Ray covered Panzer's eyes and gently placed him on the ground before helping himself up weakly. Gripping [Heartseeker], Ray raised the spear into the air before shouting at the top of his voice, "This battle is over! Panzer's dead and I demand everybody to put down your weapons right now! This [Heartseeker] is proof that I'm not lying!"

Soldiers from both sides stopped fighting briefly as they sought to ascertain the truth of Ray's words. When they recognised the spear which used to belong to Panzer, on top of witnessing his cold, lifeless body with their very own eyes, several Targonians broke into tears as they mourned the passing of a great leader.

Some of them, in their fury, swore vengeance as they cursed, "We're going to kill them all for Lord Panzer's sake! Especially that Saint! Then we'll recover Lord Panzer's corpse and bury him with the greatest of honours!" The other Targonians were influenced by such strong feelings of hatred and vengefulness that they gripped their weapons more tightly, ready to start a massacre.

Fortunately, a loud, commanding voice of reason dispelled any trace of insanity within them, "As the next person in command, I order you all to stand down! We'll surrender peacefully, as is the will of the late Lord Panzer! Anybody who mocks his wishes would get it from me!"

It was Nikolai, with tears in his eyes as he undid his [Earth Armament]. He re-sheathed his sword and walked solemnly past Nikki towards the body of his fallen leader. As Nikolai walked through both Nirvanians and Targonians alike, no one dared to speak or perform any act of violence.

When Nikolai finally reached the corpse of his esteemed leader, he lifted the body over his arms and shouted, "Today, we have lost a great leader and a true friend who always kept our welfare in his mind. Let's fulfil his last wish by going home safely, so that our families will not worry about us!"

Ray was about to give Nikolai the [Heartseeker] when Nikolai declined politely, whispering, "Panzer would want you to have it, not for it to be buried with him. He's not that sort of person." Ray replied, "I understand. Very well, I shall keep this as a last memento of him. I still owe Panzer some favours, so would you bring me to Targon?"

Nikolai nodded emphatically, "Your wish is my command, sir. The vanquished have no right to object." Nikolai handed the body of Panzer over to a few trusted soldiers before getting onto his horse. He beckoned Ray to follow as Ray got onto his own horse and caught up with Nikolai together with Nikki.

Venice agreed to lead most of the remaining Nirvanians back to Nirvania in order to reduce hostility with the Miranians who had surrendered. Under Nikolai's lead, it wasn't long before Ray and his small entourage arrived at Targon. To Nikolai's horror, he noticed that the sentries atop the walls of Targon were missing.

Ray, noticing Nikolai's expression, enquired, "Is something wrong?" Nikolai replied anxiously, "There are usually sentries atop the wall to greet us when we return. However, there's not a single soul up there. What's going on?"

Suddenly, one Nirvanian captain rushed forward to report, exclaiming, "Sir! Sorry for the late news, but when we were accounting for our forces earlier, we realised that Captain Harold's company is missing! Not even a single body from his company was found in the battlefield earlier, which can only mean he launched a separate offensive on Targon directly, sir!"

Ray's expression turned grim and without a word, he leaped onto the top of the city wall, discovering several dead bodies of Miranian troops. Much to his fury, he saw Nirvanians looting the dead bodies of these Miranian guards. Ray barked, "Have you no pride as soldiers! Where's Captain Harold?"

The Nirvanians turned quickly to come face to face with their division commander, as all broke into cold sweat. One stammered, "Captain…Captain Harold is in the throne room over there!" as he pointed in the general direction. Ray grunted with displeasure as he stormed past his soldiers, some who were so afraid that their legs gave way.

Meanwhile, in the throne room, the Chief Guard, Jim, received news that the enemy had successfully breached the city gate and were heading towards their location this very minute. Jim rushed towards his mistress, Lady Leia and her young daughter, Dawn.

Jim stammered, "Lady Leia, young mistress Dawn, you got to evacuate now before it's too late! The Nirvanians had breached Targon and it's only a matter of time before they reach here!" Jim felt a chill down his spine when he heard the bloodcurdling screams of his men who were ruthlessly slaughtered by the invaders as they attempted to halt their progress.

