After the ceremony, the festivities moved to the town square for a wedding reception that included the entire population. A grand party was thrown with an abundance of food and drink; music filled the air, and countless citizens joined in the dancing. Ard sat at a long table with Eva, Alicia, Milia, Beatrice, Rosalind, Pyria, Mirea, and Claudia. Joining them were King Leonard, Queen Aerinis, Princes Alexis and Abel, the royal advisor of Rellios and Reina, the barbarian chief Osgrelf, Vampire Lord Dimitri, Elf Chief Eledar, Dark Elf Chief Bhadra, Prince Elmer of Grimgarth, Princess Grethia of Tartagia, and Princess Tatiana of Lenoria. To their right sat Geoffrey, Nikolai, and Thorena as representatives of Durnhill.

They all ate and drank quietly, watching the celebration before them, yet no one spoke a word. Suddenly, a figure appeared behind Alexis and Abel—one of the Raven troops. After delivering a message to the two of them, the Raven vanished instantly. Alexis shifted his gaze toward Ard and nodded. Ard responded with a nod of his own and stood up.

"It is time," Ard said.

"Very well," Eva, Alicia, Milia, Beatrice, Rosalind, Pyria, Mirea, and Claudia replied.

Ard and his wives left the table and walked toward the gate, followed by Alexis, Geoffrey, Elmer, Grethia, Tatiana, Eledar, Bhadra, and Dimitri. Behind them, Irwin, Ainsley, Varvir, Durgat, Baalbel, Xeria, and Irina followed suit. Upon stepping outside, they arrived at the joint military camp stationed in front of the city of Vernice.

"Alright, this is the final war. The Emperor himself is leading the charge against us. Everyone, get ready," Ard commanded.

"Ready, Your Majesty," Varvir, Durgat, Baalbel, Xeria, and Irina replied in unison.

They began to run to organize their forces, while Alexis, Abel, the Rellios advisor, Dragon Commander Reina, Eledar, Bhadra, Geoffrey, and Dimitri headed straight to their respective units.

Ard turned to look at Eva, Alicia, Milia, Beatrice, Rosalind, Pyria, Mirea, and Claudia and let out a sigh.

"This is what I meant about our wedding. Now we’re celebrating it on a battlefield. I hope you all don’t mind—though in Eva’s case, I’m sure she’s thrilled," Ard said, glancing at Eva, who flashed him a smile.

"Don’t worry. I am your wife; of course I’m happy to be by your side, whether at home or on the battlefield—it’s all the same to me," Alicia said.

"Yep... she’s right. I feel the same way, and I think the others do too," Milia added.

"Actually, my heart is pounding, hehe," Beatrice added.

"Your heart is always pounding, Princess... oh, our titles are the same now, Beatrice," Rosalind added.

"Hehe... you’re right, Rosalind," Beatrice replied cheerfully.

"Alright, let’s finish this today, everyone," Mirea said.

"Yes, and after that, we will build an empire that is just, prosperous, and peaceful," Claudia added.

"Okay... they’re coming. I can hear the sound of their horses," Pyria noted.

"Alright, let’s get ready," Ard said.

They immediately moved into position. The flying island above Vernice deployed 10,000 wing tribe and harpie troops who landed at the camp, followed by the barbarian forces and knights from the Kingdom of Ateras who emerged from the city. Soon, the Orthus Empire’s army appeared on the horizon, consisting of knights, cavalry, archers, and thousands of angels flying above them.

In the midst of the enemy forces, a mobile podium could be seen with Edmund sitting on his throne, flanked by Ophelia standing beside him. They also brought siege engines like catapults, battering rams, and siege towers. Seeing this, Ard looked impressed.

"Wow... I didn’t expect him to deploy everything and intend to go all out against us. Is he really that in love with you?" Ard asked Eva beside him.

"Shut up... don’t say things like that. It’s disgusting," Eva replied curtly.

"Look at that," Pyria said, pointing forward.

They all turned to see a lone rider heading toward their camp. Upon arriving, the messenger dismounted and stopped in front of Ard, who stepped forward to meet him.

"Greetings, Your Majesty. I bring a message from the Emperor for you," the messenger stated.

"Understood," Ard replied, taking the letter.

The messenger lifted his head, and Ard could see a glimmer in the man’s eyes—a silent hope that Ard would actually win this war—before the rider climbed back onto his horse and departed. After reading it, Ard gave a dismissive smirk and handed the letter to Eva so she could read it as well.

"Return Eva to me, and I will spare your head and refrain from destroying the city of Vernice. Fighting is futile; you cannot win, Ard."

"Ha... just one sentence, and it’s a threat?" Eva asked.

"Pretty much. So?" Ard asked.

"Kill him," Eva answered, tearing the letter to pieces.

"Yep... that’s the plan. But only him. A man like that is easily provoked and will follow through," Ard replied. "You hear that, Baalbel? Send a reply to the Emperor," Ard commanded.

"Understood, Your Majesty," Baalbel replied within Ard’s mind.

A moment later, Baalbel reported back to Ard. Ard then turned to look at Eva.

"Do you want to come along? But only you. The rest of you, please wait here. It’s not that I don’t want you there, but this is between me, Eva, and her brother," Ard said.

"Fine, I understand. I think I speak for everyone, but you have to come back," Mirea said.

