Chapter 107 — NOT YET

CHAPTER 101 — NOT YET

Awakening City didn't sleep that night.

But the Council Tower was quieter.

The emergency summons had come from only one person.

Holar Jun.

Leader of the Pillars.

Council President.

The strongest human in the world.

The six Pillars other than Holar sat at the table.

Eleanor Leyvar.

Richard.

Rowena.

Sylvia.

Helen.

And Amelia.

The last two names were no longer unknown.

Helen...

Was at Half-Step Interplanetary Level Two.

She was the guardian of the Left Tower.

Amelia was at the same level.

The Middle Tower was her responsibility.

Sylvia held the right line.

Rowena was also at Half-Step Interplanetary Level Two.

None of them spoke.

Because Holar hadn't spoken.

Not yet.

The doors closed.

The Council seal activated.

Holar raised his head.

The expression on his face...

Made even Eleanor frown.

Holar didn't look angry.

Anger would have been warmer than this.

This...

Was what remained after everything went dark.

Holar stood up.

"I am Holar Jun."

Richard raised his head.

"I am the Leader of the Pillars."

Sylvia's gaze hardened.

"I am the Council President."

Helen listened silently.

"I am the first Awakened."

Amelia's expression didn't change.

"I am the defender of this world."

Holar paused for a few seconds.

"There are other titles you could name."

No one's breathing even changed.

Holar swept his eyes over them all.

"Today, I will use every one of them."

BOOOOOOOOOOM!

Interplanetary Level Two.

His aura spread through the room.

The table didn't crack.

The walls didn't fall.

But everyone's breathing grew heavy.

Helen's hands settled on her armrests.

Amelia's shoulders tensed.

Richard straightened involuntarily.

Sylvia's eyes widened.

Eleanor...

Didn't move from her place.

But she looked at Holar.

Even she hadn't expected this much.

Holar continued.

"Each of you..."

"Will take ten thousand Awakening fighters under your command."

The silence deepened.

"The minimum is Awakening Three."

Richard frowned for the first time.

Ten thousand.

For each of them.

This wasn't merely mobilization.

This...

Was the world moving.

Holar turned to Helen.

"Helen."

Helen straightened.

"Sir."

"You will advance along the left line."

"Clear everything up to the King territories."

Helen was silent for a few seconds.

"By clear, you mean..."

Holar looked at her.

"I haven't changed the meaning of the word."

The room fell silent.

Amelia calculated the total.

Tens of thousands of Awakening fighters.

A front spanning hundreds of kilometers.

Countless Advanced Monsters.

Habitats numbering in the millions.

But before the operation was completed...

The world could change in another way.

Amelia looked at Holar.

"Holar..."

"This isn't a search operation."

Holar answered.

"No."

A brief silence.

"Not anymore."

Amelia fell silent.

Holar turned to her.

"Amelia."

"Sir."

"You will advance along the central line."

"The same orders up to the King boundaries."

Amelia bowed her head.

"Understood."

Holar's eyes went to Sylvia.

"Sylvia."

Sylvia's lips curved slightly.

"I'm listening."

"Advance from the right."

"You will enter King territory."

Richard turned to her.

Sylvia's smile disappeared.

Holar continued.

"You will kill three King Monsters."

Eleanor's eyes shifted to Holar.

"Leave their heads."

"Let the others see."

Sylvia didn't answer.

Holar's voice grew harder still.

"And deliver this message."

"If Clara Leyvar isn't found..."

Holar's aura grew heavy again.

"...I will intervene."

Richard spoke before he could stop himself.

"Holar, what—"

Holar's eyes turned toward him.

"Do not interrupt me again."

Richard fell silent.

Holar continued.

"I haven't said I'm finished."

No one in the room moved.

This time, Holar looked at Eleanor.

"Except you."

Eleanor's expression didn't change.

But her fists closed.

Holar:

"Eleanor."

"You will come with me."

Eleanor looked at him for a few seconds.

Then simply nodded.

"All right."

Holar turned to Richard.

"You will hold central command."

"Report every movement to me."

Richard answered.

"Understood."

Then Holar raised his head.

Took a deep breath.

And shouted.

"GALAHAD!"

The voice didn't merely leave the Council Tower.

It passed through the entire city.

Windows trembled faintly.

People in the streets raised their heads.

The academies fell silent.

Soldiers on the defensive line turned.

And in a house...

Galahad opened his eyes.

Percy lay in his bed.

He still hadn't woken.

The sleep he was being forced to remain in continued.

Galahad turned toward the voice.

