Lucas regained consciousness several days later.
The towering physician who had been nursing Lucas exclaimed with choked emotion,
"Sir! You're awake!"
"Mason... Uncle?"
Struggling, Lucas lifted his body wrapped in bandages.
He was in the McGregor family mansion. Although it felt unfamiliar, having not been home for so long, he couldn't make sense of his current situation.
"How did I get here...?"
His memory was fuzzy due to the aftermath of transforming into a beast.
He had failed his mission, exposed his betrayal to Ash, and should have been executed.
How was he still alive... and back in his childhood home?
"Prince Ash sent someone to bring you here! Your injuries have mostly healed, but you were unconscious for days. We were so worried..."
Mason sobbed, his large frame ill-fitting for such emotion. Lucas, blinking vacantly, hastily inquired.
"Was there any other message?!"
"Ah, yes, there is a letter from Prince Ash here."
Lucas hastily read the letter Mason handed him. The message was simple.
- Get lost. Forever.
"..."
Lucas tightly closed his eyes, carefully folding the letter and tucking it into his pocket.
Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he turned his head toward Mason.
"How did you, Uncle Mason...?"
He had failed to assassinate Ash. It wouldn't have been surprising if Fernandez had killed off everyone from the McGregor family who had been held hostage.
"Prince Fernandez has released all of us!"
"Even though I failed...?"
"Here, this is a letter from Prince Fernandez. Please read it."
As Lucas unfolded the letter, it read,
- Your years of loyalty have become meaningless with this mission's failure.
- However, acknowledging your past service, I will spare your family and settle half of your remaining debts.
- I still value your skills. If you wish to pay off the rest of your debts...
Crumple.
Lucas angrily balled up the letter, eventually tearing it to shreds. A startled Mason nervously asked,
"What will you do now, Sir?"
"...I have to live."
Lucas cracked a smile, pulling at his dry lips.
The smile of the boy who once resembled an innocent puppy had somehow,
"Even if the world ends, people have to go on living."
Transformed a bit, into that of a wolf.
***
Lucas liquidated the McGregor family mansion and estate.
Even after selling everything, including the family's treasured swords and secret martial arts manuscripts, he was still short on funds to pay off his debts.
The last day, as they were taking down the sign of the martial arts dojo, the family servants and loyalists all burst into tears. Lucas hugged each of them one by one.
"I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused. Take care, everyone."
After forcefully sending everyone away, including Mason who wanted to stay,
Having sold every last thing he owned to finally settle his debts,
Lucas was left with nothing.
Now, all that remained in his hand was the hilt of a broken sword. The sword Ash had given him was now woefully incomplete, left only with its handle.
"..."
Lucas silently looked down at the sword handle, pocketed it, and started walking.
He had nothing more to lose.
He already knew where he had to go.
***
"You've got quite the nerve."
In Ash's private quarters.
It was broad daylight, yet the room was dim, heavy curtains drawn. Ash was seated on a chair, sipping poison from a glass.
The ashtray next to him was filled with crushed cigarette butts.
"How do you dare to show your face in front of me again, you traitor?"
Ash looked at Lucas with eyes that were too jaded for a fifteen-year-old, as though he were an old man whose soul had aged to its very core.
Thud.
Lucas quietly knelt before him.
"Give me a chance to atone."
"Atone? How do you plan to atone?"
"I will become Your Majesty's dog. I will bark if you say bark, and die if you say die."
"You're asking me to take back a dog that has already bitten its owner?"
"If a rabid dog bites its owner, it should be put down. But Your Majesty spared my life."
Ash chuckled sarcastically as he stood up.
"I spared you because your betrayal ultimately had little consequence. My mother would have passed away regardless, and sooner or later, I would have ended up in this godforsaken situation…"
He emptied the remaining alcohol in one gulp, and with a bang, set the glass down, laughing bitterly.
"…and kicking you out now wouldn't make a difference. You would find a way to be part of this accursed journey of mine anyway. Ah, here we are again."
"So, you're taking me back?"
"I gave you a chance to run, but you're the one who came back. So serve me until the day you die."
Although Lucas could not entirely grasp what Ash was saying, he listened quietly.
"Be a dog that follows my commands precisely. If you mess up, you'll get your wish and be put down."
"That is all I ask for."
I am a dog.
Dogs do not question their master's words.
"I'm warning you in advance. I'm falling apart."
Ash pushed back his disheveled hair.
"My soul is so worn that it's cracked all over. Right now, it's still maintaining its shape since it's right after my reset, but it will crumble as time goes on."
"…"
"I will forget people's names, forget what I was doing, and eventually even my purpose. So, my guard, remember this well."
Lucas didn't try to understand.
