Demiurge finally returned to Menssai.
Only Jace was present, seated upon his throne, waiting.
Nearly a week had passed since Demiurge departed to establish contact with Pluto. Upon his return, he wasted no time making his way to Jace, carrying the message entrusted to him. Pluto himself had been unable to appear—deeply entangled in his own task—but he had acknowledged his son's concerns and sent a response through Demiurge.
Jace sat in silent contemplation as the massive doors swung open.
Demiurge entered, bowed lightly, and spoke.
"Young Master… I have returned."
Jace lifted his gaze.
"So—how did it go? Were you able to contact my father?"
"It was not easy," Demiurge replied. "Master Pluto was quite occupied. However, I did manage to see him… and he entrusted me with this."
He stepped forward and handed Jace a small crystal.
Jace examined it, frowning slightly. "A crystal?"
"That was all he gave me," Demiurge explained. "He did not allow me the opportunity to explain the reason for my visit. When he appeared, he simply handed it to me and instructed that it be delivered to you."
Jace stared at the crystal, his expression unreadable.
"To reveal its contents, Young Master," Demiurge added quietly, "you must shatter it."
Jace rose from his throne and walked toward the center of the chamber, Demiurge following a respectful distance behind. When Jace reached a spot he deemed suitable, he hurled the crystal to the floor.
It shattered violently.
A sudden surge of wind exploded outward as fragments scattered across the stone. From the center of the destruction, a figure manifested—Pluto's likeness, though clearly not his true form. A projection.
The image stood tall, arms folded, and began to speak.
"Well now… hello, my dear son."
Jace's eyes narrowed.
"Forgive me," Pluto continued calmly, "but I will be away for quite some time. I have made significant progress on my end—progress I cannot afford to delay because of matters on Earth. I left you in charge for a reason. Try not to disappoint me."
He smiled.
"That aside, Jace… I have information for you. As a future ruler, you must learn to handle such matters yourself. Consider this a test—to determine whether you are truly worthy of ruling Earth."
Curiosity flickered across Jace's face.
"Pay close attention," Pluto said. "The tides on Earth are changing. You will no longer have it as easy as you have these past few years—something I'm sure you've already noticed."
Jace's jaw tightened.
"Beyond the human the gods sent to oppose us, they have done something else. Something even I did not anticipate."
Pluto's eyes gleamed.
"Soul energy manipulation has been activated."
Shock coursed through both Jace and Demiurge.
"There will be humans capable of manipulating the elements," Pluto continued, almost amused. "And with that, resistance will grow—resistance capable of standing against you, once they master their abilities."
He laughed softly.
"Things are becoming quite exciting. I trust you feel the same. You are my son, after all."
The smile faded.
"There is one more thing. Something I uncovered recently."
Jace stiffened.
"This concerns the death of your family."
Jace's breath caught.
"I have identified the nation responsible for delivering the final blow to your brother… and your mortal father."
Jace's eyes widened.
"It was the Unified Nation of Warmark. Acting under the direct orders of King Leohart von Warmark."
The world went silent.
Jace's soul energy erupted violently, flooding the entire castle. Guards collapsed instantly under the pressure. Walls trembled. Even Demiurge was forced to one knee, struggling beneath the crushing aura as he looked up at Jace—who stood motionless, eyes empty, power raging uncontrolled.
Pluto's voice continued, unfazed.
"That is all the information I have for now. Do with it as you see fit. But remember—everything you do must align with my will. Never forget our goals, my son."
Slowly, Jace inhaled. Then exhaled.
His soul energy receded.
"When you are ready to proceed with the mission I assigned you," Pluto added, "Demiurge will assist. I have already given him everything you require."
Pluto smiled once more.
"I will see you again soon, Jace. I expect only good news when I return."
The projection vanished.
The chamber fell silent.
Jace stood amid the shattered crystal, staring blankly at the floor.
Demiurge watched him, awestruck.
{"Such power… all from a single surge of soul energy,"} he thought. {"Young Master Jace… just how far have you come?"}
"Y–Young Master Jace, are you al—"
The doors burst open.