It wasn't long before the enemies showed themselves, led by a young man with an eye patch. Jim quickly pulled Leia and Dawn behind him, as he said, "Stay behind me, your Highness! I would protect you to the very end!"

Dawn held her mother's dress tightly and burrowed her head within her mother's clothing, afraid to see what danger was lurking out there. Leia, in contrast, held her daughter tightly, her eyes reflecting not fear, but resolve to protect her daughter.

The young man with an eye patch jested, "So much for the great city of Targon! Without most of their elite troops who are out there fighting, all that's left are scrubs for the picking! I, Captain Harold, would go down in history for this famous conquest, mwahahaha!"

Jim drew his sword and declared, "You won't lay a hand on these 2 women so long as I'm here! Come!" Harold looked at Jim condescendingly and sneered, "A mere guard who has not seen the tides of war wants to challenge me? You're overestimating yourself!"

Harold drew his own sword and leapt towards Jim, exchanging fierce blows with him. Initially, Jim had the upper hand against Harold, calmly fending all of Harold's blows with his 2-handed sword technique, prioritising defence over attack.

Harold attempted to overcome Jim with greater speed and strength, but to no avail as Jim simply increased the frequency of his sword swings. After spotting a clear chance, Jim swung his sword without hesitation, slashing Harold across his right thigh. "Aargh!" Harold shrieked in pain as he clutched his wound.

Just before Jim could execute Harold, Harold's men shot several arrows from their crossbows, hitting several parts of his body as Jim halted suddenly. Harold seized the opportunity to slash Jim's throat, dealing a fatal blow.

Jim held his throat, gurgling as he looked at his lady and young mistress with distress, "Forgive…me…" before his eyes became white and he slumped onto the ground dead. After bandaging his wound crudely, Harold limped towards Jim's corpse before stabbing it repeatedly, causing blood to spill messily on the ground and all over himself.

Harold cried maniacally, "How do you like that? Hahaha!" When he was satisfied with disfiguring Jim's corpse, he turned to face Leia and her daughter. Harold teased, "Look, what a pretty young lady we've got here. You can be my mistress and entertain me, mwahahaha! I don't need the girl though."

Harold raised his sword high in the air as he prepared to execute Dawn on the spot. Dawn was bawling fearfully as she covered her eyes in preparation for the worst. Blood spewed forth as Harold swung his sword down mercilessly.

To Harold's horror, he realised that Leia had shielded her daughter with her back, and that he had struck Leia instead. Leia tried to comfort her daughter, saying weakly, "It's alright…Mummy's here. I won't let my precious daughter get hurt so don't be scared…"

Dawn cried as she hugged her mother tightly, only to realise that her mother's back was bleeding profusely. Dawn stuttered, "M-Mummy…y-you're bleeding! Don't leave me, Mummy!" Leia stroked her daughter's head, assuring her, "Hush, I'm alright, Mummy will always be with you, ok?"

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Before Harold could raise his sword against Dawn once again, suddenly, the main door of the throne room flung open with a powerful gust. The weapons belonging to Harold and his men were seized from them before they could respond as they flew towards the ceiling, disarming them.

Harold's eyes widened as he realised who the newcomer was. He stammered, "Commander, this…everything I did was to contribute to our war effort, sir! Seizing this city would allow us an important foothold against Miran, right, sir? Thus, I acted on my own as this was the perfect opportunity! I seek your understanding, sir!"

Ray became even more furious as he replied coldly, "First, you disobey general orders when you took your own initiative to assault Targon. Next, you allow your soldiers to loot, a behaviour banned by our military! Finally, you even raise your sword against children, an unforgivable behaviour as a human!"

Harold gasped in pain as Ray mercilessly killed him with a [Lightning Blade] through the chest. After discarding Harold's body to one side nonchalantly, Ray ordered, "Leave us! And keep your lips sealed about what had happened! Otherwise, you guys would get yourselves into even greater trouble!" Harold's men nodded nervously as they left the throne room hurriedly.

