The process of forming an alliance wasn't complicated—in fact, Ethan found it refreshingly simple.
At its core, it was nothing more than a trade of favors: you help me, I help you. Each side got what it wanted.
Naturally, Ethan took full advantage of this and secured several key privileges: access to the supply chain of magitech tools, medicine, and food—exactly as he had planned.
But beyond that, he gained two pieces of information so shocking that they nearly made him stop in his tracks.
"The Curse of the Sea… and the Evil Tree?"
On the way back from the palace, Ethan muttered to himself, thoughts racing as he pieced together the hints Dante had carelessly let slip.
This continent of four kingdoms—Spade, Clover, Heart, and Diamond—had long been cut off from the outside world. Ethan had already suspected as much. The culprit was none other than the endless ocean that stretched to the horizon, separating this land from everything beyond.
If it were just an ordinary sea, it might deter common folk, but for high-tier mages, it should have been no obstacle. With magic, one could cross the ocean even in a small wooden boat.
Yet in reality, it was a one-way trip.
Some claimed explorers had reached the far shore. But far more whispered of those who had sailed… and never returned.
Ethan had long leaned toward the latter. And after today's conversation with Dante, he was now certain.
"So the entire ocean was cursed by some unfathomable power. The moment you stray too far from land, you're wiped out…"
He clicked his tongue in awe. He had studied curses himself—but a curse that could blanket an entire ocean? That was utterly beyond his comprehension.
Such magic belonged to a realm of power far greater than what he could even imagine right now.
He shook his head with a bitter smile.
"Forget it. I don't plan on sailing anytime soon. What matters now… is that other thing."
The "Evil Tree."
According to Dante, it was a magical conduit connecting the living world to the underworld. If fully opened, legions of demons would descend upon this realm.
The thought was terrifying—and astonishing.
After all, demons were beings whose power began at Zero Domain and only climbed higher. Legions of them? Even Julius, the Wizard King himself, would be overwhelmed. A hundred more wouldn't make a difference.
And to unlock the Evil Tree, two keys were required.
Dante had deliberately kept the details vague. But clearly, the keys were not yet in his possession. Otherwise, yesterday's fight wouldn't have been one-on-one—Ethan would have been facing an army of demons.
Then it struck him. His eyes lit up.
"Wait… the others!"
The Dark Triad—the three rulers of the Spade Kingdom. Dante was here in the capital. That meant the other two, Zenon and Vanica…
"They must have been sent to find the keys! But…" Ethan's face paled. "Damn it! The keys aren't objects at all."
A chilling realization swept over him.
If his memory of the original events was correct, then one of the "keys" was none other than Vangeance's World Tree Magic.
"No… by now, it's already too late."
The intelligence he had was from over a month ago. Even with spatial magic, the distance was too great—at least three days of nonstop teleportation. By now, Zenon's group would already be on their way back… with Vangeance in chains.
"On their way back…" Ethan muttered, his lips curling into a sly grin.
Meanwhile…
"Lord Zenon, we'll reach the border in half a day."
Zenon gave a quiet nod. "Good. But stay alert. That spell Vangeance cast at the end—a massive area-healing World Tree spell—brought back almost half of the Golden Dawn. They might be pursuing us even now."
His words drew laughter from the Dark Disciples around him.
"Lord Zenon, you give them too much credit! So what if they survived? We killed them once—we can kill them again!"
Zenon didn't respond.
They weren't entirely wrong. Each of them wielded the power of demons. Even the weakest among them surpassed Zero Domain. By contrast, the famed Golden Dawn could scarcely produce a single mage at that level.
If not for the need to avoid drawing out Julius, the Wizard King, they could have razed the entire Clover Kingdom in a single sweep.
And yet…
"Why do I feel… uneasy?"
BOOM!
"Water Creation Magic: Piercing Blade Spears!"
"Earth Creation Magic: Shattering Rock Spikes!"
"Fire Creation Magic: Explosive Flames!"
"Wind Creation Magic: Soaring Hawk Gale!"
Explosions shook the forest as brilliant spells rained down. Over a hundred mages surged from the trees, encircling Zenon's party.
At their head flew a young man, clad in a cloak emblazoned with the rising sun. He rode the green winds like a god of the skies, his aura blazing with unyielding might.
Zenon narrowed his eyes.
"Oh? I thought you'd have the sense to stay back. But you actually chased us here?"
Several quick leaps carried him effortlessly out of harm's way.
The youth glared at him with burning rage. "Give us back Captain Vangeance!"
Zenon's lips curled into a smirk. "Return him? You think this is a child's game? You must be Yuno. If you won't treasure the second life your captain gave you… then don't blame me."
His magic surged like a tidal wave. A storm of white bone lances rained down, blanketing the battlefield.
"Bone Creation Magic: Dance of the River of Death!"
"Everyone, gather! Spirit Creation Magic: Sylph's Blessing!"
In an instant, Yuno entered Spirit Assimilation. His form merged with Zephyra, the Wind Spirit, and a massive three-meter blade of green wind manifested in his hands.
He took a deep breath. His eyes blazed.
"I don't know what awaits at the end of this fight… but I have the resolve to cut through it all! Dance, O wind!"
With a mighty swing, the sword cleaved apart the incoming storm of bone.
Behind him, Klaus and the others gritted their teeth. They knew full well—the only thing standing between them and annihilation was Yuno.
Zenon's smirk deepened.
"Not bad. Stronger than before. You're close to Zero Domain now. But the difference is…" His magic flared. "…you've given everything. And I've barely begun."
Devil's Power—50%!
Dark magic roared to life. The once-white bone lances turned black, glowing with sinister energy. Each one gleamed like a blade that could pierce the heavens.
Yuno roared, gripping his sword tighter. Blood dripped from his hand, yet he refused to back down.
Behind him, his comrades screamed as the dark bones tore through their defenses.
He smiled faintly, even as his vision blurred.
"I'm sorry, Captain Vangeance… this may be my limit."
And in that hazy moment, an image appeared before his eyes—
A massive meteor, plummeting from the heavens.
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