The sun above Daven has become oppressive. The heat is as brutal as in a desert, abruptly shattering the festival's cheerful atmosphere. This sun is no longer normal: it is living proof that She Who Devours the Sun is present.
Many are afraid. Many are worried. To all of them, she represents only evil—and it is precisely this terror that increases her power. Thinking about her—whether in fear or admiration—etches her deeper into the collective memory. Right now, she occupies the thoughts of the entire capital and its surroundings.
Seraphine and Elias watch as Ameria grows stronger and stronger. In the distance, Leslie and Devo stare at the sky in surprise. Thomas too—but in his case, it's pure theater: he has been waiting for exactly this.
Besides Vespia, there are currently four Devourers in the capital:
One who remains inactive for now Ameria, who was asked to sow chaos Thomas, pursuing his own plans And the one who devours probabilities
Unaccustomed to working outdoors, the probability Devourer is only here at Thomas's request. Disguised as an ordinary soldier, he watches the fight against Devo with little interest.
For Devo, this is the ultimate humiliation. The very day he attacks the kingdom, Devourers invade the city. His face twists with shame and rage.
"Again… again these scum stand in the way of my glory… Princess, didn't you think the world was simpler before? There was a clear enemy: demons to exterminate, criminals who weren't the greatest threat… But now, with these Devourers, half of us are either dead or in their service. Vespia ruined everything."
He pulls the massive axe from his back and slams it violently into the ground.
"I won't let them walk all over me! I'm not a secondary problem!"
His gaze is wild, consumed by jealousy toward Vespia. He unleashes his unique magic, honed over years: "Get Down".
Originally, this magic simply increased gravity to force the opponent to kneel. But because people see him as a man who loves to drag others down to his level, the collective memory has evolved his power. Now he can lower his opponent's abilities to a level he personally considers "fair."
If Leslie sees him as a second-rate opponent → her strength drops to that level. If someone sees him as a child → he becomes as weak as a child.
This is the only reason Devo has become so dangerous. And ever since Vespia's arrival, many no longer consider him a real threat… which has signed their death warrants.
"Wh… my magic? Why?"
Leslie understands almost instantly: she feels as though years of training have been erased. Without hesitation, Devo swings his axe. She barely deflects it, but immediately takes a brutal punch to the stomach. Even her defense has weakened.
"So, Princess? Where's that arrogance you were showing me earlier?!"
Thomas can't help but smile.
"That royal arrogance of looking down on others… that's exactly why royalty is so hated."
He follows with a barrage of punches. Leslie struggles to block them.
"For those who grew up in the gutter, you quickly learn the difference! Social status is the root of all our misery. Even if we get rid of you, there will always be people more privileged. But you know what? I don't care! I'm glad I grew up in that filth, because thanks to it…"
He feints high, then drives a devastating uppercut into her stomach.
"…I'm STRONG!"
Leslie falls backward and vomits onto the ground. Miraculously, no blood comes up, but her insides are churning. She's down, unable to think of what to do next.
Her opponent has stolen her strength. He is far more dangerous than she imagined. She sees no path to victory. She was counting on her magic, but even that… she has lost levels. Using it now would be far too difficult.
For the first time, she has no idea what to do. And after this, she's supposed to stop the Devourers rampaging through the city? When she can't even handle one single criminal?
Fear, worry, stress—everything paralyzes her. She cannot get back up.
Suddenly, a hand rests on her head.
"You really are the sweetest little feather… But Grandpa would prefer you grow up without having to fight. This world already has enough heroes."
She looks up. It's her grandfather—or rather, the memory of a moment with him, before he vanished forever.
Devo watches the scene with amusement, ready to finish her. But Thomas waves him aside. The probability Devourer casts a spell. In eerie calm, the grandfather before her vanishes… only to become a sphere of energy in Thomas's hand.
"What the hell are you doing, Thomas!"
As the probability Devourer removes his soldier armor, Thomas lets out a soft laugh that quickly grows louder.
"Aaah, damn… you have no idea how much I want to thank you, Princess! My plan couldn't have gone any better! I spent months manipulating Faxia just to get a fleeting memory of your grandfather during his fight with Devo… and here you hand me his soul on a silver platter! Haha, it's ridiculous… Who would've thought you still carried memories of your grandfather? You were so small… The hero without magic, who built a kingdom through sheer strength alone… I finally have his soul."
Leslie panics, tries to stand, voice trembling:
"Impossible… those are just memories! There's no soul in them!"
Thomas smiles—a smile terrifying for someone his age.
"Let me introduce you to another man: Asterio, the one who devours probabilities. I knew my powers wouldn't work on mere memories… But what if? What if, for just a moment, the probability that your grandfather's soul resided in those memories became real? He devoured that probability and made it true. In short: for an instant, your grandfather's soul was really there. Haha… Once again, thank you so much."
Leslie collapses. Her legs no longer support her. How will she ever face her family after this?
But for Thomas, the job is done. He prepares to leave.
"Hey!"
Devo's magic explodes. His axe glows violent red. In his eyes: pure hatred.
"Get Down"
Thomas looks at him calmly.
"From what I understand, I was just a toy in your plan?! You dare look down on Faxia?! On Devo?!"
Devo charges, insane with rage. Thomas shatters his jaw with a single punch. Devo collapses, stunned.
Thomas sighs.
"Your magic… think about it. You boosted me. I've considered you very strong and dangerous from the very beginning. So my level was lowered to match what I think of you. You're not someone we can afford to leave alive. But before I kill you, let me say this… Compared to Lady Vespia…"
His gaze turns icy and cruel.
"…you're nothing but inferior trash. Don't you dare compare yourself to her. It's truly pathetic. She is so far above… I would never dream of challenging her. But you had the arrogance to think you were on her level? Learn your place."
Thomas tightens his grip on the soul. It swells again. Before Leslie's horrified eyes, her grandfather reappears… but changed. Black war armor, red sword, dark aura—nothing like the luminous legend.
With one swing, Devo's body is sliced in two. He chokes, jaw shattered, unable to speak.
"And that's that… Princess, it's been a pleasure. But I no longer belong here, do I?"
A magical door opens. Thomas vanishes. Asterio heads toward the city.
Leslie remains alone with her weakness, with the guilt of having let everything happen. The sun in the sky grows even darker. She loses all desire to stand.
End of chapter