Chapter 191: The Light That Remains

Reinfort’s weathered eyes studied his prince’s crimson face, the way Valdris’s fists clenched and unclenched, the barely contained fury simmering beneath that aristocratic mask.

’He’s too emotional,’ Reinfort thought, his old mind working through the situation with the cold clarity of decades of experience. ’His pride is wounded. He’ll say something we all regret. I need to end this before he makes things worse.’

He pushed himself upright, ignoring the protest of his battered body. His voice, when it came, carried the weight of a man who had spent his life navigating impossible situations.

"Enough. Let’s settle this rationally."

All eyes turned to him. Even Valdris’s rage seemed to falter in the face of that calm authority.

Reinfort met Adam’s crimson gaze directly, his expression neutral but his eyes sharp.

"Here is my proposal. Princess Elise will remain in our care—not as a prisoner, but as a protected guest. We will send word to Melium immediately, requesting official mediation to resolve this matter properly." He held up a hand before Adam could object. "This is not a cage, young man. It’s a diplomatic necessity. If the princess simply vanishes from Solarian territory, it will be seen as an abduction. That could start a war."

Adam’s eyes narrowed. "That sounds exactly like a cage. You’re just using fancier words."

Reinfort’s lips twitched—almost a smile. "Then here is my counter-offer. You may stay and guard her yourself if you don’t trust our hospitality." He gestured around the ruined room. "Clearly, you have the power to ensure her safety. Stay. Watch. And when Melium’s representatives arrive, you can speak on her behalf."

Valdris’s voice cut through, sharp with disbelief. "Are you mad, Reinfort?! You want to let this creature that just threatened to kill me—stay in the castle?!"

Reinfort turned to face his prince, his expression patient but firm.

"Your Highness, I understand your anger." He lowered his voice, pitching it for Valdris alone even as the others watched. "But consider the alternative. If we drive him away by force, we may not survive the attempt. If we imprison him, we invite the same destruction we just witnessed." He shook his head slowly. "We cannot afford another enemy, Your Highness. Not now. Not with the demon army pressing our borders and Melium potentially hostile."

Valdris’s jaw worked, fury and reason warring in his violet-blue eyes.

Reinfort pressed his advantage, his voice dropping even lower. "Let me handle this. I will inform His Majesty myself."

For a long moment, Valdris stared at his old commander. Then, slowly, the tension in his shoulders eased.

"Fine." The word came out clipped, controlled. "Handle it. But if this... creature... causes any trouble, I will hold you personally responsible."

Reinfort nodded, a flicker of gratitude crossing his weathered features. "Understood, Your Highness."

He turned back to Adam, his expression calm and open.

"Well? Do we have an agreement?"

A faint smile tugged at Adam’s lips as he studied the old knight—the way Reinfort had maneuvered his own prince, the calm authority in his voice, the practical intelligence behind those weathered eyes.

"You’re not as rigid as I expected," Adam said, genuine interest flickering in his crimson gaze. "Interesting."

He turned to Ignis, who still hovered near the hole in the ceiling, Elise’s unconscious form cradled carefully in her arms. Her draconic features were tense, her flames flickering with barely contained wariness.

"Ignis. Stand down." Adam’s voice was calm but firm. "We’re staying here for a while."

Ignis’s eyes widened. "Ehhh?! But what about Lilith?! She’s going to be so mad if we just decide something without telling her!"

Adam’s expression softened slightly. "I’ll explain it to her. Don’t worry." He glanced at Seraphina, who was barely conscious, her breathing shallow and rapid. "Right now, we need to focus on them." His gaze swept over the gathered soldiers, the mages, the watchful prince. "You heard me. Don’t just stand there—get someone to tend to Elise and Seraphina. Now."

The soldiers hesitated, their eyes flickering to Reinfort for confirmation.

Reinfort nodded wearily, waving a hand. "Do as he says. The princess and her knight are to be given immediate medical attention. That’s an order."

The soldiers moved, finally—some rushing to find healers, others carefully approaching Ignis to take Elise. Ignis’s flames flared warningly before Adam’s voice stopped her.

"Ignis. Let them."

She subsided, though her eyes remained watchful as soldiers gently transferred Elise to a stretcher. Others moved toward Seraphina, their expressions grim as they took in her missing arm.

