"Young Master Jace," Demiurge said, his voice tinged with disappointment, "do you truly think it's wise to retreat now, when we were so close to completely decimating this city?"
Jace didn't stop walking.
"Look around you, Demiurge," he replied calmly. "the Lost are still roaming freely. I believe we achieved our objective. Father only asked that we shake the nation—to remind them of our power. And we've done exactly that."
He paused.
Jericho's face surfaced in his mind.
"…Besides," Jace continued, his voice lowering, "seeing him drained all the rage I had. I haven't forgiven the king—never will—but continuing now, against him, wouldn't be wise."
He clenched his fist.
"For a moment… I was genuinely happy he was alive. I even relished the idea of taking the world with him at my side again."
His expression hardened.
"But the moment he opened his mouth, I knew."
Jace turned to Demiurge, his gaze sharp.
"He is no longer my brother. He is officially our enemy. And when we meet again, it will be his last day on this earth."
Demiurge sighed—then smiled faintly.
"And you," Jace added coldly, "have a lot of explaining to do. This time, leave nothing out."
Demiurge stiffened for a brief moment… then forced a smile as they continued toward their ship.
⸻
When they arrived, they found someone familiar pacing nervously on the ship.
"Kolpa?" Demiurge asked as the man rushed toward them. "What are you doing all the way out here—and why do you look like you haven't slept in days?"
"Lord Jace!" Kolpa exclaimed breathlessly. "You're here—thank the gods!"
"Never mind that," Demiurge said. "What's wrong?"
Kolpa straightened, his voice rising dramatically.
"I bring urgent news! The human sent by the gods to oppose us—the one meant to stop everything—was your brother!"
Silence.
Jace remained completely unfazed.
Kolpa blinked.
"…H-How is that not shocking to any of you?"
Demiurge chuckled.
"You're a bit late, Kolpa. Young Master Jace already knows Jericho is alive."
Kolpa's eyes widened.
"You met him?!"
Jace looked away.
"…Yes."
So Kolpa didn't know, Jace thought.
That's… oddly relieving.
"Is everyone on board?" Jace asked.
"Yes, Young Master."
"Then we leave. Now."
Kolpa hesitated.
"Wait—wasn't Pyon supposed to accompany you?"
"That fool got himself killed," Jace replied flatly. "Prepare a replacement as soon as we return."
Kolpa was stunned—but quickly recovered.
"Then, Lord Jace… this presents the perfect opportunity to use Prince Tazz of Righteous."
Jace paused.
The brother of that knight…
"…Not a bad idea," he said. "Focus on getting him when we return."
Kolpa beamed with pride.
And the ship departed—for Menssai.
⸻
Back at the castle, Princess Clover, the twins, King Leohart, Rose, and Alice arrived safely at the strategy room.
Relief washed over the room.
Princess Diamond—who had been barely holding herself together—ran forward and embraced her siblings tightly, tears streaming down her face.
Once everyone had settled, they were told everything—how the attack unfolded, how dire it became, and how Princess Erica and Jericho saved them… then went on to confront the true threat.
Jace.
Soon after, the doors burst open.
A royal guard rushed in, breathless—but smiling.
"Your Majesty! Lord Jace has retreated! The front lines report that the remaining shadow creatures and undead forces are being wiped out as we speak!"
For the first time in two days, the room could finally breathe.
"Prince Jericho and Princess Erica… really stopped Jace?" Duke Konrad asked in disbelief.
"Yes," King Leohart replied quietly. "And it seems… I owe him more than I can ever repay."
He looked down.
"…But I don't know if I should feel relief. Perhaps following Jace would have been my only redemption."
The room fell silent.
No one knew how to answer him.
⸻
Moments later, a distinguished self-moving carriage arrived before the ruined castle.
Stepping out was Emperor Riko Edo Kosuke.
The devastation he saw—from the city streets to the castle itself—left him pale.
A guard escorted him inside.
When he reached the other rulers, shock rippled through the room.
"You should not have come," they said at once.
Riko's expression darkened.
"I was not told how dire this situation truly was," he said sharply. "Had I known, I would have been here sooner."
Konrad bowed deeply.
"Forgive us, Your Majesty. We could not risk your safety."
"But Gustavious is here," Riko countered.
Leohart sighed.
"He arrived before we could warn him."
Riko clicked his tongue.
"…Very well. There are still stragglers across your cities. I will assist in eliminating them."
"I will not accept refusal."
Leohart smiled faintly.
"Thank you, Riko."
As preparations were made, Riko asked the question burning in his mind.
"How did Warmark suffer this much damage?"
They told him everything.
And when they mentioned Jace personally arriving at the capital—
Riko went silent.
Fear flickered across his face.
Then he noticed something.
"…Where is Jericho?"
Leohart's voice softened.
"He is here. And it is thanks to him—and Princess Erica—that we are alive."
Princess Diamond's eyes sparkled.
"Father," Clover said carefully, drawing attention. "Remember Jericho's warning… about the next generation awakening soul energy?"
She looked at the twins.
"It's happening sooner than expected."
