Chapter 393: Chapter 394 : One Last Goodbye (4)

Cold night air brushed against Alex’s face as he stepped beyond the palace gates.

The lights of Avaloria glowed faintly behind him, distant now, muffled by towering stone walls and heavy silence. Mist curled low along the ground, rolling lazily like something alive.

Then his gaze lifted.

Azreal stood just beyond the gates.

Tall. Still. Wrapped in midnight-black robes that seemed to drink in the surrounding light. Vast wings, folded neatly behind his back, stirred the mist with a faint, unnatural breeze. His eyes glowed softly.

Waiting for him.

Alex’s lips curved upward.

“Looks like you were ready to go even before me.”

Azreal’s gaze shifted toward him, slow and measured. A faint smirk touched the corner of his lips.

“Well,” Azreal replied calmly, “I was getting bored standing here anyway.”

Alex let out a quiet chuckle and stepped closer, Zara appearing at his side as naturally as a shadow following its owner.

He tilted his head and glanced toward her.

“So,” he said casually, though his eyes searched her face, “you’re not going to forget about me too, right?”

Zara paused.

For just a fraction of a second.

Then she sighed, crossing her arms.

“In theory,” she began, voice calm but honest, “I shouldn’t.”

Alex raised a brow. “That doesn’t sound reassuring.”

Zara shot him a sideways look.

“This body I’m currently possessing,” she explained, “was constructed using your blood and essence as the primary anchor.”

She tapped her chest lightly.

“It isn’t a natural vessel. It’s closer to a derivative existence—bound directly to you rather than this world.”

Alex listened quietly.

Zara continued, tone analytical.

“Because of that, the curse targeting existence recognition and memory tied to this universe should not affect me.”

She then nodded slightly toward Azreal.

“And Azreal is also connected to you through a blood ritual. You summoned him using your own blood and life force. That bond exists independently of conventional causality.”

Azreal inclined his head slightly in agreement.

“In simple terms,” Zara added, “neither of us should be erased from remembering you.”

She paused again.

Then frowned.

“That said… you could also say it’s all theoretical.”

Alex blinked. “…Come again?”

Zara sighed. “I have no definitive proof that Zaraeka or I won’t forget you.”

Alex’s mouth twitched.

“What a reliable theory,” he muttered. “Even the person explaining it isn’t sure.”

He glanced at her flatly. “Huh.”

Zara shrugged unapologetically.

“That’s my theory. Take it or leave it.”

Alex exhaled slowly, rubbing the back of his neck.

’Figures. I should’ve known nothing would ever be simple.’

Before he could respond further, Azreal spoke again, voice low and thoughtful.

“What about the Tower?”

Alex looked up.

“Does the will of this universe influence it as well?”

The question hung heavy in the air.

Alex’s expression shifted—no longer playful, no longer relaxed.

Serious.

“I don’t think so,” he said quietly. “The Tower is an exception.”

Zara turned fully toward him. “Explain.”

Alex looked past them, toward the horizon where reality itself seemed thinner.

“The Tower of Ascension doesn’t belong to this universe,” he said. “Not truly.”

He took a slow step forward.

“It exists outside conventional time and space. Not above it. Not below it. Outside.”

His eyes sharpened.

“The will of this universe governs causality, memory, existence, and fate within its domain. But the Tower operates on a higher, isolated framework.”

He raised a hand slightly, as if outlining an invisible structure.

“Think of this universe as a closed system. The Tower is a foreign object inserted into it—one that isn’t bound by its rules.”

Zara listened intently.

“Time doesn’t flow normally inside the Tower,” Alex continued. “Past, present, and future are malleable there. Memory erosion tied to universal authority shouldn’t apply.”

He clenched his fist slowly.

“Which means even if this curse erases me from the world… the Tower won’t acknowledge that erasure.”

Azreal’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“So inside the Tower,” Azreal said, “you still exist.”

Alex nodded.

“Exactly. The Tower recognizes strength, will, and ascent—not identity defined by this universe.”

He exhaled.

“It’s the one place where the curse has no jurisdiction.”

Zara was silent for a moment.

Then she nodded.

“I think Alex is on point.”

She turned toward the mist-shrouded path ahead.

“Which means theorizing further is pointless.”

A faint smile appeared on her lips.

“Let’s head to the Tower first.”

Azreal unfolded his wings slightly, shadows stretching wide.

“And then,” Zara finished calmly, “we’ll know for ourselves.”

Alex looked once more toward the palace behind him.

Toward the world that would soon forget him.

Then he turned forward.

When suddey ripple passed through the shadows behind him.

The air warped silently.

And someone emerged.

