The Dreamer's POV

[00 Months: 17 Days: 15 Hours]

The cool breeze whispered through the night, rustling the leaves above. The sounds of the encampment had quietened to a dull hum.

As we stood there, the weight of the news I bore pressed heavily upon my chest.

My eyes locked onto Theo's, and I could see the glimmer of hope, searching for any hint of good news.

Taking a deep breath, I began, "Theo, the Lyma Household... they're all gone."

My voice quivered, threatening to break. "The whole of the Lyma Capital has been ravaged. They plundered everything, and left only ruin in their wake."

The dim light from a distant lantern cast eerie shadows on Theo's face, accentuating the lines of stress that had appeared over the past few days.

His eyes widened in shock, but he held himself together, staying silent, waiting for me to continue.

"I killed those who remained," I added, my fists clenched with the memory of the rage that had consumed me. "But by the time I got there, the main players, the true orchestrators, had already escaped."

'I can't act unemotional about this… I have to also…'

I looked down, my vision blurring with unshed tears. "I'm sorry, Theo. I did everything I could. I just... I couldn't prevent it."

Theo, to my surprise, took a step forward, his voice steady, "Luke, you did your best. We were simply outwitted this time. But was it the Nine Headed Dragon Alliance?"

I shook my head. "No, they referred to themselves as 'The Alliance.' They're different, and their motives seem to be different too. The Nine Headed Dragon Alliance wants control over the Lyma Region, not its annihilation."

Theo nodded slowly, processing the information. "I see..."

He paused, his gaze distant.

"Luke, I need time. Tell Drius everything. I just... I need to be alone."

Understanding the depth of his pain, Drius and I exchanged a brief look, silently acknowledging the turmoil Theo was going through.

We both bowed slightly, offering our respect.

"Take all the time you need," I whispered, watching as Theo slowly walked away, his silhouette fading into the shadows of the night.

*********

As Theo walked away from the circle of torchlight and the hushed murmurs of the camp, a suffocating weight settled on his chest.

The ground underfoot seemed to wobble, and for a moment, he wondered if he might collapse. Instead, he trudged onwards, past the camp's boundaries, into the depths of the surrounding forest.

Moonlight filtered through the thick canopy of leaves, casting an ethereal glow upon the surroundings.

Theo found himself drawn to a small clearing.

Here, the moon hung in its full splendor, its light bathing everything in a soft, silvery hue.

He sat down heavily, pulling his knees up to his chest, and stared at the twinkling stars, which now felt so distant and unapproachable.

The memories flooded in, unbidden.

Laughter around the dinner table, the sound of his mother singing as she sometimes cooked, despite them having maids for the task, his sisters playfully bickering while his father looked on, his eyes crinkling with amusement.

Each moment, so ordinary yet so precious, replayed in his mind, and with each memory, the dam holding back his emotions threatened to break.

He could feel the sharp sting of tears forming, his breath becoming ragged. A sob tore through him, the sound raw and heart-wrenching in the quiet of the night.

"W-why?" he whispered to the stars, his voice trembling with pain and disbelief. "Why them?"

Theo recalled the last time he saw his family.

The smiles, the hugs, the reassuring words exchanged as he set out on his mission. The promises of return, of stories to be shared.

Now, those stories would never be told, those smiles would never be seen again.

With each heartbeat, the pain seemed to intensify. It felt as if a vice was squeezing his heart, every pulse a reminder of what he had lost.

"We should have been there," he choked out, his fingers digging into the earth beneath him. "Luke would have protected them."

Guilt, sorrow, and rage swirled within him, a turbulent storm threatening to drown him.

He wished for the ground to swallow him whole, to take away this unbearable pain. Yet, even amidst his anguish, a single thought rose above the rest: vengeance.

The culprits would pay. He would ensure it.

"Hicc… hicc… I'll kill 'em all!"

Theo had no idea how long he stayed there, or how much time had passed since.

As dawn began to break, the first rays of sunlight filtering through the trees, Theo lay on the ground, his body wracked with exhaustion.

The pain was still there, sharp and relentless, but now, it was accompanied by a burning determination.

He would not let his family's deaths be in vain.

*******

[00 Months: 17 Days: 23 Hours]

As I leaned against the rough bark of a tree, the cool early morning air surrounding me, I couldn't help but get lost in my thoughts.

The weight of the events that had unfolded was overwhelming, but it was in moments like this, away from the world's prying eyes, that clarity came to me.

"Taking all the plunder from the Lyma Capital..." I thought, my eyes fixed on the distant horizon.

"Is it right?"

A voice inside me questioned my intent. But it wasn't about right or wrong; it was about survival, strategy, and positioning for what lay ahead.

These resources could help the Lyma Family rise from the ashes, and if dispensed judiciously, everyone that mattered could benefit.

I had no intention of hoarding it. In times of need, it would serve as a resource, a way to rebuild what was lost.

'With my resources, I'll remain very relevant to Theo and his rise to power. In fact, one could say I'll hold the most power.'

I wasn't doing this just for the power, but out of the genuine desire to help the Lyma Household. Regardless, I planned on doing it my way.

I imagined the capital, reborn from its ashes.

"Rebuilding it won't be easy," I mused.

Using my minions from the <Fallen Foe> Skill, along with hired labor, I could orchestrate the resurrection of the Lyma Capital.

It wasn't just about buildings and infrastructure, but a sense of security and trust that had been shattered.

'We need to re-establish the Lyma Family—specifically Theo—as powerful and formidable.

But leadership... that was a complicated issue.

Theo was the rightful heir, no doubt about it. The boy had a spirit and determination beyond his years. But he was only eight.

There would be power-hungry individuals within the family, and outside it, eyeing the vacuum left by the Duke's passing.

Theo needed support, guidance, and most importantly, strength by his side.

I was resolved to be that pillar for him.

And once the dust settled, once a semblance of normalcy returned, there was the Grand Southern Dungeon to consider.

'It's said to be the greatest known Dungeon in the Southern Kingdom. I should be able to get something out if it…'

"But timing," I whispered to myself. For now, I had to put that on hold.

I wasn't satisfied with my current strength, but I couldn't abandon the Lyma Family's current situation in pursuit of strength.

'All in due time…'

"I wonder if I'll be able to make it before the First Floor's appearance. Haa… there's so much to do and so little time." Read exclusive adventures at empire

A smile crept onto my face as I thought of Francis, the malefactor who seemed to always be lurking in the shadows.

And then Lucy, my unexpected benefactor.

My path was currently laid out with obstacles and opportunities, allies, and adversaries. I felt a surge of excitement amidst the troubling thoughts in my head.

"I can't wait to become even stronger."

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[A/N]

One more chapter, and we'll call this Arc a wrap.

I hope you all had fun.