Vangar stared at the messages in the group chat, his entire tiger going blank.

Vangar: [Being first partner comes with benefits like this?!]

Why had no one told him earlier? He slowly turned to look at Vincent and Xarion as though staring at two complete idiots. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"So being first partner comes with advantages this huge... And neither of you wanted the position? Are you both insane?"

If he’d known the role came with treatment like this... They could’ve beaten him to death and he still wouldn’t have refused.

Xarion was equally stunned. He turned sharply toward Vincent.

"You had benefits like that, and you never mentioned them earlier? And with advantages that ridiculous, you still didn’t want the position? Have you completely lost your mind?"

Honestly, Xarion had felt Vincent was acting strange ever since returning from his last mission.

Now he was certain of it. Vincent was absolutely crazy.

Meanwhile, Vincent stared silently at the messages in the group chat, his vision darkening wave after wave.

He forcefully swallowed the metallic sweetness rising into his throat before speaking hoarsely.

"Just assume I’ve gone mad."

Forget those benefits not existing before... Even if they had existed, the position of first partner still could never belong to him again.

"Unbelievable." Xarion was on the verge of exploding. "If you didn’t want the damn position, you should’ve just said so! If you never said anything, how were the rest of us supposed to know?!"

This was ridiculous. He genuinely wanted to strangle Vincent to death.

Beside him, even Vangar glared furiously at Vincent.

If Vincent didn’t already look like his soul had shattered into pieces, Vangar would’ve started fighting him on the spot.

He, Vangar, the undefeated marshal who had conquered battlefield after battlefield, had never suffered humiliation like this in his entire life.

Absolutely unbelievable...

Vangar’s face darkened as he took several deep breaths, forcibly suppressing the urge to rip Vincent apart where he stood.

Then he turned toward Vincent and Xarion and asked in a low voice, "There’s no point talking about it anymore. Female Master won’t let us return. So where exactly are the two of you planning to go now?"

Vincent pressed a hand to his pale forehead and rubbed at his temple before answering hoarsely.

"I’m returning to the Firebird Clan."

Vangar stared at him in disbelief. "You’re actually going back?"

He genuinely hadn’t expected Vincent to be this obedient.

Rory told him to return home and reflect, and he was really going to do it?

Vincent said nothing.

Vangar turned instead toward Xarion, who was sprawled on the floor looking more dead than alive.

"What about you?"

Xarion’s voice sounded weak and hollow, like he only had half a breath left in him.

"I’ll listen to Female Master. I’m going back to the Snow Domain."

Vangar: "..."

He truly hadn’t expected these two to be so obedient either.

"If both of you are returning to your clans..." he muttered lowly, "then I’ll head back to the military."

At the very least, he could check on Aren’s condition.

Maybe if he cured Aren sooner, he’d finally have an excuse to return home earlier.

...

Once the battleship entered the Central District, the three men immediately separated.

Vangar left first, heading straight for the military without a backward glance.

Vincent glanced sideways at Xarion before speaking quietly.

"The Snow Domain probably doesn’t want you back. Do you want to come stay in the Firebird Clan for a while?"

Xarion weakly shook his head.

"No. I’m going back to the Snow Domain."

Then he turned and walked away without looking back.

Vincent watched his retreating figure disappear into the distance.

The moment Xarion vanished from sight, Vincent suddenly clutched his chest.

"Pfft—!"

A mouthful of blood burst from his lips.

His body lost all strength and dropped straight out of the air.

"Your Highness!"

The guards hidden in the shadows were instantly alarmed. They rushed forward and used their abilities to catch him before he struck the ground.

"Pfft—!"

Vincent coughed up another mouthful of blood.

His entire body had weakened to the extreme.

"This is bad—His Highness’s old condition is flaring up again! Hurry and notify Female Master—"

"No."

Vincent gritted his teeth against the agonizing pain tearing through his body and forced out the command.

"Take me back to the Firebird Clan. Do not tell Rory."

His illness couldn’t be cured by beast god fruit. Even Rory’s blood was useless against it. There was no point making her worry. He just had to endure it.

As long as he survived this episode... It would pass.

***

Meanwhile, aboard the battleship, Rory sat alone in the lounge, repeatedly opening and closing her light-brain.

Again.

And again.

After hesitating for a very long time, she finally took the initiative and sent Vincent a message.

Rory: [I’m giving you five days.]

Rory: [Go back to the Firebird Clan and reflect properly.]

Rory: [When you’re done reflecting, get back here.]

Rory: [I’m not angry because you didn’t want to be first partner.]

Rory: [I’m angry because you never discussed it with me.]

She was angry at Vincent. But she was also angry at herself. Angry that she hadn’t noticed his feelings sooner. Angry that he hadn’t trusted her enough to speak honestly.

If there was a problem, couldn’t they have discussed it together?

If he truly felt wronged being first partner, he could’ve told her.

She wasn’t unreasonable. As long as he’d spoken up, she absolutely would have changed things for him.

The message was sent, but no reply came from Vincent.

Rory had no idea whether he was still upset, feeling wronged, or simply too afraid to answer her.

Still... Knowing Vincent’s personality, once he saw that message, he would definitely return within five days at the latest.

And when he did... She’d deal with him personally.

As for Vangar and Xarion, Rory didn’t message either of them.

After speaking with Yuel earlier, she’d learned that ever since joining the military, Vangar had long severed contact with his clan.

Most likely, he’d gone back to the army.

Rory guessed he’d probably gone to see Netherflame and would return together with him later.

And Xarion...

He would probably reach the estate before her battleship did, then hide somewhere so she couldn’t find him.

"Rory."

Jasper pushed open the lounge door and stepped inside.

"Are we home already?"

Rory looked up at him softly.

"Mm."

Jasper nodded.

"We’ll arrive at the estate in another five minutes."

Then he leaned down, bracing both arms against the chair and quietly caging Rory within them as he gazed at her with gentle eyes.