Drako entered.
Having finally returned to Menssai, he stepped inside—and immediately felt it.
Something was wrong.
Jace lifted his head.
Their eyes met.
A shiver ran down Drako's spine.
Still, he forced himself forward and bowed.
"Lord Jace. I have returned. I bring with me shocking intelligence from the Forest of Dawn—information you will find most intriguing."
Silence followed.
The air grew heavy.
After a long moment, Jace finally spoke.
"Drako… hold your report. There has been a change of plans."
Drako frowned and glanced at Demiurge, who looked equally confused.
"I am personally going to Warmark," Jace said coldly. "and I will burn it to the ground… and take Leohart's head myself."
His eyes glowed red.
"Summon the rest of the Grand Four, Demiurge."
Demiurge bowed and departed immediately.
"Drako," Jace added, turning away. "You are dismissed until everyone arrives. Good work."
As Jace left the chamber, his thoughts churned.
{"So it was you all along, Uncle Leo… You betrayed my father—your best friend—and my brother, who respected you so deeply."}
A twisted smile formed.
{"I will enjoy sending you to the underworld myself."}
Drako remained behind, staring at the shattered crystal.
"What in the world happened…?" he muttered.
He knelt, picking up a fragment.
"A crystal…?"
His expression darkened.
"I should inform my king."
Rising, Drako turned and left the chamber.
——
A day passed.
One by one, the members of the Grand Four answered Jace's summons. All were present—except Kolpa, who was still away. They gathered in the audience chamber, waiting in uneasy silence for Jace, who had yet to appear.
"Um…" Nalia broke the quiet, her voice timid. "Does anyone know what this is about? The summons was so urgent…"
"It's anyone's guess," Pyon replied with a cheerful nod. "But I'm just happy I get to see Lord Jace again."
Drako leaned against his seat, arms folded, clearly uninterested in the conversation.
"Drako," Nass said, turning toward him. "You were with Young Master Jace last. You spoke to him more recently than any of us—do you know what's going on?"
Drako didn't respond.
Pyon's smile vanished.
"You worm," he snapped. "Nass asked you a question."
Drako slowly turned his head, glanced at Pyon with clear disdain, scoffed—and looked away again.
That was enough.
Pyon shot to his feet, fury blazing. Nalia yelped and immediately ducked under the table, covering her ears as she rocked back and forth.
"Make it stop… make it stop… make it stop…"
Nass sighed, already preparing to intervene—
The doors burst open.
Jace entered, Demiurge at his side.
Pyon froze mid-step and dropped to one knee instantly. The others stood and bowed in unison.
Jace paused, surveying the room.
"…What did I just walk into?"
He waved a hand dismissively.
"Never mind. Sit. We don't have time to waste."
He took his seat first. Only then did the others sit.
"I know this summons was sudden," Jace began calmly, "but I recently obtained information that changes everything. As a result, there has been a shift in plans."
Confused glances passed around the table.
"Regarding the attack on Warmark," Jace continued, "I will be going personally."
Shock rippled through the room.
"With Pyon assisting me," he added.
Pyon nearly burst with joy.
"And I am not merely disrupting their affairs," Jace said coldly. "I am going for the head of their king—Leohart von Warmark."
The killing intent pouring from him was unmistakable. Even the Grand Four felt a chill crawl down their spines.
Still, Nass spoke.
"Young Master Jace," she said carefully, "forgive my imprudence, but… what intelligence could warrant you handling a task like this yourself? That is why you have us—to deal with matters beneath you."
The room went silent.
Even Demiurge stiffened.
And Drako wondered if Ness was just stupid, or naturally couldn't read the room.
Jace turned to her.
"Well, Nass," he replied evenly, "I have a history with the king of Warmark. One that only I can resolve."
More shock followed—but this time, for a different reason.
Jace hadn't exploded.
"This is something I must do," he continued. "To close a chapter of my life… so I may finally move forward toward the future that awaits us all."
He smiled.
But beneath it, there was sadness.
Only Demiurge, Drako, and Nass noticed.
