Dancing on the golden ashes-Chapter 188: We will defend the Empress!

The sound of the monster’s footsteps grew louder, and with it, the determination in Seo-yeon’s chest ignited. The others were already preparing, and she would stand with them, ready to face whatever came next. The battle wasn’t over. Not yet. Not while there was still breath in their lungs.

"We’ll hold the line," Malrang said, her voice steady, her stance unwavering. "We’ll protect Gaon. And when she wakes, we’ll finish this together."

The storm in the distance rumbled, and the city held its breath as the massive creature drew closer, but the people of Luminara, led by Gaon’s unwavering will, would not back down. They couldn’t.

"Brother Seong-hoon, please, carry her to her room," Eun-woo said, his voice calm but firm, placing a hand on Seong-hoon’s shoulder. "While we hold off that beast, we will wait for your return. We will all die if we need to in order to protect her, to protect this home."

Seong-hoon nodded, his face a mask of quiet resolve, though his heart was breaking inside. He had watched Lee Gaon rise from nothing, seen her strength, her conviction, and now, to see her like this—lifeless, cradled in his arms—was a pain unlike any other. His white hair fluttered in the wind as he looked down at her, his fingers brushing against her cold skin. He could hardly believe it. But in his heart, he knew. This was only temporary. She would come back. And when she did, nothing would stand in her way.

With a deep breath, Seong-hoon gently lifted Gaon’s body, making sure not to jostle her too much. He could feel the weight of the moment pressing on him. He tried to hold in his tears, forcing them back. But the sight of her, so vulnerable in his arms, made it hard to maintain composure. He glanced down at her face, her peaceful expression, and whispered to her quietly, "I’ll protect you, Gaon. I promise. Just come back to us. Please."

With slow, steady steps, he carried her toward the main palace, never breaking his gaze from her face. He couldn’t afford to. He had to stay strong for her, for everyone. His footsteps echoed in the air, but there was no time to linger. The others were waiting, and the battle wasn’t over yet.

Suddenly, a roar broke the silence.

"EVERYONE!" Eun-woo’s voice rang out, booming like a lion’s growl. The words were infused with soul energy, a power that vibrated through the air. His shout was so loud, so commanding, that it made everyone freeze in place. Those who had been fleeing, their fear taking them away from the city, suddenly stopped. They stood still, looking at him, their faces filled with embarrassment as they slowly came to their senses.

"Today, our empress has met misfortune due to her skill," Eun-woo continued, his voice unwavering, but with an undeniable fire behind it. "So we, as citizens of the Empire of Undying Flame, MUST stay strong. We will get through this together. We WILL defend our home, until the one who we hold dearest in our hearts awakens and puts an end to that monster over there!"

His words cut through the fear, like a spark to dry kindling. The crowd, still reeling from the uncertainty of the situation, began to stir. People stood straighter, their shoulders square, their heads held higher. The energy in the air shifted, the weight of Eun-woo’s words filling the space between them all.

Eun-woo’s gaze was firm as he looked over the people of the empire, his voice a beacon of hope in the storm. The sound of his voice carried with it the weight of years of service, the weight of his own struggles, and the weight of the responsibility he now had to carry. "We will defend this empire, not for ourselves, but for her, for Lee Gaon. She has carried the burden of this fight for so long, always in the front, always leading us forward. Today, I stand here in her place. Today, I will fight for her, for all of us. We are the Empire of Undying Flame, and we will not fall."

The words hung in the air, and for a moment, everything felt still. And then, slowly, one by one, the people began to stir. Some nodded resolutely, others clenched their fists. But all of them, from the youngest to the oldest, understood. Eun-woo had spoken the truth. Lee Gaon was their leader, their empress, and she would rise again. But until then, it was their turn to protect her, to carry the flame she had passed to them.

Seong-hoon’s words cut through the air with a quiet yet powerful certainty. His voice, though softer now, was laced with the same determination that had fueled their battle cries moments before. He looked down at Gaon’s still form, his hands gently holding her, his gaze unwavering.

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"Did you hear that, big sis?" he whispered, his voice filled with warmth and something deeper—something that seemed to radiate from his heart. "Everyone will fight together to hold the line. So rest well, it is our time. Now, we will be the ones to protect you."

His words were a promise, and the way he said them—the fire in his eyes, the quiet reverence in his tone—felt like a vow. There was no hesitation in him. He knew what he had to do, what they all had to do. But it was more than that, too. It was an unspoken bond, a love and loyalty that went beyond mere duty. It was the kind of resolve that made a person willing to lay down everything for the one they cared for.

Seong-hoon didn’t need to say any more. His gaze alone, filled with determination and affection, spoke volumes. He would fight for Gaon. He would fight for all of them. And he would do whatever it took to protect her, to ensure that when she woke up, the world was still standing, ready for her return.

As he looked down at her, the warmth in his gaze only deepened, like a quiet promise that she would not face the world alone. She had given them the strength to carry on, and now, it was their turn to carry her. They would protect her, no matter what. And in his heart, Seong-hoon knew that when she came back, they would all rise together.