Lucifer: Godless Reawakening-Chapter 278: Stepping down

There was an unusual silence between the two as Emma and William traveled back to the academy aboard the aether rail.

A few more people occupied the cabin, most of them slumped in their seats, too exhausted to talk. They were members of the working staff responsible for monitoring the island.

The infamous Gahtua Island.

An island that had once been suffocated by the presence of hell's residents was finally liberated from the dark chains of corruption. For the first time in what felt like ages, the people living around the island could see sunlight without fear. The air no longer carried the foul stench of Nyx.

Because of that, the soldiers, officials, and management staff assigned to oversee the region were finally released from the relentless pressure of their duties.

Even so, a strong line of defense still surrounded the island.

It was a precaution.

There was always the possibility that the Devils had merely retreated, waiting for another opportunity to strike. After all, a Death Sink could only truly close once the devil commanding it was defeated.

And none of them had sensed a presence stronger than the creatures already inhabiting the island.

William himself had confirmed that he did not encounter any monster significantly stronger than the rest.

He had reported the devil who took his father hostage, followed by the mysterious woman in the hat who appeared out of nowhere.

However, that part of the report was still treated as an unresolved mystery. Some even speculated that William might have been under an illusion, believing that a corrupted human had somehow helped him.

Regardless, the strange events that occurred on that island would surely serve as an important case study. Preparations would be better next time.

Now, back to the present.

Emma quietly glanced at the man sitting beside her.

William had barely spoken a word since they boarded the coach.

They were returning to the academy now that their mission was complete. Although the headmaster had granted them a week's leave, neither of them wanted to delay their return.

It was better to go back early and finish their written examinations as soon as possible.

But before that, Emma wanted to somehow comfort her beloved.

After hesitating for a moment, she gently reached out and held his hand. Her fingers closed softly around his as she whispered, "Are you still thinking about what happened back then?"

William let out a quiet sigh. His gaze remained fixed on the scenery rushing past the window, the distant fields and fading sunlight sliding across his eyes.

"Of course I am," he replied. "Did you not see the face he was making?"

Emma lowered her gaze slightly.

How could she forget?

It was the first time she had ever seen the mighty Flame Warden look so helpless.

The memory still lingered vividly in her mind.

...

[A few hours ago]

Inside the infirmary, a heavy silence settled in the room the moment the Count revealed his intentions.

The air itself seemed to stiffen.

William's brows instantly furrowed as he stared at the man in disbelief.

"Are you making a joke right now?" he asked sharply. "Because this isn't funny, old man."

Carter slowly shook his head.

"I am not joking, William," he said calmly. "I will soon step down from my position and name the next Count."

William clicked his tongue, irritation flashing across his face.

"Is it because of a single loss?" he said, leaning forward slightly. "Come on, old man. I thought you had grown enough not to let your pride get hurt over something like that."

Emma quietly reached for William's hand and squeezed it, trying to calm the rising tension.

"Will... please try to listen to him first," she said softly. "Don't get hasty."

William exhaled slowly, forcing himself to settle back.

"Alright then," he muttered. "Tell me. What suddenly made you take this decision?"

Carter sighed softly. His eyes drifted toward the ceiling as though searching for the right words among the pale patterns above.

"I have been thinking about this for quite some time," he began slowly. "That I should pass on my authority to someone soon."

His voice remained calm, but there was a tired weight beneath it.

"I am no longer in my prime, William. And I have been carrying the weight of these responsibilities for far too long."

Both Emma and William fell silent.

Especially William.

A faint sting of guilt crept into his chest.

Just moments ago he had raised his voice at his father without even trying to understand what he meant.

It was a well known fact across the Empire that among the four Dukes, the eastern Duke was not considered the supreme authority of that region.

The eastern frontier of the Empire was under the absolute governance of the Count.

And that man was Carter.

There was no denying that Carter had been an excellent ruler. Under his leadership, the territory had remained stable and protected for decades. Corruption rarely found space to take root under his watch.

But while everyone praised the Count's achievements, very few ever considered the weight he had been carrying all this time.

The burden had been quietly piling on his shoulders year after year.

William had been one of those people who failed to notice.

He had always been so confident in his father's strength and endurance that he never truly looked beyond the surface.

But Carter was not immune to exhaustion.

He was still human.

For half of his life, he had stood as the pillar supporting an entire territory, a man upon whom thousands depended. And pillars, no matter how strong, eventually begin to crack under endless pressure.

Carter continued after a brief pause, his voice steady though the weariness beneath it was hard to miss.

"After this incident, people will start forming opinions. Their beliefs will shift, and that is their right. They may begin to feel that they are no longer under absolute protection."

It has already began to happen. Many have already vacated the coastal region when they heard about the Gahtua island and those who were completely dependent on Carter also found their belief shaking when the news of the Count's disappearance flared up.

So yes, things were bound to change and Carter's decision to resign from his post might come out at the perfect time.

His gaze remained on the ceiling for another moment before he slowly added,

"Perhaps it is better this way. They should understand that even I can be defeated by something."

William's hand slowly tightened into a fist at his side.

This incident had taken far more from his father than he had initially realized.

And this wasn't his pride that was wounded, it was the realisation how the world has shifted around him.

Carter then turned his head and looked directly at his son.

His tired eyes held a quiet resolve.

"William," he said calmly, "once you graduate, I will ask you to take my place."

The words lingered heavily in the room.

"When that time comes," Carter continued, "whatever decision you make... I will abide by it."

…

[Back to the present]

"What's your decision regarding it, Will?" Emma asked, her voice soft and quite soothing for his restless heart.

William shook his head and said, "I don't know what to say, Emma. Until recently, I didn't have any intention of getting involved with politics and all this…and now, the old man is pushing me into a corner."

Even though Emma got to know Carter recently, even she could tell that the man really wished William to take over his position.

And he has said it explicitly before as well that he sees William as the next Count.

However, despite all that, Emma could never force her partner to make any hasty decision.

Hugging his arm, Emma muttered, "I will support whatever decision you make."

William sighed, tension leaving his shoulders as he leaned his head on hers and turned silent.

The world has become so chaotic that William felt that until he was cursed things were still under control. But ever since he got liberated, he feels as if the world got cursed.

Naturally, he would never say that to Emma. However, in a corner of his mind, William couldn't help but feel his presence had shifted the world's balance.

The world was heading towards a massive change at a very fast pace. If things continued like this, there might come a time when it would be do or die for humanity.

William doesn't know if he was ready to face something that massive…or if there was a way to stop this whole thing.

But if he ever gets a chance to revert things to how they were, William might take that opportunity.

°°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Today, in the bath, I suddenly came up with the conclusion of this story.

I know what arcs I would be introducing soon and how this journey would conclude.

Don't worry, we are still 50-70 chapters away from it.