Konrad stared after him, unsettled.
"Brother… are you sure that man is truly here to help us? What if this is another ploy?"
King Leohart watched the destruction in silence before responding.
"Your concern is valid. But regardless of his motives, one truth remains—we owe him our lives."
He paused.
{"And that voice… I know I've heard it before."}
Ignoring further protests, the king began moving toward the city.
"Your Majesty, he told us to wait!" Konrad insisted.
"I know," Leohart replied calmly. "But this is my city. I will see what's become of it."
They had no choice but to follow.
Then—
"FATHER!"
Leohart turned just in time to see Clover and the twins rushing toward him. Ace and Spade collided into him with force, clinging tightly.
"My children…" he said, voice thick with relief. "Thank the gods…"
Clover stepped forward.
"Father, I'm alright."
She turned to Konrad, lowering her head.
"Uncle… I'm sorry about Vetra. I didn't take the danger seriously enough."
Konrad smiled gently.
"He's a captain. This is the duty he chose. And he'll be far happier knowing you're safe."
Ace suddenly burst forward.
"It was AMAZING, Father! She was like—whoosh! BOOM! KABOOM!"
Leohart blinked, confused—then noticed Erica standing behind them.
"Father," Clover said, hesitating, "this is the one who saved us. She's… um… the princess of Righteous."
Erica sighed and stepped forward.
"Princess Erica von Righteous. Commander of the Holy Knights."
The king's eyes widened.
"…Erica?" he said softly. "You've grown so much. Thank you—for my children, and for my kingdom."
Erica bowed.
"I was simply where I needed to be."
She hesitated. "Is my father safe? And… Jericho?"
"Your father is secure," Leohart said. "As for Jericho— no, we never saw him, Just a masked man— he saved us."
Erica nodded. "That was Jericho."
Shock rippled through the group.
"Did you see where he went?"
"He chased the enemy into the city," a guard added. "Fastest man I've ever seen."
Erica exhaled.
"Please return to safety. Alice will escort you. I'll go help Jericho."
She accepted three swords, turned, and ran.
⸻
Konrad chuckled. "So that was Jericho."
Leohart smiled.
"I knew he felt familiar."
Clover clasped her hands to her chest, barely containing her excitement.
"My princess, are you okay?" Rose asked.
"Yes… yes I am Rose, let's go." she said quickly.
⸻
Demiurge struggled to rise, stumbling each time he tried, until he finally managed to stand and lean against the wall. Before he could activate his godly healing, Jericho appeared in front of him and began pounding his face relentlessly—each strike deliberate, controlled, meant not to kill, but to break.
"I know what you really are," Jericho said, gripping Demiurge by the armor. "And that's exactly why I'm not letting up. You heal too fast."
Another punch landed.
"You're a sub-god. A servant of a god named Pluto," Jericho continued coldly. "Tell me everything you know—and I'll plead your case before the Six Gods."
Demiurge's head snapped to the side under the impact.
{"So it's true, he thought,"} panic creeping in. {"He really is Jericho… the brother of my young master."}
A weak chuckle escaped him.
{"No wonder he felt human… but also divine. He's no sub-god. There's no way. This power"}…
His eyes widened.
{"They made him a true god… just to stop us? What are those idiots thinking?"}
"You have to answer me," Jericho demanded, stopping only when he sensed Demiurge was about to speak.
"I-I know who you are too," Demiurge rasped, smiling through blood. "That mask won't save you… Prince Jericho von Menssai."
Jericho stiffened.
"Or should I say former prince?" Demiurge laughed weakly. "You died, after all. How tragic."
Jericho wasn't shocked—but he was curious.
"Oh?" he asked calmly. "Then tell me. How did you know?"
"We know everything that happens up there," Demiurge sneered. "My master—his holiness Pluto—is omnipresent."
He laughed, then scowled.
"But what I don't understand is this—how and why were you made a true god, corpse? Were those useless gods really willing to stoop that low just to stop us?"
Jericho's expression hardened.
"I don't owe you an explanation," he said flatly. "And I am not a god. I am human."
Demiurge stared at him in disbelief.
"Believe it or not, that doesn't matter," Jericho continued. "Now answer me. What is Pluto planning?… if you answer, am sure you will be able to keep your godly title, and return to Ego Elysium."
Demiurge only laughed louder.