Valdris watched in silence, his violet-blue eyes fixed on the scene with an expression that was difficult to read. The fury had faded, replaced by something colder—calculation, perhaps, or simply the exhaustion of a man who had pushed himself too far. He made no move to interfere, spoke no words of protest.

Gill let out a long, slow breath, running a hand through his disheveled green hair. His grey eyes, behind those ever-present glasses, held a look of profound relief.

"Whew... that was close." He adjusted his glasses with a trembling hand. "I thought for a moment we were all going to die in a diplomatic incident."

Adam’s crimson eyes fixed on him, studying the disheveled scholar with new interest. "That was your doing. Thanks." A pause. "Uh... what’s your name?"

Gill blinked, then offered a faint smile. "Just call me Gill."

Adam nodded, filing the name away. "Gill. I owe you one."

Gill waved a dismissive hand, though a faint smile tugged at his lips. "Don’t mention it. I was just repaying a small debt to that stubborn knight." He glanced toward Seraphina, who was being carefully loaded onto a stretcher, her face pale as death. "She got me out of a very unpleasant cell. Consider us even."

He straightened, adjusting his glasses with a theatrical flourish. "Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have... matters to attend to."

Adam’s eyes narrowed slightly. "You’re leaving?"

Gill’s smile widened. "I am a busy person." He turned, already walking toward the door, his steps surprisingly steady for someone who had just been through hell. "Take care of yourself."

Gill’s confident stride toward the door was abruptly halted by the cold kiss of steel against his throat.

"Going somewhere, murderer?"

Reimon’s voice was ice, his dark eyes fixed on Gill with the focused intensity of a predator who had finally cornered prey. His sword rested against Gill’s neck, not quite drawing blood—yet.

Gill’s hands shot up, his grey eyes widening behind those ever-present glasses. "W-Wait! What are you doing?! The contract—it’s real! Ask Reinfort yourself if you don’t believe me!"

Reimon didn’t move. His blade remained steady, unwavering.

Sweat beaded on Gill’s forehead. His voice, when it came, was strained but still carrying that familiar cynical edge.

"I... would appreciate it if you didn’t point that thing at me. It’s making me nervous." He swallowed, the motion pressing his throat infinitesimally closer to the blade.

Reinfort’s voice cut through the tension, weary but firm.

"Reimon. Stand down."

Reimon’s eyes flickered to his commander, something conflicted passing through his dark gaze. "Sir, this man is a criminal. The things he’s done—"

"I’m aware." Reinfort pushed himself upright, leaning heavily against the cracked wall. "The contract is genuine. I signed it myself. He saved my life, and Prince Valdris’s life, in exchange for his freedom. That agreement is binding."

Reimon’s jaw tightened. His sword didn’t waver.

"Sir, with respect... the others won’t accept this." His voice dropped, heavy with meaning. "The families of the researchers who died in that fire." He shook his head slowly. "They’ll demand justice. And if you stand in their way..."

Gill’s eyes darted between them, his expression caught between fear and exasperation. "Listen to your commander, Idiot! He’s right there, telling you it’s real! Why are you still pointing that thing at me?!"

Reimon ignored him, his focus fixed on Reinfort.

"I know you have your reasons, Commander. But this decision will have consequences." His dark eyes were grim. "Consequences you may not be able to bear alone."

Reinfort met his gaze steadily, his weathered face betraying nothing.

"I know, Reimon." A pause, heavy with understanding. "And I’m prepared to face them."

For a long moment, the two knights stared at each other—a silent battle of loyalty and duty playing out across the ruined room. The other soldiers watched in tense silence, their eyes darting between their captain and their commander.

Then, slowly, Reimon’s sword lowered.

Gill let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding, his shoulders sagging with relief. "Thank you...."

Reimon’s voice cut through his relief like a blade.

"Don’t thank me yet, murderer." His dark eyes were cold, hard. "This isn’t over. If I ever catch you breaking the law again—I will personally ensure you spend the rest of your life in the deepest, darkest cell this kingdom has to offer."

Gill’s hands remained raised, his expression carefully neutral. "Understood, Captain. Loud and clear."

He turned and walked toward the door—slowly, carefully, as if expecting the blade to return at any moment. When he reached the threshold, he paused, glancing back.

"Try not to die before I’m officially free," he called to Reinfort. "That contract would be a real pain to enforce posthumously."

Then he vanished into the corridor, his footsteps quickly fading.