Chapter 368

Chapter 368: The Absent Victors

The Star Ocean Expedition finally came to an end.

In this brief yet brutal war, many strange and even bizarre phenomena appeared during its final moments.

For instance, an overwhelming surge of psychic energy erupted from the temple at the Behemoth’s Second Spine.

What being could unleash such devastating power?

Then there was the sulfuric aura lingering in the air and sightings of winged demons.

Had the Demon Faction secretly infiltrated the Star Ocean?

Most puzzling were the Heart-Seizing Demons—once unstoppable—who vanished at the battle’s climax, dissolving into shadows as though consumed by an unseen force. Only their empty armor and equipment remained.

What curse could annihilate even their Leader and his most powerful followers?

These mysteries haunted everyone.

But the greatest shock was the disappearance of the Hawk Brigade’s "Iron Triangle":

Midi Asreks, the "Sword of Victory and Guardian";

Fina Hamilton, the "Queen of Magic";

Alice Otolopas, the "Mist Sorceress."

These legendary commanders from Arad, who ruled the Belmar Kingdom and led the Hawk Brigade, vanished simultaneously during the battle. Chaos followed.

Outlandish rumors spread. Factions stirred. Even Arad’s political landscape grew unstable.

Many claimed the Hawk Brigade had won a fleeting victory but doomed its future—without the Iron Triangle, collapse was inevitable.

Yet within the Hawk Brigade, calm persisted.

Midi, Fina, and Alice had left detailed letters. Midi’s hastily scrawled notes predicted future crises and countermeasures. Fina and Alice outlined strategies for Belmar’s coming trials and magical research. Their instructions guided the Brigade through turmoil.

Crucially, though its founders were gone, the Hawk Brigade avoided disarray. A brilliant leader still remained:

Reinhardt Skart Heinrich, fourth prince of the Delos Empire—Midi’s chosen Representative.

The Hawk Brigade, forged to oppose the Delos Empire, initially recoiled at being led by its prince. Even with Midi’s handwritten decree, most Higher-ups rejected him.

Yet within one week, Reinhardt’s swift and decisive actions silenced dissent. His first act? A public declaration: Belmar’s territory would remain inviolate.

He pushed back all the recent schemes of the Delos Empire.

Summoning the Empire’s diplomat in Belmar to his residence, he gave him a thorough scolding.

Though not yet cutting all ties with the Empire, Reinhardt had fully embraced his role as acting leader of the Hawk Brigade, shedding his identity as an imperial prince completely.

"Never thought you’d choose this path," Wiseman remarked casually in Sky City’s new Hawk Brigade headquarters. "Worth the cost?"

Though Delos and Belmar remained allies, everyone knew the balance wouldn’t last once the Hawk Brigade’s Iron Triangle vanished.

Yet here stood Reinhardt, firmly aligned with Belmar.

With this genius commander who knew Delos inside out maintaining the delicate balance, peace might endure. The timely arrival of aerial warships from the Sea of Clouds added further deterrence.

But the price was steep – Reinhardt had burned bridges with Delos royalty.

Sword Emperor Yuren raged. Nobles Reinhardt had courted now shunned him. The fourth prince’s claim to the throne appeared ruined, branded a traitor with all efforts wasted – all for accepting Midi’s request to lead the Hawks.

"Worth it?" Reinhardt smiled knowingly at Wiseman’s question. "You already know the answer. More than worth it!"

This was the Hawk Brigade – Arad’s finest Legion! With Rothschild Guild from the skies and Blood Purification from Star Ocean, all backed Reinhardt as Midi’s chosen.

True power.

What mattered a father’s whims? Empty noble support? Imperial shortsightedness?

Following Midi taught Reinhardt this – better to carve new paths with steel than play politicians’ games.

He knew he couldn’t match Midi’s personal power. But when offered such strength, refusal was impossible. He’d devote himself fully to growing it.

Though seeming to forfeit Delos’ throne, only Reinhardt knew – commanding such forces finally gave him real qualification to compete.

