The conference room doors slowly closed behind them.
The hallway of the Alaska base was unusually quiet. Only the distant footsteps of soldiers echoed through the corridor.
Claudette's family had already left.
Their farewell had left a heavy silence over the entire base.
Neither Rose nor Marina spoke for several moments.
Rose walked with her eyes fixed ahead, her expression unreadable.
Marina glanced at her before gently breaking the silence.
"Now that the Council has reached its decision, we must focus on what comes next."
Rose nodded absentmindedly.
After a long pause, she finally spoke.
"I want to go to the Sea Kingdom."
Marina looked at her.
Without hesitation, she reached over and gently held Rose's hand.
"In due time," she said softly.
"But not today."
Rose lowered her head.
"They're protecting Sophia."
"They're protecting their princess," Marina corrected. "There is a difference."
Rose remained silent.
"Our first responsibility is to preserve peace while it is still possible," Marina continued.
"The Sea Kingdom deserves one opportunity to surrender Sophia willingly."
"And if they refuse?"
Marina's expression became serious.
"The Treaty of Peace binds every kingdom, every clan, every faction, and every ruler."
"No king stands above that law."
"If King Nerion knowingly shelters someone who committed murder during an international mission, then the Sea Kingdom itself will be violating the treaty."
Rose slowly nodded.
"So we're giving them a choice."
"Yes."
"And if they choose wrong?"
Marina stopped walking.
Her gentle smile disappeared.
"Then diplomacy will have reached its end."
A long silence followed.
Rose closed her eyes for a moment before opening them again.
"I'll wait."
She looked toward the distant mountains beyond the base.
"But only until the Sea Kingdom gives us its answer."
Marina smiled faintly.
"That is all I ask."
The two continued walking through the quiet hallway, unaware that someone hidden within the shadows had overheard every word.
⸻
The Sea Kingdom
The royal council chamber buzzed with heated debate.
King Nerion sat proudly upon the throne while nobles, ministers, military commanders, and royal advisors argued among themselves.
Standing before the throne was Archduke Vermont.
"Your Majesty," Vermont began calmly, "this is no longer only about Princess Sophia."
King Nerion frowned.
"It became an international matter the moment the Magic Council demanded her appearance."
"I have already made my decision," the king replied.
"Sophia is not leaving this kingdom."
"I will protect my daughter."
Vermont remained composed.
"And at what cost?"
The king rose from his throne.
"If I must sacrifice ten thousand lives to save my child…"
"…then I shall."
The room fell silent.
Several nobles stared at one another in disbelief.
One elderly noble hesitantly stepped forward.
"My King… have you considered the consequences?"
"If the Magic Council declares war…"
"What becomes of everything this kingdom has built?"
Before Nerion could answer, Vermont spoke.
"The throne exists to protect its people."
"It does not exist to sacrifice them."
Every noble turned toward him.
"If Princess Sophia is surrendered peacefully, she will receive a lawful trial."
"If she is innocent, she will return."
"If she is guilty, she must answer for her actions."
"But if we refuse…"
He looked directly into his brother's eyes.
"We transform a criminal trial into a war."
King Nerion slammed both hands onto the coral table.
"I am your king!"
"You will obey me!"
Vermont answered without raising his voice.
"I respect the crown."
"But I will not support a decision that leads our people toward destruction."
"You would betray your own family?"
"I am trying to save it."
The room became silent once again.
Vermont continued.
"The reports from Alaska confirm the appearance of a dragon."
Murmurs spread throughout the chamber.
"A dragon?"
"No…"
"Impossible…"
Vermont nodded.
"Not just any dragon."
"A black dragon."
The room instantly froze.
"There has never been a dragon that willingly served someone without recognizing a worthy bloodline."
He slowly looked around the chamber.
"We are facing forces far greater than we realize."
He turned back toward the throne.
"I advise surrendering Princess Sophia."
"I will personally negotiate with the Magic Council."
"I will do everything within my power to protect this kingdom."
"But…"
His expression hardened.
"You will not have my army."
Without another word, Vermont turned and walked out of the chamber.
The massive doors closed behind him.
King Nerion's furious roar echoed throughout the palace.
⸻
Magic Council Headquarters
Hours later…
A magical communication circle appeared in the Council chamber.
Marina stood beside Chelsea while several Council members watched quietly.
Archduke Vermont appeared within the magical screen.
He bowed respectfully.
"On behalf of the Sea Kingdom, I offer my deepest condolences to the family of Claudette Perry."
"No apology can replace the life that was lost."
Marina inclined her head.
"Thank you, Archduke."
Vermont took a slow breath.
"I have delivered the Council's summons."
"The king has refused."
Silence filled the room.
Chelsea slowly stood.
"Then let the record show that the Sea Kingdom has declined to cooperate under Article Seven of the Treaty of Peace."
She looked directly toward Vermont.
"You understand the consequences."
"I do."
Suddenly—
Oran stood.
"I object."
Every eye turned toward him.
"The death of a single soldier should not determine the fate of an entire kingdom."
Marina's expression hardened.
"A single soldier?"
"She was murdered by the teammate she trusted."
Oran shrugged.
"War claims lives."
"It is unfortunate."
"But hardly worth creating political conflict."
Marina stepped forward.
"If it had been your child…"
"Would you still call it unfortunate?"
Oran remained emotionless.
"I have no children."
"So I cannot answer."
Chelsea's face darkened.
"The Council exists because justice is blind to status."
"Princess or commoner…"
"The law remains the same."
She turned toward Vermont.
"The Council will proceed according to the treaty."
Vermont bowed.
"I understand."
As the magical connection disappeared…
Oran quietly lowered his head.
No one noticed the faint smile on his face.
I have to warn the king.
⸻
Alaska Forest
Night had fallen.
Deep within the frozen forest near Blackwell territory…
Creatures fled through the darkness.
A streak of crimson fire tore across the battlefield.
One monster collapsed.
Then another.
Rose moved through the forest like a silent storm.
Every swing of her sword ended another creature.
Black shadows intertwined with her crimson flames.
The monsters that once worshipped the Blackwell bloodline now fled from her in fear.
Hidden among the trees, the rest of Red Team watched in silence.
No one dared approach her.
Selene closed her eyes.
Using her empathic gift, she reached toward Rose's emotions.
She felt grief.
She felt guilt.
She felt anger.
Then…
A deep loneliness.
Selene slowly opened her eyes.
Tears filled them.
"Please…"
She whispered.
"Don't carry this burden alone."
The last creature charged toward Rose.
Without hesitation, she drove her sword straight through its chest.
The forest became silent.
Rose stood alone among the fallen creatures, breathing heavily.
Slowly, the crimson flames surrounding her disappeared into the cold night air.
She lifted her head toward the starlit sky.
Then she slowly tilted to the side her head toward the distant horizon.
For a brief moment…
Her emerald eyes shimmered before turning into brilliant gold.
An ancient calm settled over her expression, as though another presence quietly looked through her eyes.
Beyond those distant mountains…
Lay the Sea Kingdom.
A cold breeze swept through the forest.
Rose drew a slow breath.
"Sophia…"
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"I'll be waiting."
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