It was Holar's voice.

But...

It wasn't his grandfather's voice.

Galahad looked at Percy.

Straightened his blanket.

Waited a second.

Then vanished.

The Council doors opened.

Galahad entered.

He saw who was in the room.

His pace slowed.

Holar.

Eleanor.

Richard.

Rowena.

Sylvia.

Helen.

Amelia.

Every trace of ease left Galahad's face.

He walked forward.

Bowed at the waist.

"My respects, esteemed guardians of the world."

He didn't raise his head.

"At your service."

Holar watched him.

"Who remains of the Ashfold family?"

Galahad straightened.

"An uncle in the immediate family."

"His mother and father are in a distant region."

"Under Council supervision."

Holar:

"Who else?"

Galahad's expression changed.

"He had a sibling."

Holar raised an eyebrow.

"Had?"

Galahad was silent for a few seconds.

"Five years old."

Eleanor turned to Galahad.

Galahad continued.

"Leon killed them when he was still a child."

Sylvia's gaze hardened.

Richard:

"Why?"

Galahad answered.

"Jealousy."

Another silence formed in the room.

For the first time, Amelia leaned back in her chair.

Helen turned her head slightly.

Disgust appeared on Eleanor's face.

Holar merely watched.

Then spoke.

"Galahad."

"Sir."

"Take two Awakening Fives with you."

"Go to the High Mage Combat Center."

"Tell them the orders come from me."

Galahad bowed his head.

"Bring in everyone connected to the Ashfolds."

"Question the uncle separately."

"Find whoever helped Leon."

Galahad:

"When I find them?"

Holar's gaze didn't change.

"If their assistance is confirmed..."

He paused for a second.

"Separate their head from their body."

Galahad didn't answer.

Holar:

"Understood?"

"Understood, sir."

"Then join Sylvia."

Galahad's eyebrow rose slightly.

Holar continued.

"Observe the King Monster raid."

"It will be good for you."

Galahad understood that sentence.

Power.

Pressure.

The difference in levels.

Real battle.

Even in a crisis, Holar...

Was thinking of his development.

Galahad bowed again.

"Understood, sir."

He took a step back.

Then a second.

A third.

Still facing the Pillars.

Then he straightened.

Turned.

And left.

The door closed.

Eleanor looked at Holar.

"Holar."

This copy was taken from the author's maintained page without consent, though reading the chapter at its official home supports them.

Holar turned to her.

Eleanor's voice was very calm.

Too calm.

"I want him alive."

Holar didn't ask who.

"I know."

In the old world, this place had been called the Amazon.

Now the maps bore other names.

On human maps...

The Forbidden Zone.

In the monsters' world...

Emperor Territory.

Holar Jun walked.

Eleanor advanced beside him.

Neither concealed their aura.

The first King Monster saw them from a distance.

Its enormous head rose above the trees.

First, it looked at Holar.

Then at Eleanor.

The First.

And the Second.

Humanity's two pinnacles.

The creature growled.

Eleanor turned her eyes toward it.

Her aura merely trembled.

The King Monster's growl stopped.

Holar kept walking.

"Don't kill it."

Eleanor answered.

"I wasn't planning to. Yet."

Holar looked at her.

"Yet?"

Eleanor's eyes turned forward.

"Ask me again when my daughter's found."

Holar stayed silent.

They went deeper.

A second King Monster stood in their path.

It moved aside as Holar approached.

A third watched from a mountainside.

It didn't approach.

The fourth...

Looked at Eleanor for a long time.

Eleanor looked back.

The creature lowered its head.

The two continued on their way.

At one point...

Four King Monsters appeared at once.

None attacked.

Holar and Eleanor passed between them.

As though the road...

Belonged to them.

Finally, Holar stopped.

The trees were larger here.

Aura was everywhere.

Dozens of powerful beings hid nearby.

Holar raised his head.

Took a breath.

"LUCIFER!"

The voice didn't pass through the forest.

It crushed it.

Treetops shook.

The surfaces of lakes rippled.

King Monsters raised their heads.

Then...

Laughter sounded.

"Hahahahaha..."

Darkness moved.

A tail emerged.

Then a second.

A third.

A fourth.

A fifth.

Four enormous feet pressed into the ground.

BOOM.

Red and green intertwined.

Five tails spread behind it.

And its aura...

Was screaming.

Interplanetary.

Lucifer emerged.

First, it looked at Holar.

Then at Eleanor.

It smiled.

"Holar."

Holar didn't answer.

Lucifer's eyes shifted to Eleanor.