When they were alone, Ray rushed to Leia's side and handed her Panzer's pendant. Leia's eyes widened in shock upon seeing the pendant but she quickly relaxed after a while. Leia calmly said, "My husband's dead, right? He would never leave that pendant unattended. I presume you're the one who killed him, judging by the fact that you're holding onto his pendant."

Ray struggled to find words before he finally replied, "I'm sorry for the loss of your husband. I must also admit that I was the one who took his life. I'm so sorry once again." Leia closed her eyes before responding gently, "War is cruel. I always knew that my husband would lose his life on the battlefield, at the rate he was going. The fact that he passed you of all people his pendant signals his great trust in you. Tell me, did he die happy?"

Ray answered, "Yes, he told me that if I helped him with what I had promised, he would have left no regrets in this world. He died with a smile on his face." Leia struggled to breathe as she replied, "Good, good. At least he died with a peace of mind."

This time, tears flowed uncontrollably from Ray as he choked, "However, I've failed him. I failed to keep my promise in keeping both you and your daughter safe. If only I'd been a little faster…"

Leia smiled warmly and replied, "I can see why my husband trusted you now. You're indeed a kind man, to take pity even on your enemies. Just as my husband had trusted you, I too shall place my faith in you. Please, I beg you to take care of my daughter. Give her a complete family and the love she deserves. Sadly, I don't have much longer, so let me say a few final words to my daughter."

Ray stepped back as Leia gasped for air, signalling death was near. She signalled for Dawn to come closer as she hugged the little girl as tightly as she could. Leia said gently, "Dawn, I'm so sorry that I can't spend any more time with you, for both Papa and Mama are going to a faraway place which you can't go, at least not for the next few decades. Be a good girl and listen to this uncle over here. Remember, when you're feeling down, Mama would always love you and be…by…your…side…always."

Upon finishing her sentence, Leia drew her last breath and passed away, tears in her eyes as she couldn't bear to leave her daughter. At this point of time, Nikki had rushed into the throne room and was about to ask Ray what was going on when she saw a little girl holding the hands of a dead woman. The little girl cried uncontrollably, unable to accept the sudden demise of her mother.

Tears instantly welled up in Nikki's eyes as she couldn't bear to watch the sight before her. Nikki quickly rushed forward and embraced the girl tightly, shielding her away from the sight of her mother's corpse while crying together with her, muttering, "Oh…my poor girl…what can we do to help you…"

Ray wiped away his tears and before he could open his mouth, Nikki looked at him resolutely and said, "Say no more, Ray. She's our daughter from now on." Ray nodded solemnly as Nikolai and the other Miranians entered the room quickly. Upon witnessing the death of their duchess, Nikolai and the others were devastated, some even collapsing onto their knees and crying their eyes out in pity of their sole surviving daughter.

Ray went forward to Nikolai and tapped his shoulder gently, requesting, "Find a suitable place within this palace to bury the couple. A place they both loved. Leave Dawn to me, I promised Panzer and Leia that I would look after her. Can that be done?"

Nikolai wiped away his tears and nodded slowly, ordering his men to hoist the body of the late duchess to the garden, where he had intended to bury her husband. Throughout the movement and burial process, Nikki kept Dawn close to her, preventing her from seeing the dead bodies of her parents as she didn't want her fragile young mind to break in sorrow.

As he watched the burial rites of 2 brave and heroic individuals, Ray whispered to Nikolai, "I promise that I would raise Dawn as my own, so that one day she might inherit this city and her father's pride, his [Heartseeker]."

Nikolai nodded in gratitude as the 2 men witnessed the construction of the gravestones.

<3 days later, Targon>

After the funeral rites and proceedings were complete for all those who have perished in the battle of the Northern Front, most notably, Duke Panzer and Duchess Leia, it was time for the new leader of Targon to address his people. Nikolai announced, "Shall we put our hands together for the new Duke of Targon, Ray!"

