Chapter 59 – The Counterattack of Mana (Part 2)

Inside the Colossus

The inside of the Colossus is quieter than it should be.

Too quiet.

The walls—once roaring with mana circulation—now hum faintly, like a dying beast breathing through cracked ribs.

I release my drones.

One by one, they unfold from my back, wings of blue light slicing through the dim interior.

Scanning.

Searching.

No immediate hostiles.

Weird.

“What the…” Kline mutters behind me, adjusting his lenses. “Why does it look smaller than usual?”

“It’s not smaller,” I say. “It’s compressed. Mana density’s increasing.”

He freezes.

“…That’s not comforting.”

He kneels beside his “masterpiece”—a chaotic fusion of crystals, rune-plates, and something that looks suspiciously illegal in three kingdoms.

“Hey,” I say casually, “I met someone. I’d love to bring you to her after this.”

Kline doesn’t look up.

“Sure. Make sure it’s a girl.”

“The leader is a super hot mermaid.”

Silence.

He slowly turns.

“Mermaid.”

His glasses reflect sparkles that don’t exist.

“MERMAID?! 😍🤩”

“You’re disgusting.”

Before he can respond—

A cold voice echoes inside my head.

“Randy… we’re all busy here. Don’t forget that.”

I freeze.

Luna.

The tone is calm.

Too calm.

Me: 🥶😨

“Yes ma’am,” I whisper internally.

Kline side-eyes me.

“…You look like you just saw your death certificate.”

“Focus on your bomb.”

The Silence Breaks

Suddenly—

The fighting outside stops.

No explosions.

No screams.

Just stillness.

That’s worse.

I look at Kline.

“Guess you better hurry.”

He doesn’t even look up.

“Keep them busy.”

I crack my neck.

“Of course.”

I step forward.

And that’s when I see them.

Aethone.

And Alfian.

Aethone stares at me like she’s looking at a ghost.

Alfian—no, whatever he has become—trembles.

“Impossible…” Alfian whispers. “How could you still be alive…?”

I shrug.

“Kline. Hurry up, will ya? I’ll handle this.”

Kline waves dismissively.

“Don’t scuff the floor.”

Aethone steps forward.

“You…”

In an instant—

I vanish.

I reappear in front of her.

Punch.

She rockets backward into a pillar.

Before Alfian can react—

I pivot—

Kick.

His face caves inward from the impact.

He flies across the chamber.

I spread my wings.

White and gold flare outward, illuminating the entire interior.

The Colossus trembles.

I fire.

A concentrated mana shot at Aethone—

She barely blocks it.

Her arms tremble.

“…Who were you fighting just now?” I ask casually.

Her eyes widen.

“…How did you survive that strike…?”

She’s still in denial.

Good.

I snap my fingers.

Drones deploy.

Ten.

Twenty.

Thirty.

They hover around me like a halo of execution.

Both of them hesitate.

“Well then,” I grin.

“Showtime.”

Assault on the Core

I take flight inside the Colossus.

Yes.

Inside.

Mana bursts propel me like a comet.

I fire directly at the Colossus’ inner circuits—precise shots targeting mana veins.

The structure groans.

Aethone screams:

“Stop him!!”

Alfian launches toward me at full speed.

“At once!!”

He swings—

I weave through my drones.

They counter-fire.

Explosions bloom midair.

The chamber shakes violently.

Below—

Aethone dives toward Kline.

But before she can enter—

A barrier erupts.

A hexagonal dome of layered runes seals the chamber entrance.

She slams into it.

The impact ripples like water.

Inside the dome—

Kline stumbles, carrying a massive mana core strapped with unstable crystals.

“Heheheh!!” he laughs maniacally. “No one gets in or out except me!! Hahahahahaha!!”

He almost trips.

“—Whoa. That would’ve been embarrassing.”

Aethone snarls.

“You think that toy will stop me?!”

She channels mana—

But the barrier absorbs it.

Kline adjusts a dial.

“Oh please. I’ve been bullied by worse.”

Alfian’s Fury

Alfian appears in front of me midair.

His body mutates slightly—veins glowing violet.

“You ruined everything!!”

He swings downward.

His fist grazes my shoulder.

It burns.

He smirks—

But I don’t react.

I headbutt him.

Hard.

His nose shatters.

He screams.

I grab his collar.

“You changed, Alfian.”

My voice softens.

“For what?”

