The massive pillars began to tremble one after another. As they collided with each other, they gradually dissolved into nothingness. The moment they disappeared, the thick smoke surrounding the battlefield slowly faded away until the air became completely clear.
Only then did everyone see Kondo.
He lay motionless on the ground, as still as a lifeless body.
Zaya released Lawine's wrist. The instant she realized she was free, Lawine rushed toward Kondo without hesitation. Shin and Kim quickly followed behind her.
Dropping to her knees beside him, Lawine gently lifted Kondo into her lap, desperately trying to wake him.
Shin and Kim could only stand there, silently watching.
With trembling hands, Lawine carefully examined Kondo's body, searching for any injuries. To her surprise, there wasn't a single visible wound on him.
But the moment she held him close, something felt terribly wrong.
His body...
It felt strangely soft.
Almost like water.
As though there weren't any bones inside him at all.
At that moment, Ishita arrived at the scene.
The moment her eyes fell upon Sam lying unconscious on the ground, her expression changed.
"Heal him immediately!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
The Holy Knights behind her immediately obeyed and rushed toward Sam, beginning his treatment.
Ishita then noticed Lawine.
She walked over and found her cradling Kondo while tears streamed down her face.
Seeing her in such despair, Ishita gently asked,
"What happened here...?"
Before Lawine could answer, Aranzuki—who had been standing nearby—turned toward Ishita with his usual carefree smile.
"Beautiful lady, there's no need to worry. The boy is only unconscious. He'll be perfectly fine."
Hearing someone casually interrupt, Ishita shifted her gaze toward him.
"...And who are you?"
Aranzuki casually brushed a hand through his golden hair before flashing a confident grin.
"Me? I'm Aranzuki, Captain of Emperor Force, Division Eight. These are the members of my squad."
Ishita stared at him for a moment before responding flatly,
"...Hmph. Squad Eight."
"The failure squad."
Aranzuki clutched his chest as if he'd just been stabbed.
"The... failure squad...?"
He turned toward Zaya with teary eyes.
"Zaya... we've become infamous..."
Zaya wiped away imaginary tears and nodded dramatically.
"You're right, Captain..."
Before Aranzuki could continue lamenting his wounded pride, Kiyaka stepped forward.
"My apologies, Ms. Ishita... but I was the one who used Divine Punishment on the child."
Ishita's eyes widened in shock.
"...What did you say?"
"Divine Punishment?"
She stared directly at Kiyaka.
"What kind of situation forced you to use such a sacred spell on a child?"
"And where did you even learn Divine Punishment?"
"...Because you certainly don't look like someone from the Holy Order."
Kiyaka remained silent.
However, Araichi, who was standing beside him, stepped forward with a serious expression.
"We're not your personal bodyguards," he said coldly. "We don't owe anyone an explanation. We did what we believed was necessary. Besides, during a demon attack, you shouldn't fight so recklessly that you end up getting yourself captured."
Kiyaka glanced at him and sighed.
"Araichi... you should always show proper respect when speaking to a Holy Knight."
Sensing the growing tension between them, Aranzuki quickly stepped in with an awkward smile.
"My, my... let's not start fighting among ourselves."
He looked around at the injured people scattered across the battlefield.
"Our priority should be getting the wounded treated."
Ishita's gaze shifted toward Lawine. She noticed the numerous injuries covering her body before looking at Sam, who had already been healed but still hadn't regained consciousness.
After taking in the situation, she gave a small nod.
"You're right."
"...But how are we supposed to leave? We don't even have a carriage to transport everyone."
Just then, the sound of wheels echoed across the battlefield.
A carriage came into view, driven by Vold.
He quickly jumped down from the driver's seat and hurried toward everyone.
As everyone's attention turned toward the carriage, its door suddenly swung open.
Four figures dramatically stepped out, striking bizarre poses.
"We are the members of Squad Eight!"
"We've arrived to save everyone!"
"So prepare yourselves!"
The shortest among them, a petite girl, stepped forward proudly.
"I'm Mira! Number Five!"
A tall man with a thick moustache raised a hand.
"I'm Sunny! Number Six!"
The chubby man beside him puffed out his chest.
"I'm Aryan! Number Seven!"
Finally, a beautiful woman with long black hair elegantly introduced herself.
"And I'm Ela... Number Eight."
All four pointed dramatically toward the sky.
"Together, we are the protectors—Squad Eight!"
"..."
Aranzuki stared at them for a long second.
Then he exploded.
