The baby's eyes twinkled once again, and before long, wails were poured out of its mouth like deafening sirens. There was no way for it to have known that both its parents had passed on, nonetheless, it could feel that something was amiss. Shin's obscene odour from being bathed in poison, blood and mist had stained the infant's sensitive nose, making it unbearable for the child to be around him. A motherly desire emerged from the depths of Kanari's soul as she turned away from Shin and gently soothed the infant.
While the black-haired beauty was already starting to bond with the motherless child, Isadore tiptoed forward and landed a comforting hand on Shin's left shoulder. "Shin… You okay?"
"Yeah..." Absentminded, Shin replied with a short sigh. He looked straight at the silver-haired Adonis who had more charm than any Prince that existed. In the past, Isadore always had a feminine vibe, perhaps due to his androgynous features. However, now that he's all grown and toned down from all the training he's been put through, Isadore was much more of a charmer than Shin himself. "It's been a long time… Have you grown a little?"
"Far more than you," Isadore smiled. His gorgeous silver hair reflecting the setting sun of dusk. From the looks of it, Shin wasn't the only one that drastically transformed. Shin recalled the scene where the Himmel Ancestor brought out his ten-thousand strong phantom army and attacked the Obsidian Gate. Even though a billion Umbras were protecting the gate, the phantom army charged through the Black Masks' trump card like a hot knife through butter.
It was a terrifyingly, beautiful scene. Beautiful for those on the side of the Himmel Ancestor, terrifying for those that went against him. In due time, Isadore would reach the pinnacle of the Spirit Saint realm and his power would equal that of the Himmel Ancestor. Though, Shin wasn't afraid of Isadore surpassing him one bit. He had known the silver-haired man for a little more than eight years now. They've been through numerous highs and lows together, much like any close brothers would.
Shin considered Isadore to be a brother, and the feeling was mutual. No matter what happens in the future, Shin was confident that Isadore would never point his spear in his direction, even if it meant going against the Himmel Empire. Taking the silver-haired man into his embrace, Shin chuckled and whispered: "I've missed you."
"I know..." Isadore returned Shin's bear hug with a bitter smile. "Sorry, I couldn't come earlier… If I did, perhaps Shizen would have never died."
"No, you've done more than enough," Shin shook his head before pulling Isadore's shoulders away. He gazed right into Isadore's eyes and said: "The fact that you're here means that you've convinced the Himmel Ancestor to throw his foot into the war. That's more than enough for the Alliance. Right now, there's nothing more important than killing the Allfather!"
"But..."
"No buts!" Shin immediately shut Isadore's mouth with a sharp retort. He released his hold on the young man and looked to the skies. In just a few more moments, the Himmel Ancestor and the Lantis Republic's Spirit Venerates would land at their location. When that happens, it would be near impossible for Shin to openly speak his mind. Therefore, taking advantage of this timing, the young Prince looked at his fellow companions, the people that he trusted the most in the world. "Guys… Remember what I had told you about creating a new organisation?"
"Huh? Ah, the mercenary troop that targets only the Black Masks?" Elrin, the woman most sensitive to businesses, exclaimed at the top of her lungs.
"That's right..." Shin nodded his head. He glanced down on his right hand and the gorgeous blade that he retrieved. If the Allfather were left to do whatever he wished, millions, no, billions would perish. From his short conversation with the enigmatic leader, Shin could tell that the man wouldn't bat an eye when it comes to massacres. "We've been putting off that idea for long enough… We can't always be sitting ducks waiting for the Allfather to strike. We have to be the ones to protect the innocent from the evils of the Allfather."
Shin turned to his fellow comrades. Chills ran down their spines as they watched the young Prince morph right into a dominating Sovereign General. That was the Shin Iofiel that everyone feared.
"Isadore. Your dream of creating the world's best information network. I'll grant you that. Elrin, your dream of expanding the Zedcris Conglomerate, I'll grant you that. Ella, your dream of becoming the world's most deadly archer. I'll grant you that. Emma, your dream of unifying the orphans under one roof, I'll grant you that. And Kanari…"
Shin walked forward and held the black-haired beauty by the waist, dyeing her face in a rich crimson hue. But Shin didn't care. Placing his head gently against Kanari's forehead, the man whispered: "Your dream of becoming the world's most influential Duchess… I'll grant you that."
"..." Kanari beamed with the brightest smile that Shin had ever seen her wear. Though her eyes were red and face pale, the young lady looked like the happiest woman in the world.
"Haha, I knew that it was worth talking to you during orientation!" Isadore chuckled as he thought back on the first day he'd met Shin in Imperius Academy.
"Hehehe, a mercenary troop specialising in taking down the Black Masks led by the Prince of Water itself… There's no way that organisation won't earn money..." Elrin rubbed her knuckles slyly.
"Hmph! Now, that's more like my brother!" Ella puffed out her chest, unable to hide the pride in her soul.
"Hehehe, looks like everyone is going to be back together again..." Emma giggled. She looked forward to the future where all of the scattered orphans come back together under one umbrella.
Kanari, on the other hand, remained silent. Her ruby-like eyes shuffled from Shin's figure and the sleeping baby that nestled comfortably in her arms. A thousand thoughts ran through her mind as her eyelids began to twitch. Shin couldn't have known, but a massive shift had been triggered in the young woman's mind. However, instead of voicing it out, Kanari simply smiled and proudly beamed at the splendour of her man.
