"Then I will stop you."
Lidya did not back down from her stance, even if it meant offending two Saints. The three of them quickly vanished, teleporting elsewhere to fight. At that moment, Theresia was staring at the screen showing Zeref battling the humanoids — and her emotions were in turmoil.
She thought she would feel happy watching Zeref get beaten… but she didn't.
Her sadistic side wanted to crush him for hurting her pride.
Yet now, she couldn't feel joy at all. Everything Zeref was doing — throwing himself into danger, suffering injuries, enduring endless attacks — it was all to protect his two younger sisters. He was even willing to become her enemy if it meant saving them.
For a brief moment, she felt a strange pang of jealousy toward Invidia and Rena.
Should she feel happy or sad? She didn't know. But she did know one thing: the hatred she once held for Zeref had lessened, even if just a little.
"Zeref… I hope you don't die."
While Theresia was lost in her own thoughts, someone else was experiencing something far more intense. Queen Mikasa was overwhelmed with such despair watching Zeref's injuries that she felt suicidal. Rage and bloodlust radiated from her — she even considered killing herself if Zeref died.
Every time Zeref was hurt, it felt as if her own flesh was being torn apart. She knew such thoughts were unhealthy… but she couldn't stop them.
While everyone around had their own storm of emotions, the situation inside the Chaos World was shifting.
As I watched the arrows fly toward my sisters, I knew that with my limited mana, I couldn't do much. So I moved to shield them with my body. Even though the arrows struck me, my vital organs remained protected.
Coughing up a little blood, I turned to look at my sisters, who stood frozen — unable to fully process what had just happened. Weakly, I gave them a small smile and slowly turned my body around. With so many arrows sticking out of me, it wasn't easy to move.
When I turned back, I saw the remaining humanoids staring at me, preparing their next attack. But suddenly… they stopped.
It was as if time itself had frozen them in place.
Up in the sky, a figure began to take shape — Lukas, the founder of the Helios Kingdom. He hovered in the air above me, his eyes — usually expressionless — now holding a faint glimmer of respect. Soon, several other powerful and renowned figures materialized beside him.
"I have seen many children born and rise from this world," Lukas spoke.
"Each of them with different talents and abilities."
"I have watched them live and die, but I have never interfered with these trials…"
"But this time, we choose to intervene. Zeref, I now offer you the chance to surrender and leave this world alive. Take this chance."
"Why must you endure all this pain and suffering?"
"I can see you are using some kind of forbidden technique to draw out your power."
"I do not wish to see a child as talented and determined as you die here. So, accept my offer."
The more Lukas spoke, the more confused I became.
Pain? Suffering?
Hmm… I wasn't even feeling pain right now. Sure, I looked beaten and bloodied — but I didn't feel a thing. And as for that "forbidden technique"?
I was simply drawing a massive amount of mana from the ring I was wearing. It seemed Lukas had misunderstood me completely.
While I was still stunned by the misunderstanding, the two girls behind me were speechless. Then, they refocused on the situation.
They looked at me — standing before them, covered in arrows, blood still dripping, yet still standing firm to shield them.
The image of me — standing tall, protecting them despite my condition — was carved into their hearts forever. Invidia and Rena would never forget this moment. And at that exact time… a change occurred.
[DING…!]
Name: Invidia Fernandez
Affection: 100% (Sibling Love) >>> 100% (Forbidden Love)
[Reprocessing…]
Name: Invidia Fernandez
Affection: 100% (Forbidden Love)
[DING…!]
Name: Rena Fernandez
Affection: 100% (Sibling Love) >>> 100% (Forbidden Love)
[Reprocessing…]
Name: Rena Fernandez
Affection: 100% (Forbidden Love)
Suddenly, I received a notification from the system — but I ignored it for now. I had far more important things to deal with. I looked up at Lukas with a sad expression.
"What will happen to my sisters if I surrender?"
Instead of answering directly, Lukas stared down at me for a moment.
"You will survive."
It wasn't a direct answer, but I could infer what it meant for my sisters.
"Then I refuse your offer."
"Why must you struggle so hard? Why go through a situation you know you cannot win?"
Damn it… how can you be so sure I can't win? I haven't even used my trump card yet!
While cursing Lukas silently, I kept a calm, almost childish expression — as if nothing mattered to me except my sisters' safety.
"I don't care what happens to me. As long as I can protect my family, my sacrifice will be worth it."
Besides… I'd die anyway if I fail to conquer all the heroines in this world.
"My father gave his life to protect mine. In the end, my only wish is to protect my family."
"When my father fought for my life and died, I blamed myself for being weak and useless. But this time… I will protect my family with my own strength."
At that moment, Invidia and Rena had fallen deeply in love with me, giving me their entire hearts. Shopia, watching her son stand tall to protect his sisters, wept once more — and with it, a small seed of forbidden love began to sprout.
Theresia, seeing me still standing and fighting even while drenched in blood, began to feel respect — and a faint, unfamiliar emotion started to grow within her.
As for Queen Mikasa… she would need to change her undergarments, now soaked — a result of the overwhelming excitement she felt watching my actions shake her very core.
All the figures floating in the sky now looked upon me with a newfound respect. Even the Divine Weapons that had been silently watching me took notice.
Lukas stared at his descendant for a long moment before finally nodding.
"Then do as you wish."
With that, Lukas and the others vanished, and the battle resumed. Just as I was about to unleash my trump card, a message appeared…