With the knights of Raine disarmed and restrained and the mages mana pathways blocked, knight John takes out his magical communicator.
Unable to call with it, only receive them, he keeps it close.
Proud and eager to report his squad's success, he travels in the rear of the party to keep eyes on everyone.
Back at the colosseum, Ashton just exited from its entrance. Marcella and his other witnesses have already circulated the story of his heroics.
He was greeted to standing ovation upon his exit, those incapable of rising to their feet, clapped and cheered louder than the others.
It was like thunder.
The clapped hands and rising praises of his people, it was invigorating this time. Ashton felt like he was living up to his purpose, he felt worthy.
He didn't curl from their gazes or struggle under the weight of their admiration like when he arrived. He was now exiting like iron without impurity.
"Everyone..." The low pitch and posture of his words cut the applause from the crowd.
"Tonight was no accident. Tonight was a planned operation by dark magicians, whose goal was likely my very life. The fire they set here was their distraction to cover their escape, a ruthless alchemic attack that left your friends dead and injured. My people. Yet, despite the cruelty we suffered here tonight, I have slain these fallen humans, so here my vow."
Unlike within the arena, Ashton's last public vow, he didn't kneel or even bow his head. He stood straight with his chest out, like a sovereign.
"No more will I allow senseless loss of life among my people. I will become a shield, without crack or gap, between you and the world. By any means, whatever it takes."
His words hit the hearts of the crowd, the people wished his vow was heard by the whole territory.
Word of mouth wouldn't be enough to encapsulate the gravity of his promise. A noble, nonetheless one believed to have divine right, committed himself to the service of his populace. Promised not to use them, but enable their pursuit of happiness with his own body.
"Young Master... Don't push yourself too much."
"We believe in you, Master Ashton."
"My Lord!"
"Damn dark mages! How dare they target the Star of Whey!"
The crowd was tear driven and shouting their own concerns and respects to Ashton. His temperate and stature in their eyes was that of a military monarch. Somebody who is devoted to border expansion and local prosperity through strength of mana.
[I will become what I promised. I will give to you from what I take.]
Ashton's thoughts were growing, they were looking beyond the horizon of the present, but he remained grounded.
He had said his piece, made his vow, and was now walking back to the manor. As he stepped into the garden the voices of the endearing began to fade. By the time he reached it's exit they were silent.
The cool air on his skin was refreshing, but the sight of his family on the back balcony, struck him deeply. Again, he felt no love for them, but his heart did tug as his eyes met his mothers.
The tears welling within Emily's eyes, the crevasses in her cheeks from her sorrowful smile, her hands shaky but smooth like winter.
[Mother...] Leaping from the patio to the balcony, took greater mana into his legs than he had ever used before, but he was eager.
He reached out in what he thought was reunion, but his expectation was shattered when the countess stuck his forehead with her fist.
"You little brat. You sleep all day, disappear all night, then I see your firefighting like you have multiple lives..." Her tears no longer welling but streaming down her cheeks as she wraps her arms around Ashton's back. "Do you have any idea how worried I was?"
The knot forming on his head didn't bother Ashton. The only thing he could feel was the nothingness where his emotion once was. [I was foolish. So foolish. In temptation I threw away something so beautiful...]
"What? Don't have anything to say for yourself?" The countess again rebukes, her sadness becoming more and more replaced with relief.
"Mother, I am so sorry." Finally returning the hug to his mother, Ashton felt tears of his own forming. Tears for what he had lost, tears for what may never return, but he quickly wiped them and stood in embrace.
His sisters witnessing the situation grew knots within their own hearts, not of jealousy or hoarse emotion.
They felt inadequate.
They had kneeled to their fate, believing Ashton was the only sibling with true destiny. However, over the last few weeks, they had seen the blood and effort their brother was fighting through to live up to such expectation.
The feelings of being less, and the pain of being ordained had lit fires beneath them.
Janet promised herself to learn the sword properly from now on.
Charlotte vowed to reach the third circle and take in new magical theory.
A night of vows it was, but it wasn't over yet.
Count Shaun and Chamberlain Olaf step out onto the balcony. Despite his heir and wifes embrace, something that he would usually take a moment to appreciate, he was firm.
"Ashton, we have to speak."
Chilling. The three girls of the family recognized the tone, it meant business. Tone the count only used when his resolve was leveled for consequences.
Something big was about to happen, and they weren't invited.
"Chamberlain Olaf will explain while I get into something more formal." Turning and walking away from the five without even a greeting to his family.
"Sure..." Ashton hadn't a clue what was going on, but he also left his family behind as he walked with Olaf.
It was silent for awhile, Ashton didn't ask, and Olaf was taking the measure of him. Noticing his footsteps and breathing, both silent but carrying weight.
"Master Ash-"
"Father recalled Duke Raine?" Ashton asked, the silence gave him time to deduce the situation.
"Almost forcefully, but he agreed without resistance when our resolve became clear."