"Leyvar has come too."

Eleanor's answer was simple.

"I'm looking for my daughter."

Lucifer's smile diminished.

Holar spoke.

"One of your subordinates..."

"Abducted someone I consider my granddaughter."

Eleanor's hands tightened.

Holar continued.

"Using a human."

Lucifer fell silent.

"And that creature..."

"Went from Advanced to King."

Lucifer's eyes widened.

"WHAT?!"

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

Aura erupted.

Trees bent.

The earth split.

Nearby King Monsters were dragged away.

One dug its claws into the soil.

Still slid several meters.

Eleanor's hair flew backward.

Her clothes rippled under the pressure.

But her feet didn't move.

As for Holar Jun...

Not a single strand of his hair stirred.

Eleanor saw it.

And for the first time...

Looked not at Lucifer, but at Holar.

Lucifer withdrew its aura.

"Who?"

Holar took a step.

"Listen carefully..."

"You disgusting flea bag."

Lucifer's eyes narrowed.

"Until today, I've left you alone."

"I've left the other two Emperors alone too."

"You killed my people."

"We killed yours."

"The boundaries held each other in check."

"We treated one another as equals."

Holar's gaze hardened.

"That ends here."

The forest fell silent.

"The monster responsible is called Melanos."

Lucifer's expression changed.

Very slightly.

But Holar saw it.

"You have twenty-four hours."

Lucifer:

"Holar—"

Holar raised his hand.

"I'm not finished."

Lucifer fell silent.

"If Clara Leyvar isn't returned to me..."

"Notify the other two Emperors."

Eleanor turned to Holar.

Lucifer's tails went still.

Holar continued.

"Have them come to support you."

Eleanor spoke involuntarily.

"Holar."

Holar didn't look at her.

"Bring a few King Monsters too."

Lucifer was no longer smiling.

"As many as you want."

Holar thought for a second.

"As many as you think will be enough."

This time, Eleanor turned to face him fully.

"What are you saying?"

Holar looked at her.

"I know what I'm saying."

"Three Emperors."

"I know."

"King Monsters too."

"I know that too."

Eleanor was silent for a few seconds.

"Alone?"

Holar's answer came immediately.

"If Clara doesn't return, yes."

Eleanor said nothing more.

She'd known for years.

Holar Jun was the strongest in the world.

For the first time...

She was thinking about the terrifying side of that.

Holar turned away.

Lucifer called out.

"You're threatening me and leaving?"

Holar didn't stop.

"No."

He took another step.

"I'm giving you time to prepare."

Lucifer's face froze.

Holar kept walking.

"Twenty-four hours."

Another step.

"After that..."

"How many of you there are isn't my problem."

The King Monsters made way.

Holar and Eleanor walked on.

For a while, neither spoke.

Finally, Eleanor asked.

"Holar."

"What?"

"Will you really do it?"

"Do what?"

Eleanor gave him a hard look.

"The three Emperors."

Holar kept walking.

"Not if Clara returns."

"And if she doesn't?"

Holar's pace didn't change.

"They have twenty-three hours and fifty-eight minutes left."

Eleanor stopped.

Holar kept walking.

Eleanor watched him for a few seconds.

Then caught up.

She said nothing.

Clara regained consciousness.

The first thing she felt was cold.

Her back lay against stone.

Her head was heavy.

She tried to open her eyes.

Saw a dark ceiling.

Then a silhouette.

The image sharpened.

Clara recognized him.

Leon.

SLAAAP!

The slap struck her face.

Clara's head snapped sideways.

A metallic taste filled her mouth.

Leon smiled.

"What's up?"

Clara raised her eyes.

She was silent for a second.

Then bared her teeth.

"You fucking bastard!"

Leon's smile grew.

Clara tried to stand.

A kick struck her side.

Clara fell to the ground.

Her breath cut off.

But she planted her hand on the floor.

Tried to get up.

Another slap came.

Then another.

Clara shielded her face with her arm.

Leon pulled her by the wrist.

Hurled her onto the stone floor.

Clara hit her head.

A high-pitched ringing began in her ear.

Leon approached again.

Clara found a stone on the ground.

Threw it with all her strength.

THWACK!

It struck Leon's forehead.

Leon stopped.

Touched his blood with his fingers.

Clara spoke through gasps.

"Come closer again."

Leon looked at the blood.

Then at Clara.

"That's how I remember you."

Clara called her light.

Nothing happened.

She tried again.

Her Core responded.

But the spell wouldn't emerge.

