After the meeting with the Emperor, where Cassian, Sora, and Lucien had finally shared the wonderful news of their intended marriage, the peaceful atmosphere of the palace did not last long.
A sudden commotion erupted outside.
THUD. THUD. THUD.
The thunderous rhythm of iron-shod boots shook the marble courtyard.
Nearly sixty armored soldiers marched through the estate gates in perfect formation. Their footsteps struck the stone with such precision that even the servants stopped what they were doing to stare.
Blood-red cloaks snapped violently behind them in the mountain wind.
The Crimson Vanguard had arrived.
The legendary militia that had once served directly under Cassian during his years at the Edrath Imperial Academy had not disappeared after his fifteen-year absence.
Instead, they had grown. They had survived countless battlefields, becoming far stronger than Cassian could have ever imagined.
At the head of the formation walked Leo Valemont, followed by Celia, Silas, Gideon, Felix, Helena, and the remaining captains.
Their faces were older now. Mature, hardened by years of battle with the shadows. The timid young students Cassian remembered were gone. In their place stood seasoned warriors whose very presence made the estate guards straighten nervously.
Cassian stood at the top of the grand stone staircase, wrapped in a simple fur-trimmed mantle. Beside him stood Tristan and Aurelian. All three stared down at the approaching soldiers.
Cassian's eyes widened.
These guys...
His gaze moved from one familiar face to another.
They didn't disband?
A faint smile slowly formed on his lips as he watched the Vanguard reach the bottom of the staircase.
Then—
CLANG!
All sixty soldiers dropped onto one knee simultaneously. Their armored greaves struck the stone courtyard like a single thunderclap.
SHING!
Their broadswords were drawn in perfect unison and planted directly into the ground. Heads bowed, and the entire courtyard fell completely silent.
For a moment, Cassian couldn't speak. He had expected to see a few familiar faces upon his return, but he had never expected this.
Leo slowly removed his helmet. The man beneath it was almost unrecognizable—his face mature, his jaw sharp, and his eyes hardened by years of war. Yet the moment those eyes met Cassian's, they softened.
Leo swallowed hard. He stepped forward and unsheathed the old sword Cassian had personally given him all those years ago. The blade was worn and scratched from countless battles, but Leo had kept it for fifteen long years.
He raised it with both hands.
"My Prince."
His voice echoed across the courtyard—deeper and stronger, yet carrying the same familiar warmth Cassian remembered. For Cassian, who had only experienced a few months from his own perspective, it felt surreal to see everyone so grown up.
"I passed the word to the Eastern garrisons that the dragon who once led us has finally returned, and my comrades all marched here at once."
Leo lowered his head.
"And here we are, waiting for your command."
Cassian's chest tightened.
Silas, the stoic mage Cassian remembered from their academy days, stepped closer and pressed his fist against his heart.
"We did not come because the Imperial Court summoned us."
Next, Celia stepped forward. The energetic alchemist still wore her signature pigtails, jumping forward with a bright grin.
"We did not come because the High Council commanded us. We just came to see our handsome Boss!"
Felix followed smoothly.
"We came because our commander returned."
Helena planted her fist against her chest, as quiet and composed as ever.
"And because fifteen years was long enough of a wait."
Gideon's voice followed, rough and unwavering.
"The Crimson Vanguard has never belonged to the throne."
All sixty soldiers raised their heads in unison.
"We belong to you."
Cassian's breath caught. For a few seconds, he simply stared at them. Then, he slowly descended the stairs, his boots echoing against the stone.
As he approached Leo, memories rushed back—young students following him around, chaotic misunderstandings, the intense training sessions where he made their lives a living hell, bruised fists, late-night strategy meetings, and the ridiculous academy missions he had dragged them into just to keep a low profile from Lucien Arden.
He had known them as children, except for his peers among the elite five. Now, they stood before him as true warriors.
"This is so surprising."
Cassian stopped directly in front of Leo, a faint smile gracing his lips.
"You..."
His voice softened.
"You've all grown so much."
Leo's lips trembled slightly.
"We had a good teacher."
Cassian stared at him, then laughed quietly.
"You still know how to flatter me."
