm doing."
But then —
Small footsteps drew near. The child had come back, this time clutching a small handful of freshly-picked flowers.
The child stood in front of Zenya, nervous but determined. "Th-thank you for helping me..."
A little pair of hands reached out, offering the bouquet with trembling fingers.
Zenya... froze. Completely.
Her mind seemed to go blank. Her face cycled through expressions — surprise, confusion, panic, embarrassment. Her hand lifted awkwardly, unsure of what to do. She took the flowers.
"I... yes..." Her voice had lost all of its usual confidence. "That's... how it should be..."
An awkward silence.
"ZENYA!" — Elina's voice, straining heroically to hold back laughter.
-
A late afternoon at the orphanage. The air was cool, and the sky was shifting from blue to a warm golden orange.
Alice, Selena, and Rina walked leisurely through the courtyard — enjoying the fresh air after spending several days cooped up inside.
"The evening air feels so nice," Selena remarked, stretching her arms above her head.
Alice nodded, smiling softly. Beside her, Rina walked quietly, her eyes scanning the surroundings — as though she were sensing something.
Then —
Rina stopped abruptly. Her head snapped sharply toward a cluster of trees at the edge of the orphanage grounds.
"Rina?" Alice noticed immediately. "What is it?"
But Rina was already running — fast, desperate, driven by a certainty that pulled her forward without question.
"Rina!" Alice and Selena hurried after her, confused and worried.
Behind the trees, standing in the shadows, was a familiar figure.
"BIG BROTHER!"
Rina crashed into Han with full force, wrapping her arms around him tight. Her tears broke free — all the worry, the fear, and the longing she had held in for days finally released all at once.
"Where have you been?! I missed you so much!"
Han — usually so calm and composed — his expression softened completely. He held Rina with quiet tenderness.
"I'm sorry for making you worry."
Alice arrived a moment later, catching her breath. When she saw Han, relief washed visibly over her face.
"Han! Thank goodness you're alright!"
Rina immediately pulled back, her hands moving in a panic to check Han's body for injuries. There were marks on his arm, scratches along his side, bruises that had started to fade.
"You're hurt —"
"I'm fine, Rina." Han's voice was gentle and calm.
But Rina wasn't listening. Her hands were already glowing with healing magic — warm, soft light flowing into Han's body.
Selena stepped closer, watching the scene with quiet interest.
"So you're Han. The one Alice told me about."
Han gave a polite nod in acknowledgment.
Alice moved forward, her expression serious but earnest.
"Han, stay here. With Rina."
Han was quiet for a moment, then slowly shook his head. "I... can't be with you all just yet. I might be a wanted man now."
"No!" Alice's voice was firm. "I've explained everything to Miss Elina. You, Han — you only wanted to save Rina, your sister. And you saved me too."
She held his gaze steadily.
"Miss Elina understands your situation. She hasn't made you a wanted person or anything like that. In fact, she wants to thank you herself."
"Brother." Rina's voice was small but unwavering. "I'll go wherever you go."
Han smiled — a sad smile that somehow also looked proud. He gently ruffled Rina's hair.
"Rina, you can stay here."
"I want to be with you!" Rina's voice rose, full of longing.
"I'll always be nearby, Rina." Han's voice was soft but firm. "I'll be around — in the village, in the town, in the forest, at the market."
He turned back, his eyes resting on Rina with a gaze full of warmth.
"But I will always be there for you, Rina."
A brief silence. He gently took Alice's hand in his.
"And, Alice... thank you."
Alice's face went suddenly warm. A flush crept from her cheeks all the way to her ears. She quickly looked down.
"I — that was... nothing," she mumbled, her voice barely a whisper.
Selena, who had been watching from the side, broke into a mischievous grin — her eyes sparkling, clearly savoring every second of it. She sidled up to Alice and whispered — loudly enough for everyone to hear.
"Oh my~ Why is Alice's face so red~?"
"Selena!" Alice shot back in what was supposed to be a whisper but came out more like a hiss, her face only growing redder.
Selena giggled, covering her mouth with her hand. Han watched the exchange with a look of mild confusion, but said nothing.
Rina, watching it all, allowed herself a small smile — even though the ache of parting with her brother still sat quietly in her chest, the warmth of seeing Alice and Han together settled something gentle inside her.
Evening deepened. The sky moved from orange to violet, and stars began to appear one by one.
Selena looked up at the sky with mild concern. "We should head back to the orphanage. It's getting dark."
She turned to Han with a sincere smile. "Han, thank you for saving Alice."
Han nodded, then knelt down in front of Rina one more time. His hand rested on her head with boundless tenderness.
"Take care of yourself in there, Rina."
Rina looked at her brother with glistening eyes, but she held herself together. "You too, Brother."
She held out her little pinky finger — a gesture that was well-known between the two of them.
"Tomorrow... tomorrow I want to cook together or go for a walk with you. Promise!"
Han hooked his pinky around hers, his smile genuine and warm.
"I promise."
The sun finally dipped below the horizon. Darkness began to settle over everything, but the warm glow of the orphanage lights still shone in the distance.
They parted — Rina, Alice, and Selena walking back toward the orphanage. Rina kept glancing over her shoulder, waving with a hope that was pure and unguarded.
Han stood where he was, waving back. His silhouette slowly faded into the shadows of the night.
But Rina could feel it — her brother was still there, still watching, still protecting.
Just as he always had.
To be continued…