He punches me.

We both crash through a wall.

Debris rains down.

For a split second—

We’re face-to-face.

His eyes.

Still human.

Buried deep.

“…I had no choice,” he whispers.

There’s something tragic there.

But not enough.

I knee him in the stomach and launch him away.

Aethone’s Realization

Aethone looks between me—

The damaged Colossus—

Kline’s bomb—

And the drones circling like predators.

Her confidence wavers.

“You’re… stalling.”

“Of course I am.”

I smile brightly.

“You think I came here alone?”

The Colossus begins to destabilize.

Mana flow reverses direction.

Alarms begin screaming.

Kline shouts from inside the barrier:

“Two minutes!! Or maybe one! Depends if this explodes early!!”

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN ‘DEPENDS’?!” I shout back.

He laughs hysterically.

Alfian staggers to his feet.

Bleeding.

Armor cracked.

Aethone spreads her wings.

The Colossus begins to shake violently.

Above us—

Mana spirals toward the core.

Aethone whispers:

“…We have to stop him.”

Alfian nods weakly.

They charge together.

I exhale.

Wings expand fully.

Drones align in formation.

“Alright,” I say softly.

“Let’s finish this.”

The chamber explodes into motion.

The Fall of the Colossus

The Colossus explodes from the inside.

Mana veins rupture.

Internal conduits shatter.

Shockwaves tear through its ribs.

And yet—

It still stands.

Like a dying god refusing to kneel.

“…You’ve got to be kidding me.”

The entire structure groans, metal and stone grinding together like tectonic plates.

Above—

I see it.

Another core.

Hidden inside the head.

Of course.

Of course there’s a second core.

“Why is it always the head?” I mutter.

I shoot upward.

Wings flare.

Drones spiral around me like comets as Alfian charges from below.

His fists rain toward me in a brutal flurry.

I weave through them midair.

Aethone chants—

Blades of mana streak toward my back.

They hit.

They fizzle.

They barely scratch.

Her eyes widen.

Still not used to it.

Still can’t accept it.

I reach the head.

There it is.

The secondary core.

Encased in layered crystalline armor.

I fire.

The blast hits.

Cracks form—

But barely.

“…You’re joking.”

It’s hard.

Really hard.

I grit my teeth.

“Eira!!”

Her voice crackles through the communicator.

“Aye!! Whada you want!?”

“Set the cannons to my coordinates!!”

Alfian appears beside me and slams a punch into my ribs.

I block it midair.

The impact rattles my bones.

Aethone launches another barrage—

I spin, avoiding it.

“Coordinates! Now!” Eira shouts.

I glance at my drone overlay.

“258 degrees latitude 225! Longitude 885! Heading north! Fire for effect!!”

A pause.

Then—

Eira laughs.

“Aye!!! Get outta the firing range or ye’ll be meetin’ Davy Jones!!”

The Colossus senses the lock.

Its massive arm swings toward me.

I dive.

It nearly crushes me against the skull plating.

My drones swarm the joints—

Detonating.

Carving.

Buying me seconds.

Below—

Alfian screams:

“STOP HIM!!!”

Aethone rises beside him, desperation in her voice.

“If that core falls—!”

“Fire!!!!” Eira roars.

The sky splits.

A beam of concentrated mana descends from above.

It’s coming straight at me.

“OF COURSE IT IS—”

I vanish.

Wings burst.

I clear the impact zone in the last possible second.

DIRECT HIT.

The beam pierces the head.

The core shatters.

A chain reaction detonates downward.

The Colossus freezes.

For a breath—

Silence.

Then—

The giant collapses.

The head explodes.

The torso caves inward.

Legs buckle.

It crumbles like a mountain losing its spine.

The shockwave ripples across the battlefield.

Dust rises to the heavens.

The Colossus—

Falls.

Aftermath

Aethone hovers in the air.

Staring.

She can’t process it.

“…Impossible…”

The unstoppable weapon.

Destroyed.

By coordination.

By strategy.

By friends.

Behind me—

Kline rides out of the collapsing chamber on a mechanical bike, goggles tilted dramatically.

“Get outta here!” I shout. “Support the other fronts!”

He salutes while almost driving into falling debris.

“Got it!! Try not to die before you introduce me to that mermaid!!”

Even now.

Idiot.

He speeds off.

Leaving only three figures standing on the ruined battlefield.

Me.

Alfian.

