The Wrong Hero

Chapter 68 - Alone

"—nte? Little Dante?"

"Hm?"

Dante turned to the person calling his name.

"Is everything alright?" Sadeena asked him.

"Yeah."

It was the morning after they took the capital without a fight. The conflict would be over soon, according to the generals. They and the leadership of the revolutionary group sent messengers to what remained of the Q'ten Lo army. More specifically, Siltvelt shadows were sent to the lower ranking members, offering their lives for those of the higher ups. Since the forces dispatched from Siltvelt combined with the mercenaries and revolutionaries outnumbered them three-to-one, and the now Heavenly Empress was against them, the generals were confident they'd have the high ranking officials as prisoners by the end of the day.

Given that the alternative was a sure death, Dante had to agree.

Thanks to the fact that the raccoon boy wasn't legitimate, there weren't any giant monsters to fight from the scattered burial mounds around Q'ten Lo. At least, Dante thought that had something to do with it. Either that, or the enemy wasn't crazy enough to try it. Dante didn't question it, since it meant the war was over that much faster.

Raphtalia performed the ritual to become the Heavenly Empress yesterday. Dante watched over it as one of the officials on their side went through it with her and Sadeena. After that, it was resting after all the marching.

Now, with victory nearly complete, Dante was asked to return to Melromarc. Motoyasu had told him when he returned this morning. Ren and Itsuki stayed behind, given what the generals had said.

"Sadeena, are you absolutely sure—"

"Little Dante, we'll be fine." Sadeena assured him for the umpteenth time. She patted JoJo on the head, who was glued to her side.

Since all they were doing at this point was waiting in the palace for a response, Dante wasn't needed to be the vanguard for any battles.

"Yeah...I suppose so." He looked over to Raphtalia, who was speaking with an official.

He didn't pay much attention to the exchange. It sounded like a lot of bureaucracy and ceremony. Outside of the initial attack, Raphtalia hadn't spoken much to the people. It was mostly greetings and thanks for joining, nothing like what he had to do in Siltvelt with the parades. At least, not yet. That seemed to be the next topic they started on. Dante heard the official speak.

"...towns and cities will be the focus. As for your attire, a suitable outfit is being prepared. I understand the spirit implement is bound to you, but everything else will need to be set aside."

Raphtalia's expression, which was mostly impassive until that point, faltered. She reached down and placed a hand on the bound ashes of Eclair at her side. "These stay."

"But, Heavenly Empress—"

"These. Stay." She emphasized her will by gripping the shaft of her hammer on her back.

"Y-Yes, Empress!" The official quickly bowed and scurried off.

Raphtalia relaxed her grip and turned to face them, slowly walking over.

"I'll be busy while you're away." Sadeena said, her gaze drifting from Raphtalia to him and back again.

"I see." Dante saw the look in Raphtalia's eyes. It was the same look he remembered seeing in the mirror the weeks leading up to his death. Unfulfilled. That battled with the other look she had, which was directed at him.

"Sadeena's right, Dante." Raphtalia said as she reached them. "You should go...see the queen."

"Yeah." Dante gave a light nod. Raphtalia's eyes bored into him. At least she would meet his gaze.