Ray stood proudly in front of hundreds of Targon citizens, who were still mourning the loss of their loved ones. Ray cleared his throat before speaking solemnly, "As you all know, I'm not a native Targon citizen nor am I even Miranian. I'm only holding this position as Duke because Targon lost the war against Nirvania and chose to surrender peacefully.

I know many of you may resent me, it's perfectly reasonable to do so especially since the loss of your loved ones can be directly attributed to war with us Nirvanians. However, not withholding the fact that several Nirvanians, like you all, have lost loved ones as well in this battle, what I would like to stress are the ideals and cause that our soldiers, regardless of nationality, fought for.

The higher-ups may see war as a territorial game, but your soldiers on the ground, what kept them going was their love for the people behind them. These brave soldiers were willing to put their lives down if it meant setting the foundation for true peace and happiness for their loved ones and descendants to come.

Hence, let us overcome the obstacle that is hatred together, as we work hand in hand to hold the future envisioned by these fallen soldiers. Remember, we may grieve for our loved ones, but there must come a time where we muster our courage and rise from the depths of sorrow, for only then can we soar towards our dreams and meet the expectations entrusted upon us by those who have fallen.

To ease the transition process, I hereby nominate Nikolai as my Minister in charge of all domestic affairs, just as he'd been under Duke Panzer. With that, I conclude my speech and thank you all for your cooperation."

To Ray's surprise, at the end of his speech he could hear rapturous applause as the citizens of Targon welcomed their new leader. Ray smiled slightly as he turned to take his leave, not before asking Nikolai, "Why are these people clapping for me? I'm technically their conqueror after all."

Nikolai replied warmly, "The people of Targon are touched by your sincerity, my Lord. These past 3 days, you have not only given us time to grieve for our loved ones, you even had your men assist in distributing resources to the needy families, giving more to those who had lost direct kin and sole breadwinners. The people know that they are in good hands under your leadership, so don't worry too much, my Lord."

Ray heaved a sigh of relief before asking, "One more thing, do you know where Dawn is?" Nikolai sighed, "Probably at the garden visiting the graves of her parents. You know, everyone in Targon is grateful that you're willing to accept her as your daughter, it really puts their minds at ease."

Ray smiled and replied, "Don't mention it. I made a promise. See ya, I'll leave the rest to you." Nikolai bowed in respect as Ray headed towards the garden in the palace. True enough, he found Dawn seating in front of the graves of her parents, staring blankly into thin air. Meanwhile, Nikki wore a worried expression as she watched the little girl's lifeless expression.

Upon seeing Ray, Nikki turned around and said worryingly, "I tried to convince her to leave, but she wouldn't listen to me. Staying here for too long is no good for her mental health, she may get into a depression if she carries on like this." Ray nodded to signal his understanding of the situation before seating next to Dawn.

Ray asked wholeheartedly, "Dawn, what do your parents love most in this garden? I heard this was a special place for them." Dawn took a long while before she replied coldly, "Papa and Mama loved the flowers here the most, especially the sunflowers."

Ray stood up and searched the garden for the largest sunflower he could find, before giving it to Dawn, saying, "Here's a present from me to you, Dawn. You know, when you're feeling down from the loss of your parents, I want you to look at this sunflower and recall all those good memories you had with your parents. Remember, they may be physically absent, but if you keep them in your memories, they would live on forever in your heart."

Dawn looked at the sunflower as tears began to well in her eyes. She choked, "Papa, Mama, I'll never forget you two for as long as I live. That way, you can continue to be by my side forever, right?" as she held the sunflower close to her chest.

Ray extended his right arm, drawing Dawn closer to him as he said gently, "Yes, your parents are watching you for all eternity, so long as you keep them close to your heart like the sunflower you're holding right now."

Nikki wiped away her tears as she joined Ray and Dawn in a tight embrace, as the new family watched the beautiful sunset together, signalling the end of the conflict in the Northern Front, and the start of a bright, hopeful future.