"Remember, my child..."
The old man attempted to say more, but suddenly, his thoughts seemed to break apart. His gaze shifted into the void, his focus lost, and his mouth moved as if he had more to say, yet nothing came out. Despite this, he clung tightly to his son's hand.
Leo panicked, turning his head toward the door and shouting, "Physicians! Physicians! Where are you!"
The physicians rushed in to attend to the emperor, gently leading Leo out of the room. He sat motionlessly on the steps outside, his mind utterly blank as he stared into the void. He tried to recall his father's words, replaying them over and over in his head, but his thoughts seemed scattered. In the distance, another carriage arrived at great speed, stirring up a cloud of dust as it stopped at the village gate.
