Chapter 71 – A Storm is ComingThe Empire's Whispering Shadows
Even though Leonhardt Valerian Everhart was declared a traitor, the empire was far from done speaking his name.
The streets buzzed with rumors.
"The heir of Everhart threw everything away… for a woman?"
"A genius abandoned his legacy… for love?"
Some scoffed, calling him a disgrace.
Others whispered, calling him a fool.
And a few called him brave , while some questioned .
"Who could possibly make him betray everything?"
That was the greatest mystery of all.
The nobles gathered in their halls, their voices filled with both amusement and concern.
"Do you think he'll return?"
"Return?" a duke sneered. "A man who chose love over power? He has no place here anymore."
"Perhaps. But the empire has lost its strongest sword. You think that will not come back to haunt us?"
Silence.
Because they all knew the truth.
Leonhardt Valerian Everhart was not just anyone.
And even though the emperor had cast him aside—
The world would not forget him so easily.
The Emperor's Watchful Eyes
Aurelian Valtis Regalis sat upon his golden throne, his piercing gaze locked onto the nobles gathered before him.
"What of the war?" he asked.
A general stepped forward, bowing deeply.
"The Kingdom of Aurion remains quiet, Your Majesty," he reported. "Since the Night's Queen made her declaration, they have made no further movements."
Aurelian's fingers tapped against the armrest.
The Night's Queen.
A woman who had appeared out of nowhere.
A woman who had somehow stopped the war.
A woman who had taken his empire's greatest warrior.
His golden eyes burned with something cold and unreadable.
"…And what of the traitor?"
Another noble hesitated before stepping forward.
"We… have lost all traces of him."
Silence.
The air grew heavy.
Until Aurelian laughed.
A low, quiet chuckle.
"Is that so?" he murmured.
The nobles glanced at each other uneasily.
The emperor's amusement was always dangerous.
"Tell me," he continued, "what do you suppose happens when a wolf is driven from its pack?"
The nobles hesitated.
Aurelian leaned forward, his golden eyes gleaming.
"…It either dies. Or it returns with sharper fangs."
His words sent a chill through the hall.
Because no matter what anyone believed—
The empire had not seen the last of Leonhardt Valerian Everhart.
And Aurelian knew it.
The Grand Dukedom – A Silent Household
The Everhart estate had become a graveyard of unspoken words.
The heir was gone.
And no one dared mention his name.
His younger siblings—both gifted, both brilliant—now carried the weight of his absence.
His mother, the strongest magician in the world, spoke nothing of her lost son.
His father, the greatest swordmaster, buried himself in training.
And yet—
The walls still carried his shadow.
The servants still flinched at the mention of his name.
The knights still trained as if expecting his return.
Because no one truly believed Leonhardt Valerian Everhart was gone forever.
But until he returned—his name remained unspeakable.
The Kingdoms Beyond – Watching, Waiting
The Kingdom of Aurion was not the only one paying attention.
Beyond the empire's borders, rulers whispered.
The Northern Kingdoms spoke of Leonhardt with curiosity.
The Eastern Nations watched with caution.
And the Western Territories laughed, waiting for the moment the empire would regret letting him go.
Because a warrior like Leonhardt Valerian Everhart—
Could never truly be erased.
And in the shadows, someone was waiting.
Waiting for the perfect moment…
To strike.
Aetheria's Unshakable Will
Far away, beneath the endless night sky, Aetheria Nyx Lunaris Solis stood atop a moonlit tower.
Her violet eyes gleamed like the stars, her expression calm yet filled with an unyielding fire.
She had told the world that the empire would not attack again.
And she meant it.
Because if they did—
She would burn them down herself.
The Night's Queen had spoken.
And no one would dare defy her.
Leonhardt's Next Step – The Unknown Path
Alone, Leonhardt walked.
Not toward an empire.
Not toward a throne.
Not toward a war.
But toward his own path.
For seven years, he had lived for duty.
For seven years, he had trained for war.
Now, for the first time—
He would live for himself.
For her.
For Aetheria.
He did not know what lay ahead.
But one thing was certain—
The storm was coming.
And this time—
He would not be on the losing side.