For the very first time since the operation began, genuine confusion entered the Relic Collector's voice.
"...why are they responding to you?"
Inside— A miniature Aldric Marune stood silently.
The miniature Aldric slowly looked up. Their eyes met. His expression never changed.
"...Don't break it."
There was no panic. No urgency. Only the absolute certainty that Aldric Marune was still completely in control of himself.
The chain snapped apart.
Crystal pendants scattered across the ruined courtyard.
For the first time since stepping into Headquarters...
The Collector's expression broke.
The faint smile disappeared.
Genuine irritation crossed his face.
"...Put that down." His voice remained quiet. Somehow...
That was far more threatening than shouting.
"...Give it back."
His emerald eye never left the pendant in Zekai's hand. For the first time, his composure carried the weight of genuine loss.
The Collector's killing intent exploded.
"You have no idea what you've just taken."
A distant sound interrupted him.
WHUMP. WHUMP. WHUMP.
Rotor blades.
The rhythmic thunder rolled across the ruined courtyard, drowning out every other sound.
A black helicopter emerged above the ruined Headquarters, descending through the smoke. Steel cables shot downward.
The Collector looked up.
"...Right on schedule."
One cable wrapped around his torso with mechanical precision. Another descended toward the remaining pendants scattered across the ground.
Sebastian's eyes widened.
"They're extracting him! No!"
The side hatch slid open. A black boot rested against the metal floor.
A gloved hand caught the hanging cable. Then— A woman's calm voice echoed from inside.
"Objective recovered. Leave immediately."
Zekai sprang forward.
"You're not leaving with him."
He pushed off the ground with all his strength. The distance between them closed rapidly. Ten meters. Seven. Four.
The helicopter's side hatch slid open. A masked operative aimed a shoulder-mounted launcher downward.
"...Fire."
FWOOOSH!
A compact missile streaked toward the courtyard.
Zekai's instincts screamed. Every branching path collapsed into the same ending—death.
He crossed his arms and leapt backward.
BOOOOOOOM!!
The explosion devoured the exact place where Zekai would have been a heartbeat later. The shockwave forced him to shield his eyes. A wall of dust, shattered stone, and burning debris surged across the battlefield.
By the time the smoke began to clear... The helicopter had already climbed into the sky.
The Collector stood inside the open hatch.
Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
Yet he smiled.
"Keep the pendant."
"I'll collect both of you later."
The hatch closed. The aircraft disappeared beyond the clouds.
Silence returned. Only drifting ash remained.
Zekai took one step. His vision doubled.
"...Tch."
Blood slipped quietly from one nostril. His knees weakened.
The crimson interface flickered.
[ Limited Control Authority ]
Duration Complete
Stability Falling...
---
Every muscle in his body suddenly felt impossibly heavy.
"...So that's the price."
His legs felt as though they no longer belonged to him. Zekai slowly opened his clenched fist.
The crystal pendant was still there. Inside, the miniature Aldric remained perfectly composed.
Even imprisoned, he stood with his arms folded, as though he were merely waiting for the next move.
Zekai let out a long breath.
"...I don't know how to free you."
He carefully slipped the pendant into his pocket.
"But until I figure it out... you're coming with me."
The next moment, a chill crawled up the back of his neck.
It wasn't cold. It was the unmistakable sensation of being watched.
His body stiffened. Something stood behind him.
Not physically. Not spiritually. Simply... there.
Not close enough to touch. Not far enough to ignore. His instincts screamed before his mind could form a thought.
Slowly— Zekai turned. Nothing. Only drifting ash, fractured concrete, and the ruined courtyard stretching into silence.
"..."
His eyes narrowed. There was no one there. Yet... The pressure remained. It lingered just beyond his shoulder, as though an unseen figure stood a single step outside reality itself.
His heartbeat slowed.
"...Who's there?"
No answer came. Only the wind moving through broken concrete. Nothing moved.
And still— He couldn't shake the feeling that something was standing directly behind him. Watching. Waiting. Not hostile. Not friendly. Simply... Present.
Like reality itself had turned its gaze toward him.
A strange weight settled deep within his chest, as if something unseen had recognized him.
Then— Zzzzsup!...
The crimson interface appeared for less than a heartbeat.
[ Detected ]
Unknown Devil Signature
Synchronization... Denied
Source...
Unknown
---
The window vanished before he could even read it completely.
"...What?"
Far above the battlefield— The disappearing helicopter flew toward the horizon. And hidden inside its cargo bay...
A single monitor flickered to life. A distorted voice spoke only four words.
"Phase One is complete."
The monitor immediately went dark. No reply came. None was expected.
The courtyard remained silent. Smoke drifted through the fractured remains of Bureau Headquarters, carrying the bitter scent of molten stone and burnt steel. No one moved. Not because they couldn't.
Because the battle had ended too suddenly.
The helicopter had already disappeared beyond the clouds. Only the fading echo of its rotor blades lingered overhead.
✦ End of Chapter 41 — The Relic Collector Vs Zekai (Part 3) ✦