Aegon stood over the Spider's broken statue, staring at the distant rumbling clouds. Snow-white clouds traversed over from his domain to the Ash Domain, bringing forth a blizzard that swept everything in its wake.

"What a beautiful scene!" Rosa said, sitting beside him. "It feels like the world is ending."

"Only someone like you will find this beautiful," Aegon said, finding the scene quite eerie.

"Aiyo! Future hubby! I meant the situation!" Rosa giggled, a mischievous grin playing on her lips. "The world is ending and we're the only survivors. Now, we're dying together on top. How romantic!"

"Are you casually forgetting me again?" Cali said from the side, cleaning her gauntlets.

"Aiyo! You're background, so don't speak!" Rosa waved her hand dismissively.

Aegon smiled, saying nothing in response. Over the year, getting used to her flirting was easy. Though he wished she didn't do that because they didn't really have a future together. Even after a year, he didn't think he had romantic feelings for her, after all.

He tried telling her, but she never listened, saying that she would try until he got in a relationship or found love. If he did, then she would try her best to help him court that girl.

Shaking off those thoughts, he turned to his right, from where Elara appeared with a piercing glare fixed directly on Rosa. Then, she looked away in annoyance, as if refusing to acknowledge it further.

Beside her was Xavier, having a solemn look on his face. He seemed deep in thought, so none disturbed him as they knew he needed this time.

They simply watched the blizzard take over the whole map. Fortunately, they weren't affected, because even they weren't confident in surviving that catastrophic storm.

The blizzard washed over them eventually, bringing nothing but snow all around them, but it didn't feel cold. It simply surrounded them before they felt their reality shaking just like it did when entering.

In the next second, the familiar room greeted them with its crimson background. It took a few seconds for them to stabilize.

The first to recover, Aegon glanced at everyone before turning towards Xavier. Patting his shoulder, he asked, "So, how do you feel?"

Xavier remained thoughtful for a second before sighing, "I don't like it. Even if I knew he deserved it, I felt bad for doing all that."

He clenched his fist, chuckling dryly, "I'm pathetic, aren't I?"

"No!" Elara interrupted their conversation as she said, firmly. "What matters here is that you did it while knowing he deserved it. That's what a ruler is supposed to be."

Xavier glanced up, his eyes swirling with confusion along with hope. His mind was searching for something to cope with this new feeling.

"My Opa always said something to me. 'The one who passes the sentence should swing the sword,'" Aegon replied on Elara's behalf instead. "Traitors, deserters, and many others need justice in the army, but there is no judiciary there. There is no emperor there. So it falls on the person in charge to bring justice."

Closing his eyes, he remembered the countless stories Arnold had told him and continued.

"If Opa passed the sentence, he would always swing the sword. He says it's his duty as the judge to hear the dying person, to know what he's doing, to know his responsibility and the burden. Anyone can pass on sentences, but only those who know the consequences and responsibilities can do it properly."

He paused, turning towards Xavier who stood frozen in his place.

"What you did today is quite similar. It wasn't just revenge, was it? Do you still believe it?"

Xavier shook his head in denial. If it was just revenge, he knew Aegon could do worse. This was much more than that.

"You'll be a Ruler one day, someone who possesses the power to bring justice. You'll be no different than General Arnold who passed the sentence."

Aegon patted Xavier's shoulder again and said truthfully, "You know he deserved it and you did go through with it, even if it went against your feelings. That's a big step you took, buddy. Don't bring yourself down like that."

Seeing his dumbfounded look, Aegon rolled his eyes and said, "Fine! Continue thinking over it, idiot. I'm cutting your share from pancakes."

"Pancakes… wait! What pancakes?" Xavier hurriedly asked, his focus shifting.

"Can't you remain serious for a second?" Cali cast a disdainful look at her little brother before looking up.

"Shut up! You don't know how good his pancakes taste!" Xavier retorted.

"Ho! Just because you got slightly better, you're talking back to your elder sister?" Cali smiled, though it didn't look like a smile. "Perhaps, I need to teach the future king some manners."

"...my dear sister, calm down!" Xavier backed away slightly and said. "You can taste his pancakes and then you'll understand."

"I'm only letting you off because you did good today," Cali snorted.

Aegon heard their drama over his shoulder, as he took out tables and chairs from his storage ring. Elara helped him quickly in setting them up, then he took out a big basket filled with delicious-smelling pancakes.

"I made them to celebrate our victories," Aegon said, as Elara set up plates for them. "They also restore your stamina, so double benefits."

"Your classes are finally paying off, Future Hubby," Rosa said, giving a long look to Elara's hands.

Aegon smiled and turned around, only to have a slender body embrace him in a hug. He smiled and patted Xavier's back, "Are you crying?"

"Crying your ass!" Xavier cursed, but still kept hugging him. "I promised I won't cry anymore."

"Nobody is asking you to make such stupid promises, idiot!" Aegon sighed. "You can cry before us."

Xavier stayed silent for a moment before saying, "Thank you, Aegon. For everything. I only called you brother from another mother, but you proved it. Thanks, brother."

"I told you!" Aegon replied. "I'll always stand by my friends' sides. Become the King if you want. You'll always find me on your side supporting you."

"Many say that, but only you remain honest about it," Xavier chuckled and pulled up. "Once again, thank you, brother."

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