Disappointment permeated Kuzon''s face as soon as he retracted thest ounce of his energy.


    It seemed even this risky venture turned out to be fruitless, after all.


    ''I still didn''t sense any energy for miles, and I don''t think I was able to get his attention.''


    Unfortunately for him, he still had to face the consequences of his actions.


    And that was...


    >VWUUUUSSSHHH<


    ... Midaspany.


    As golden portals began appearing around Kuzon, almost as though trying to trap him and his partner in their encirclement, he began to delve into deep though.


    ''Should I just avoid them?'' He clicked his tongue as soon as the thought emerged.


    ''So far, I''ve been doing that. What has that brought me? It seems taking things easy and safe isn''t cutting it...''


    Wasn''t it time for him to get a little radical?


    ''The Midas Empire should have solid information about him if his existence is indeed true. I believed Maya before, but I''m already having doubts. At least, this way...''


    The golden portals finally stabilized, and from them emerged an army.


    All of them were covered in gold armor. They looked prestigious—more prestigious than thest batch he had fought.


    Plus, their numbers as, they poured out of the swirling portal was, way more than anything he had seen in this world before.


    At least, in terms of hostile forces.


    Still, Kuzon wasn''t fazed. Instead, he has a determined expression rooted on his face.


    "What should we do now, Kuzon? Can we still escape?" Maya asked him, causing gin to shrug a little.


    That much was a given.


    While teleporting could prove problematic for them, due to the Midas Magic sensor, which would detect them wherever they appeared next, they could still find loopholes to the system.


    ''If ites down to it. I could also transport us to the Emperor''s Domain, where we''ll spend some time and wait until everything here is settled.


    Once that urs, we''ll reappear.


    Sure, the Midas Empire would be able to sense their return, but before they could dispatch any troop he could find some way to run and hide.


    ''Though it''s getting annoying that we have to hide. Should I just get rid of the Midas Empire?''


    The only thing stopping him at this point was the presence of his priorities. Also because he was still uncertain about their strength.


    ''I won''t risk my life. Well... it looks like I already am.''


    Kuzon and Maya were now watching how a troop the size of at least five thousand golden knights encircled them.


    In terms of numbers, it was clear they were screwed.


    But that wasn''t all...


    "Haa, so these are the ones responsible for our little brother''s demise."


    "Hm? They look really weak, though."


    Two Midas Royals emerged from the golden portal directly opposite Kuzon and Maya.


    They had flowing royal robes, u like the armor the thousands of knights around them donned.


    Their distinct royal outfits made then stand out, especially since these two appearedpletely identical.


    The one on the right had dark blue designs topliment the golden color of his robe, while the one to the right had a bright redpliment.


    One was also a boy, while the other was a girl.


    Arrogant grins were stered on their faces, and they seemed to be in the natural state of mockery. With their brows curled up and their eyes full of pride, they stared at Kuzon and Maya.


    "You two... you are enemies of the Midas Empire. You''re going to be taken back to the Empire, where your punishment would be rightly allocated."


    Once again, Kuzon considered whether he should go to the Empire.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    ''Its too much of a risk. Let''s see how this goes, though...''


    Despite the thoughts that currently gued his mind, there was one that remained at the forefront—especially when he stared at the twins in front of him.


    Their faces looked so familiar to Kuzon, and he could already picture the people they reminded him of.


    ''My cousins. These two look so much like them.


    "Reverence to the the 4th Prince and the 3rd Princess. Prince Geri and Princess Leri." The the troops roared as the echoes of their voices soared into the air.


    ''I see...'' Kuzon''s thoughts trailed as his eyes narrowed on them. ''... They eve. have the same names as the ones I used to know.''


    His cousins were killed in the Midas Massacre, along with all the other members of his family.


    They were already dead.


    ''These two are just alternate versions of my dead family. Even so...'' He squinted his eyes.


    "Oh? Don''t tell me he''s frightened already." Leri, the 3rd Princess gloated, snickering wickedly.


    "Perhaps he didn''t expect us to bring an army of this size. Don''t underestimate the Midas Race, you fool."


    "He''s even trying to imitate us. What a nipoop."


    "His crimes are already severe enough as it is. This bastard really is a glutton for punishment."


    Theyughed even more, causing Kuzon''s heart to ache a little.


    The reason wasn''t unfounded.


    ''I''m an idiot. Why did I get so worked up?'' Looking at the two of them, they indeed looked like his cousins.


    However, that was where their resemnce ended.


    ''Their personalities are too different from these people. It''s almost like I''m staring at strangers.''


    Kuzon didn''t know whether to be grateful about this, of frustrated.


    Either way, he could finally resolve in his heart and clench his fist in determination.


    ''I don''t know these people. There''s no way I''m holding back.''


    "Hm? It seems they''re not moving. Do you think they want to surrender?" Geri murmured, staring at his sister.


    Their twisted smiles grew even wider.


    "How boring. I was hoping he would entertain me for a while longer. What a shame."


    Snickers echoes in the air even more.


    "Seize them, my 7th Division knights." Jeri said.


    "Restrain them, my 6th Division knights." Geri added.


    The thousands of golden soldiers began to move, each step creating a quake.


    With no way to escape, and beingpletely surrounded, it was certain that the rat had finally been caught.


    ... Or had it?


    "It seems I''ll finally be able to blow off some steam, Maya." Kuzon smiled, ncing a little at the girl beside him.


    "Let me show you real Magic."


    *


    *


    *


    [A/N]


    Here we gooooooo!!!