Chapter 179: Back To The Empire "Brother, did you prepare everything?" Effie’s small voice rang out across the docks, sharp against the cool morning air. The sky above was pale, streaked with thin gray clouds, and the scent of salt clung to the wind blowing from the endless sea. The snow that had blanketed the land for so long had thinned a bit, leaving the air brisk but not suffocating. Effie’s crimson eyes were wide as she looked up at her brother, standing tall in front of the massive ship that loomed like a beast ready to take flight. Behind him, the vessel groaned under the weight of crates and barrels being loaded by the last of the sailors. The crew bustled about, stronger and surer than when they had first arrived months ago. Their shirts stretched across muscular arms, their laughter carried easily on the wind. She wanted so badly to follow. Her hands curled into fists as she looked past Azel to the group standing with him: Veyra, Anya, Medusa and even Feng, his expression as serious as stone. All of them were going. All of them would follow Azel back into the Empire. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎 And she? She had begged, pleaded even, to go along. But Azariah had been firm. Effie was still too weak. "You need to become stronger," her father had said, ruffling her hair despite her protests. "If you want to follow your brother into the world, you must be able to stand on your own feet." So Effie had made her decision. She would train. She would grow. And the next time her brother came, she would follow him no matter what. "Yes," Azel answered her now, his crimson eyes glinting faintly as he checked through his storage ring one last time. He turned slightly, his gaze settling on the elegant woman beside him. "You packed quite a lot of food, Mother." Diana raised a brow, her posture regal even on the noisy docks. "You’ll be gone for months at least. Do you expect me to let my son starve?" She folded her arms. "Take it as a mother’s love — or as me not trusting you to remember to eat properly." Azel chuckled under his breath, though inwardly his expression grew heavier. It had been three months since Isolde’s birth. Those months had passed faster than he could have imagined. He had trained, he had spent time with his everybody, he had enjoyed what little warmth life offered him. But now... The main plot is about to start. He could feel it like an itch beneath his skin. The calm days were ending. He hadn’t met the magic prodigy heroine like he originally planned. No matter. The academy was waiting, and fate had a way of crossing paths whether one sought it or not. Behind him, the ship’s gangplank rattled as the last few men ascended. His gaze flicked toward the back of the crowd just in time to see the Executioners from the church finally dragging themselves aboard. Azel narrowed his eyes. ’Lazy fuckers.’ He wasn’t sure whether to pity them for their misfortune or laugh at their timing. Months of slumber, only to wake now when everything was already decided. "Promise me you’ll stay safe." Diana’s voice drew his attention back. She stepped forward, her body faltering for just a bit as she wrapped her arms around her son. Her scent filled his lungs. "And keep my granddaughters safe as well." Azel nodded, his expression softening as he gently returned the embrace. When she finally pulled back, it was only to sweep Lillia into her arms. The little girl clung to her grandmother happily, and then she hugged Baby Isolde too. Azel turned next to his father. Azariah stood with his arms folded, his white hair stirring faintly in the sea breeze. For a moment, the two men just stared at one another. Then they both extended their hands, clasping them firmly. "Stay safe, fucker," Azariah said with his usual bluntness. Azel grinned, crimson eyes glinting. "You too." And just like that, the farewells were complete. With his companions following close, Azel stepped onto the ferry. The gangplank was drawn back, the anchors hauled up, and the ship began to drift from the docks. Effie waved wildly, her small form bouncing on the planks as the distance grew. The others waved more calmly than her. Azariah stood with his hands behind his back. It was finally silent. The ship turned toward the towering gates that sealed the region away from the Empire. As the runes carved into their surface pulsed with ancient light, the massive doors rumbled open. Slowly, steadily, the ferry passed through. And just like that, they were gone from sight. ... "He’s coming back!" The sharp cry rang across the backyard of Steven’s mansion in Rochel City. Emilia dropped her sword onto the grass with a clatter, her eyes blazing with excitement. Sweat dampened her forehead from training, but her expression was radiant. Opposite her, Steven raised a brow, his own blade lowering. He hadn’t seen her smile like that in months. Azel had just contacted him through the orb. After two days at sea, he would finally be returning today. Steven smirked faintly. ’I wonder why she’s so excited.’ He sheathed his blade, tilting his head at her flushed face. ’And I wonder... just how much stronger he’s become.’ "Emilia!" The voice came from the side, soft but cheerful. Rain approached with a basket tucked carefully against her hip, the savory scent of skewers drifting from it. She had been stopping by more often these days, her presence almost expected in the household. And, strangely enough, she always seemed to end up in Emilia’s company. Her blue eyes blinked as she looked between Steven and Emilia. "What’s going on?" "Rain!" Emilia hurried over, grabbing her hand without hesitation. "Azel is coming back today. Let’s go to the port together!" Rain froze. Her face scrunched slightly, her lips twitching as though she’d bitten into something sour. Azel... right. He’s a man. [Is that how you treat the person you want to turn into a hero?] The smug voice echoed in her mind, and Rain’s expression soured even more. ’Sigh. You’re a pedophile goddess,’ she shot back inwardly. [You say that, but you’re going to go, aren’t you? Go on. Do the surprise we planned.] Rain rubbed her forehead. She couldn’t argue. Not without the goddess nagging her endlessly. ’...Fine.’ [Yayyyy!!! You’re the best!] Rain sighed aloud, but Emilia tugged her toward the gate before she could protest further. The three of them — Emilia, Rain, and Steven set off quickly. By the time they reached the port, the sea wind whipped through their hair, carrying the cries of gulls above. Out on the horizon, a silhouette loomed. A ship, sails billowing, cutting swiftly through the waves. "It’s him!" Emilia nearly bounced where she stood, her eyes locked on the growing figure. With each passing minute, the vessel grew larger, its details sharper. The proud hull, the masts swaying, the gleam of sunlight on wet wood. And when it finally docked, the port buzzed with murmurs of awe. One by one, the crew disembarked. Rain and Emilia both stared. The sailors looked nothing like the men who had left months ago. Their shirts strained against bulging muscles, their steps carried confidence that they didn’t have when they first embarked. Then a figure stepped down. Emilia’s breath caught, Rain stiffened, and Steven blinked in disbelief. Silver hair, crimson eyes — yes. But the face, the bearing... He looked like a man. Azel smirked faintly, his voice thick as he called out, "Hey, old man, what’s up?"