Leon pointed at the wall.

Orin lines were carved into the stones.

"Not in here."

Clara punched him.

Leon batted her arm aside.

The other fist came.

He blocked that too.

His knee struck Clara's stomach.

Clara crumpled.

Coughed.

Blood fell onto the stone floor.

Leon stood before her.

"Let your boyfriend come save you."

Clara froze.

Leon bent down.

"Of course..."

"If he can get through the King Monsters."

Percy.

He came into Clara's mind at once.

Then her friends.

Nathaniel.

Ethan.

Daniel.

Lucas.

Sophia.

Amelia.

The bodies on the ground.

Percy crying.

Melanos.

Clara's breathing faltered.

Percy would come.

She knew it.

She was afraid of it.

"Don't come..."

Leon raised an eyebrow.

Tears ran from Clara's eyes.

"Percy..."

"Don't come."

Leon laughed.

"You really think he'll come?"

Clara raised her head.

The answer was clear.

"He will."

Leon's smile diminished.

Clara cried.

"Because he's an idiot."

She took a breath.

"He'll definitely come."

SLAAAP!

The slap came again.

Then from the other side.

Clara tried to curl up and protect herself.

Leon wouldn't let her.

Right.

Left.

A kick.

Clara fell to the ground again.

Blood ran from her lip.

A thin trickle seeped from her ear.

Leon stood before her.

Clara tried to open her eyes.

Leon raised his foot.

And...

Stamped down into the middle of her face.

The blow snapped Clara's head back.

Her vision darkened.

Leon crouched.

Watched Clara.

Then smiled.

"You hate me, don't you?"

Clara didn't answer.

She wasn't thinking of him.

She was thinking of Percy.

Don't come.

Please.

Listen to me this time.

Darkness swallowed her vision.

Lucifer didn't return alone.

The shadow behind it moved.

Melanos raised its head.

And froze.

An immense aura...

Filled the cave entrance.

Lucifer.

Emperor of the Monsters.

Melanos bowed immediately.

"My lord."

Lucifer didn't approach.

"Melanos."

Melanos didn't raise its head.

"I'm told you allied with a human."

Silence.

"I'm told you increased your power."

Melanos's breathing changed.

"I'm told you abducted someone."

Melanos didn't know where it had heard this.

But it couldn't lie.

"That is true, my lord."

Lucifer's voice deepened.

"How did you become a King?"

Melanos was silent for a few seconds.

Then explained.

Leon.

The development of human Cores.

The surrounding Orin.

The remnants of expended power.

Sensing the energy.

Separating it.

Purifying it.

Directing it into the Core.

Resonance.

Lucifer listened without a word.

Melanos finished explaining.

Lucifer's five tails were still.

"You will demonstrate the technique."

Melanos bowed its head.

"Of course, my lord."

Lucifer closed its eyes.

The surrounding Orin...

Moved.

Melanos raised its head.

Lucifer opened its eyes again.

"Interesting."

Then looked at Melanos.

"That human will come here."

Melanos:

"Percy Grant."

"Yes."

Lucifer's eyes narrowed.

"Kill him when he comes."

Melanos's tongue slipped from its mouth.

"Gladly, my lord."

Lucifer turned away.

"We'll hold off the others."

Melanos bowed its head.

Lucifer stopped one last time.

"Kill the other human too."

Melanos smiled again.

"Gladly."

Percy opened his eyes.

For a while, he stared at the ceiling.

The ceiling was familiar.

Then at the wall.

That wall was familiar too.

This was his old room.

The room he'd shared with Clara.

Percy turned his head to the side.

There was an empty space by the wall.

Clara used to be there.

A chair.

A pillow.

A book.

Sometimes just Clara.

Now...

There was nothing.

Percy's chest hurt.

His stomach growled.

Percy closed his eyes.

"I'm hung—"

The sentence never ended.

Nathaniel.

Percy's face crumpled at once.

"Food..."

Nathaniel's voice came to mind.

My stomach is secure storage.

Percy's lower lip trembled.

All at once...

He began to cry.

It didn't begin quietly.

It wasn't controlled either.

As though, the moment he woke...

His entire body had remembered.

The door opened.

Eleanor entered.

The moment she saw Percy, she ran.

Sat on the edge of the bed.

Took him into her arms.

"My boy..."

"Calm down."

"It's all right."

"It will pass."

Percy clutched Eleanor's clothes.

Pressed his head against her chest.

"It won't pass, Auntie."

Eleanor's eyes filled.

Percy tried to speak.

His voice was breaking apart.

