?


    Chirp— Chirp


    The morning was warm and peaceful, with the sweet chirping of birds filling the air.


    In an istednd stood a grand castle, which seemed to belong to one of the nobles. The castle stood alone, with no other dwellings in sight, indicating that it was cut off from the outside world.


    Inside the grand chamber of the castle, Aresy unconscious on a luxurious bed, lost in a deep slumber. Suddenly, he jolted awake, his eyes wide with rm as he cried out a name that reverberated throughout the room.


    "ERIS!"


    His heart was racing, and he could feel his breathing in ragged gasps. He looked around, disoriented, and took in his surroundings. He was lying in arge, opulent bedroom, decorated in the ornate style of the castle.


    !!


    Ares rubbed his temples, trying to clear his mind. He was certain that he had been in the middle of a battle, but the details were hazy.


    As he tried to focus, he winced in pain, as the memories of his battle with the Shadow Organization flooded his mind.


    "Argh!"


    Exhaling heavily, he epted the truth and the weight it carried. ''...So it was real.''


    He remembered the voice of the mysterious figure that had warned him of "consequences," leaving him to wonder what that might entail.


    As he pondered, a woman''s voice stirred him from his thoughts. "Ah, you''re finally awake," she said groggily.


    !?


    Startled, Ares spun around, only to find a blonde-haired woman lying beside him under the nket in a nightgown, rubbing her sleepy eyes.


    He acted on instinct, using his telekinesis to retrieve a knife from a fruit te beside the bed.


    Swish—


    With the knife in hand, he advanced on the woman, pointing it at her neck. "What are you doing here, ...ine Hartnell?" he demanded, his brows furrowed in suspicion.


    "...."


    ine, undaunted by Ares'' threatening stance, regarded him with a nk expression and a yawn. She brushed the knife away with her hand, showing no fear or rm.


    "...Actually, it''s you who''s staying in my house," she calmly retorted.


    "...."


    Ares paused, contemting the situation. He considered the possibility that ine had utilized her constetion''s abilities to locate him and provide care while hey unconscious. Taking a deep breath, he let go of his initial suspicion and regained hisposure before responding.


    "...I apologize for my actions. Thank you for taking care of me," he said, rising from the bed and carefully cing the knife back on the table. He realized that he was shirtless, wearing only trousers.


    Catching a glimpse of himself in the mirror, he noticed the lingering scar on his stomach inflicted by Maya''s sword, its mark still visible and unhealed.


    "Don''t worry about it," ine replied with a grin, her gaze fixed on Ares''s body.


    Ares noticed her staring at him from the mirror as he tied his long hair into a bun.


    "...So where are we?" he asked her, trying to change the subject.


    "We''re in your hometown, the Kingdom of Escratia. This is one of my family''s castles," ine replied, her lips curving into a smile.


    Ares remained puzzled, his brow furrowing. "...Why did you bring me here?" he questioned, unable toprehend why ine would go out of her way to bring him to her residence instead of a hospital or infirmary.


    ine gracefully rose from the bed and stretched her arms, her gaze fixated on the world outside the window. "I sensed that you were in trouble, and I feltpelled to offer my assistance. Besides, I''ve always been intrigued by you," she exined, turning her attention back to Ares.


    "...What do you mean, intrigued by me?" Ares inquired, raising an eyebrow with a hint of skepticism.


    ''I hope she doesn''t ask me for a duel,'' he silently hoped, well aware of ine''s intentions.


    ine''s mischievous grin widened. "Oh, I''ve heard tales of your prowess. Your reputation as a formidable warrior precedes you," she remarked, her eyes twinkling.


    "....."


    Though unsettled by ine''s mischievous expression, Ares attempted to refocus his attention on the pressing matter. Memories of Maya''s ominous words echoed in his mind, reying her warning about Mika and Helena:


    [Don''t worry about Mika and Helena. The dungeon they entered requires a sacrifice to clear it, so I believe they will both perish inside. And if not, only one of them cane out alive.]<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Gritting his teeth, Ares seethed with anger at the thought. "Those bastards! I should have dealt with them long ago," he growled through clenched teeth.


    Overhearing his words, ine spoke up. "If you want to seek revenge against your brother, you don''t have much time left."


    !!


    Confused, Ares turned his gaze towards ine. "What do you mean?" he questioned, his brows furrowing.


    ine let out a sigh and approached him. "Tomorrow is your brother''s coronation. He will ascend to the throne as the new king of the Kingdom of Escratia," she exined, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.


    !?


    Ares''s eyes widened in surprise. He understood that his brother''s rise to the throne would significantlyplicate matters, making his revenge mission even more challenging.


    Not only would his brother be surrounded by heightened security, but Ares also realized that assassinating him after his official coronation would make him a wanted criminal. The interference of the hero association would furtherplicate the situation.


    It was a headache he could do without, especially with the looming threat of demon lords. Ares rubbed his temples, feeling the onset of a headache.


    "This is troublesome," he muttered, shaking his head in annoyance. "I never wanted to involve myself in politics, especially when I have enough demon lords to worry about. However, it seems I have no choice but to deal with my imbecile of a brother first."


    ine suddenly stood close to him, causing his gaze to shift toward her.


    "How long was I unconscious for?" he asked, locking eyes with her.


    ine took a moment to consider her answer before responding. "...You were unconscious for about five days," she replied, her hand gently resting on his chest. Her fingers trailed down his abdomen, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.


    "But as far as the world is concerned, you are presumed dead," she added.


    Ares quickly grabbed her hand and moved it away from his body. "Enough of that," he said sternly. "What about Mika? Did she return from the dungeon?"


    ine''s expression turned serious. "No, she didn''t," she replied. "But I think you should prepare for the worst. After conducting some research, I discovered that the dungeon Mika and Helena ventured into is known as the Dungeon of Sacrifice. It bestows immense strength upon the individual only if they are willing to sacrifice someone dear to them."


    Ares felt his heart sink as he listened to ine''s words. "So, only one of them can make it out alive," she continued. "But the survivor wille out of that dungeon transformed, possessing incredible power."


    The weight of the realization hit him like a ton of bricks. If what she said was true, it meant that Mika, Aegis, and Helena were pitted against each other in a battle for survival within the Dungeon of Sacrifice.


    The mere thought of losing any of them filled him with a mix of dread and rage, causing his aura to pulsate uncontrobly.


    Shatter— Shatter


    The windows shattered, the furniture shook, and the room was filled with a deafening noise.


    ine remained calm in the midst of the chaos, having anticipated his reaction.


    [It seems he cares about the women he loves, at least.] Her constetion''s message appeared before her.


    ine couldn''t help but smile, satisfied that Ares still had emotions towards his women and wasn''t a heartless scumbag.


    She approached him and suddenly punched him in the gut.


    "Smack—"


    "Argh!" Ares doubled over in pain, the blow jolting him back to his senses.


    Surprised and gasping for breath, he looked at her with wide eyes.


    "Pull yourself together," she scolded, abruptly embracing him. "You''re wreaking havoc in my room."


    Ares winced, still clutching his stomach.


    "If you seek revenge, you need to prepare yourself," ine whispered into his ear, her smile unwavering. "Time is of the essence. We must leave immediately."


    !?


    Ares was taken aback, "We...?" He asked, confused.


    "Yes," ine replied. "I have a score to settle with your brother as well. I will help you take care of him."


    "....."