That was not the outcome I was expecting from Valery's betrayal.
And yet somehow it's still a disaster hahaha
I wonder if we're getting another loop, given Lily just died to save Shou. The "important people" are all still breathing, last time I counted, but I could see Seraphina & Arvel seeking some sort of Perfect Run to try and save everyone, including figuring out a way to give Valery his salvation and prevent him from going down this path in the first place.
Especially as Seraphina apparently sent Valery himself back in time at some point, and in a manner that has given him knowledge of past loops. Assuming it wasn't this most recent iteration, that means he has retained his memories outside the causality of this reality: maybe Seraphina's magic, once imbued, allows that to happen even if the person otherwise only exists in the current timeline? It's weird, but that's how I could see it working, in Valery's case.
The fact that he did go back, makes me think we're getting one more loop. There's probably a "most happy ending" somewhere that sees the least amount of death possible--Jade survives, Valery finds peace, Lily marries Shou who becomes Emperor, Seraphina's family is brought to justice before everything goes out of whack, and widespread war and death doesn't befall the Capital in a coup.
Not saying that's necessary, but it would tie everything up in a nice little bow.
I suppose we'll find out.
Thanks for the TL.