"I'm like a lump of coal."

"I was tested by fire."

"I turned into an ember."

His breath caught.

"It's stuck in my throat."

"It burns."

"But it won't pass, Auntie."

Eleanor held him tighter.

Outside the door...

Galahad stood.

Holar was behind him too.

Both heard.

Neither entered.

The house was full.

But there was no sound.

Everyone was exhausted from crying.

Eyes were red.

Some had no tears left.

Finally, Percy pulled away from Eleanor.

"I want to see them."

Eleanor understood what he meant.

"Percy..."

"I need to."

He stood.

His legs trembled.

Eleanor tried to support him.

Percy raised his hand.

"I'll do it."

He took a step.

One.

Then another.

He went down the stairs.

In the middle of the living room...

Arthur stood.

William.

Charlotte.

Marcus.

Four people.

They used to be six.

Percy stopped in the doorway.

Looked at them.

Then...

Bowed before them.

Not at the waist.

He sank to his knees.

Lowered his head toward the floor.

"I'm sorry."

Arthur's expression changed.

Percy continued.

"I couldn't protect you."

"I couldn't protect them."

His breath trembled.

"I couldn't be the Pathfinder you wanted."

"I'm sorry."

Arthur got up immediately.

Caught Percy by the arm.

Lifted him.

"Percy Grant."

Percy didn't look at him.

Arthur spoke more firmly.

"Look at me."

Percy raised his eyes.

Arthur's eyes were full of tears.

"You..."

"Are a better leader than anyone could ask for."

Percy's face didn't move.

Arthur continued.

"But you're not strong enough to protect everyone."

Percy's eyes closed.

Arthur waited a second.

Then said it.

"Not yet."

William approached.

"You need time to grow stronger too."

Percy looked at him.

William's voice was gentle.

"And to understand."

Marcus spoke.

"To develop your mind too."

Charlotte wiped her tears.

"You did everything you could, Percy."

Percy listened to them all.

Then turned his head.

Saw Galahad.

His expression changed.

"No."

Arthur:

"Percy."

"He took my chance."

Galahad's face fell.

Percy looked at him.

"Maybe I still couldn't have done it."

"Maybe I still would've lost."

"Maybe we all would've died."

He took a step.

"But we don't know."

Galahad's eyes filled.

Percy's voice lowered.

"Because he took that chance away from me."

Galahad couldn't answer.

Holar spoke from behind him.

"Percy, enough."

Percy's head turned toward him.

He looked with dead eyes.

"The strongest in the world."

Holar fell silent.

"The man who's been saving the world for two thousand years."

A step.

"Under his own shield..."

"He couldn't protect one little girl."

Holar's expression changed.

Percy continued.

"You don't deserve your title, sir."

Holar's chest tightened.

His hand went to it involuntarily.

Eleanor:

"Percy."

Percy turned to Eleanor.

His gaze didn't soften at once.

But his anger didn't go toward her.

He was just...

Tired.

A little later...

Holar went outside.

Galahad followed him.

The door closed.

Galahad leaned against the wall.

"At this age..."

"He lost half his class."

Holar said nothing.

Galahad looked at his hands.

"I didn't give him a chance."

"Maybe he couldn't have saved her."

"He probably couldn't have."

Galahad's voice broke.

"But I took his chance."

Holar closed his eyes.

Galahad looked at him.

Holar spoke very quietly.

"He's right."

Galahad:

"Grandpa."

Holar gritted his teeth.

"What the fuck was I doing?"

Eleanor watched them from behind the door.

She said nothing.

Because she too...

Was thinking of her daughter.

The dinner table was set.

No one had an appetite.

Galahad forced Percy to sit down.

"Eat your food, Percy."

Percy looked at his spoon.

Then at Galahad.

"What is it?"

Galahad stopped.

Percy's voice was poison.

"You saved your brother this time."

"Proud of yourself?"

Galahad's face fell.

Arthur:

"Percy."

Charlotte:

"Enough."

Marcus:

"Pathfinder."

Percy looked at him.

Marcus fell silent.

Percy looked at the table.

"Zero point zero one percent."

William frowned.

Percy continued.

"Even if my chance of saving Clara..."

"Had been just that much..."

He looked at Galahad.

"He took that away too."

Galahad lowered his eyes.

Percy's voice trembled.

"My most precious person."

Eleanor looked at Percy.

Percy continued.

"I ran from her."

"I grew up."

"I couldn't make sense of what was happening inside me."

"I couldn't understand that I loved her."

Tears ran from his eyes.

