The forest was devastated—craters, torn earth, shattered stone.
"I thought you noticed already," Erica sighed. "You said Jace's scouts would come see all this to confirm Drako's report."
"Yes, but I didn't realize it was this bad," Jericho groaned. "This much damage will make Jace extremely wary. We need to fix this—at least partially."
He sighed heavily.
"I can't summon another divine avatar today… I'll pass out."
He rubbed his temples.
"I really wish Lady Zoe had blessed me, with her abilities."
William glanced at Alice and smiled knowingly.
"Alice… this might be a good time."
Alice stiffened.
"But you promised not to say anything until I mastered it!"
"What is Willy talking about?" Erica gasped. "Alice—don't tell me—have you manifested your element?!"
She grabbed Alice again.
"I… know my element," Alice admitted softly, lowering her head. "But I can't call it out properly. I don't think I can help."
Jericho's eyes softened.
"You're incredible," he said gently. "And if I had to guess… your element is Earth."
Alice looked up.
"But not just Earth," Jericho continued, smiling. "Growth—the highest class."
His eyes sparkled.
Alice nodded shyly.
"That's extraordinary," Jericho said. "This is the perfect moment. I'll guide you."
Alice hesitated.
{"How can I say no to that face…"}
"…Okay."
Jericho explained patiently, drawing on divine knowledge. Erica chimed in.
"It feels like something moving inside you," Erica said nervously. "Once you focus, you can guide where it flows."
Alice knelt, closing her eyes.
Her breathing slowed.
Soul energy leaked from her body—and flowers began to bloom where it touched.
"She's doing it…" Erica whispered.
William stood in silent awe.
{"I see it now."}… Alice thought. {"This was what I was missing."}
Heat surged through her.
Her eyes snapped open.
"Now!" Erica shouted, tossing her a sword.
Alice caught it, inhaled deeply, and closed her eyes again.
"Soul Technique…"
She drove the sword into the ground.
"Rebirth."
A massive wave of emerald energy erupted outward.
Destroyed vegetation revived instantly. Craters filled. Flowers bloomed. The forest was reborn—more beautiful than before.
The sword shattered in her hands.
Alice smiled—
—and collapsed.
In an instant, Jericho appeared, catching her before she hit the ground. He held her gently, smiling down at her unconscious face.
"You did it," he whispered. "Incredible."
"Alice!" Erica rushed over. "Is she alright?!"
"She'll be fine," Jericho assured. "She overexerted herself. For a first awakening… this was beyond expectations."
He laughed softly.
"It even reshaped solid ground."
"It's beautiful," Erica breathed.
"Marvelous," William admitted. "I might be jealous."
Jericho grinned.
"William… don't tell me you've awakened yours too and kept it secret?"
"Absolutely not," William snapped. "And don't make that face. I don't even know my element."
"I knew it," Erica teased. "Your element is scared of you. Smile more, Willy."
Jericho burst out laughing.
"Let's head back to camp," he said, carrying Alice.
"Right behind you," Erica replied.
"I am not grumpy!" William protested as he followed. "And stop calling me—are you even listening to me?!"
"Jericho," Erica said sweetly, ignoring him, "let's have lunch when we get back."
"After all this?" Jericho chuckled. "I'm starving."
William groaned as they walked away, still arguing with no one listening.
——
Just outside the capital of Righteous lay a small forest within the kingdom's territory, known as Codar—a land infested with wild beasts and untamed creatures.
Deep within it, a mercenary settlement had been established by none other than Prince Tazz Von Righteous himself. For reasons known only to him, he gathered the most ruthless humans on the continent. Their numbers had already reached a hundred men and women—and were still growing.
Yet, for all his success, Prince Tazz remained dissatisfied.
There was one mercenary he wanted above all others.
One name that echoed through the underworld like a curse.
Drako, the Grim-Ripper.
Prince Tazz wanted him badly—so badly that he was willing to do anything to obtain him.
⸻
That night, Prince Tazz sat alone in his private cabin, deep in thought, leaving the financial matters to his aides. Just as his mind wandered, a knock echoed against his door.
Annoyed, he waved it off.
"I'm busy."
The knocking continued—this time louder. More aggressive.
Cursing under his breath, Tazz stormed to the door and flung it open.
No one stood there.
His cabin was positioned such that no one could knock and flee unseen. The silence unsettled him—but he scoffed, convincing himself it was nothing more than imagination.
He shut the door.
And froze.
Someone was sitting exactly where he had been moments ago.
Tazz yelped in terror, stumbling backward and crashing to the floor.
"Well," the intruder said calmly, surveying the room,
"that's a rather rude way to welcome a guest. Still… this is quite a lovely cabin."
"W-w-who are you?!" Tazz stammered, scrambling toward the door.
"H-how did you get in here?! I have guards everywhere! If any harm comes to me, you won't escape!"
The intruder sighed.
"For a prince, you are looking rather pathetic right now."
He leaned back lazily.
"Relax. If I wanted you dead, you wouldn't even have known I was here. And your guards?"
A faint smile.
"They wouldn't stop me."
Tazz slowly pushed himself upright, fear clinging to him as he edged closer.
"Then… who are you?" he asked shakily.
"And what do you want?"
The intruder's eyes gleamed.
"It's your lucky day, dear prince. My name is Kolpa."
He smiled wider.
"I've come to assist your little endeavor."
Tazz stiffened.