Aethone.

The wind blows between us.

Dust swirling.

Broken metal creaking around us.

It’s quiet now.

Too quiet.

No drones.

No bombardment.

Just us.

A cowboy standoff.

Alfian wipes blood from his mouth.

His breathing heavy.

Armor fractured.

Aethone floats slightly behind him.

Guarded.

But shaken.

I land slowly.

Wings folding.

“…It’s over,” I say.

Alfian laughs weakly.

“You think destroying that thing ends this?”

His fists tighten.

Veins glowing faintly.

Aethone steps forward.

Her voice softer now.

“…Why won’t you stay down?”

There’s something else in her eyes.

Not just anger.

Not just fear.

Confusion.

And something almost—

Personal.

I tilt my head.

“Because I’m not alone.”

They glance upward instinctively.

The sky.

Controlled.

The battlefield shifting in our favor.

The war turning.

Alfian exhales.

“…Then we finish this ourselves.”

Mana gathers around him again.

Unstable.

Desperate.

I stretch my shoulders.

Crack my neck.

“…Guess so.”

The dust swirls harder.

Lightning flickers faintly in distant clouds.

No armies.

No machines.

No gods.

Just three warriors.

Standing on the corpse of a fallen titan.

And this time—

There’s no one left to interrupt.

The dust settles slowly around the corpse of the Colossus.

Metal ribs jut out of the earth like broken bones.

Smoke coils toward the sky.

And in the center of it all—

Me.

Alfian.

Aethone.

I look at them.

No machines.

No armies.

Just unfinished business.

First Clash

In an instant—

Alfian charges.

No hesitation.

No strategy.

Just rage.

“COME ON!!! SHOW ME WHAT YOU’VE GOT!!!!!”

His fist rockets toward my face.

I tilt my head.

The punch misses by an inch.

I grab his arm mid-swing—

But he’s stronger than before.

Mana pulses violently through his veins.

He pushes back hard.

So I ignite my jets.

A burst of blue flame erupts behind me.

I pivot midair and redirect the force—

Launching him sideways like a thrown javelin.

He crashes through debris.

But I don’t pursue.

I can’t kill him.

Not yet.

Because of her.

Because of Aethone.

A voice echoes in my mind—

“Hold them for me… after I settle Achiles.”
— Luna

“…Wasting time again,” I mutter.

Controlled Restraint

Alfian charges again.

A flurry of punches.

Wild.

Desperate.

I dodge each one.

Minimal movement.

He’s stronger.

But he’s sloppy.

Aethone joins in—

Mana blasts streak toward my flank.

I spin, deflecting one, then shove her aside with my palm and kick her midair.

She crashes against broken plating.

Alfian roars.

His transformation deepens.

Veins glow brighter.

His strikes grow heavier.

But something’s off.

His body moves like it’s being told what to do—

Not choosing.

I feint left—

Strike right.

Knee to his abdomen.

He folds.

I grab his collar—

And slam my forehead into his.

CRACK.

He staggers.

I dive with him—

And drive him into the ground hard enough to crater the stone.

He lies there.

Groaning.

I land lightly and look toward Aethone.

She’s kneeling.

Hands raised.

Mana spiraling violently around her.

Her voice trembles—

“Barn y Tir.”

The sky answers.

Lightning crashes down directly onto me.

A blinding column of electricity engulfs my body.

Alfian laughs hysterically from the ground.

“SERVES YOU RIGHT!! HAHAHAHAHA!! HOW DOES THAT FEEL?!”

The lightning fades.

Smoke clears.

I stand there.

Unmoved.

I brush imaginary dust from my shoulder.

“Well. Anything else?”

Silence.

Aethone stares at me.

Her lips part.

“…Impossible… Fu Xi… he is…”

She can’t finish the sentence.

I’m already moving.

I appear in front of her—

Kick.

She slams into the earth.

The ground fractures beneath her.

Alfian roars and charges again.

This time—

I don’t even bother dodging much.

His punches?

They’re no longer disciplined.

They’re street-brawler swings.

Anger without form.

I catch one fist.

Then the other.

I hook my leg around his ankle—

Lift him upside down—

And spin.

Once.

Twice.

Faster.

Faster.

He becomes a human pinwheel.

I release.

Alfian flies across the battlefield—

Crashing hard into the broken remains of the Colossus.

Metal ribs collapse around him.

Dust rises.

