Meanwhile, inside the imperial palace.

Everyone, including the attendants, watched the fight between Harriet and Alec, holding their breath.

Even from a distance, the fierce sparks from the enormous flames were so intimidating that they couldn’t move.

Given that Harriet was the emperor’s cherished knight commander, his destructive power was indeed extraordinary.

But the fact that someone was holding their ground against Harriet for several moves… could it be?

While everyone was contemplating similar questions, someone spoke up with difficulty.

“Th-that person, is that really Duke Brent—no, Viscount Wiltsbrook?”

“How could this be happening…!”

At that moment, people began to let out sighs of disbelief, one after another.

They had been left speechless multiple times today.

First, the emperor’s palace collapsed and then was magically restored. Then someone appeared like a flash of light and slammed the emperor into the ground, and now this person was battling with Count Warden, unleashing flames.

It was hard to believe that this person was Viscount Wiltsbrook.

The fact that the emperor had displayed such transcendental powers was astonishing, but what shocked people more was the sight of Alec.

How could the gentle Alec possess such power?

“This is impossible!”

“Isn’t that just someone who looks like him?”

“Didn’t you hear the emperor order Count Warden to kill Viscount Wiltsbrook earlier?”

“There’s no way Viscount Wiltsbrook could do this!”

At that moment, Andrew entered the room, his gaze seriously fixed on the scene outside the window.

“It’s true. That person is indeed the Viscount Wiltsbrook we know, Alec Myers.”

“W-what?!”

The nobles turned to Andrew in astonishment.

Andrew removed the false beard and heavy hat he had been disguised with as one of the palace guards.

The crowd collectively gasped.

“Count Andrew Mondely?!”

“Why are you here, disguised like that?!”

Andrew, with a resolute expression, continued to watch the direction where Alec was.

Upon hearing that Louise had been kidnapped in the palace, he had infiltrated the imperial guard to be involved in her rescue in any way possible.

He had been anxiously waiting, knowing Alec was in the distant northern lands and that contacting him quickly wasn’t possible. But to think Alec would appear so suddenly.

Though Andrew also found Alec’s newfound strength hard to believe, he quickly understood.

If Alec had found Wiltsbrook Castle in the north and retrieved the legendary healing herb, Hiliberry, there was no reason not to believe it.

In fact, everything finally made sense.

Alec was no longer the man he used to be.

For some unknown reason, he had become far stronger than an ordinary person.

That’s why they had dared to plot rebellion as a couple.

Bang!

The moment Alec’s sword struck Count Warden’s, the light from the impact reflected in Andrew’s eyes.

Andrew clenched his fist tightly.

“Stay strong, Alec. You’ll definitely defeat the emperor and rescue Louise.”

“……!”

Andrew had followed Louise, but in the blink of an eye, she had vanished.

He had seen her leave the bedroom and descend the stairs, but now she was nowhere to be found.

Could the emperor have taken her?

But Andrew firmly believed that Alec would rescue Louise and ultimately defeat the emperor.

“Defeat the emperor?!”

“Do you think that’s even possible?!”

The people cried out in shock again, but Andrew’s faith remained unshaken.

“Alec is no longer the man he used to be. And soon, this nation will no longer be the same Rilt Empire it once was. The world is about to change.”

“……!”

The people gasped once more at Andrew’s confident words.

And at that moment, Alec destroyed Harriet’s sword.

* * *

Alec quickly scanned Gideon’s memories.

He saw Ridit comforting a sobbing Eloise in the castle’s basement.

Apparently, Eloise had been hiding there, crying after hearing that Alec and Louise were getting divorced.

Gideon, following Alec’s orders, had stayed with Ridit in the form of a small dog.

Alec swiftly cut off the flow of Gideon’s memories.

Although he didn’t know how the three of them had made it here, Alec knew he had to reach Louise immediately.

“…Gideon, Eloise. Be careful. Protect Prince Ridit.”

“Leave Harriet to me!”