"I hear you're searching for Drako. Unfortunately for you… he's unavailable."
Kolpa's gaze sharpened.
"But don't be disappointed. I can offer you something far better."
He leaned forward.
"Me."
A chill ran down Prince Tazz's spine.
{"Why would someone like this help me?
T-too powerful… too convenient…"}
Then his fear twisted into a smile.
{"I see— So he plans to use me. Fine."}
{"As long as I can use him too."}
Kolpa noticed the shift—and smiled in approval.
⸻
The King of Righteous had arrived at a neutral ground, a hidden location created by the three great powers for emergency summits following the treaty. Only the rulers themselves—and their most trusted court members—knew of its existence.
The meeting chamber was silent.
Moments earlier, King Gustavious had finished briefing the other two rulers on the alarming changes sweeping across the world:
the awakening of soul energy manipulation among the younger generation…
and the impossible truth—
Prince Jericho was alive.
⸻
"Impossible," Emperor Riko of Kosuke snapped, rising from his seat.
"Do not toy with us, Gustavious. Saying the Saint Prince of Menssai yet lives—do you have proof of such a claim?"
Across from him, the King of Warmark sat frozen, his hands clenched tightly on the armrests. He said nothing—afraid that if he spoke, the fragile hope stirring in his chest might shatter.
"I understand your disbelief, Riko," Gustavious replied evenly.
"I felt the same when I first learned the truth. But I would never jest about something of this magnitude."
He met their gazes one by one.
"Everything I have told you is true. I have seen Prince Jericho with my own eyes. I have spoken to him—more than once. And at this very moment, he is residing within my castle."
The chamber fell into stunned silence.
Nearly a full minute passed before King Leohart finally spoke.
"Gustavious…" His voice was low, strained.
"Is it possible to send Prince Jericho to Warmark?"
The others turned to him.
"I must see him myself. I must speak with him."
He exhaled slowly.
"With the current state of my nation, I cannot leave for long. You all know why."
His voice faltered—not with weakness, but with old regret.
"If Jericho truly lives… then I need to see him."
Gustavious studied him quietly.
{"Oh, Leohart…
The burden you still carry—of believing you had a hand in your best friend's death… and never remembering why.
A weight no crown should bear."}
"Of course," Gustavious said aloud, offering a gentle smile.
"I will make the arrangements once I return to Righteous."
Leohart nodded, gratitude evident in his eyes.
"I, too, would like to confirm this information personally," Emperor Riko added after a moment.
"I will accompany Gustavious to Warmark, if you permit it."
"That is acceptable," Leohart replied.
"I will make preparations for your arrival."
Gustavious cleared his throat, sensing the need to shift the atmosphere.
"Now… regarding the next generation awakening these abilities—how shall we address that?"
Riko shook his head slowly.
"That revelation alone is difficult to accept. Paired with Jericho's survival, it would be unwise to rush such a discussion."
He sighed.
"We should revisit it at a later date."
"I agree," Leohart said.
"Today has brought enough truths."
"Very well," Gustavious said, nodding.
"Then let us decide on the date of our visit to Warmark."
The three rulers inclined their heads in agreement, turning their attention toward logistics—
unaware that the world was already moving faster than any of their plans.
⸻
Prince Tazz and Kolpa sat together, going over the foundations of their new alliance. The fear that had once gripped Tazz was gone, replaced by a mixture of excitement and determination, as the two began finding common ground.
"I've done what I could to gather allies," Tazz explained, "but even with them, it won't be enough to take the kingdom—not after he appeared from the grave." He glanced at Kolpa, referring to Jericho.
Kolpa's interest spiked. "Explain that last part," he said, a devious gleam in his eye.
Tazz leaned closer, recounting the strange guest who had visited the capital weeks ago. He spoke of how this person had saved his sister and wielded a mysterious power—like Drako and Jace possessed.
Kolpa's mind raced. {"This is the same one Drako mentioned… the young man who entered the city with the princess. The timing matches perfectly."}
Tazz, oblivious to the storm he had stirred, continued. "And I need Drako on my side to make my plans work. But…" He struggled, searching his memory. "…the name escapes me…"
Then it came to him. His voice rose with conviction:
"JERICHO! The former Prince of Menssai, older brother of that tyrant Jace!"
Kolpa froze, his eyes widening at the revelation. Shock gave way to amusement, then a calculating smile spread across his face. {"Lord Jace's brother… chosen by the gods… fascinating."}
He leaned back, eyes narrowing thoughtfully. {"The old me would have run off to report this immediately. But now… I need to establish trust first. Patience, Kolpa. You can't let your impatience ruin your lord's plans."}
"Well done, young prince," Kolpa said finally, his smile almost unsettling. "You're serious about your goals. You haven't held back a single useful detail. Thanks to that, I know I can be of great assistance."
Tazz's chest swelled with relief and excitement. Finally, he had someone he felt could make him unstoppable—someone more powerful than even the Grim-Ripper himself.
"So… are we officially partners?" he asked, eager for confirmation.
"Of course," Kolpa replied, stretching out his hand. "I look forward to seeing what you can achieve."
Tazz's grin widened as he shook Kolpa's hand firmly. "Excellent. Where do we begin?"
Kolpa leaned in slightly, his tone authoritative. "First, you need proper men—not the barbarians outside. Once we have that, we train. And then… we take the kingdom."
Tazz sat back, overwhelmed with bliss. At last, he had an ally who could truly make him unstoppable.