Sparks rain down.

I stand there.

No glow.
No mana surge.
No dramatic aura.

Just silence.

“I don’t have time for this…”

But I do.

Because as long as these two stand—

The war isn’t finished.

And Alfian…

He’s the one that worries me.

Before he can rise—

I draw my firearm.

Cold steel.

No enchantment.
No runes.
No blessing.

Just mechanics.

He looks up—

Sees it—

Confused.

BANG.

The shot pierces his shoulder clean through.

His mana barrier doesn’t activate.

It doesn’t even flicker.

Because around me—

Magic doesn’t function.

“ARGH!!! WHAT THE—?!”

He stares at the wound.

Blood.

Real blood.

I fire again.

Second shot—

His thigh.

It punches through muscle.

He collapses.

“Argh!!! What is this…?! Why didn’t my defense—?!”

Because I don’t use magic.

And my Anti-Magic devours yours.

The Transformation

He roars.

Mana explodes from his body.

Veins glow.

Bones shift.

His frame expands grotesquely.

But the closer he gets to me—

The more unstable it becomes.

His transformation flickers.

Distorts.

Like a signal losing connection.

He charges anyway.

I ignite my jets.

Technology.

Not magic.

I propel backward midair.

While flying—

I fire controlled bursts.

My drones deploy.

Mechanical.
Independent.
Unaffected.

They circle him and unleash suppressive fire.

Bullets tear into his body.

His magic regeneration slows—

Then weakens—

Then destabilizes completely within my range.

Aethone watches.

And for the first time—

She looks afraid.

Because her spells aren’t landing either.

The lightning she prepares fizzles mid-cast when it nears me.

Not blocked.

Not countered.

Just erased.

The Hesitation

Why am I hesitating?

I take aim again.

BANG.

His other leg.

He drops fully.

Screaming.

“BASTARD… YOU’RE JUST A… LOSER… A DAMN COCKROACH…”

I don’t respond.

Because he’s wrong.

Cockroaches survive everything.

Aethone screams and dives toward me—

Her spell half-formed—

It dissolves inches from my body.

I pivot.

Kick.

She slams into the rubble.

Her magic circles vanish instantly.

“…Impossible…” she whispers. “Fu Xi… he is…”

She finally understands.

It’s not that I’m stronger.

It’s that near me—

Magic doesn’t exist.

I walk forward slowly.

No glowing eyes.
No aura.
No dramatic chant.

Just footsteps.

Alfian tries to regenerate again—

His body can’t stabilize.

His transformation begins to crack.

Literally crack.

Energy leaking uncontrollably.

He lunges desperately—

His punches now sloppy.

Wild.

Like a street thug swinging blind.

I catch his fist.

Twist.

Grab his ankle.

Lift him upside down—

Spin once.

Twice.

Faster.

Release.

He flies like a broken pinwheel into the wreckage again.

Metal collapses around him.

He doesn’t rise this time.

The Fear

Aethone stands shakily.

No spells forming.

No arrogance.

Just fear.

“You’re… not human…”

“Never said I was.”

That’s not entirely true.

But I don’t explain.

I raise my gun again.

She freezes.

The battlefield is silent now.

Above us—

The sky belongs to the Skybreaker.

Far away—

The eastern front roars faintly.

But here?

Just three heartbeats.

Mine steady.

Alfian weak.

Aethone trembling.

Eastern Front – The Fall of Achiles (Unchanged Honor)

Achiles stands bleeding.

Armor shattered.

Heel exposed.

Luna stands before him.

Silver-blue hair flowing.

Blades steady.

“I’m impressed…” Achiles says weakly. “Never been beaten like this… Might even fall in love…”

Luna smiles faintly.

“Why are you kneeling? I’m not finished.”

She moves.

Strikes the heel.

Clean.

Precise.

He falls.

Laughing.

“At least… I fought to the end…”

He dissolves into light.

Luna bows respectfully.

“Rest well, proud warrior.”

The battlefield is quiet now.

Broken shields.

Burned banners.

The once-mighty phalanx reduced to scattered remnants.

Luna stands at the center of it all, silver-blue hair swaying gently in the cooling wind.

She slowly unsheathes both blades again—not to fight—

But to signal command.

General Liong approaches immediately, dropping to one knee.

“My Lady…!!”

Behind him, soldiers straighten their posture and salute.

“Princess Luna!!”