"You think I care about godly privileges?" he spat. "My lord had many subordinates. Cowards—all of them. They betrayed him to keep their status."
His eyes burned with fanatic devotion.
"I would never abandon my master for something so hollow. If you think I'd trade loyalty for mercy, then you're a bigger fool than those so-called gods you worship."
Jericho exhaled slowly.
"I see… then I was wrong."
He loosened his grip slightly.
"One last question," he said calmly. "Will you leave this place—and stop pursuing King Leohart and his daughter?"
Demiurge's grin widened.
"As for that… I'm not the one you should be asking."
Jericho frowned.
"I'm not the one with history with the king," Demiurge continued. "You should be asking my young master."
He glanced behind Jericho.
"You're in luck. He's right behind you."
The moment Jericho turned—
Pain exploded through his ribs.
A kick struck him so hard he heard bone crack. He was launched sideways, smashing into a wall and collapsing with a groan.
When he looked up—
He froze.
Different hair. Different eyes. Different presence.
But unmistakable.
Jace von Menssai.
His younger brother stood there, staring down at him—not with confusion… but with pure hatred.
Unbeknownst to Jericho, Demiurge had already sent word through one of his undead. Jace had come immediately.
"My answer is no," Jace said coldly. "King Leohart is mine."
He stepped forward.
"And you will die if you stand in my way."
He paused, eyes narrowing.
"No… you killed one of my Grand Four. You'll die regardless."
Jace grabbed Jericho by the neck and lifted him effortlessly, coating his fist in earth before driving it into Jericho's body.
Jericho flew again—lifeless, stunned.
Jace followed, seized him once more.
"Look at you… 'hero,'" Jace sneered. "Pathetic."
Jericho didn't resist.
"You should've stayed out of this. You stand no chance against me."
His grip tightened.
"In case you haven't heard, human—I am Jace. Son of a god. A demigod."
He leaned closer.
"You chose to defy me. That was your final mistake."
"J-Jace…" Jericho rasped. "They're… using you. Open… your eyes—"
Rage erupted.
"Don't you dare speak of my father!" Jace screamed. "And who gave you permission to say my name?!"
He hurled Jericho aside.
Jericho hit the wall again, sliding down, unmoving.
Tears blurred his vision.
{"I thought I could stop him… I thought I could use force if reason failed."}
{"But I can't."}
{"I can't hurt him."}
Demiurge stood nearby, fully healed now, grinning in delight.
Jace approached Jericho slowly, ice forming around his hand.
"You can't even defend yourself," he said with contempt. "Usually I wouldn't waste my time with disappointments like you."
He raised his arm.
"But I'm angry."
"Soul Casting… Grieving Ice."
Jericho didn't move.
Then—
A wave of unbearable heat crashed into the attack.
The ice shattered in a violent explosion.
Demiurge dove for cover. Jace threw up an earth barrier just in time.
As the smoke cleared—
A woman stood there, holding Jericho.
Erica.
She had arrived just in time.
⸻
"Demiurge… who is this human?" Jace asked, barely containing his disgust.
"Young master," Demiurge replied as he moved to Jace's side, "that is the Crown Princess of Righteous—Her Highness, Erica von Righteous. We have attempted to eliminate her on several occasions due to her constant interference."
"I see…" Jace muttered, his gaze locking onto Erica.
"So, lady knight… I hope you're not foolish enough to believe you can defy me simply because of a cheap trick like that. I trust you're not that deluded."
Erica didn't even look at him.
All her attention was on Jericho.
"Hey… hey," she said softly at first, shaking him. "You need to snap out of it."
Her voice trembled.
"I know it's not easy—but look at him. Right now, that's not the person you know. If there's any chance of getting him back, it starts with you."
She grabbed his shoulders.
"Come on… you're stronger than this."
Her voice cracked, then rose into a scream.
"COME ON, JERICHO!!!"
Jace's eyes narrowed.
{"What is she talking about? And. Jericho? That name."}
His confusion quickly turned into fury.
"How dare you ignore a god!" Jace roared.
In an instant, he appeared beside Erica and drove a brutal punch into her stomach.
The impact sent her flying—Jericho still in her arms.
She crashed hard.
Jace advanced, his attention now fully on her.
Erica struggled to rise, pain wracking her body—but her eyes searched desperately for Jericho. She began dragging herself toward where he had landed.
Jace was already there.
