That woman... She divided my troops, Nair fumed as he returned to the Iron Palace. Anger was not the only emotion overwhelming him. He could not define it precisely. Hikaru had cornered him with such words.

"My Lord..." Mazda said hesitantly. "What will we do now?" The situation had far exceeded his expectations. He glanced at the injured Zonda with uncertainty. "Shall we continue the battle? If you wish, I can prepare..."

Nair did not respond. Instead, he sped up towards the Star Tower, leaving them behind.

Mazda halted their procession. He looked back at where the large army should have been, now reduced to only a handful of people...

"We were supposed to have won a great battle. Yet we have lost our support in an instant... That Pillar of Cephiro, in a flash, she has gained the support of two nations. We underestimated her..." He observed Manda and Vezel, who seemed to be contemplating the same thoughts.

"Let's wait and see what will happen," Vezel suggested.

Mazda then ordered the troops accompanying them to join Van's forces from the Southwest Tower and assist in securing the castle with Lune from the Northwest. The three tower guardians decided to land at one of the remaining towers, the East Tower, to tend to Zonda's injuries there.

Days ago, panic swept through the magic swordsmen as they saw Hikaru collapse unconscious. Is she dead? Maybe not. Nova immediately teleported, carrying her to the tower, which had been restored to its former state and was now safe from the recent onslaught by Autozam's forces. Her concern was immense, not only for Hikaru's life but also for the baby within her.

Chiron sat frozen in the window frame of the West Tower, listening to Elva's quiet sob. "I never imagined she would speak of our Lord Nair..." Chiron mused, lost in thought. "Is it true that what we're doing all this time is in vain… or wrong?"

"I don't know..." Elva replied, her voice trembling with deep anxiety.

"You know, I never forget the day our forests were destroyed by Autozam. Lord Nair saved me and many of us. He promised us a better day, which made us pledge our loyalty to him."

"Are you thinking of..."

"No. I will remain loyal." Chiron interrupted Elva's words. "But... I feel like I've found something more important. I hope for a better day in the future. I want peaceful nights for today, tomorrow, and beyond. I want to marry freedom and peace. I don't want to fight for a cause I no longer understand. If I must protect something, what I want to protect now is Hikaru."

Elva listened in silence but truly understood Chiron's meaning. Someone had offered something greater than what their Lord had. She, too, wanted to embrace it: the hope for peace in Runes. But if this peace were to come at the cost of Hikaru's life, she could not accept it.

"What should we do? Our Lord is so serious about his decision…"

"Elva, I have a plan." Chiron looked at Elva with a fervent gaze. "We can save Hikaru. Let's mobilize people to voice out."

"Voice out?" Elva's eyes widened at Chiron's idea, a spark of hope in her heart. "Do you think people would risk defying Lord Nair?" she asked with doubt and the faintest hint of courage.

Chiron nodded, her gaze resolute. "If we present them with the possibility of true peace—peace without sacrifice—they'll rally. They need to see that a different path is possible, one that doesn't demand anybody's life."

Elva looked away, struggling with her own conflicted loyalty. "But how? How do we get them to trust this vision and not think we're betraying our own?"

Chiron placed a hand on her shoulder. "We'll do it gradually. Share Hikaru's vision. Let them see her as more than just an outsider. If enough voices are raised, even he may have to listen."

The robotic forces were obliterated, and their prowess was remembered with great reverence for years to come. The troops led by Nycta Vision showcased their finest abilities and bravery. They managed to breach the Iron Palace and nearly assaulted the Star Tower. Though the magic swordsmen, led by Van and Lune, could halt the attack and eliminate them all, it came in a fierce and costly battle for Runes. Half of the Runes' settlements were destroyed. The North, Northeast, and Southeast Towers were completely wiped from sight.

Though their strategy failed to achieve victory, it was both perfect and painful. The prediction had been accurate. Most of the magic swordsmen had gone out to attack the ship carrying the non-combatant Autozam citizens, where Nycta had deliberately hidden her two kids among them. In her darkest side of heart, it would be better if they died together! Their assault was launched amidst the castle's almost unguarded state. Nycta, prepared to lose everything, including her kids, had included them in a strategy they had never realized. But she did not know something had occurred beyond her plan, changing everything, including Autozam's future.