"I waited like an idiot."

His breath broke.

"You really only understand when you lose someone."

SLAAAP!

The slap echoed across the table.

Percy's head snapped sideways.

Everyone froze.

A thin line of blood ran from his nose.

Eleanor was standing.

Her hand trembled.

Tears poured from her eyes.

"My daughter isn't dead, Percy."

Percy didn't move.

Eleanor's voice rose.

"She isn't dead!"

Percy's eyes...

Turned to Eleanor at once.

That sentence reached him.

Clara wasn't dead.

She'd been abducted.

But she was alive.

Percy's breathing changed.

Eleanor looked at the hand she'd slapped him with.

Her face crumpled.

"I'm sorry."

She dropped to her knees at once.

"Percy..."

"I'm sorry."

She reached for Percy's cheek.

Percy pushed her hand away.

Not hard.

But firmly.

Eleanor's hand remained in the air.

Percy stood up.

Turned to his friends.

"I have something to say."

No one spoke.

"As leader of First Spark of Hope..."

"...I resign."

Arthur's expression changed.

William straightened.

Percy continued.

"I'm not Pathfinder anymore."

Marcus immediately said:

"No."

Percy didn't look at him.

Charlotte:

"Percy."

"That's my decision."

Then he walked to Galahad.

Stopped before him.

Looked into Galahad's eyes.

"If you try to stop me..."

Everyone tensed.

Percy's voice was flat.

"I'll kill myself."

Eleanor sprang to her feet.

"Percy!"

Percy kept his eyes on Galahad.

"And you won't be able to prevent it."

"Keep me asleep for fifty years if you want."

"I'll still do it when I wake up."

The blood drained from Galahad's face.

Percy stared for a few seconds.

Then...

His knees gave out.

He fell to the floor.

Galahad bent down instantly.

Percy raised his head.

"Big brother."

Galahad froze.

Percy began to cry.

"I'm sorry."

Galahad's lips trembled.

Percy continued.

"You saved me."

"I didn't know what I was going to do."

"Maybe I couldn't have saved Clara."

"Maybe it was zero percent."

"But..."

Percy shook his head.

"You saved me."

"I'm sorry, big brother."

And he hugged Galahad.

Galahad broke in that moment.

Wrapped both arms around Percy.

Pressed his face into his hair.

Cried.

"We'll bring her back."

Percy held on tighter.

Galahad continued.

"Even if it costs me my life..."

"I'll bring her back."

Percy pulled away.

"Big brother."

Galahad looked at him.

Percy grew angry through his tears.

"If you talk about dying..."

"I'll say all those things again."

A laugh escaped through Galahad's crying.

Percy:

"Enough already."

Galahad nodded.

"All right."

Percy had come back.

Not completely.

But...

Part of him.

The night wasn't over.

Percy took his coat.

Walked to the door.

Arthur:

"Where are you going?"

Percy answered.

"To them."

No one asked who he meant.

The first house...

Was Ethan's.

Percy stood at the door.

Ethan's father opened it.

Percy bowed his head.

"I'm Percy."

The man's expression changed.

"I know."

Percy went inside.

Sat down to talk.

The words wouldn't come.

In the end, he simply said it.

"I couldn't protect him."

Ethan's father closed his eyes.

"Neither could I."

Percy raised his head.

The man was crying.

"I couldn't protect him either."

Both fell silent.

That night...

No one blamed anyone.

At Daniel's house...

His mother hugged Percy.

At first, Percy couldn't lift his arms.

Then he hugged her back.

"I'm sorry."

The woman stroked his hair.

"You were his leader."

Percy's breathing faltered.

"I shouldn't have been."

She drew back.

"No."

"You should have."

At Lucas's house...

His younger sibling opened the door.

Seeing Percy, the child cried.

Percy knelt.

The child hugged him.

"Is my big brother not coming back?"

Percy couldn't answer.

He just held the child.

For a long time.

At Sophia's house...

Her father said nothing.

Neither did Percy.

A photograph stood on the table.

Sophia before camp.

She was smiling.

Percy looked at the photograph.

Finally, he whispered.

"She'd grown so strong."

Her father cried.

"Tell me."

Percy told him.

Everything.

Sophia's falls.

The times she got back up.

How she fought.

How she laughed.

The man simply listened.

Amelia's family...

Met Percy at the door.

Her mother wasn't crying anymore.

It was as though she had no tears left.

Percy bowed.

"I'm sorry."

The woman shook her head.

"You're a child too."

Percy's expression changed.

"I'm not."