"IDIOTS!!"
The four instantly froze.
"C-Captain!"
"How many times have I told you?" Aranzuki shouted. "You introduce yourselves first, then all of you yell, 'Captain Aranzuki!' at the end! Have you already forgotten the routine?"
The four immediately bowed their heads.
"We're sorry, Captain!"
Ishita merely sighed, completely ignoring their ridiculous exchange.
She turned back toward Lawine.
"Lawine... let's leave. The longer we stay here, the longer everyone's treatment will be delayed."
Lawine silently nodded.
Meanwhile, Aranzuki was still lecturing his subordinates.
"Everything's already over, and now you decide to show up? Honestly, why were we even sent here? More importantly..."
He folded his arms.
"Where were all of you?"
Mira smiled brightly.
"You really want to know, Captain?"
Without waiting for an answer, she reached into her coat and pulled out a colourful poster.
"Today is the grand opening of Raja Restaurant!"
"And they're offering a 90% discount on all food!"
Aranzuki immediately snatched the poster and began reading it with sparkling eyes.
Ela smirked.
"So, Captain... what are you thinking?"
Before Aranzuki could answer, Ishita walked over.
"So, Captain Aranzuki... shall we get going?"
Aranzuki instantly hid the poster behind his back.
"A-Ah! Right! Of course!"
He awkwardly cleared his throat.
"Before we leave, we'll inspect the surrounding area to make sure there aren't any demons still hiding nearby."
Ishita let out a quiet sigh before turning toward the three Holy Knights behind her.
"You three, return to the Temple."
"Report everything that happened here."
"Yes, ma'am."
The three Holy Knights nodded.
"I'll accompany Lawine to the hospital," Ishita continued. "If anything happens, contact me immediately."
Together, Vold and Aranzuki carefully lifted Sam into the carriage.
Lawine climbed inside as well, still holding the unconscious Kondo tightly in her arms.
Outside, Shin and Kim remained standing.
Shin lowered her head.
"...I'm really useless."
"I couldn't do anything..."
Kim looked at her and gently smiled.
"That's not true."
"You saved me."
"If you hadn't been there... I don't even know if I'd still be alive."
A faint smile appeared on Shin's face.
"...By the way..."
"Where's your father? I haven't seen him anywhere."
Kim nodded.
"He's not here."
"King Veld took him away with him."
"And... we're heading there too."
Just then, Ishita approached them.
"Come on, you two."
"We need to leave."
Kim and Shin nodded before climbing into the carriage.
Once Ishita had taken her seat as well, Vold flicked the reins, and the carriage slowly rolled away.
Araichi and Kiyaka quietly watched it disappear into the distance.
"...I never expected to witness something like this," Kiyaka murmured.
Araichi nodded.
"Neither did I."
"...Do you think she awakened?"
Kiyaka remained calm.
"I don't know."
"...But those eyes..."
He looked up toward the sky.
"They couldn't have mistaken his existence."
"Mystic Eyes..."
His expression grew serious.
"We'll have to report this to them."
Araichi silently looked toward the sky as well.
Just then, Aranzuki's voice echoed from behind.
"What are you two doing over there?! Hurry up!"
"The restaurant discount will end if we're late!"
Kiyaka and Araichi exchanged a glance before silently following after him.
Far away from the battlefield...
Deep within a forest...
Alice staggered along a narrow dirt path.
Her condition was dreadful.
Blood covered almost her entire body.
A deep slash stretched from her shoulder all the way across her chest, and blood continued to seep from the wound despite her desperately pressing a hand against it.
"...Damn it..."
"I underestimated that woman..."
Suddenly...
A figure dressed entirely in black emerged from the darkness ahead.
Alice stopped.
"...You."
After a brief silence, the man spoke.
"...What happened?"
"Was the mission successful?"
Alice lowered her eyes.
"...No."
"I failed."
The mysterious man remained completely calm.
"...I see."
He simply extended one hand.
A dark portal opened before him.
Without another word, he stepped inside.
Alice lowered her head once more before silently following him into the portal.
Far to the south of the Verland Kingdom...
A group of demons materialised through a teleportation portal.
Before them stretched a vast ocean.
Floating upon its waters was a gigantic steel warship.
Painted across its hull in enormous letters was a single number.
No. 4
Yirina stared at the massive vessel with an irritated expression.
"...One problem isn't even over before another one appears."
She gestured toward the ship.
"Let's go."
Without another word, the demons headed toward the colossal warship.