"As you wish, Lord Jace!" Pyon said eagerly. "It will be an honor to fight by your side. I swear to see your will fulfilled!"
The others sighed as they looked at him.
"Good," Jace replied. "Now—Nass, to further answer your question… the other intelligence concerns a change coming to the world."
They all focused on him.
"Mankind can now manipulate soul energy."
The room erupted in disbelief.
"That's impossible!" Nass exclaimed. "Humans have never even been able to sense soul energy, let alone control it!"
"And yet," Jace said calmly, "it is true."
He leaned back.
"During our last summons, when I formed a contract with those two humans you brought me, Demiurge and I sensed something unusual. Their soul flow was active—bright. Not dormant."
Demiurge nodded.
"So I sent Kolpa to investigate. As expected, my suspicion was correct."
A half-truth—but convincing.
Silence followed.
Then Drako spoke.
"Lord Jace is correct."
All eyes turned to him.
"During my mission to the Great Forest of Dawn," Drako continued, "I made several discoveries. The site of the ambush against the Princess of Righteous was completely destroyed—no vegetation remained."
The room tensed.
"I heard an explosion and followed it. I found knights of Righteous training within the forest. The princess was there… along with a masked youth, no older than eighteen."
Shock spread further.
"The surrounding forest was half-burnt. I overheard them say the princess caused the fire—and that the masked boy was training them."
He paused.
"I suspect that boy is the one who saved the princess from our ambush."
"This is unbelievable…"
"No more shocking news…"
"Please, no more shocking news…"
Pyon, Nass, and Nalia spoke almost in unison.
"I was discovered while spying," Drako added, smiling broadly. "And yes—he was strong."
Everyone already knew what came next.
"Let me guess," Pyon sighed. "You fought him."
"Of course," Drako laughed. "I went all out. We were evenly matched. Truly exhilarating."
The sighs grew louder.
"But I prioritized the mission and withdrew. It seems, however, that Lord Jace was already a step ahead."
"You idiot!" Pyon roared. "Because of your battle addiction, they'll now know we're aware of soul energy manipulation!"
"Watch your mouth, you perverted bastard," Drako shot back.
"Enough," Jace said calmly.
Instantly, the room quieted.
"It doesn't matter," Jace continued. "If that masked man can sense soul energy, he already knows I can as well. Drako—this information is invaluable. You've done well."
Drako nodded.
Pyon looked ready to combust with jealousy.
{"You were right, my king,"} Drako thought. {"Changing the information was the correct move. Telling him you're alive right now would be disastrous."}
Jace turned back to him.
"Drako, since I'm going personally, you will not be accompanying Pyon."
Everyone waited. Expecting the usual from Drako— but, nothing came.
No tantrum.
No complaint.
Drako simply nodded.
Shock rippled through the room yet again.
{"Excellent,"} he thought. {"Now I don't have to pretend to oppose my king."}
"Hey," Pyon said suspiciously. "Were you hit in the head?"
"Indeed," Nass added. "Your calm is… unsettling."
"Drako got redeemed by brain damage," Nalia chimed in cheerfully.
"Watch it, you are the last person that should be talking about brain damage Nalia," Drako muttered. "if you dummies were paying attention, you should have heard Lord Jace said it was personal— Even I know when not to interfere in something personal. Besides—Warmark's forces aren't worth my time."
They stared at him.
"Says the guy who begged to go solo a month ago," Pyon smirked.
"Are you trying to die, you disgraceful pervert—"
"Enough."
Jace's soul energy flooded the chamber.
"Stopping your hearts would be as easy as breathing."
Pyon dropped into his seat instantly. Drako scoffed and followed suit.
"Now," Jace continued, "I'm advancing the schedule. Pyon—we leave next week."
Drako stiffened.
"As for the rest of you," Jace said, standing, "be vigilant. The world has changed. Do not underestimate anyone. Our path forward will be filled with obstacles—but we will overcome them."
They bowed in unison.
Drako remained seated, unease gnawing at him.
This isn't good, he thought. Is my king ready for this?