"Why aren''t you doing anything?"


    Kuzon was at his peak, and his body was oozing with great power, yet the opposite could be said about Kido. Unlike the young Midas, the older man simply floated while watching in amusement.


    "I simply wanted to judge for myself how much you''ve grown." He shrugged.


    Even as everything around him burned and melted in response to Kuzon''s transformation, Kido still seemed perfectly fine. He simply waited for whatever Kuzon would do next.


    ''Damnit... that Arcana of his is troublesome...'' Kuzon found himself thinking as he red at his uncle.


    [The Empress] was an Arcana that served as the counter of [The Emperor], but that wasn''t all it was useful for. There was a reason why the Midas Empire had been considered the strongest nation due to their possession of both Arcanas.


    "As you are well aware, [The Empress] prevents any act of control over me—whether from your Arcana or any other factor."


    There were many uncontroble things in life, and [The Emperor] could tame them. Controlling the weather,manding gravity, dominating wills—they all fell under the purview of [The Emperor].


    As for its counterpart, the effect was the opposite.


    "I can never be affected by anything. Concepts like harm, gravity, mind control, or this ''heat'' effect you have going for yourself. Nothing you do will affect me in the slightest."


    It was a broken ability that ensured Kido remained undefeated, especially with Kuzon as his opponent. Laws couldn''t work on him, and the effects of other Arcanas cancelled themselves out when they were used against it.


    However...


    "Why are you acting as if you''repletely invincible?"


    ... This all seemed too good to be true.


    "I know the weakness of your Arcana. I know if you overload it with too many things to protect you from, it''ll have to take a cooldown period of one hour per day." Kuzon began gathering his energy, preparing to strike.


    "Right you are, and how certain are you that I haven''t already experienced the burnout phase?"


    Kido smiled casually, almost as if he wasn''t bothered by Kuzon''s knowledge. No—it was more like he was expecting it.


    "I have absolute resistance against everything. Plus, I''m actually more powerful than you are. Mage Mode? Original Magic? Fusion Form? I learned those ages ago. Also, even though you''re equipped with three of the most treasured items of the Midas Royal Family, I have so many treasures at my disposal thanks to the fall of the kingdom."


    Kuzon couldn''t hide his rage or his disgust for the man in front of him. His eyes were bloodshot, as he gritted his teeth in frustration. Still, even with the swirling emotions of hate and anger he was currently experiencing, Kuzon knew better than to mindlessly charge in.


    ''Kido is very intelligent!''


    A man who had been able to plot the downfall of the Midas Empire couldn''t be underestimated. Besides, Kido outssed him in every way possible. The only reason Kuzon had taken his current form was so he would be able to keep up with Kido''s speed and attacks.


    And, to his surprise, his uncle wasn''t budging. Rather, he was assuming his talkative nature and throwing words around.


    "In short, I''m stronger than you are. Plus, I have the perfect ability to nullify literally anything you can throw at me. The only one I know who surpasses me in that department is that Subus, Karlia. The bottom line is… you can''t beat me, Kuzon."


    "So what? You expect me to forget the past and move on?" Kuzon was nearing his limit, at this point.


    The limit of his patience, that is.


    "Nah! That would be too dull and anticlimactic. I''m saying you should join me. I remember how we used to have fun in the past. You and I have always had a deep, indescribable bond, you know?"


    Kido''s teeth sparkled as his golden hair swerved back and forth. His golden earrings, his nes, his bracelets, his hair essories, all of them glittered as he made his unexpected offer.


    "So, what do you say?" Kido stretched out his hand—one in which there was at least one ring on each finger.<novelnext></novelnext>


    Silence followed Kido''s offer, and Kuzon simply stared hard at the older Midas for a moment.


    Suddenly, his anger seemed to dissipate. The veins that appeared on Kuzon''s face slowly vanished, and he stopped gritting his teeth.


    Slowly, a smile took over. Kuzon donned his usual smile, and he took deep breaths to help him achieve that.


    After pausing for seconds, simply inhaling and exhaling, Kuzon finally gave his response.


    "You are insane."


    "Ah...?" Kido''s face, which previously had an excited smile, fell in disappointment.


    "I thought hard and long about why you would go about destroying our entire Empire, but I''ve finally figured out the reason... you''re insane."


    Kido sighed at this point, shrugging off Kuzon''s statement. He was utterly displeased, no doubt. However, there was another thing hidden behind his disappointment.


    Something unexpected.


    "I thought you of all people would understand. But I guess that isn''t the case. It really is a shame."


    "There''s no point in reasoning with a lunatic."


    In a sh, golden embers of light surrounded Kido, and several swords that were made by condensing Aether manifested.


    "Oh?" Kido looked around him in surprise.


    >WHOOOOOSSSSHHHH<


    The des, which were controlled by Kuzon, zoomed towards Kido. However, just as exined earlier, the attack was nullified.


    But it wasn''t due to his Arcana''s aid.


    "Even without my Arcana, I have many defensive items with me. You''ll have to do better than that... or so I''d like to say, but I''ll be ending things now."


    Kuzon felt a chill envelope his body the moment Kido spoke. His opponent was still smiling, as usual, but something about him had changed.


    It seemed he waspletely serious… and that frightened Kuzon!


    "Original Magic..."


    ''What should I do? Beruel never mentioned what his Original Magic is. I should keep my distance and—!''


    >FWUUUSH<


    In a sh, Kido appeared right in front of Kuzon.


    "U-uh—!"


    Before the boy could think of retreating or moving out of the way, the older Midas whispered words into his ears.


    "Sorry, kid... but this is the end of the line."