He seized her by the neck and lifted her into the air. With his free hand, ice formed rapidly, shaping into a lethal spear.
"Know this," Jace said coldly.
"You die today for your insolence toward a god. Be grateful—you're dying by divine hands."
He thrust the spear forward.
Out of desperation, Erica screamed with everything she had left.
"SNAP OUT OF IT—JERICHO!!!"
Jericho's eyes widened.
His gaze snapped to Erica—about to be killed.
Something broke.
Something awoke.
At the same time, Jace froze.
His eyes widened in shock.
"W-what… what did you just say?… you really did mention that name."
Demiurge went pale.
Jericho stood.
And the world felt… different.
He could hear Demiurge's thoughts—though his lips weren't moving.
He could hear Erica begging for him to be okay—even though she was the one dying.
{"What is this…?"}
{"Am I… hearing their thoughts? Their emotions?"}
It didn't matter.
All that mattered was her.
Jericho removed his mask.
It shifted, reshaping into a blade.
He hurled it.
The blade sliced clean through the arm holding Erica's throat.
She fell hard, coughing violently as air rushed back into her lungs.
Jace barely had time to turn—
Jericho's fist smashed into his face.
The force sent Jace flying across the battlefield.
Demiurge rushed to his side.
Jericho ran to Erica, dropping to his knees beside her. Tears streamed down his face.
"I'm so sorry," he sobbed. "I froze… I thought I was ready. I thought I wouldn't care that he's my brother—but I was wrong."
His voice broke.
"I still care so much… I almost let you die because of my weakness. I'm so sorry, Erica."
She smiled softly and cupped his face.
"It's okay," she said gently. "He's your only family."
She exhaled in relief.
"I'm just glad you're back."
Her expression hardened with resolve.
"Now go. Try to bring him back."
Jace returned.
His arm had regenerated—but his expression had completely changed.
Shock. Disbelief.
"…J-Jericho?"
Jericho turned, his face fully exposed.
"It's really you… you're here… h-how is this possible?"
Jericho took a deep breath.
"Yes, little brother. It's me."
"But… you died," Jace stammered. "Don't tell me Father is with you too—"
"No," Jericho said softly. "Father is in a better place."
He stepped closer.
"I came back for you. I'm alive, Jace. And you have to listen—this isn't you. None of this is."
He gestured around them.
"That god and his pawn—" he pointed at Demiurge, "—they knew I was alive. They didn't tell you. They're using you."
"DEMIURGE!" Jace snapped.
"Is this true?"
Demiurge bowed calmly.
"Yes, young master. It was your father's decision. He wanted you to choose freely—to see where your heart truly lay."
Jericho snapped.
"Shut your filthy mouth!"
He turned back to Jace.
"That thing is not your father. We already had one—and he was the best."
His voice shook.
"They twisted your grief, your love, your anger… turned it into hatred. You know Father would never want this."
Jace was silent.
Then—
"Jericho… are you saying you support those power-hungry fools?" Jace asked.
"They destroyed nations. Killed millions. Broke the world."
"Pluto caused that," Jericho said. "Not the people—"
"DON'T SPEAK ILL OF MY FATHER!" Jace screamed.
Tears welled in his eyes.
"I was alone. Lost. Dying. He gave me purpose. He saved me."
He extended his hand.
"Brother… join me. Together, we take back everything we lost."
Silence.
Jericho's voice trembled.
"Please… don't make me do this."
Jace's hand remained outstretched.
"One last time," he whispered. "Big brother… choose me."
Jericho swallowed.
"That's impossible."
The words shattered him.
"You've gone too far. I'm sorry… but I have to stop you."
Jace laughed bitterly.
"…Then my brother truly is dead." He said with a sigh. " my brother can never be a coward like you."
His body began to glow.
"From this day on, we are enemies."
He turned away.
"Am only stepping away now for the memories of what we once shared as family— think of it as the final respect am paying to you."
"Cause the next time we meet… I'll kill you. And this time, you'll stay dead."
He paused.
"And tell that scum of a king—I'm not finished."
"Let's go, Demiurge."
"Goodbye… Hero."
They vanished.
Jericho collapsed to the floor.
He had lost his brother.
Erica knelt beside him.
"This isn't over," she said firmly. "You'll bring him back. Him retreating proves he's not gone."
Jericho stood, wiping his tears.
"…You're right."
He looked toward the castle.
"I will get Jace back."