Ten days later.

Z829 Star.

Xarion piloted the warship to the coordinates Yuel had given him. The moment he stepped off the vessel, the scene before him made his eyes darken.

The land was scorched black.

The air reeked—thick with the nauseating stench of insectoid fluids mixed with the metallic tang of fresh and dried blood. It was so heavy it felt almost tangible, pressing against his lungs with every breath.

The ground had turned a dull, muddy brown.

Everywhere, there were craters—some shallow, some deep—left behind by weapons fire and unleashed abilities. Burn marks spread like scars across the terrain.

Fragments of shattered mechs and wrecked warships lay strewn about.

Broken weapons jutted from the earth like gravestones.

And beyond were mountains of insectoid corpses.

Their armored shells were split open, jagged cracks running across their bodies. Thick, dark green ichor still seeped from the wounds, pooling beneath them and releasing a sickening odor.

Xarion’s gaze swept across the battlefield, his brows knitting tightly.

What kind of mission was this...?

The scale of destruction... This wasn’t ordinary combat.

Had Vincent encountered a Rank Eleven insectoid?

The memory of Rory’s unease resurfaced sharply.

His expression hardened.

Don’t tell me... something really happened.

Just as he was about to move, a series of hurried footsteps echoed through the wreckage.

He looked up.

A tall figure was striding toward him at speed.

It was Vincent.

He was still dressed in his battle uniform, stained with blood. Dust and dried crimson clung to his hair, and though his face remained strikingly composed, a lingering edge of killing intent hadn’t yet faded.

Fatigue was evident—but he was standing.

Alive.

"Xarion—" The moment Vincent confirmed it was him, his voice came out hoarse with urgency.

"Why are you here? Where’s Rory?"

Earlier, someone overseeing the battlefield cleanup had reported a high-tier warship nearby.

The moment Vincent saw the image, he recognized it instantly—a custom vessel Nix had built specifically for Rory.

For a second, he had thought she had come.

So he rushed over.

Only to find Xarion instead.

"Female Master is safe," Xarion replied quickly. "Don’t worry."

He didn’t waste time. "She felt your bond mark burning. Thought you were in danger."

He briefly explained everything that had happened back at the manor.

As soon as Vincent heard Rory was unharmed, the tension in his shoulders finally eased.

"Good." He let out a quiet breath. "Come with me."

Back aboard Vincent’s warship, he spoke immediately: "My light-brain device has been offline during the mission. Send Rory a message for me—tell her I’m fine. No injuries. The battle’s over. I’ll be heading back soon."

The mission had gone smoothly overall.

But due to operational security, his device had remained completely shut down—hence the lack of contact.

Xarion gave him a once-over.

Bloodstained, yes.

Exhausted, clearly.

But no real injuries.

He nodded, then activated his own device and initiated a video call.

. . .

Back at the villa, Rory had been waiting. For days, she had barely slept. She called Xarion almost daily, checking his location, his status—anything to steady her heart.

So when the call came through, she answered instantly.

"Xarion."

Her projection appeared inside the warship’s lounge. Her face was pale, her eyes shadowed with exhaustion.

"Female Master, it’s me." Xarion tilted the camera slightly, bringing Vincent into view. "I’ve found Vincent. He’s fine. I checked—no injuries. You can talk to him directly."

"Vincent—" The moment she saw him, Rory’s eyes reddened. Relief hit her like a wave. "You’re okay... thank goodness."

For days, she hadn’t had a single night of proper rest.

Every time she closed her eyes, she saw him.

Standing in the dark.

Silent.

Watching her.

And then... Turning away.

Disappearing into the void.

No matter how Rory called out to him in her dreams—no matter how desperately she searched—he never answered.

She could never reach him.

"Rory... I’m sorry." Vincent’s voice softened as he looked at her drawn, exhausted face. Pain flickered in his eyes.

"I made you worry. I’m fine now. Just... a bit worn down. This mission is already over. I’ll be back soon."

Guilt weighed heavily in his tone. Rory shook her head immediately.

"I don’t want apologies."

Her eyes locked onto him, as if afraid he might disappear again.

"I want you to come back safely."

Only after seeing him standing there—whole and alive—did the tightness in her chest finally ease, just a little.

"These past few days... your mark has been burning."

She raised a hand, pressing lightly over the bond mark on her chest.

"It still is."

Her voice turned firm.

"Until you come home... let Xarion stay with you. I’ll wait for both of you."

She wouldn’t truly feel at ease until he was back.

Vincent had originally intended to send Xarion home immediately.

But hearing her insistence, he hesitated—then nodded.

"...Alright. I’ll listen to you."

If Xarion left now, she would only worry more. Vincent still had matters to attend to.

After exchanging a few more words, he handed the device back to Xarion.

Xarion had already collapsed onto the lounge couch, looking utterly drained.

"Female Master..." He stared at Rory with exaggerated grievance. "I’m exhausted. When I get back, you have to make it up to me."

For days, he had flown nonstop—barely closing his eyes—just to reach Vincent as quickly as possible.

Even he had limits.

Rory softened instantly. She knew how hard this had been on him.

"Alright," she said gently. "When you come back, I’ll make it up to you properly."

That was all he needed to hear.

Within moments, Xarion’s eyes drifted shut.

He fell asleep mid-call.

Back at the villa, Rory watched him for a few seconds.

Then, as the tension finally drained from her body, she leaned back against the sofa... And fell asleep as well.

Jasper and Yuel arrived just in time to see her slumped there, fast asleep.

On the projection, Xarion was sprawled inelegantly, completely out.

The two exchanged a helpless glance.

With utmost care, they lifted Rory and carried her back to her room.

Yuel prepared a soothing infusion from his flowers and gently fed it to her.

Then he and Jasper remained by her side, silently keeping watch.

They both knew—for days, she hadn’t slept properly. And whenever she did... Nightmares found her.

***

Pn the other side of Z829 Star

Elsewhere on the same battlefield...

Yilan stood frozen, her gaze fixed on the distant figure of Vincent. Even after the battle had ended, her heart refused to calm.

"He’s even stronger... and more breathtaking than I imagined."

Her voice trembled with excitement as she grabbed Bree’s arm.

"Miss Dekhart... when can I go to him?"

She had come all the way from the Central District to this desolate planet, just for this moment.

Bree smiled gently, her tone soft and reassuring. "If you want to go... it won’t take long. But you can’t just walk up to him like this."

Her eyes flickered with calculation.

"You’re only Rank Five. Appearing on a battlefield like Z829—and somehow finding Vincent’s warship so precisely... That would raise too many suspicions. They’ll think you approached him deliberately."

Yilan’s excitement faltered, her heart clenching painfully. "Then... what should I do?"