He just remembered the next words.
"When I turn twenty-three, I need to go to the Crossroad. To start my final game."
Eight years from now.
He remembered his master's words, that they needed to head to the world's southernmost tip.
On the table next to Ash was a chessboard. Only a white and black king were on it.
On that barren chessboard—Ash picked up another fallen piece from the floor.
Bang!
Knight.
The white knight was positioned in front of the king.
"If I forget, you lead me. Can I trust you?"
In that moment, a single question surfaced in Lucas's mind.
He tried not to harbor questions, but he felt certain he needed to ask this one, now.
Not for his own curiosity, but for Ash.
"May I ask just one question?"
"You bite the hand that feeds you, then start asking questions? You really are an impudent mutt."
Despite clicking his tongue, Ash nodded. Lucas asked slowly,
"What is the reason you want to start this 'game'?"
Then, Ash's eyes widened.
His eyes, which had been clouded and dim, suddenly lit up clearly.
"Ah, the reason is simple."
In that moment, Lucas saw it.
Like a downpour on a parched earth.
The weariness of time melting away from Ash's smile, transforming into a boyish grin—Lucas saw it stretch across Ash's lips.
And then, Lucas was sure.
Ah, this person is,
No matter how much he changes, he is still the man he served.
With a bright smile—Ash spoke.
"To save this world."
***
Ash went out, taking Lucas with him.
The carriage was headed for the Silver Winter's residence. Serenade dashed out barefoot upon Ash's arrival.
"My Lord!"
Serenade ran at full speed and tightly embraced Ash. Ash stood still.
"I've been worried about you, as you've been reclusive ever since the funeral of Empress Dustia... Are you feeling better?"
Serenade looked at Ash's gaunt face through her teary eyes, and then she sensed the smell of alcohol and tobacco emanating from him.
Unsure of what to say, Serenade cautiously spoke.
"My Lord, I completely understand your sorrow, but alcohol and tobacco are harmful to your health."
"Sorry, Serenade, but I didn't come here to listen to your nagging."
"Please, come inside. I will make some warm tea. If there's anything I can do to comfort you..."
"I don't need your comfort."
Ash coldly spat out the words and gave a slight nod.
"Give me money. I need it."
"Money... you say?"
"You're the heir of a merchant family. You should have some funds. Hand it over."
Ash arrogantly gestured, a malicious smile ill-suited to his petite face.
"And bring me a bottle of good liquor, if you have any."
"..."
Serenade looked crestfallen.
Nonetheless, she went back into her house and returned a few minutes later carrying a small chest and a bottle of alcohol.
"In this chest are treasures that I've collected since childhood. I had been saving them for our marriage, and this alcohol is—"
Ash snatched the chest and bottle from Serenade's hands without hearing her out.
He briefly opened the chest to confirm it was full of jewels, then turned around.
"Thanks. I'll put it to good use."
"Ah..."
"Have this much ready for the next time I visit, got it?"
Serenade watched Ash's retreating back, lost in bewilderment.
Breaking into a sweat, Lucas, who had been observing this, bowed to Serenade and hurriedly followed Ash.
As Ash got back into the carriage, Serenade called out, choking back tears.
"My Lord!"
"..."
"If it can ease your pain, be it money or alcohol, I'll have it all ready for you. So please..."
Serenade forced a miserable smile, struggling to hold back her tears.
"Don't hurt yourself too much. That would only pain me more."
"..."
"You can come back anytime, my Lord. I'll be waiting. Here, forever."
Ash silently boarded the carriage and set off.
The Silver Winter's residence quickly receded into the distance. Serenade stood there, barefoot, gently waving her hand.
Once Serenade was out of sight, Ash finally spoke.
"Isn't it incredible?"
"What?"
"First love. You'd think I'd have gotten used to it by now, but it still wrenches my heart."
Ash opened the chest that Serenade had given him.
Each jewel had been lovingly collected in preparation for their marriage, glittering brilliantly.
"I should've gotten used to this sort of thing by now... but damn."
With a bitter smile, Ash closed the chest and looked out the window with heavy eyes.
After a long silence, Ash spoke again in a cold voice.
"I need more money, and... more connections."
Lucas didn't ask.
Why he needed the money. Why he needed the connections.
What this behavior from Ash was all for.
"Given that I don't have a damn thing to start with, there's no other way. This time, too..."
Lucas merely thought to himself.
About this young man, whose smile seemed so fragile that it could break at any moment.
"Shall I become the Empire's biggest good-for-nothing rascal?"
Even enveloped in darkness, it seemed to still emit light.
Just like a backlight.
***
Eight years had passed.
Ash and Lucas had reached the Crossroad.
And so, the final game began.