She looked at him.

Percy said it again.

"Not anymore."

Last...

Nathaniel's house.

Percy waited at the door for a long time.

A single light burned inside.

He knocked.

Nathaniel's mother opened the door.

Saw Percy.

Said nothing.

Percy went inside.

Nathaniel was in the house.

Everywhere.

His shoes.

The half-finished packet of food on the table.

A chair.

A plate.

Percy looked at the plate.

His knees gave out.

He knelt before Nathaniel's mother.

"I couldn't protect him, Auntie."

Her eyes filled.

Percy bowed his head.

"I couldn't protect him."

"I trained him."

"I helped him grow stronger."

"He got good results."

His breath stopped.

"But I wasn't enough."

Nathaniel's mother knelt.

Faced Percy.

Held his face in both hands.

"You protected him."

Percy shook his head.

"No."

"You did."

She was crying.

"You didn't raise him."

"I did."

Percy looked at her.

She continued.

"But you helped him become a good man."

Percy's lip trembled.

She sniffed.

Paused for a moment.

Then...

"You couldn't solve the food problem."

Percy froze.

Her lips trembled.

"No one could have solved that."

From Percy's mouth...

A little laugh escaped despite himself.

Then the laugh turned into crying.

She cried as she laughed too.

Outside...

Arthur lowered his head.

Charlotte covered her mouth.

William's lips curved.

Marcus closed his eyes.

Galahad leaned against the wall.

Eleanor cried.

Holar stood at a distance.

Nathaniel's mother looked at Percy.

"Now I'll work."

Percy frowned.

She said:

"I'll go on living."

"For my son."

"That's what I can do."

Percy lowered his eyes.

She continued.

"Remember, Percy."

"Everyone can only do so much."

"You too."

Tears ran from Percy's eyes.

She smiled.

"He loved you very much."

Percy cried.

"He was always talking about you."

For a while...

There was only crying in Nathaniel's house.

Percy stepped outside.

The door closed.

The others moved a little farther away.

Percy looked into the darkness.

"I know you're there, Grandpa."

Holar stepped out of the shadows.

Percy looked at him.

His anger wasn't as sharp as before.

His pain was still there.

"That woman..."

"Raised her son."

Holar listened silently.

"Not so he could die fighting monsters one day..."

"In the world you saved."

Percy's voice cracked.

"But that's how it ended."

Holar lowered his eyes.

Percy continued.

"Don't let her have to work anymore."

Holar looked at him.

"Please?"

Percy's voice grew smaller.

"Don't let her worry about money."

"Or her home."

"Or food."

"Nathaniel's mother..."

"Shouldn't have to worry about anything anymore."

Holar nodded.

"She won't."

Percy closed his eyes.

"Thank you."

Then looked again.

"Grandpa."

Holar's expression changed.

Percy was silent for a long time.

"I'm sorry."

Holar didn't answer.

Percy continued.

"I couldn't do anything either."

"But..."

"I don't accept that."

Holar's eyebrow rose slightly.

"I won't."

For the first time, in Percy's eyes...

Something small returned.

"One day, I'll be stronger than you."

Holar stayed silent.

Percy continued.

"I'll protect everyone."

"I'll protect life."

Holar watched him for a long time.

Then simply said:

"I hope so."

Percy bowed his head.

And walked home.

Eleanor sat alone in the living room.

Percy stood before her.

"Auntie."

Eleanor raised her head.

"I'm going to Clara."

Eleanor watched him for a few seconds.

Then understood.

This wasn't a request for permission.

"Percy."

"Hm?"

"You can't defeat that King Monster."

Percy's expression didn't change.

"I know."

Eleanor:

"Then why?"

Percy answered.

"At least I'll die before she does."

Eleanor stood.

"Percy."

"Or..."

Percy continued.

"I'll create a chance for us to die together."

Eleanor's eyes filled.

Percy's voice was flat.

"I don't accept a life without her."

A voice came from behind him.

"We're coming too."

Percy turned.

Arthur.

William.

Charlotte.

Marcus.

Four people stood side by side.

Percy looked at them.

"My friends."

Arthur stepped forward.

Percy:

"I'll always face death with you."

Arthur nodded.

Percy continued.

"But this time, I'm not going for the world."

He paused.

"I'm going for the woman I love."

The four looked at one another.

Arthur turned back to Percy.

"That's why we're coming."

Percy frowned.

Arthur:

"At least as far as King territory."

William continued.

"Beyond that, we can't do anything."

Marcus:

"Probably neither can you."