“Glory to the Eastern Shield!!”

Their chant rises across the ruined field.

Luna lifts her hand gently.

The chanting stops.

“General,” she says calmly, voice clear despite the exhaustion in her body, “I thank you for your assistance.”

General Liong bows his head deeply.

“It is my honor.”

She turns, surveying the battlefield.

Smoke still rises in distant pockets.

Wounded soldiers are being carried back.

“Please,” she continues, “hold this Eastern Front. Stabilize the wounded. Secure the perimeter.”

“It will be done.”

Her gaze shifts toward a familiar figure dusting off his coat—Valga the adventurer.

“Valga.”

He grins slightly.

“Yes, My Lady?”

“Assist General Liong in cleaning this place up.”

He places a hand over his chest dramatically.

“Very well, My Lady. I shall make it spotless.”

Even in war—

Some men still keep their theatrics.

Luna exhales softly.

But something tugs at her senses.

A disturbance.

A shift.

Randy.

He’s moved.

Back toward the capital.

Without another word—

She vanishes.

Teleportation light flickers.

Gone.

Capital – Reunion & Chaos

Kline rides into the capital courtyard on his mechanical bike like he owns the place.

He jumps off dramatically—

Only to freeze.

“HARMONIA!!!!”

Harmonia stands atop the stairs, radiant as always.

“How long has it been since I beheld your beauty?!”

He spreads his arms for a hug—

—and instantly—

THUD.

Harmonia delivers a precise low kick.

Direct hit.

“AGH!!! 😵😵‍💫 WHY THE HECK WOULD YOU DO THAT?!”

She sticks out her tongue.

“Bleh!”

Kline collapses, clutching his dignity.

“Cruel woman… I almost brought you a mermaid…”

Randy descends from the sky and lands beside them, carrying the two unconscious prisoners effortlessly.

Fu Xi steps forward.

“So… how is Eligos?”

“Pretty much good,” I answer casually. “How about here?”

Fu Xi gestures around.

Ruined walls.

Smoke.

Soldiers scrambling.

“Well, look around you.”

I glance left.
Glance right.

“Yeah… looks normal to me.”

Mina immediately explodes.

“YEAH RIGHT!!! 💢”

I grin slightly.

Fu Xi crosses his arms.

“So you got the two together?”

“Yep. Delivered.”

Alfian and Aethone are restrained nearby, under heavy guard.

Alive.

For now.

“Anyway,” I continue, “I need to head to the Western Front.”

Before anyone replies—

A soft shimmer appears.

Luna materializes behind me.

Her presence alone shifts the air.

“Luna,” Fu Xi says, “how is the Eastern side?”

“All secured,” she replies calmly. “Most of the Champions are defeated. The remaining forces are retreating.”

She steps closer.

General Liong’s banner can be seen in the distance approaching the capital.

“He’s handling the cleanup,” she adds. “He will arrive shortly.”

I tilt my head slightly.

“So… was I right?”

She narrows her eyes.

“About what?”

“About ignoring Achiles first.”

She looks away slightly.

“…Perhaps.”

I grin.

“Or did you want the fight to last longer?”

Her tail flicks once.

“Umm… yeah… right.” 😒

Fu Xi coughs loudly to stop whatever this is becoming.

Mina smirks knowingly.

Harmonia, still watching Kline roll on the ground, whispers dramatically:

“Oh my~ is this romantic tension in the middle of war?”

“Shut up,” Luna and I say at the same time.

There’s a brief silence.

Then we both look at each other.

And look away.

The Calm Before the Western Storm

The capital is stabilizing.

Skybreaker still patrols above.

The wounded are being treated.

The Eastern front secured.

But the Western front—

Still active.

I look at Luna.

“You tired?”

She lifts her chin slightly.

“Not enough.”

I nod.

“Good.”

A faint wind passes through the courtyard.

The war isn’t over yet.

But something has changed.

We’re not reacting anymore.

We’re counterattacking.

And this time—

We stand side by side.

Smoke still drifting above the capital.

Skybreaker circling like a guardian hawk.

“It looks like it’s all over…” Luna says, stretching her arms above her head.

The motion is casual.

Too casual.

Like she owns the victory.

Like she owns the battlefield.

Like she—

Owns me.

Why is she standing that close?

Why does she look that relaxed?

Before I can say anything—

She glances sideways at me.

Smirks.

“Race you there.”

And she disappears.

