Chapter 70 – The Path of the ExileA Name That No Longer Exists
Leonhardt Valerian Everhart was dead.
At least, that's what the world believed.
His name had been stripped from history. His titles had been erased. His past had been abandoned.
And yet, he stood beneath the vast night sky, gazing at the lands that stretched before him—lands that once belonged to his enemies, now open before him as if welcoming the traitor.
A quiet laugh escaped his lips.
How ironic.
For seventeen years, he had lived with a purpose imposed upon him.
To be the heir.
To be the future Grand Duke.
To be the empire's sword.
But now?
He was nothing.
Nothing… except free.
The Empire's Response – Silence Before the Storm
The Imperial Palace was unusually quiet.
The Emperor sat on his throne, his face unreadable, his fingers tapping slowly against the golden armrest.
For days, the court had whispered about Leonhardt's betrayal.
For days, rumors had spread—some calling him a fool, others calling him a romantic, and some… calling him a threat.
A warrior as strong as he was could not simply disappear.
And yet—he had.
Not a single trace of him remained within the empire.
The nobles watched the emperor with bated breath, waiting for his next command.
Would he send hunters after the exile?
Would he issue an order for his execution?
But Aurelian Valtis Regalis merely smiled.
A slow, knowing smile.
"…Let him go."
The nobles stirred, confused.
"Your Majesty—"
The emperor raised a hand.
"He has chosen his fate."
His golden eyes gleamed with something unreadable.
"Let us see what he does with it."
And none of them could question him.
Because even though Leonhardt Valerian Everhart was gone—
Something told them that his story was far from over.
The Grand Dukedom – A Father's Choice
In the Everhart Estate, the Grand Duke stood before his assembled knights, his expression like steel.
"The Empire has cast him aside," one knight whispered.
"He has abandoned his duty," another muttered.
Reinhardt Everhart's gaze swept over them.
"…And yet, you still speak his name."
Silence fell.
Because they couldn't forget him.
Not the boy they had watched grow into a warrior.
Not the heir who had led them to countless victories.
Not the man who had left everything behind for a single woman.
"…What will you do, Your Grace?" one knight dared to ask.
Reinhardt turned his gaze toward the horizon.
"…Nothing."
The knights froze.
"The Emperor has made his decision." His voice was firm, yet… distant. "So has my son."
The wind whispered through the halls, carrying the unspoken words between them.
And just like that—Leonhardt's name was never spoken again in the Grand Dukedom.
Not by orders.
But because no one knew what to say.
The Kingdom of Aurion – A Queen's Warning
Aetheria stood in the great hall of the Kingdom of Aurion, her violet eyes cold and unyielding.
The King of Aurion knelt before her, his expression tense.
"My Queen," he spoke carefully, "the empire has not made any further movements… but if they do—"
"They won't."
Her voice was calm. Absolute.
The king hesitated.
"…How can you be so sure?"
Aetheria's lips curled into a knowing smile.
"Because they know what awaits them if they try."
The hall fell into silence.
Because the Night's Queen had spoken.
And when she made a declaration—the world listened.
Somewhere Beyond the Empire – A New Beginning
Leonhardt walked alone.
For the first time, there was no destination.
No duty to return to.
No war to fight.
No throne to inherit.
His only purpose now…
Was her.
He still didn't know what lay ahead.
But for the first time in 800,000 years—
He didn't care.
Aetheria had always been the only future he wanted.
And now?
He had chosen her.
Not as the King of Gods.
Not as the Grand Duke's heir.
But simply—as himself.
The path ahead was uncertain.
But one thing was clear—
This was only the beginning.