Charlotte's eyes filled.

"But don't take away our chance to say goodbye."

Percy looked at all of them.

For a long time.

Finally...

"All right."

Charlotte exhaled.

Percy:

"We leave early tomorrow morning."

In the doorway...

Galahad stood.

Holar beside him.

Galahad looked at Percy.

"I don't want another loss."

Percy raised his eyes.

Galahad's voice trembled.

"Bring her back."

"I won't accept any other outcome."

Percy nodded.

Then Holar spoke.

"I can stop you from going."

Percy's expression hardened.

Holar raised his hand.

"But I won't."

Percy fell silent.

Holar continued.

"I don't want you to hate me any more."

Percy's eyes lowered.

Holar looked at Eleanor for a while.

Then turned back to Percy.

"Years ago..."

"I loved someone too."

Eleanor raised her head.

Holar continued.

"Eleanor."

The room went completely silent.

Eleanor looked at Holar.

Holar didn't look away.

"She wasn't a rapidly rising star then."

A small smile formed.

"She was the queen of the battlefield."

Eleanor's expression changed.

Holar's voice slowed.

"She still is."

A second.

"I'm still in love."

Even Galahad was surprised.

Eleanor said nothing.

Holar looked at Percy.

"If I were in your place..."

"I'd go too."

Percy raised his eyes.

Holar continued.

"But saying that is easy."

"Making the decision isn't."

Percy looked at him for a few seconds.

His eyes died again.

Then he said only one thing.

"Then..."

"Don't stand in front of me, Grandpa."

He took a step closer.

"Clear my path."

Holar looked at Percy.

For a long time.

Then at Eleanor.

He remembered his words in the Amazon.

Three Emperors.

King Monsters.

As many as you think will be enough.

Holar's expression changed.

Percy waited for his answer.

Finally, Holar spoke.

"I will."

Percy raised an eyebrow.

Holar said it again.

"I'll clear your path."

"Even if King Monsters stand before you..."

A second.

"Even if there are two Emperors..."

Another second.

"Even all three at once."

Eleanor looked at Holar.

Holar's eyes hardened.

"As you walk toward Clara..."

"No one will stand in your way."

For the first time, Percy...

Almost felt relief.

But only almost.

The night wore on.

Hours passed.

The team prepared.

Weapons were checked.

Food was packed.

Maps were opened.

William marked the routes.

Marcus checked the safe areas.

Arthur carried the equipment.

Charlotte prepared the medicine.

Percy interfered with none of it.

He only sat.

And watched the hours.

They would leave in the morning.

All together.

04:00.

Percy opened his eyes.

He hadn't been sleeping anyway.

He quietly stood.

Took Blaze.

Put on his jacket.

Walked to the door.

When he opened it...

Galahad was there.

Leaning against the wall.

Percy stopped.

Galahad looked at him.

"Your team?"

Percy didn't answer.

He only looked.

After a few seconds, Galahad understood.

He lowered his head.

Then raised it again.

"Don't go there to die, Percy."

Percy's eyes trembled.

Galahad continued.

"Bring her back."

Percy nodded.

Another voice came from behind him.

"Wait a minute."

Holar came down the stairs.

He held a small emblem.

Offered it to Percy.

"Take it."

Percy looked at the emblem.

"What's this?"

"Show it where you need to pass."

"You'll get in without saying a word."

Percy took the emblem.

Held it between his fingers.

Holar:

"Don't lose it."

Percy nodded.

Then...

He saw Eleanor.

She stood at the top of the stairs.

She hadn't slept.

Her eyes were swollen.

Percy looked at her.

For a long time.

Eleanor said nothing.

In Percy's eyes...

Something returned.

Very small.

But alive.

Percy opened his mouth.

"Mom."

Eleanor froze.

Holar's eyes widened.

Galahad couldn't move either.

Percy looked at Eleanor.

"I won't make you lose two children."

Eleanor's lips trembled.

Percy tightened his grip on the emblem.

"Percy's promise."

Tears ran from Eleanor's eyes.

Percy turned away.

Galahad was about to take a step.

He stopped.

Holar didn't move.

Percy went through the door.

Dawn hadn't come yet.

He walked into the darkness.

Then quickened his pace.

One second.

Two.

And...

He vanished from sight.

The three left behind...

Looked at the door for a long time.

Eleanor brought a hand to her mouth.

Galahad closed his eyes.

Holar, meanwhile...

Looked in the direction Percy had gone.

Then said very quietly:

"I'll clear your path."

CHAPTER 101 — NOT YET

END