After that day, the division within the Runes forces became increasingly apparent. News of what Hikaru had said on the battlefield to Nair spread quickly. Everyone began to see a new possibility that the nearly year-long war with Autozam might come to an end. Movements calling for a total cessation of the war emerged from every place.

Two weeks after the battle ended, Nova officially led people to petition Nair for a genuine cessation of hostilities. They surrounded Iron Palace. They sought to open peace negotiations with Autozam. The people of Autozam had already taken the first step by acknowledging that the Runes were the rightful owners of the land and offering themselves as Nair's followers. Autozam was also willing to lay down their weapons, cease their resistance, and cooperate with Runes.

Nair listened to the plea with his eyes closed. Though he appeared calm, he was actually suppressing his rage. His mission for revenge had been thwarted in an instant. Were these people mocking him? What was the meaning of the decades of struggle? What was the meaning of all the hard work to avenge Runes?!

Without a word, he approved everyone's request. Without reading it, he agreed to every clause of the agreement, including the release of all Autozam prisoners held in the West Tower in exchange for the Runes hostages held by Autozam. After the people dispersed, he threw the pen he used to sign the agreement with all his might.

"How will you ensure that the Vision will not pose a threat to Runes in the future?!" he asked Nova furiously. Nova was appointed as Runes' representative in the agreement. He had every reason to be concerned, given that Autozam's population outnumbered Runes. If they were to rebel again, Runes could be destroyed.

Nova picked up the pen that had landed near her feet. "It's truly tragic that only that boy survived. Albatross Vision. Nexus has promised to take care of him and ensure that there will be no future resistance. Besides..." Nova continued, "He's the one who pushed for and proposed some of the agreement terms. I believe he will not betray this pact. He understands his status as a member of the Vision family. He will become a great man. Therefore, I request permission to educate him and other Autozam children in my tower. If we are to build a future, it all starts with sitting together and trying to understand each other."

"Do as you wish!" Nair turned away. He did not want to hear any more of Nova's chatter.

"Gladly. This is a victory for all of us. Everyone weary of war is now eager to start a new day and build their lives. I hope the same for you, Nair." Nova turned to leave but stopped as she remembered something.

"Nair, don't you want to know how she is?" Nova asked cautiously. Day after day, she had waited for Nair to inquire. She wanted Nair to ask about Hikaru, but Nair remained silent. Nova turned back and faced Nair, who still wore a sour expression. "She has caused you much trouble,, but she never intended to be your burden. Please forgive her," Nova pleaded earnestly.

"Forgive her? How easily you speak!"

Nova sighed. She had to be incredibly patient dealing with this man. "You don't truly intend to take her life as the price for this peace, do you? Allowing her to live once more will not harm you in any way. Please, understand. She is still very young." Nova tried to find a reason. "Give her a chance to see peace in this land as she wishes. It would make her very happy..."

"How wonderful! Now you're taking her side? How about me?!"

"Act like an adult! You're far older than she is—you should be more sensible! This country needs a future, not a past. This land needs harmony, not revenge!"

Yelled at like that, Nair gave Nova a look of such intense displeasure that it should have made anyone cower. But Nova continued undeterred.

"I consider the pact you made with her meaningless. You were angry when you decided that, and I know you well. You lose your mind when you're angry. You didn't truly think through that decision. Deep down, you surely don't want everything to end with her death. Remember, it was you who wanted her to live and wouldn't let me finish her. Now I, along with many others, want her to live. So, I won't let you get near her if the idea of trading her life for peace is still in your mind."

"You're defying me again…"

"As the Magic Guru, I am your advisor. But I am also here to defend what is right and good for many. Calm yourself. Think about the future. Think about the happiness your followers want. They no longer desire revenge. They are ready to live alongside the people of Autozam. Why can't you?"

"Get out of my sight! And don't come back to me!"

"With pleasure, Nair Shin-Re," Nova retorted sharply.