"Wait, brothers," he vowed, ambition blazing in his eyes. "I’ll return to the Palace of Moonlight and give you answers."

Gazing skyward where Star Ocean shimmered, he swore silently: "Midi Asreks, I’ll make your blade glow across Arad."

"Whatever took you away," he murmured, "don’t die out there."

Wiseman shrugged. "That guy’s unkillable. Absolute fact."

The Necromancer’s eyes gleamed with anticipation.

Meanwhile, when Reinhardt finally rose to lead the Hawk Brigade, a conversation between girls had just begun in the Sea of Clouds.

"That guy just ran away! And he took those two girls with him! How irresponsible! How could he abandon his country? How could he leave his fellow warriors behind? Is he heartless? Has he no morals? No principles? What kind of man does that!"

Avril, the Blood Purification Holy Maiden and military commander of the Hawk Brigade’s Sea of Clouds division known as "Shadow Snake", roared after gulping down a bottle of Arad liquor.

"Big sister… you actually mean why he left YOU behind, don’t you?"

Emil, deputy head of the Hawk Brigade’s magic research department called "White Snake", sighed while giving her sister a complicated look.

"Hmph! When that bastard returns, I’ll make him pay!" The drunken Avril showed a terrifying grin. "I’ll confront him before that Fina and Alice! After all the favors I gave him in the Sea of Clouds, he can’t just walk away!"

You were the one throwing yourself at him!

Victoria and Emil exchanged glances, both forcing bitter smiles.

Truthfully, they envied Avril.

Her low alcohol tolerance meant even slight drinking let her voice hidden feelings.

What emotions did THEY harbor toward "that man"?

Both silently vowed to face their true feelings when he returned.

As turmoil swept Arad and the Sea of Clouds shifted…

In some distant realm, crimson-haired Fina emerged from teleportation glow.

Before her stretched endless ruins under blazing sun. Scorching gravel reflected light while dry winds howled.

A dead city loomed in the distance – larger than Belmar’s capital Hertonmar but filled with crumbling structures and decayed streets reeking of mildew.

Beyond stood thousand-meter towers with sun-tracking leaf-like panels, resembling giant sunflowers greedily drinking sunlight.

At the horizon gleamed a sky-piercing line – actually a mirror-surfaced tower stretching beyond clouds.

Abandoned metropolis. Light-hungry spires. Heaven-touching wonder. This world intrigued her.

Feeling Fate’s glowing bonds in her heart, Fina smirked defiantly. "Wait for me, Midi, Alice. I’ll conquer this trial and find you!"

Her autumn-maple hair billowed like eternal flame in the hot wind.

Elsewhere, black-haired Alice emerged from teleportation array.

Endless greens flooded her vision – bean, tea, jade, moss, peacock, fluorescent… Countless shades formed layered verdant ocean.

This primeval forest exuded ancient vitality, yet hosted stone heads taller than buildings – beasts, humans, even dragons. Were they carved? Or alive?

From distant mountains, Alice sensed watchful gazes seeking the forest’s intruder.

Ancient greenery. Mysterious colossi. Hidden watchers. This world intrigued her.

Feeling Fate’s warm bonds, Alice smiled softly. "I’ll see this wonder, then reunite with you both after my trial."

Crimson mist swirled as Rose Hound materialized. Mounting her loyal beast, she soared skyward.

As Holy Blood heirs faced their trials, a meteor pierced darkness into lightless depths.

Midi stepped from fading glow.

Endless stone formed this sunless realm’s sky and earth – jagged teeth and maze-like passages warped by malice. The Shaded Realm, threshold to Demon Realm.

"Never imagined you’d come here," Rot’s voice echoed from Golden Forgiveness dagger. "Good or bad fortune?"

"Fortune matters not." Midi strode forward decisively. "I’ll crush all enemies and return to them."

Feeling Fate’s reassuring threads across dimensions, he vanished into shadows.