Thomas stepped a little closer to Ren, his tone hesitant but respectful.
Thomas: "If you don't mind, sir... is there anything I can do for you? Or perhaps—since you're building an empire—could I stay with you and help?"
Ren's calm expression didn't change. His voice was low but firm.
Ren: "A good offer... but it's wrong to say we're building an empire."
Thomas blinked in confusion.
Thomas: "Then what is this? You've destroyed an empire and signed a pact with them. What's the meaning behind it if not conquest?"
Ren looked away, his gaze distant.
Ren: "Can't tell you now. When the time comes, the entire world will see."
Nihal suddenly shouted, unable to hold back his frustration.
Nihal: "Mr. Thomas! What's that supposed to mean? You said you'd help us first—now you're backing away?"
Thomas' throat tightened as he replied.
Thomas: "From what I've seen, you were the ones who jumped into the battle first. And no one from Cromon even wanted to fight beside you."
Nihal fell silent. Ninia stood beside him, unable to say a word—because deep down, she knew he was right.
Ninia (thinking): No matter what it takes... I'll restore our kingdom's power. Even if I have to become something filthy... I won't stop.
---
Ren slowly turned toward the back, where Ito lay unconscious. Without hesitation, he lifted the young warrior onto his shoulder.
Ren: "Eli, you'll handle the rest. All the formalities—leave them to you."
Behind him, a shimmering portal opened, swirling with dark blue energy.
Eliza's long elven ears turned red as she looked away shyly.
Eliza: "M–Master... will you carry me like that too? Just like you're carrying Ito—"
Ren shot her a sharp glare.
Ren: "Enough nonsense. Get to work."
Eliza stood straight, saluting instantly.
Eliza: "Y–Yes, sir! I'll handle everything!"
Without another word, Ren stepped into the portal.
---
The world beyond was silent.
A massive underground cavern stretched out before them—ancient, echoing, heavy with the scent of stone and dust.
At its center stood a colossal statue, shattered into three pieces, its head completely missing.
Strange runes glowed faintly along the broken stone.
Ren laid Ito down before the statue and began to heal him.
Moments later, Ito stirred, groaning softly as his eyes opened.
Ito: "M–Master Ren! Where... are we?"
Ren: "This... is our birthplace."
Ito blinked, startled.
Ito: "Our... birthplace? But Master Ren, who was the other one you mentioned earlier?"
Ren's tone was almost distant.
Ren: "Arre."
Ito: "Ah... I see. Then I must be lucky—to stand in the place where it all began."
Ren's lips curved faintly.
Ren: "Is that what you think?"
Ito looked around carefully. The cavern was enormous, its stone pillars cracked and glowing faintly with long-forgotten power.
Everything about the place felt ancient—sacred—and terrifyingly alive.
Ito: "This place feels... like a ruin of gods. But that statue behind you—whose is it? What god does it represent?"
Ren slowly rose and walked closer to the headless figure. His voice echoed softly against the cavern walls.
Ren: "Tell me, Ito... who do you think it is?"
Ito: "I... I don't know, Master. I've never seen anything like it."
Ren stopped in front of the statue, staring up at it for a long moment before speaking again, his tone dark and reverent.
Ren: "That statue belongs to the man whose memory was erased from this world.
The man whose will remained unfulfilled.
The man who once defied creation itself."
He turned slightly, his shadow stretching across the cracked stone floor.
Ren: "That... is the statue of Michael Eren."
Ito frowned slightly. The name meant nothing to him.
Ito: "Michael Eren...? Who is that?"
Ren looked back at him, his eyes glowing faintly in the dim light.
Ren: "The God of Reality."