A figure materialized from the darkness itself, kneeling the instant his boots touched the stone.

Alex halted mid-step.

Before anyone else could react, the man bowed deeply, fist pressed to his chest.

“Your Majesty.”

Alex turned sharply.

“…Erwin?”

The commander of the Shadow Guards remained kneeling, head lowered in absolute respect.

Alex stared at him, disbelief flickering across his face.

“What are you doing here?” Alex asked. “Don’t you have other duties right now?”

For a moment, Erwin remained silent.

Then he lifted his head slightly.

“Your Majesty,” he said steadily, “I have one small request I wish to make.”

Alex blinked.

Then suddenly—

He burst out laughing.

The sound echoed faintly through the mist, startling even Zara.

“Seriously?” Alex said between chuckles. “You really are loyal to the bone, aren’t you?”

He shook his head, still smiling.

“But I’m not the king anymore. Didn’t you hear the announcement?”

He pointed back vaguely toward the palace.

“And I’m pretty sure you were there—leading every soldier during my farewell.”

Erwin didn’t move.

Slowly, deliberately, he reached up.

And removed the black hood covering his face.

The shadows peeled away.

Revealing the man beneath.

He was in his late-thirties, his features sharp and disciplined. Dark hair fell neatly around a stern but composed face. His eyes were deep and steady, carrying years of battle, loyalty, and silent resolve.

There was no fear in them.

No hesitation.

’So this is his real face,’ Alex thought quietly.

Erwin bowed again—lower than before.

“Your Majesty,” he said firmly, “please take me with you.”

Alex’s laughter died instantly.

His eyes widened.

“What…?”

Zara stiffened, eyes narrowing sharply.

Azreal’s eyes shifted faintly as his gaze locked onto Erwin.

The air itself felt heavier.

“Take you… with me?” Alex repeated slowly.

Erwin’s voice did not waver.

“I offer my life, my blade, and my loyalty—not to a throne,” he said, “but to you.”

Silence pressed down.

Alex stood there, stunned for a bit.

Zara glanced between them, clearly caught off guard.

Azreal watched Erwin closely, eyes glowing faintly, as if evaluating something far deeper than words.

And Erwin remained kneeling.

Waiting.

Unmoving.

Unshaken.

Alex let out a slow, deep sigh.

The weight of the moment pressed against his chest, heavier than any battlefield he had ever stood on.

“Alright,” he said at last, voice calm but firm. “Tell me the reason why.”

His eyes locked onto Erwin.

“And I already know you’re loyal,” Alex added. “So don’t give me some boring speech about loyalty or duty.”

Erwin’s jaw tightened slightly.

“I would never lie to you,” he said without hesitation.

He straightened his back, still kneeling, his voice steady.

“It is true that I have unshaken loyalty toward you.”

He paused.

“…But there is a bigger reason.”

Alex’s gaze sharpened.

“And that is?” he asked.

Erwin lifted his head fully, meeting Alex’s eyes without flinching.

“Growth,” he said.

The word landed quietly—but with force.

“A growth that I can only achieve by following you.”

Alex did not interrupt.

Erwin continued, his voice deepening with conviction.

“I’ve devoted my entire life to serving the empire. Every breath. Every wound. Every order obeyed without question.”

His fists clenched.

“I believed that was enough.”

He shook his head slowly.

“But you…” he said, eyes burning. “You were the first person I truly found worth serving.”

Alex’s expression shifted.

“Someone worth sacrificing my life for.”

Erwin’s voice did not waver.

“Not because you demanded it. Not because of your throne.”

He swallowed.

“But because you showed me something I never understood before.”

His gaze hardened.

“That there are beings above us. Powers beyond our rank, our laws, our so-called limits.”

He exhaled sharply.

“You opened my eyes to how vast the world really is.”

The mist around them seemed to still.

“And now,” Erwin continued, “I don’t want to be tied down by any form of limitation anymore.”

He pressed his fist to his chest.

“I believe you are the only one who can make me break free from them.”

Silence followed.

Heavy. Absolute.

“So,” Erwin said quietly, bowing his head once more, “please take me with you.”

“I will serve you with all my heart.”

Alex didn’t answer immediately.

Instead, he turned his head slightly.

His gaze shifted to Zara.

Then to Azreal.

Zara raised an eyebrow.

“Don’t look at us,” she said plainly. “You’re the boss.”

Azreal gave a slight nod.

“What she said.”

Alex chuckled softly under his breath.

’Of course.’

He turned back to Erwin.

A smile slowly spread across his face—not playful, not mocking.

Genuine.

As erwin heart started beating fater than ever waiting for his answer.

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