“Argh!”

At Eloise’s shout, Gideon swiped at Harriet with his paw.

Harriet screamed, while Prince Ridit clung to Eloise, looking at him with eyes full of admiration and support.

After briefly glancing at the prince, Alec turned his back on them.

As long as Gideon was there, Harriet wouldn’t be able to threaten Eloise or Ridit.

[Skill: Light Speed.]

Where was Louise?

As he entered the crumbling barrier, a signal came from Olivia.

‘Follow me.’

Olivia led the way somewhere.

Alec moved swiftly, confirming the path through Olivia’s eyes.

Soon, an old castle appeared in the darkness.

It was no longer in use by the royal family.

However, without fail, Aksen’s barrier surrounded the castle. It was an unusually thick and strong barrier.

[Skill. Advanced Husband’s Tickle.]

Without hesitation, Alec aimed his skill at the castle. In an instant, the barrier shattered into pieces.

Louise.

Could he possibly be too late?

She had to be safe.

His heart pounded as if it would burst.

Every door was reinforced with layers of barriers, but Alec destroyed them all along with the doors.

Crash! Crash!

The heavy castle shook as if it would collapse, and a deafening roar continuously tore through the air.

In the blink of an eye, Alec had reached the deepest part of the castle.

The moment he instinctively felt Louise was there, he stopped moving.

A vast chamber with a rounded ceiling.

The cold, dark magic was seeping from every corner.

“Alec?”

A chilling voice pierced his ear.

But Alec couldn’t turn to look where the voice came from.

Nothing registered to his eyes or ears.

Only Louise consumed his entire being at this moment.

“…Alec?”

“Louise.”

Softly uttering her name, he swiftly closed the distance between them.

“Alec!”

A mixture of joy, surprise, worry, and relief filled her cry.

The dazzling appearance he knew: her violet eyes and silver hair.

Louise was finally right in front of him.

She’s safe.

Alec felt his heart settle.

He wanted to say how truly relieved he was that she was unharmed.

Just as he parted his lips to speak:

“You’re safe, my dear.”

“……”

Tears welled in her eyes as Louise descended from the altar and took his hand.

His eyes trembled as if struck by a heavy blow.

The fact that she had been thinking of him just as much as he had worried for her struck him deep to his core.

Why hadn’t he realized before that their feelings were the same?

Alec took a deep breath.

His heart raced so much it made his voice tremble.

“I’ve returned, Louise.”

“……”

Taking his own life, crossing dimensions.

How long had he yearned to say those words?

His wish and promise to return stronger, to protect her, had finally come true.

The pain he had endured in anticipation of this moment was seared into his skin and soul.

More than the memory potion, emotions and memories flooded through him.

“Really.”

“……”

Louise’s voice wavered.

“Is it really you…?”

“……”

“Have your memories returned?”

Instead of answering, Alec pulled her into a tight embrace.

“……!”

“……Louise.”

This soft and tender embrace.

He had hugged her countless times since arriving in this world, but this was the embrace he had always truly wanted.

“After you visited the world I was in, I lost my memory. I had no choice but to give it up to become stronger. Now that I’ve regained it, I’m sorry for making you feel so lonely, enough to abandon your life.”

“…Alec.”

Louise burrowed into his arms as if finding solace.

“It really is you.”

“……”

Alec wrapped his arms around her even more tightly.

A perfect woman, except for the fact that she had to share in his misery.

That’s why he had taken his own life, but now he knew exactly what she wanted.

“I just want you to stay with me for a long time. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

“You’ve always been my precious husband. I’m sorry I didn’t say it sooner.”

“…I will never leave you alone again.”

Alec held her close, as if never intending to let her go.

Only now did he feel worthy of being with her.

Because now, he could protect her no matter what.

“What are you doing? Get away from Louise, Alec.”

Suddenly, Alec turned to see Aksen glaring at him with fierce eyes.

TL NOTE: More advanced chapter of this story is already up to the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories