The explosion that tore apart the throne room did not stop within the palace. It spread like a storm breaking free from its cage.
BOOOOOOOOOOM—!!
The shattered walls collapsed outward as two streaks of light burst through the smoke. One burned gold, the other bled violet-black.
Residents looked up from the streets in horror.
"...What was that?"
"...The palace..."
"...Run!"
Veyr emerged first, carried through the sky by countless writhing tendrils. They twisted like living serpents, lifting him above the rooftops while corrupted Aether poured from his body.
Behind him, a golden flash.
BOOM!
Renn launched himself from the ruined throne room, Aether flooding into the armor manifested around his legs. Every step exploded with golden light as he chased Veyr through the night sky.
The distance between them shrank.
"...You're not getting away."
Veyr glanced over his shoulder before smiling. The next instant—
SHHHKKKK!!
Hundreds of tendrils erupted behind him. Renn crossed both daggers.
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
Golden sparks rained over Shadowhaven. The battle had left the throne room. Now, the battlefield was the kingdom itself.
The first collision obliterated three abandoned buildings. Stone scattered through the streets. The second impact collapsed an entire watchtower.
Residents screamed.
Families rushed outside carrying children while others hid beneath broken walls. The once silent streets of Shadowhaven became absolute chaos.
Renn grit his teeth. "...Damn it."
Veyr laughed. "What's the matter?"
Another volley of tendrils rained toward him.
"...Struggling to keep up?"
Golden Aether exploded beneath Renn's feet.
"I'm just getting started."
BOOM!!
He vanished.
The battle swept across the residential district. Each clash shook the earth. Each collision shattered another home. The poisonous dark Aether released by Veyr drifted through the streets like black smoke.
People coughed and collapsed. Some covered their mouths while desperately searching for somewhere safe.
Another barrage of tendrils changed direction. Not toward Renn, toward the civilians.
"...!!"
Renn disappeared.
BOOM!
His golden trail cut across the street.
CLANG!!
The tendrils shattered against Lumindelle before reaching their targets. Pieces of black Aether dissolved into the night.
A father shielded his wife and little daughter beneath the remains of a collapsed house. They trembled violently. Unable to move.
Renn landed before them. Golden mist drifted around him.
"...Is everyone hurt?"
The father stared blankly.
"...N-No..."
"...Thank you..."
Only then did Renn notice the little girl. She looked no older than the child imprisoned beneath the palace. Wide innocent eyes while she covered in dust.
For a brief moment, the underground prison flashed through his mind.
The chained children.
The tears.
The fear.
His expression softened. He looked back toward the family.
"You need to leave." His voice remained calm. "It's too dangerous here."
The father slowly stood while helping his wife. "...Who are you?"
Renn looked toward the battlefield where Veyr already waited. "...Renn." He tightened his grip around Lumindelle.
"Renn Valehart."
The man nodded deeply. "...Valehart. I'll remember your name."
He carried his daughter before disappearing into the crowd. Even then, the little girl kept looking back. Watching the lone knight standing against the darkness.
Above the rooftops—
Veyr folded his arms.
"...Kindness."
"It will never make you stronger."
"It only softens you."
Renn slowly walked forward. Golden Aether flowed around his body.
"...Maybe. But it gives me a reason to become stronger without becoming insane."
Silence. Veyr's smile faded.
"...How many people must die around you before you finally understand?"
His voice became colder.
"Focus only on yourself."
"Abandon everyone else."
"Then you'll discover true strength."
Renn answered immediately. "I'm not the same as you."
He looked directly into Veyr's eyes.
"...Tell me."
"...What would Eris think if she saw you now?"
Veyr froze. His pupils slowly shrank. The veins beneath his skin darkened.
"...You..." His voice trembled.
"...You dare speak my daughter's name?"
"You filthy piece of shit!"
Corrupted Aether erupted violently. The tendrils exploded.
BOOOOOOM!!
Veyr descended like a falling meteor. His fist wrapped entirely in concentrated Veil Threads.
Renn crossed both daggers.
CRAAAAANG!!
The impact split the street apart. The surrounding houses collapsed from the shockwave alone.
Renn's boots carved trenches through the stone before he stopped himself. Then, he pushed. Golden Aether surged.
BOOOOM!!
Veyr was forced several meters backward. For the first time, someone had physically overpowered him.
Meanwhile...
Far behind the battlefield... Another explosion echoed across Shadowhaven. The remaining Royal Knights slowly regained consciousness.
Kael opened his eyes first. "...That idiot..."
Lio sat up. Taren looked toward the destroyed ceiling. Cedric, barely able to stand with one arm, walked toward them. His voice remained calm.
"Forget Veyr."
The three looked at him.
"The civilians come first." He pointed toward the city below. "Renn can no longer worry about protecting them."
"So we will."
Silence. Then, Taren nodded.
"...Move."
The Royal Knights immediately rushed toward the city. Everywhere they looked— destruction. Collapsed homes, burning debris. People trapped beneath broken stone.
"So much damage..." Lio muttered quietly. He immediately lifted a collapsed beam from an elderly couple.
"You're safe now."
Meanwhile—
Taren carried two injured children before shouting toward the frightened crowd.
"This way!"
"Keep moving!"
"Head toward the front gate!"
"We'll hold the streets!"
His steady voice gave people courage. One by one, the residents followed.
Farther behind, Garrick carried an entire collapsed wall away with brute strength while Lyra searched beneath the rubble.
"I found someone!"
Cedric helped the injured despite blood still flowing from where his arm had been severed. No one complained. No one hesitated.
Tonight, saving lives mattered more than revenge.
Kael paused. He looked toward the distant explosions. Golden light. Purple darkness. Every clash echoed through Shadowhaven.
His expression became strangely quiet. Lio noticed. Kael remained silent, only watching Renn fight.
Lio understood.
He didn't ask again. Instead, he returned to helping another family escape.
Elsewhere, the battle continued.
CLANG!!
CLANG!!
CLANG!!
Golden daggers and black tendrils collided endlessly. Suddenly, Veyr disappeared.
"...!"
He appeared directly before Renn. His fist slammed downward.
CRAAAAASH!!
Even though Renn blocked, the overwhelming force launched him through two buildings before crashing into the street.
Stone erupted around him. The ground fractured beneath his body.
"...Ugh..."
Before he could stand, Veyr was already there.
Hovering above him. Thousands of sharpened tendrils aimed directly toward Renn's face.
Renn twisted instinctively.
SHHHK!!
A tendril sliced past his right eye. Blood flowed down the side of his head. Only millimeters...
"...Closer than I'd like." Veyr slowly descended.
"...Now..."
"...Do you finally understand?"
"The difference between us?"
Renn forced himself upright. Inside, his breathing had become uneven. His Aether Core burned painfully.
"...He's right..." he thought.
"...He hasn't even started using his strongest techniques... and I'm already reaching my limit."
His Core pulsed violently, warning him.
"...At this rate... I'll run out first."
Veyr smiled. "...This ends here."
He slowly raised both hands. Every Veil Thread surrounding his body suddenly condensed inward. Not outward, but into himself.
His muscles tightened. His movements sharpened. Even the air became still.
Veyr's entire body disappeared beneath layers of compressed Veil Threads. Every strand connected directly into his nerves.
His speed.
Strength.
Precision.
Reaction.
All multiplied.
He spoke quietly.
"Shin'en Kugutsu: Sovereign Marionette."
BOOOOOOM!!
He vanished.
The street exploded. Renn tried to dodge. His legs moved, but then stopped. Pain surged through his Core.
"...Shit, not this time..."
His body refused. Core Fatigue had finally caught him.
Veyr appeared before him.
"...This ends here, Renn."
The black spear of condensed threads descended. Then—
"Ultimate Blade Art: Cataclysmic Drive—"
"Crimson Slash"
A crimson flash. Scarlet Aether erupted like a volcano.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!!
A colossal crimson slash intercepted Veyr's attack. The collision shook the entire district.
Veyr's eyes widened. "...Impossible."
Standing between them— Kael. His greatsword still smoking from the impact. He smirked.
Behind him— Renn blinked.
"...Kael..."
Kael didn't look back.
"...Is that your limit?"
"...I expected better."
Renn laughed weakly.
"...I'm just exhausted."
"...Thanks."
Kael snorted.
"Don't misunderstand."
He rested the sword on his shoulder.
"I'm only keeping you alive..."
"...because someday..."
"...I'm the one who's going to beat you."
He pointed his sword toward Veyr.
"...Not some ugly octopus-looking bastard."
Silence. Then, Veyr noticed something...
"...That sword..." His eyes narrowed.
"...Cataclysm Drive..."
"...So one of Karios' descendants survived."
Kael frowned. "...No idea what you're talking about."
He slowly raised his sword again.
"...But I do know one thing." He smiled.
"...Tonight..."
"..is your end."
Without another word, Kael extended his hand toward Renn
.
"...Get up."
Renn looked at it. Then smiled. He grabbed Kael's hand and stood. Kael rolled his shoulder once.
"...It's time..."
"...for payback."
Beyond Shadowhaven's shores, a ship slowly emerged from the thick black fog. The crest of the Kingdom of Aurelian became visible beneath the moonlight.
Captain Franco sighed. "...Third time."
He glanced toward the island. "What in the world keeps happening in that cursed kingdom?"
Beside him, Captain Arden Vol answered without taking his eyes off the horizon.
"...Just picking up my kids."
Franco looked behind him—and nearly froze. The deck was filled with elite Aurelian Knights. Each stood silently, hands resting on their weapons. One smiled. Another cracked his neck. Soon, an overwhelming killing intent spread across the ship, causing even the sea breeze to feel cold.
Franco swallowed.
"...You brought all of them... just for that?"
Arden shrugged. "They've been bored. They just want to KILL some time..."
Then Arden turned to Franco with a faint smile. "Captain."
"...Yes?"
"These wolves are hungry." Eyes gleamed in the darkness behind him. "So... keep your distance from them."