The roar sounded again. Rover turned around to see the Black Serpent Knights reappear in their line of sight.
"Such a battle is utterly meaningless."
Aether gripped his Dull Blade, his lips pursed tightly, his expression tinged with reluctance.
Suddenly, Rover looked toward a high platform—there stood that dark green knight once more, gazing down at them from above. Then, raising its greatsword, the knight signaled for the Black Serpent Knights to retreat slowly.
Dainsleif watched all of this in silence. A flicker of memory surfaced in his eyes as he sighed, watching the knight disappear from view.
Noticing the desolation on his face, Rover wanted to offer some words of comfort.
Seeing Rover approach, Dainsleif shook his head, indicating that he was fine—yet his fists were clenched so tightly they trembled before finally loosening.
"That was Halfdan, one of the young elites of the Royal Guard. I vaguely remember, before I left as the Twilight Sword, I entrusted him with these words:
'Tell all the Knights—no matter what, protect the people of Khaenri'ah.'"
The emotional Paimon covered her mouth before she could finish listening, the words she had meant to say stifled in her throat.
Dainsleif closed his eyes, as if the scenes of the past had unfolded just yesterday, impossible to forget.
"In the face of divine power, titles like royalty, nobility, or commoners no longer matter. On this land, there is only one identity—people of Khaenri'ah."
Rover looked up toward the passage above, where light was shining through.
"Let's go. We press onward."
Following the light, they finally arrived at the central area of the structure—a grand hall.
Aether looked up to see an inverted pool suspended above them, its water so clear that the patterns at the bottom were visible.
Dainsleif's expression softened slightly as he walked to the center, observing a strange purple device that stood out starkly against its surroundings.
"This pool is the key to alleviating the curse. Only by coming here do I feel the pain I've endured begin to fade."
Abby sniffed the device in the middle and nodded at Rover.
"Mhm, this is indeed the work of the Abyss. There are traces of their influence here."
Rover lowered his head in contemplation.
Cursed people of Khaenri'ah... A pool that could ease the curse... An Abyssal device placed here...
"Dainsleif, is there any possibility of completely removing the curse?"
Rover's words made Dainsleif pause mid-step. He turned around and shook his head almost without hesitation, his tone leaving no room for doubt.
"I have lived with this curse for five hundred years. I know very well that it cannot be lifted. The chance isn't even one percent—not even a fraction of that."
After hearing Dainsleif's answer, Rover drew his blade, preparing to strike down the device.
"Stop!"
The person hiding in the shadows could no longer hold back and revealed themselves. The familiar voice made Aether freeze in disbelief as he turned toward the source.
"Sister..."
Aether murmured, while Lumine stared coldly at Rover.
Rover had never truly intended to strike—he was not a reckless man. He had only wanted to confirm his suspicions, and now, his speculation had been proven right.
"You wanted to use this device to purify the curse afflicting the people of Khaenri'ah, didn't you?"
Rover's words instantly enlightened Dainsleif. His eyes widened as his expression gradually darkened.
"You know as well as I do that the chance of success is less than one percent—not even a thousandth! Are you really going to let these people of Khaenri'ah die in agony?!"
Lumine remained unmoved. Behind her stood a group of Abyss Heralds—even the Iniquitous Baptist had arrived.
"Even if there's only the slightest hope, I must seize it. Khaenri'ah cannot be restored without its people. What if it succeeds? What if it does work?!"
Aether fell silent for a long moment before stepping forward.
"I'm sorry, sister. This time, I stand with Dainsleif. I cannot agree with your methods. A one-in-a-thousand chance at salvation—you have no right to make such a choice on behalf of other lives. Besides, these Hilichurls have already chosen their own fate."
Dainsleif smiled faintly. Indeed, Aether and Lumine had ultimately walked different paths. With different choices, the future would surely change as well.
Rover had been watching the Iniquitous Baptist the entire time. The moment its hand moved, Rover acted.
Lumine dared not underestimate him. Countless elemental attacks blasted toward Rover as he charged at her, but when the smoke cleared, a dragon's roar shook the heavens.
Jué soared into the sky, a radiant sword clenched in her jaws as she glared down at the Abyss Order beneath her. And Lumine? She had long since vanished.
"This... This is... a dragon?"
Aether was utterly stunned. The aura she exuded was far more overwhelming than that of Dvalin, the Stormterror they had encountered before.
So Rover hadn't been lying—he really could transform into a dragon!
Jué moved, diving down at a speed beyond human comprehension. In a blur of afterimages, she bisected every enemy in her path.
Before their screams could even escape, they were drowned out by the deafening roar. By then, the Iniquitous Baptist had completed its preparations—the device activated.
A blinding light forced everyone to shut their eyes. Under its radiance, countless Hilichurls, Black Serpent Knights, and even Dainsleif began to writhe in unbearable pain, as if their souls were being violently torn apart and their flesh split open.
The torment only intensified, a searing sensation spreading across their entire bodies.
Aether steeled himself, grabbed his sword, and swiftly approached the device, slicing it in half.
Dainsleif gasped for breath. The pain just now had felt magnified tenfold, leaving him with considerable damage.
"Die!"
Lumine, lurking in the shadows, seized the moment when Dainsleif was disoriented, condensing her Abyssal power into a blade and hurling it at him.
Dainsleif's mind screamed warnings of danger, but his body could no longer react in time.
The sound of a weapon piercing flesh echoed. Dainsleif's eyes widened as he turned—Halfdan had appeared behind him at some point.
Seeing her ambush fail and the Iniquitous Baptist on the verge of collapse under Jué's relentless assault, Lumine gritted her teeth and retreated once more.
Jué clenched her claws, and time froze once again. This time, she would give the Abyssal creation no chance—Spectro-infused lightning crashed down, obliterating the Iniquitous Baptist completely.
Silence returned. Rover watched as Dainsleif knelt beside Halfdan, who had taken the blow for him, saying nothing for a long while.
"Let's go."
Finally, Dainsleif stood up, ready to leave this place—but then, the voice he knew so well echoed in his mind, now manifesting in reality.
"Forgive me, Captain Dainsleif, the Twilight Sword. Back then... I failed you. I could not protect our people."
Dainsleif whirled around. Halfdan's spirit stood before him, saluting in the manner of Khaenri'ah.
"No. For five hundred years, you have fulfilled your duty. To this day, I am proud of you all."
Dainsleif placed a fist over his heart, his gaze softening slightly.
Halfdan scratched his head sheepishly at Dainsleif's solemn words, though a trace of hesitation still lingered in his expression.
"Khaenri'ah hasn't fallen, has it? After all... you still stand here."
Dainsleif's pupils contracted briefly before he smiled and nodded.
"...No. It has not fallen."
Hearing this, Halfdan smiled in relief. After enduring the curse for five hundred years, he could finally find peace in this final moment.
As his spirit dispersed into motes of light, Dainsleif stared blankly, finishing the words Halfdan had left unspoken.
"Which is why... there is no need to revive the homeland."
(Note: Jiyan makes a cameo in the Yaksha Arc.)