Teleportation shimmer.

Gone.

“…Cheater.”

I jump.

Jets ignite.

Anti-magic wings flare outward and I blast toward the Western Front.

Wind tears past my face.

The battlefield grows louder by the second.

Western Front – The Unbroken Samurai

Seraphina spins her spear in wide arcs.

Wind pressure builds around her.

Elysia rains arrows with flawless rhythm.

Their coordination is sharp.

Precise.

But at the center—

Yasuke stands.

Still.

Unshaken.

His armor is cracked now.

Purple veins fading slightly.

Yet his posture remains perfect.

Unbreakable discipline.

Oswald appears in front of him.

Yasuke swings—

A clean slicing arc—

But—

Too late.

Oswald steps inside the strike.

Grabs his sword arm.

Redirects it.

Pushes him back.

Yasuke blinks.

“…You know karate?”

Oswald adjusts his collar proudly.

“Red belt.” 😤

Without warning he chants—

“Cyn gryfed â march.”

Runes ignite across his body.

Lightning crackles along his arms.

He steps forward—

One straight punch.

Lightning-fast.

Impact detonates against Yasuke’s chest.

He flies backward and skids across stone.

Dust erupts.

Yasuke slowly stands again.

“…Hmm. At least you’re better than the last boy who challenged me.”

Oswald smirks.

“Oh? I wonder who that was.”

Support & Strategy

Marlisa leaps forward.

Her voice rings clear.

“Cân sanctaidd.”

A radiant barrier expands outward.

Allied wounds begin closing.

Fatigue eases.

Morale lifts.

Marian appears behind Yasuke in a blink—

Slash—

Clean cut across his back.

She vanishes just as fast.

Yasuke exhales calmly.

“Impressive… even if cowardly.”

“Bleh!!” Marlisa sticks out her tongue.

“We don’t care,” Marian replies coolly. “You don’t fight fair either.”

For once—

Yasuke doesn’t deny it.

Moonwhisper’s Fall

Moonwhisper is still locked against the Elite Twenty.

She blocks Kyle’s blade with pinpoint precision—

But Wildad crashes into her from the side.

A heavy slam.

She flies across the battlefield.

The Elite Twenty reposition immediately.

No hesitation.

No ego.

Perfect coordination.

The Bigger Picture

Across the Western field—

Students.

Knights.

Elites.

Working together seamlessly.

Shield rotations.

Spell timing.

Arrow suppression.

They push back the Northern Demon armies inch by inch.

The demons stare in disbelief.

“A bunch of children…?”

But these “children” fight like veterans.

Because they’ve survived too much already.

And they fight like they refuse to lose again.

Western Front – The Sky Splits

The clouds above the Western Front tear open.

A streak of silver light descends first.

Luna.

She lands behind Seraphina with effortless grace, boots barely making a sound on the cracked earth.

Seraphina glances over her shoulder.

“You’re late.”

Luna tilts her head slightly, brushing dust from her sleeve.

“Am I?”

Before the moment settles—

BOOM.

A second shockwave crashes down beside them.

Jets hiss.

Metal wings fold.

I land.

Yasuke’s gaze sharpens instantly.

“…So this is the man Lord Azrael spoke of.”

I look him up and down.

Armor cracked. Posture perfect.

“Jeez. You really look like a real samurai.”

He nods once.

“…Interesting man.”

Luna steps forward slightly.

Her shoulder nearly brushes mine.

“I’ll take him.”

“You sure?” I ask.

She doesn’t look at me.

“Race, remember?”

“Tch… fine then.”

Seraphina coils her tail, amused.

“Need help?”

Luna shakes her head.

“No. This one deserves a proper end.”

Yasuke lowers his blade.

Wind stills.

Then—

He lunges.

Fast.

Too fast for anyone else to react.

But I know that blade.

I move without thinking.

My wings snap forward—metal feathers locking together—blocking Muramasa’s arc.

The impact screams against alloy.

Before he can recover—

I drive my heel into his abdomen.

Then draw.

BANG.

BANG.

BANG.

BRRRR—

Bullets tear through the smoke.

No hesitation.

No mercy.

When the smoke clears—

Luna’s voice cuts through.

“HEY!!! My turn!!!”

“…Huh?”

Oswald sighs.

“Damn, man. That’s overkill.” 😒

Everyone stares at me.

“…What are you all looking at?”

They all turn away at once.