"Yes, that’s right," Alicia, Milia, Beatrice, Rosalind, Pyria, and Claudia agreed.

"Thank you. Eva and I will definitely be back," Ard promised.

"He’s right. Please wait for us here," Eva added.

Ard and Eva then mounted their horses and rode out of the camp. In the middle of the grassland between the two armies, Edmund stood alone, clutching his sword. His body shimmered, shrouded in an aura of energy—it seemed Ophelia had granted him her blessing. He looked livid as Ard and Eva approached together on horseback. His face twisted through a series of expressions: heartbreak, disappointment, disbelief, and finally, an overwhelming rage. Ard and Eva dismounted in front of him.

"Hello, Your Majesty. It’s been a while," Ard said mockingly, raising a hand in greeting.

"Shut your mouth, Ard! How dare you marry my sister! Have you forgotten who I am?" Edmund barked, pointing his sword at Ard’s face.

"Hmm... the Crown Prince... oh wait, it’s Emperor now, isn’t it? Right, right. But you still have the temperament of an academy student who can’t control his emotions," Ard teased, drawing Exgrandal.

"I am answering your challenge! One on one! The winner gets Eva!" Edmund shouted.

Eva shook her head. She stepped toward Ard and gave him a firm hug, then kissed him on the cheek.

"Fight hard, my husband. You will win, and I will be waiting for you right here," Eva said, making sure Edmund heard every word.

"You," Edmund spat, glaring at Eva with pure vitriol.

Ard stepped forward, twirling Exgrandal, while Edmund moved to meet him. They squared off at a distance suitable for a duel.

"Hey now, Emperor Edmund, the stakes of this duel aren’t Eva. If you lose, you have to abdicate and hand your throne over to my empire. Your reign is over anyway; I’m thinking more about your people. Do you understand?" Ard asked.

"Ha... you think I’m going to lose? I’m far stronger than I was back at the academy. Hand over Eva—that’s it. No other conditions," Edmund replied, pointing his sword at Ard’s face.

Ard studied Edmund’s face. The man was beyond reason now—arrogant and truly insufferable. Finally, Ard smiled.

"Then there’s no other way. Let the knights of the Orthus Empire watch as their emperor is cut down by my blade," Ard said. He was smiling, but this time, he was dead serious.

"Damn you!"

With a roar, Edmund lunged, swinging his sword. "Clang!" Ard parried the blow and snapped a kick toward Edmund’s stomach, which Edmund blocked with his arm. Ard was slightly surprised; Edmund was indeed much stronger than he had been during their academy days.

"Wow... turns out you aren’t just all talk," Ard said with a grin.

"Shut up!" Edmund screamed.

"Clang... clang... clang!" Edmund attacked relentlessly, but Ard parried each strike with lightning speed. Though he looked relaxed, Ard was focused. He thrust at Edmund, who blocked the strike and retaliated by firing a fireball from his hand. Of course, fire magic was useless against Ard; he caught the flame and hurled a Dark Sun counter-magic spell back at Edmund, who sliced the magic in half. The fierce battle continued as their blades clashed at close quarters. Eva watched the scene and smiled.

"Huh... it looks like he’s actually having fun," Eva said, crossing her arms over her chest.

Eva was right. Ard was wearing a smile and hadn’t been grazed by a single swing. He didn’t even bother to counter Edmund’s blind, rage-filled attacks. After a long exchange of blows, Edmund began to gasp for breath. The aura of energy surrounding him started to fade. He took one more swing—"Clang!"—and Ard parried it with such force that Edmund’s sword was ripped from his grip, flying through the air and thudding into the ground. Exhausted, Edmund collapsed to his knees before Ard. Naturally, Ard leveled his blade at Edmund’s throat.

"Ready to surrender and abdicate, Your Majesty?" Ard asked.

"Never... I will never surrender! You asked for this! My army will destroy the city of Vernice... everyone... ATTACK!" Edmund screamed.

But the world remained silent. Edmund turned back and saw his army standing still, motionless. Even the host of angels above didn’t budge. Ophelia simply sat there on her throne, watching.

"Hey... attack Vernice! Kill them all! I am your emperor—obey my command!" Edmund screamed at the top of his lungs, his voice cracked with rage.

"You still don’t realize it, do you? You’re just a pawn being used by the goddess Ophelia. There’s no point in fighting anymore. You should just surrender and abdicate gracefully," Ard said.

Hearing Ard’s words, Edmund went limp. He hung his head, and Ard lowered his sword. But suddenly, Edmund pulled a dagger from his waist and lunged to his feet to attack. With a lightning-fast motion, Ard thrust his blade into Edmund’s throat before he could even stand fully upright. "Cough!" Fresh blood sprayed from Edmund’s mouth. His face was filled with terror, but he couldn’t speak.

"You asked for this. Goodbye, Your Majesty," Ard said with a cold smile.

Ard twisted Exgrandal where it was lodged in Edmund’s neck and ripped it out. Blood splattered everywhere. Edmund’s body fell face-first into the dirt and didn’t move again. Ard flicked the blood off his sword and fixed a sharp gaze on Ophelia. She sat on her throne with a smirk, legs crossed, resting her face against her hand on the arm of the chair. Ard raised his sword toward her.

"Now it’s your turn," Ard said, his face dead serious.