The room froze.
"Ace and Spade can already use it."
Princess Diamond practically exploded.
"ARE YOU SERIOUS, TIO?! WHAT ABILITIES?!"
Clover blinked at her sister.
"Ace manifested a powerful invisible wave—similar to sound, but far stronger. Like thunder itself."
She turned to Spade.
"And Spade… controlled lightning."
Rose nodded firmly.
King Leohart swallowed.
"Then preparations must begin immediately."
"So it has begun," William murmured.
⸻
The doors opened once more.
Two figures entered—a man and a woman.
Recognition spread instantly.
"Jericho…" King Leohart whispered. "It truly is him."
Emperor Riko was struck speechless.
Gustavious smiled in relief.
Alice exhaled shakily.
Princess Diamond stared unabashedly.
{"So this is Jericho…"}
And Princess Clover—
Her face lit up brighter than it had in years.
⸻
Jericho and Erica made their way to the center of the room, and Jericho stepped forward, bowing respectfully before the gathered rulers.
"It is an honor to stand before such great leaders. I am Jericho Von Menssai—former prince and heir of the Dynasty of Menssai. I regret that our reunion is under such tragic circumstances. What transpired here was devastating, and I truly sympathize with everyone in this great nation. If you will have me, I am here to assist in any way I can."
He lifted his head, and Erica followed suit.
"And also… it is very good to see you again after all these years… Uncle Leo."
He then turned, locking eyes with Princess Clover.
"And you as well, Princess Clover. It is truly good to see you again."
Clover froze. Her face instantly turned red—caught between joy and embarrassment.
Jericho remembered her.
King Leohart rose from his seat and crossed the room in long strides. Without hesitation, he pulled Jericho into a powerful embrace, one that carried years of grief, relief, and unspoken regret.
"I am so glad you are alive… so, so glad," he said, his voice trembling.
Jericho was momentarily surprised, but then smiled and returned the hug.
The room softened instantly—no one could hold back their smiles at the sight.
⸻
Once the emotions settled, the discussion turned to the aftermath of Jace's attack.
King Leohart ordered a full damage report and updates on the ongoing cleanup efforts.
Five cities—including the capital—and three villages had been affected. Buildings were razed, burned, or flooded. The attack had come without warning, and evacuation had been delayed.
The casualties were catastrophic.
Seven percent of the capital's population had perished, with forty-one percent of the city destroyed.
The remaining cities and villages suffered roughly ten percent civilian casualties, with thirty-eight percent structural damage. Combined.
The room fell heavy with silence.
"All those innocent lives…" King Leohart murmured bitterly. "This is my failure. How is the cleanup progressing?"
"Thanks to the assistance from Righteous and the reinforcements from Kosuke," the guard replied, "we've regained control. At this pace, operations should conclude by tomorrow evening."
It was good news—but it did little to dull the grief.
"I am truly sorry, Uncle Leo," Jericho said quietly. "This destruction is my responsibility. My brother caused this, and I believed I had the situation under control. I underestimated the scale of the invasion. I failed."
"No, Jericho," King Leohart replied firmly. "If not for you, the devastation would have been far worse. You saved this nation. As for the cities—we were unprepared. We hesitated, believing we could manage their numbers. That mistake is ours to bear."
Duke Konrad spoke next. "And our army?"
The guard hesitated.
"We lost approximately twenty percent of the Royal Guard… including—"
His voice cracked as he wiped away tears. "—Captain Sirius."
"WHAT?!"
Clover shot to her feet.
"Captain Sirius is dead?! How did that happen?!"
The guard explained how Sirius had confronted one of Jace's Grand Four Generals—sacrificing himself to buy time.
"I warned him," Clover whispered, tears streaming freely now. "I told him it was just a prototype, and he should be careful with it… He used it anyway—to protect us. He would still be here if I hadn't—"
Her voice broke completely.
Jericho knelt beside her, Princess Diamond wrapping Clover in a tight embrace.
"Princess Clover," Jericho said gently, "Sir Sirius would never want you to carry this alone. Grieve, be angry—those feelings make us human. But don't let them consume you. Use them. Let them drive you forward. Become someone he would be proud to have protected."
His words were calm, steady—unchanged from the boy she remembered.
Clover wiped her tears and nodded.
He hasn't changed at all, she thought.
Princess Diamond watched quietly, deeply impressed.
{"So this is Jericho… No wonder Father respects him so much."}
Erica stepped forward.
"When I faced that enemy, I noticed he was already injured. Sir Sirius weakened him. That victory belongs to him. He was a true captain—and he deserves to be honored."
The room agreed in solemn silence.
The report concluded with fewer losses among the Slingers—only eight percent casualties. Commander Vetra was critically injured but stable.
King Leohart dismissed the guard.
"You've all endured enough for one day," he said. "Our guests will be shown to their quarters. Rest. We reconvene tomorrow with the full court present."
One by one, the room emptied—until only Jericho, Erica, Duke Konrad, and King Leohart remained.
As Jericho turned to leave, the king called him back.
Duke Konrad and Erica quietly exited.