Luna exhales sharply.

“Move.”

I step back.

“Fine. Go.”

She unsheathes both blades.

But before she can step forward—

Moonwhisper intercepts her.

“Finally,” the goblin commander grins, “some real fun!”

She kicks.

Luna blocks.

Steel clashes.

Their duel ignites instantly.

Elysia turns to me.

“I’ll back her up!”

I nod and lift off.

Remaining demons scatter under coordinated attacks—

But something catches my eye.

An airship hovering above the field.

Not retreating.

Watching.

I take flight toward it.

Yasuke’s Offense

Below—

Yasuke stands slowly.

His armor shattered.

Blood streaking his face.

But his left eye—

Ignites.

A flaming aura burns within it.

“Yikes…” Marlisa whispers.

“He’s scary…” Marian mutters.

“Run!!!” Roland shouts.

“Yeah!! Forget him!!” others echo.

They focus on the army instead.

Ignoring him.

Yasuke stands alone.

Offended.

“…How dare they…”

Muramasa hums.

A dark, eerie aura coils around him.

“You think you can mock me like this?”

The ground beneath him fractures.

The air distorts.

The samurai has finally been insulted.

Western Lines – Raul’s Stand

Further down the line—

Raul rallies his forces against Morwenna.

“Defensive formation!”

Her scythe spins mockingly.

“Aren’t you swell, mighty hero?”

Raul’s eyes remain calm.

“Volley!”

Arrows rain toward her.

“Attack the squad!”

A massive hobgoblin charges.

Raul raises his blade.

“Judgement Blade!”

A flash—

The hobgoblin crystallizes—

Shatters.

Raul’s jaw tightens.

“Never again… traitor.”

Morwenna clicks her tongue.

“…Another nuisance.”

Nearby—

Bolg and Thorgrim clash like titans.

“Hahahaha!!! Is that all you’ve got, traitor?!” Thorgrim roars.

Bolg laughs wildly.

“You’re slowing down!”

Thorgrim hesitates briefly.

“…Why hasn’t Lord Azrael contacted us…? What’s happening in the capital…?”

Northern Demon Capital – The Truth Revealed

The demon capital burns.

Nyx stands amidst the ruins, ten golems bombarding military targets with surgical precision.

Before her—

Azrael.

Bruised.

Laughing.

“Impressive,” he says calmly.

“Pretty much lacking imagination, aren’t you?” Nyx replies.

She kicks him.

He smashes into the castle wall.

He laughs louder.

“HAHAHAHAHA!!! Your loyalty to Xorvath is admirable, isn’t it?!”

Nyx scoffs.

“Cute. You used to cling to him like a lost pup. Now you hate him? Talk about inconsistent.”

The golems continue leveling fortifications.

Nyx grabs Azrael by the collar.

“You never change, do you?”

He smiles.

“You don’t understand… there’s something you don’t know.”

“What?”

His grin widens.

“Fine. I’ll show you.”

He slams his palm into the ground.

The earth trembles.

An ancient pillar rises.

At its peak—

A crystal chamber.

Inside—

Cleo.

Nyx freezes.

“…You bastard.”

Azrael laughs hysterically.

“She is the perfect vessel for our god! She is coming! She seeks revenge! No one will stop her!!!”

A chill runs down Nyx’s spine.

“What is this mana…? No… it can’t be…”

Atop the pillar—

Cleo sings.

A melody unlike anything Nyx has heard.

Ancient.

Heavy.

Summoning.

The crystal cracks.

Shatters.

Cleo floats free.

Still singing.

“UNDER YOUR STUPID NOSE!!! HAHAHAHAHA!!!” Azrael screams.

Nyx kicks him across the courtyard.

Beats him into the ground.

“CLEO!!! CLEO!!!”

No response.

The melody shifts.

Lower.

Darker.

Calling something.

“STOP THAT MELODY!!!”

Nyx leaps toward her—

But is blasted back by overwhelming pressure.

“Damn it!”

She chants:

“Hoye ruh-e-jahan, is sansaar ka ansh ban…
Main pukaarta hoon vishwa ki atma ko…
Is loka ki raksha karo… Anant shanti!”

A blinding light engulfs the pillar.

The sky above the demon capital fractures.

Nyx stares upward.

“…Dumb Azrael… what have you done…”

Cleo’s song grows louder.

And something—

Answers.

To Be Continued…