After leaving Dominic's estate, Shun and Silver returned to the mansion in silence, sharing an unspoken agreement to reflect on all they had learned before deciding which truths to reveal and which to guard.
Shun stood by his bedroom window, gazing out with tightly knit brows that couldn't quite conceal the gleam of newfound satisfaction. Discovering the depths of his power had opened a path not only to elude his cruel fate but perhaps to subdue it. The Harvester's potential stretched endlessly before him, and Dominic's expression of fear in that final moment was still vivid in his mind. For now, Dominic stood as the kingdom's third most powerful ethereal warrior, yet Shun had bested him even with an incomplete Harvester. He wondered who would stand a chance against him when the weapon was fully awakened.
Nevertheless, a haunting thought lingered in his mind, the unsettling quote inscribed beneath his formidable ethereal arm: "Mine to have, mine to lose…" Shun murmured to himself, lost in contemplation. If power was to be his gain, what would be the offering required to possess it? With such power, would he not have the strength to reclaim whatever was lost?
In the midst of this turmoil, Silver remained quietly observant, sensing the shift in Shun's demeanour that spoke of newfound possibilities within his power. For her, this realization brought both hope and trepidation.
Breaking the silence, Shun turned to her, his tone resolute. "Silver, I believe it would be wise to keep everything we heard from Glynn to ourselves."
Silver's head snapped up, jolted back to reality by Shun's words. "Oh… Yeah, sure," she blinked, considering the implications. "But what about Vergil and Vito? It would be disappointing for them."
"It doesn't matter. Kael Franklin was right to keep the truth to himself," Shun replied, his gaze still fixed on the horizon. "I have no doubt that Glynn spoke truthfully, but the issue lies not in the truth itself nor in whether our answers are appropriate to share."
"Whether it is true or appropriate doesn't depend on context, but on how people perceive it," Shun continued firmly.
"Vito and Vergil regard Krystal Fritz as a noble, caring, and honourable principal who would never put her students at risk. Given that we lost to Dominic, it would be impossible for them to accept our account."
Silver nodded, understanding Shun's point clearly. Had they shared Glynn's insights before their battle with Dominic, Vergil and Vito would surely be consumed by grief and disappointment, forced to confront a painful reality. But after losing to Dominic, it would appear as if they had fabricated a lie to escape the shame of failure. Their revelations would not only be dismissed as untrue but would also serve to deepen their distress.
"Silver," Shun continued, turning to face her directly, "would you mind shouldering the shame of our failure alongside me?"
With a confident smile, Silver replied, "Victory comes to those who can endure shame."
Their laughter broke the tension. Shun's power had dragged him out of misery and shame, and he vowed to never allow these painful memories to overtake his life again.
But now, he realized that with someone he cared for by his side, even shame, the very thing he despised, became bearable.
...
"Expected, expected…" Kael Franklin remarked, nodding firmly, a faint smile playing on his lips as he received the news from Silver and Shun. "It is entirely understandable to lose to Dominic O'Neill, especially at such a young age. To be honest, I would have been more concerned had you managed to defeat him."
Elysia shot him a disdainful glance. "Why can't you just tell us what you really think?"
Kael cleared his throat awkwardly and lapsed into silence, acknowledging his own reluctance to voice his thoughts. In truth, he had hoped Silver and Shun would lose; he still believed that certain truths were best left undisclosed.
Back in Premier General Vergil Killer's room, the group gathered once more, still focusing on the truth behind the incident at Ancient Landel Academy.
Both Vito and Vergil displayed clear signs of disappointment, though they masked it well. They couldn't blame Shun and Silver; challenging Dominic was a formidable, if not impossible, task. Vergil might have stood a slight chance, but his involvement in the matter must remain hidden. It was common knowledge that his father, Roy Killer, had taken the fall for this incident; any revelation of Vergil's role would lead to public skepticism regarding the validity of their findings.
Moreover, Shun's willingness to assist, regardless of the outcome, deserved acknowledgment. The blame did not rest on his shoulders.
"Let's consider the positives," Vergil said, trying to inject optimism into the conversation. "Is there any other way to uncover the truth?"
Elysia shrugged and shook her head, struggling to conceive of a viable solution. Most of those involved in the case were dead; she could think of no one else closely connected to Krystal Fritz.
Kael stroked his beard thoughtfully, pondering a method to reveal the truth without facing denial and hostility.
Finally, Vito broke the silence. "Perhaps it's time to realise that we must resort to our last hope."
Everyone turned their attention to him, puzzled by his declaration.
Vito continued, determination gleaming in his eyes, "Antonio Valdis himself."
The room fell into a hushed disbelief; this was an option few had even considered. Disregarding Antonio's reputation and current status, the notion of visiting The Bog was reckless, even foolish.
"Too dangerous," Vergil replied flatly, his tone final.
Yet Vito pressed on, "For you, perhaps. But I'm going alone, and I won't allow anyone to accompany me, no matter your insistence." His gaze was steely, filled with unwavering resolve. "My immortality may be a curse, but it can be wielded as a blessing."
Despite their protests, Shun interjected before anyone could argue further. He stepped forward, his expression serious, respect emanating from him.
Placing a hand on Vito's shoulder, he spoke earnestly. "Vito, I support you."
This unexpected affirmation surprised everyone more than Vito's bold decision. They might not fully understand, but Shun did. He held a deep respect for those willing to courageously follow their hearts, even along perilous paths. Such choices, though often deemed reckless, reflected a profound sense of freedom and determination—the confidence to live authentically.
Though Shun had previously found Vito's emotionality off-putting, his encouragement now resonated with sincerity.
"Silver, Vito, you may have forgotten, but I will never forget Principal Lorthus' words: Choose what you believe is right and tread that path without hesitation or regret."
"Whatever you choose, whatever path you tread, no matter how painful or dangerous, as long as you follow your heart and your free will, the road will always be straight and bright. And I will be there to support you."
"Vito, your life is endless; live according to what you believe is right."
A smile broke across Vito's face as he nodded firmly. For too long, he had been ensnared by the emotions and pain of his past. It was a burden shared by many, yet he had come to realise that grief alone would not resolve the issue.
Now was the time to move on and take action—for his instructor, for himself, and for all those he cherished.