"So… Do you have a name for your new organisation?" Elrin, ever the imp, used her elbow to nudge the young Prince's ribs. She was already thinking of creating merchandise for the new organisation that would write its name down in history, so it goes without saying that she wants to ensure that Shin had picked a good name.
At her words, the entire elite group perked their ears and plastered their gazes upon Shin's body. It wasn't just Elrin that was interested. That name would be the flag that they now fought for, the name that would resonate all around the world. It was natural that the youngsters wanted to be the first to know its name.
"That..." Shin turned back to the Hofuku, raising it up high into the skies. Truth to be told, he wanted to honour Junius for his final sacrifice, his final fight against the Allfather. However, there was no way the world would accept the Blade of Death's name on any monument in the world. He did, after all, murder thousands with his plans. Therefore, in one final act of remembrance, Shin had come up with a fitting name for his new organisation…
"We will be the light that breaches the darkness. The elites that will defeat the Allfather and protect those that aren't able to fight back. We'll never discriminate over borders and will save every soul that we meet. We should be..." Shin felt a warm fuzzy feeling rise up to his chest and fill his young and heroic heart. It was the first chapter of his very own organisation, something of his own creation.
It had nothing to do with the Himmel Empire or the Lantis Republic. It had nothing to do with his ties to Kanari and Isadore. It all stemmed from his pure desire… to protect innocent lives. To protect those who might end up like himself or the little child that Junius had left behind. Therefore… It was only fitting for his organisation to be called...
"How about Guardian Sword?"
❖❖❖
Five days later. The Himmel Empire. The Dundlewoods.
Sun rays radiated brightly from the heavens, bringing warmth to the Capital that knows no winter. Birds flapped their wings while baby insects cried out the advent of the new morning sun. Flowers which should have been sleeping, instantly bloomed in joy, ready to bask in the light of the new dawn. It truly was a beautiful day, one fit for picnics that a whole family could enjoy. Alas, Shin wasn't here in the Dundlewoods to enjoy.
After defeating Junius and pushing the Black Masks' presence away from the west, Shin and his group of elite friends were led silently back to the Himmel Empire. Naturally, the Black Masks' defeat had long spread throughout the Alliance, and everyone wanted to witness the victory parade of the unbeatable Prince of Water. However, Shin didn't care for such accolades.
Immediately after saying his goodbyes to the Dalgeom Sect and Sentinel Macron, Shin rushed back to the place where his life began. Under the protection of the Himmel Ancestor and a legion of Spirit Venerates, there wasn't a single threat in the world that could disrupt Shin as he paid his final respects to his deceased friend.
Dressed in all black, Shin stood above the marble grave that the Himmel Empire had constructed for Shizen. Surrounded by the rustic aroma of nature, it was the perfect resting place for the Freak of the Dundlewoods. Shizen had always loved to laze around and bask in the sunlight. Shin could think of no better place for his friend to rest eternally.
"Shizen… Your death won't be in vain..." Shin sadly looked down at the grave. Shizen's funeral was a simple affair, attended by only his close friends from the Imperius Academy. There was no big announcement or any ceremony to mourn the young man. And well… It was precisely what Shizen would have wanted.
Kanari, donned in a simple black gown, walked over to Shin and gently held his hand. In response, Shin slid his arm over Kanari's shoulders and brought her into his embrace. The two stood silently over the grave, each one of them engrossed in their own fond memories with the now deceased man.
After a full minute of silence, Kanari finally spoke up: "Shin… What are you going to do next?"
Shin was slightly confused that Kanari would come up with such a question but answered anyway. "I'll be returning to Yakkyoku Clinic, where Lily's grave is. I'll scatter Junius' ashes there to give them a final goodbye."
"After that?"
"After that..." Shin paused and fell into thought. As the Prince of the Lantis Republic, there was basically no shortage of things to do. He had to cultivate and train with Longyu Tian, attend meetings with the higher-ups, use his Celestial Aura to train others… Not to mention, Shin was going to start Guardian Sword and that needed approval from the High Elder Council plus the Alliance Head. The list of things to do was endless. But first things first…
"I'll probably return to the Lantis Republic… I can't be out of the country for too long."
"..." Kanari remained silent, which in turn, raised alarm bells within Shin's mind.
"What's the matter?" Shin asked.
"I'm… returning to the Duchy."
"!!!" Shin's eyes widened. Kanari had been by his side since he first arrived at the Lantis Republic. He'd thought that their relationship could last for at least a few more years while he built up Guardian Sword and roamed the three superpowers to destroy any traces of the Black Masks. However, Kanari was the future Duchess of Highgarden… There was no way that she could be that far away from her people for that long.
'I see… Let me send you back… That's good… You can finally meet your people again… Ah, was it already that time?' Shin thought of all the possible responses he should give at this moment, but none of them could come out of his mouth. If it were just a month ago, perhaps Shin would have an easier time saying his goodbyes to his lover. However, Shin had just lost two massive figureheads in his life. He was reluctant to part with another, even if he could see her again after a month or two.
'What if she dies in a place where I can't reach?'
The trauma of Shizen's death still stuck with him. Shin couldn't get over the fact that even though he had trained so hard to obtain power, he was powerless to save the life of his bosom friend. If Kanari, the woman he loved the most in the world, were to perish…
"Shin, I..."
Before Kanari could breathe her next word, she felt her entire figure being embraced by Shin's massive strength. Stunned, the woman turned her head to the side, only to see her lover grimacing and forcing back his tears. And then, the resolute words of the man echoed its way into her delicate ears.
"Kanari… Don't leave me..."
✵✵✵
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