Lion King's Castle Conclusion/Story

Story

After the final battle, the Adversary met with Jenn the Locksmith in El Nath. Jenn recognized them as the hero who had defeated the Black Mage and told them that he had known from the start that they weren't just an ordinary adventurer. He explained that thanks to their help, he was getting by in El Nath alongside his brother, despite it being difficult to make a living there. He then revealed that something strange was happening at the Lion King's Castle and asked them to find out what was going on. The Adversary traveled to the Lion King's Castle, where they discovered that the area was completely devoid of monsters. At the castle grounds, they encountered the ghost of Luden, who greeted them and explained that he had been waiting. The Adversary asked Luden why the castle was so empty and quiet, to which he revealed that Von Leon's curse had vanished after the Black Mage's death. He thanked the Adversary for defeating the Black Mage and breaking the chains of hatred and revenge upon Von Leon, who had found true peace at last.

Luden explained how, after the Black Mage's death, Von Leon's curse had been lifted, causing him to immediately begin dying with his immortality severed. Von Leon had realized that even the Black Mage, whom he had thought would exist forever, had been vanquished, and that it was a cause for celebration to be released from such bondage. As he collapsed upon the ground, Von Leon noted that the end that he had long been waiting for was coming, causing him to wonder whether he would finally see Ifia again. As Von Leon passed away, Ifia's ghost rushed to the throne room as she felt the dark energy around the castle lifting. Finding her husband's body on the floor, Ifia began sobbing profusely, though she told herself that she would not be sad if it meant that he was free at last. Nevertheless, she lamented that she had still been unable to see him one last time, even at the very end. Suddenly, Von Leon's ghost emerged from his body, finally able to see his beloved wife in death.

As the two tearfully embraced, Von Leon told her that he had waited to see her again, while Ifia affirmed that she hadn't left his side, even after centuries. Von Leon then apologized to Ifia, explaining that he had committed far too many sins in the name of vengeance for her death, adding that he had made her suffer for centuries as a result. He asked Ifia not to forgive him for his sins, to which she told him that he didn't need to apologize to her, as she couldn't blame him for anything. She then told him that he had her forgiveness, and hers alone, out of the love that she had for him. Von Leon reaffirmed his own love for Ifia and promised that he would never lose her again, with the two departing together for the afterlife.

After Luden finished recounting his story, he noted that the Adversary may not have liked Von Leon's ending, believing that his fate had been too lenient after all the sins that he had committed. However, he admitted that he was but a helpless knight, and that he was glad if his king and queen had found true peace at last. He then explained that though the castle was empty, the monsters which had temporarily vanished would soon return alongside Von Leon's afterimage in the throne room. Nevertheless, he noted that those, too, would disappear someday, buried in the white snow of El Nath. He told the Adversary that he hoped that they would remember him, as it was time for him to leave as well. At the Adversary's surprise, Luden explained that a knight must follow his king, and that he had only remained behind in order to tell them about Von Leon's fate. He then thanked the Adversary for everything before disappearing into the afterlife as well. With the spirits of the castle slowly departing, the monsters slowly began to return alongside Von Leon's afterimage.