Chapter 68: Back Up

Despite trying to act calm, Lumi could see the crack in Evan’s usually composed expression.

He sat on the sofa, staring at the television as the news continued to report on the deployment of the Empire’s top Sentinels to the most dangerous Dungeon in the entire Empire.

"Following the critical failure of the Hell Dungeon’s containment barrier, the Committee has dispatched the Empire’s strongest available Sentinels to the scene. Raphael Valen, Leon Caesar, and several other high-ranking Sentinels have already been deployed..."

The footage changed to show the massive Dungeon entrance, surrounded by layers of emergency barriers and military personnel.

"The situation remains unstable, and authorities have urged civilians to stay away from the surrounding area. The Hell Dungeon is classified as an extreme-level containment zone, and the number of Anomalies that may have escaped remains unknown."

The newscaster paused before continuing.

"However, one notable name has been absent from the deployment."

Lumi’s fingers curled slightly.

"Evan Caesar, the Empire’s strongest SSS-Rank Sentinel, has not been dispatched despite the current emergency. This is believed to be connected to the Committee’s ongoing suspension of his field duties following his recent Rampage incidents."

The footage changed again, showing an old image of Evan in his Sentinel uniform.

"Although the Committee has yet to issue an official statement regarding the length of his suspension, experts have questioned whether the Empire can afford to keep its strongest Sentinel away from a crisis of this scale."

Another commentator appeared on the screen.

"Whether Evan Caesar should be allowed to return to active duty remains a controversial subject. His recent Rampages have caused significant concern, particularly after the incidents at the Fated Bonding Ceremony and the Dungeon mission."

Lumi glanced at Evan.

His expression hadn’t changed. ⅇℯ𝚕.

But she could see it.

The slight tension in his jaw.

The way his fingers had stopped moving.

The coldness in his eyes as he stared at the screen.

The commentator continued.

"Some believe his absence could seriously affect the Empire’s ability to contain the current situation. Others argue that deploying an unstable SSS-Rank Sentinel could create an even greater threat—"

Click.

Evan switched off the television.

The room fell silent.

Lumi, who had been standing nearby, slowly walked toward him. "Evan..."

He leaned back against the sofa, staring at the blank screen. "I suddenly feel sleepy..."

She forced a small smile and walked in front of him. "Then go have a good sleep..."

He closed his eyes and bobbed his head lazily. "Yeah, I should—"

The doorbell suddenly rang. Both of them turned synchronously toward the door.

Evan slowly stood up. "Stay here."

Lumi immediately followed him anyway.

The moment they opened the door, Darian’s awkward smile instantly appeared.

"Ahem... Sorry for the interruption, Young Master Caesar, but... you are needed." He immediately explained why he had come.

Lumi peeked from behind Evan and blinked. "Needed?"

"Oh, hi, Miss Pei." Darian turned toward her, his expression becoming apologetic. "I’m sorry for not being able to join the ceremony earlier, but anyway, happy Fated Day."

He grinned before shifting his attention back to Evan. "It’s urgent, and we couldn’t delay it. Leon..."

Darian paused, his expression becoming serious.

"Leon is badly injured, and Raphael couldn’t handle it alone." ℯⅇ𝙡.

Evan frowned, his head tilting slightly.

"It hasn’t even been that long, and they’re already—" He stopped himself. His expression changed. "How badly is Leon injured?"

"Bad enough that Reeta couldn’t stop crying." Darian pursed his lips, his usual awkward smile completely gone.

"I was monitoring the situation from HQ, keeping track of the Dungeon and everything happening there. If Raphael’s Guide couldn’t handle him and keep him calm, he might overuse his power."

He paused, his expression turning grim as an old memory briefly crossed his mind. "And you know what happens when he goes into a Rampage..."

Evan’s expression darkened. He knew exactly what Darian meant.

Raphael’s Rampage was nothing like his.

When Evan lost control, his power would explode outward, turning him into an unstoppable force that kept attacking whatever stood in his way. He could become violent and relentless, but his Rampage was usually a continuous struggle between his instincts and the remaining part of his consciousness.

Raphael was different.

When Raphael snapped, there was no prolonged fight.

There was only one instinct.

Kill.

Darian’s expression became heavier.

"His Guide last year..."

Lumi’s eyebrows lifted slightly, as though she was trying to understand what Darian meant.

Evan remained silent.

"Since then, no one has been able to properly stabilize him when he reaches that state. The last time Raphael went into a full Rampage..." Darian hesitated. "He grabbed an Anomaly and snapped its head off before anyone even realized what he was doing."

He paused, his expression turning grim.

"And honestly, it was good if he only snapped Anomaly’s head."

Lumi swallowed. "He is... different when he’s on Rampage?"

"Totally." Darian’s voice became quieter. "His Guide... she died last year trying to Guide him. And right after her death, your twin’s name appeared as Raphael’s next Fated Guide."

Lumi’s eyes widened, "Celestine? Is that why..."

Darian nodded. "Yes... Your parents tried everything to stop it. They insisted the machine had made a mistake, that it couldn’t possibly be correct..."

He glanced briefly toward Evan before continuing. "But the Fated Connection System doesn’t make that kind of mistake easily."

Evan looked at Lumi. "If the Fated Connection System chose Celestine as Raphael’s Guide, then there must be a reason for it too."

Lumi’s eyes locked with his, blinking hard as she thought about it.

"She is topping everything she does..." Her voice softened. "So I... believe she could handle it."

Evan remained silent for a moment, studying her expression.

Lumi wasn’t saying it because she wanted Celestine to take her place.

She genuinely believed her twin was capable.

After all, Celestine had always been the talented one, the Guide everyone praised, the daughter who seemed to excel at everything she touched.

"But still..." Darian’s expression became serious. "Even though Celestine might be able to handle Raphael, the situation at the Dungeon is far from simple."

Evan looked at him. "So the Committee agreed?"

Darian nodded. "They did. I contacted them the moment Leon was injured and explained the situation. They agreed to temporarily lift your suspension and allow you to return as backup."

Evan’s expression remained calm, but Lumi could see the slight change in his eyes.

"Backup?"

"Exactly." Darian gave him an awkward smile. "You’re not being sent in as the main combat force. You’re there in case things get worse."

His gaze shifted toward Lumi, "And they want Miss Pei to come too."

Lumi blinked.

"No, she can’t." Evan shook his head immediately. "You know how dangerous the Hell Dungeon is and how easily I could trigger my Rampage there..."

"Evan..." Darian looked straight into his eyes, his expression serious.

"She is the only one who could stop you." He paused. "No one else can..."