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[Valtara Fortress – Throne Room]
The grand hall of Valtara Fortress was alive with celebration.
The war was over. The hero faction had been crushed. The world now belonged to Leonhardt Valtara.
His warriors cheered his name.
"Glory to Lord Leonhardt!"
"Long live the Valtara family!"
At the center of it all—Leonhardt sat upon his throne, his expression calm yet victorious.
Celestia curled up beside him, purring. "Mmm~ It's done, Darling. We won."
Leonhardt smirked. "Of course we did."
Ironhorn rested nearby, his massive body radiating power. The Indomitable Rhino had evolved once more, his armor gleaming like black steel. He let out a low growl—a beast who had conquered the battlefield.
Evelyn stood among the crowd, watching everything unfold.
The war had ended. The hero faction had fallen.
And yet—her heart felt uneasy.
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"My Lord, what shall we do with the prisoners?"
One of Leonhardt's generals knelt before him.
The remnants of the hero faction—those who had surrendered—awaited their fate.
Celestia grinned. "Let's execute them~"
The warriors cheered in agreement.
But Evelyn… stepped forward.
"Leonhardt, wait."
He glanced at her. "What is it?"
She hesitated. "Not all of them deserve death. Some of them… were just following orders."
Celestia scoffed. "So? They fought against us. They should die."
Evelyn bit her lip. "We don't have to be like them."
Leonhardt studied her for a long moment.
Then—he chuckled.
"Fine."
Celestia pouted. "Ehh~? Again?"
Leonhardt leaned forward. "We will spare the ones who submit. The rest… will face justice."
The warriors roared in approval.
The weak would kneel. The defiant would perish.
Such was the way of the Valtara.
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With the hero faction gone, the world entered a new era.
The kingdoms that once opposed Valtara bowed in submission.
Temples that worshipped the so-called "gods" were burned to the ground.
Leonhardt's rule was absolute.
Celestia laughed as she watched reports flood in. "Ahhh~ This is wonderful~ Everything is ours now~"
Evelyn, however, remained silent.
She had chosen to stand by Leonhardt. She had accepted her fate.
But deep inside… she knew this was only the beginning.
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That night, Leonhardt stood atop the fortress walls.
He gazed at the land below—the world he now owned.
Celestia approached, wrapping her arms around him. "Mmm~ What's next, Darling?"
He smirked. "The gods."
Celestia's eyes gleamed. "Ohh~ You plan to challenge them?"
Leonhardt clenched his fist. "They created this system. They toyed with fate. It's time they pay the price."
Celestia shivered in delight. "Kyaa~ I love it when you talk like that~"
Ironhorn let out a deep growl.
Even the beasts could sense it.
The war was over—but a greater battle was coming.
Leonhardt Valtara had crushed the hero faction.
Now, he would defy the heavens themselves.