A few soldiers chuckled, breaking the heavy tension. Cassian extended his hand, and Leo immediately grabbed his forearm, pulling himself up as Cassian held him.
"Rise, brother."
Leo froze for a second at the word. Cassian looked past him toward the remaining soldiers.
"All of you."
His voice carried across the entire courtyard.
"Rise."
One by one, the warriors stood tall.
"You are not servants."
Cassian placed a firm hand on Leo's shoulder.
"And you are certainly not my subordinates."
His gaze drifted across every familiar face.
"You were my juniors once. My students."
His eyes gleamed with deep pride.
"But after all these years..."
"...you've become my brothers and sisters in arms."
Several soldiers lowered their heads, trying to hide their emotions. Celia wiped the corner of her eye before quickly pretending she was brushing away dust.
Cassian noticed.
"Celia."
She immediately straightened up.
"Yes, Your Highness?"
"Are you crying?"
"No."
"You absolutely are."
"I'm not! A strong woman like myself would never cry!"
Cassian laughed warmly.
"Of course."
Celia's tough expression cracked into a bright smile.
"I missed you too, Boss! And Sir Arden and Sora too!"
The courtyard erupted into cheerful laughter.
Tristan watched everything with wide eyes from the top of the stairs. He had heard stories about the Crimson Vanguard and how his father had once commanded them, but seeing them in person was completely different. These were legends.
Gideon noticed Tristan staring. His sharp eyes narrowed slightly before a faint grin appeared across his scarred face.
"Is this not Sir Arden's young lion?"
Tristan immediately straightened his posture. Cassian glanced back at his son.
"Yes."
His voice held clear pride.
"This is Tristan. My son."
Cassian placed a hand firmly on the boy's shoulder, making Tristan's chest swell with pride.
The entire Vanguard looked toward Tristan. Gideon raised his fist and struck his chestplate with a loud THUD.
"Then the young lion is one of ours."
Tristan's eyes widened. Gideon smiled.
"The Vanguard protects its own."
Tristan immediately returned the salute.
"I won't embarrass my father."
Leo laughed heartily.
"That's a dangerous promise, nephew."
Tristan grinned.
"I'll try."
Cassian shook his head with an amused sigh.
"You two are already getting along too well."
He then gestured toward Aurelian.
"And this is Aurelian."
The Vanguard's playful mood shifted instantly. Aurelian raised an eyebrow as Gideon stared at him for a long moment before bursting into laughter.
"So the little prince finally grew up!"
Aurelian blinked, crossing his arms.
"Oh please, not again. Haven't you had enough of teasing me during training?"
"Of course not," Gideon chuckled.
Felix stepped forward with a smirk.
"Although you have trained with us for years, you still remain a little cub to us."
The soldiers laughed, and Aurelian clicked his tongue, though a small smile tugged at his lips.
Cassian folded his arms, looking at Aurelian.
"They probably taught you more than I ever could."
Aurelian smiled back softly.
"Perhaps they did."
Cassian looked between his two boys, feeling a profound warmth in his chest.
"My sons are truly lucky."
He turned his attention back to the Crimson Vanguard.
"Still... seeing all of you makes me realize something."
Leo tilted his head.
"What is it?"
Cassian stretched his shoulders, a confident smirk touching his lips.
"This body has been stuck in the fourth circle of the Adept stage for fifteen years. It feels so stiff."
The courtyard went quiet. Cassian looked down at his own hands before slowly curling them into tight fists.
"I've spent these years motionless."
A spark of excitement burned in his crimson eyes.
"...makes me want to pick up a sword once again and indulge my whims."
Tristan's eyes lit up instantly, and Aurelian straightened up.
Leo raised his eyebrows.
"You want to train?"
Cassian smiled warmly.
"I want to remember what it felt like."
Gideon grinned wide.
"Are you certain, My Prince?"
Cassian looked at him, his confidence returning completely.
"Why not? I suppose there's only one way to settle this unease. But not right now—let's get you all settled in first and share a few drinks."
The Crimson Vanguard erupted into wild cheers.
And somewhere beyond the estate walls, hidden within the shadows of the mountain roads, Ruby's carefully prepared plans were beginning to unravel.
*****