Whooosh!
A surge of pure, cleansing energy exploded within him.
The sensation was unmistakable—his mana pathways, long since tempered to perfection, were being purified once more.
For an ordinary knight, merely ingesting this potion would allow them to transcend decades of training in an instant.
And then—
Shhhh—
The black energy that had burrowed into his body—the remnants of that shadow—was completely washed away.
The sheer clarity of it left him speechless.
William's voice broke the silence.
"How do you feel?"
"Truly… incredible."
His words felt inadequate, but nothing else came to mind.
William smiled.
"I see. And the one who created this remarkable potion is standing right there."
Aizen turned to Ian, but for once, he had nothing to say.
William continued, his voice calm yet firm.
"You have just saved the future of this continent, Sir Aizen."
Aizen closed his eyes.
He knew it was meant to be a comfort. But it was not just empty words—this potion truly carried the potential to change the world.
After a long pause, he spoke.
"The Third Prince… what do you intend to do with this?"
He had forgotten even to address William formally. His dazed eyes searched for an answer.
William simply shrugged.
"I can do anything with it. But first, shouldn't I take revenge for my father?"
A promise, spoken without the need for further explanation.
Aizen, drowning in his own regret, felt something shift within him.
Like a condemned man given the faintest hope of redemption, he exhaled deeply, lowering his gaze.
And in a voice hoarse with emotion, he whispered,
"...Thank you, Third Prince."
William said nothing. He simply clasped Aizen's hands, as if grounding him—allowing him, even if only for a moment, to find solace in the midst of his sorrow.
There were still many matters to discuss, but everyone's exhaustion—both physical and emotional—was overwhelming.
The Grand Duke's death.
Jordi's rebellion.
The unknown forces working in the shadows.
These were not things to resolve in a single day.
"You all must still be weary from the journey. Get some rest first—pick any room you like."
"Are you sure?"
"I am the master of the White Palace. Who would dare object?"
William's declaration was met with cheers.
For those who had once served the son of a noble household, their lord was now the Duke himself.
Of course they would benefit from his rise in status.
"There's no need to be reserved. Every one of them is your junior now. If anyone dares look down on you, put them in their place immediately."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
With a resounding chorus, William's retainers dispersed, leaving him alone.
Only then did he set his sights on Aizen's retreating figure.
"Aizen."
Aizen turned at the call, hesitating for a moment before correcting himself.
"Yes, Third Prin—No… Your Highness."
William exhaled slowly.
"There's something I didn't tell you earlier."
Aizen glanced at him, a knowing smile playing at his lips.
"I already know."
Aizen smiled, and William blinked in confusion.
He had yet to say anything, and yet Aizen already claimed to know?
"Sir Aizen, I believe there's been a misunderstanding—"
"If you were to publicly state that the method used to assassinate the Grand Duke was strikingly similar to the one the mage used against me, it would be a simple matter to strip Jordi of his title," Aizen interrupted. "You know this, and yet you've chosen not to act on it. And for that, you feel guilty toward me, don't you?"
William fell silent.
Aizen had struck too close to the truth.
He studied William for a moment before letting out a bitter chuckle.
"Of course, there is no tangible evidence. But the world rarely demands proof when reputation alone is enough to tip the scales. And in this case, my word alone would more than suffice."
After all, this was not some passing jest—it involved the death of the Grand Duke and the treachery of his own son.
If a knight as loyal as Aizen, a Sword Saint whose very name defined an era, were to expose the shame of his own house…
There would be no need for evidence. The world would believe it without question.
"More importantly," Aizen continued, his tone measured, "Jordi's rebellion is a direct threat to His Majesty the Emperor. With my testimony alone, the Emperor would not hesitate to ensure the Hern household has a new master—no matter the cost."
William exhaled.
"So, you already knew."
"Yes. And I also know why Your Highness refuses to go down that path."
With Aizen's testimony and the Empire's backing, removing Jordi would be effortless.
Most of those who followed him were unaware of his treachery. If the truth of his patricide was revealed, everyone except his closest confidants would abandon him.
And with the Emperor's support, Tristan would reclaim the position of family head in no time.
But that was in Tristan's best interest, not William's.
Jordi, having usurped his title through betrayal and rebellion, had no legitimacy.
In other words, William could remove him at any time.
But if Tristan reclaimed the title, the situation would change.
With the Empire's recognition and a just cause behind him, Tristan would cement his position beyond challenge.
And if Tristan, the righteous son, restored the family by vanquishing the traitor? Then William would have no opening left.
No matter what justification he used, if William moved against Tristan, he would be branded an ambitious usurper.
He would lose the trust of the people, and even if he won, no one would accept him as the new head of Hern.
If he sought to claim Hern, Jordi was the better opponent to leave in power.
Yes… that was the logical course.
But…
This was a matter of ambition, not justice.
How could he stand before Aizen, a man who had lost his chance at revenge due to his own mistake, and ask him to set aside his vengeance for William's ambitions?
He couldn't.
"Sir Aizen."
"Do as you must."
"…What?"
"Defeat Jordi and claim Hern for yourself. Do not hand it over to the First Prince out of consideration for me. Even if it means my vengeance is delayed, it does not matter."