Zephir leapt toward his daughter, heart pounding like thunder in his chest.
"Rebecca!!" he shouted, his voice cracking with raw emotion.
But the little girl, weak and trembling, raised her arms in a sudden panic.
"No, Papa! Don't come any closer!!"
Too late.
A sudden surge of dark magic erupted from the ruins — a black wave of cursed energy hurtling straight toward Zephir with terrifying speed.
"Tch...!" he growled.
"Hellblaze – Obsidian Slash!"
Zeldris shot forward, sword blazing with infernal fire. With one precise swing, he cleaved through the dark wave. It shattered into burning fragments, dispersing like dying embers in the wind.
"You okay?" he asked, eyes never leaving the shadows.
"Yeah... Thanks, Zeldris," Zephir replied, regaining his balance.
"Don't drop your guard again. Looks like your daughter was used... as bait."
Zephir clenched his fists. The rage rising in his throat threatened to explode.
Then came a sound—slow, mocking applause echoing through the ruins. A deep voice followed, laced with contempt:
"Impressive. Even though that spell was just a test, seeing it destroyed so easily… That's what we expect from the Demon King."
Zeldris narrowed his eyes, scanning the fog.
"Who's there? Show yourself."
From the shadowed wreckage, a figure emerged—calm, theatrical, as if stepping onto a stage.
Zeldris's eyes widened in recognition.
"You…?"
It was the demon who had helped him and Meliodas locate Kaelis's prison. The one who had opened the secret path. Helpful. Discreet.
"Pleasure to see you again, Your Majesty," the demon said with a sly smile.
"What are you doing here?" Zeldris asked, muscles tensing.
"Isn't it obvious?" the stranger answered. "I've come to end your reign."
He snapped his fingers.
Dozens of armed demons emerged from the rubble, cloaked in runes and fury. The very air turned heavy with dread.
Zeldris understood instantly.
"So it was you… You're the leader of the rebels?"
The demon laughed.
"Took you long enough. The name's Néo."
Zephir's glare was ice-cold.
"So you're the one causing Zeldris all this trouble… But why target my family? I've never even seen your face before."
Néo shrugged casually, his voice still relaxed.
"At first? You weren't even part of the plan. I just needed to push the Demon King into a corner… make him slip. Then I could destroy him."
He went on, as if reading aloud from a script:
"But when Zeldris returned with his brother Meliodas, everything changed. I heard whispers of a 'third prince.' It reminded me of an ancient traitor from my bloodline… one imprisoned by the former king. I knew where Kaelis was locked away. So I helped you find him. I gave you the key to his cell."
He pointed directly at Zephir.
"And while you danced across the stage… I watched. From the shadows."
Veins bulged on Zephir's neck as he growled:
"You really like your little stories. But answer me straight. Why. My. Family?"
Néo's smile vanished. His voice grew sharper, colder.
"Simple."
His eyes gleamed with lethal intent.
"To draw you here. For one reason only…"
He raised his hand, voice like a blade:
"I want you to kill the Demon King… and take his place."