“Lets go, men. We can’t trust a stranger’s word!”
Prince Mikail snorted dismissively and stormed off with the followers he had gathered under the lure of wealth and power.
“Brother Mikail, don’t go! Didn’t you hear the warning?” Princess Delilah called out, her voice laced with worry. But her efforts were in vain. Mikail had already made up his mind.
“No, you can’t stop me, Delilah. If you trust this stranger instead of me, you can stay here!” he said coldly, not even turning back.
Defeated, she returned to Aria’s side, her expression clouded with concern. Though they weren’t blood siblings, Mikail was still her brother, and she couldn’t help but feel a growing unease about his decision. If it weren’t for the young man’s warning, she might have followed him without hesitation.
Meanwhile, Aengus began explaining how he had encountered the ancient dwarves, though he carefully left out any details that were too sensitive to share.
“So, you’re saying the ancient dwarves are still alive, hiding down the cliffs? That’s incredible,” Hank exclaimed, clearly astonished.
“I’d do anything to have a weapon made by them. They’re the best at forging great weapons,” Hank added with a sigh, realizing the unlikelihood of meeting the dwarves in their current situation.
Drake and Yona were also equally astonished. “What about the story of Hero Libros obtaining the Divine Demon Slayer sword? Was that also false?”
“Ethan, did you find a way to get out of here?” Aria asked, looking concerned.
Aengus’s chest tightened as he heard Aria call him by his old name again.
The name “Ethan” brought back memories of a past he was still learning to come to terms with—one filled with pain, loss, and the innocence of who he used to be.
This wasn’t the right time to reveal his demonic new identity to her, unsure if she would accept him for who he had become. Her clan, her friends; they had all died due to demons, after all.
Would she still stand by his side when she knew the truth?
But the warmth of her hand intertwined with his dissolved his doubts for the moment. She was here, with him, now.
“Ethan?” Aria’s voice pulled him from his thoughts.
He blinked, realizing he had been silent too long. “Oh, yes. Sorry, I was just thinking,” he replied. “I haven’t found a way out yet. There’s still too much we don’t know. I plan to go in there—alone—to gather more information.”
The moment he said it, a ripple of shock passed through the group. Aria’s grip on his hand tightened, her emerald green eyes filled with concern.
“Alone?” she repeated, doubtful. “You’re not going anywhere alone, Ethan. No, I’m coming with you, whether you like it or not. I won’t be a burden. I am far more powerful than before,” she added stubbornly, her determination clear.
Aengus looked into her eyes, feeling a mix of emotions: gratitude, worry, and affection.
“Aria…” He looked at her, unsure of how to respond. He didn’t want to put her in danger, but he also knew it would be impossible to change her mind. She looked as determined as ever.
“No, no, you can’t stop me. I will always be by your side. I can’t lose you again. I know I haven’t had the time to confess to you yet, but let me tell you, Ethan, that I fell in love with you the day I saw you for the first time in that forest.
At that moment, I felt you were someone close to me, someone I could trust and give my love to, like it was written in our destiny, Ethan.
“I love you, Ethan. I love you, and no one can change my mind, not even you,” she said with raw emotion, her pretty eyes filled with conviction.
Aengus’s Heart of Light stirred, filling him with happiness, while the Heart of Darkness went silent in defeat.
“Aria, I also love—” Just as he was about to finish his sentence, Bella’s face flashed in his mind.
His face became conflicted.
Aria, who had been overjoyed, tensed at his sudden pause.
Her happiness quickly gave way to unease. Her green eyes, once filled with joy, now brimmed with concern.
“Why did you stop, Ethan?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly. “Say it. Please.”
The rest of the group looked awkward at the sudden love confession, turning their faces away to give the two some privacy. But Princess Delilah peeked from time to time mischievously.
Looking into Aria’s pure eyes, Aengus knew he couldn’t deny her anymore. He knelt down, gently taking her hand.
“Yes, I love you too, Aria. I want to make you my wife,” he confessed, speaking sincerely from the depths of his heart.
He knew there might be consequences for choosing Bella and Aria both, but what harm could come from this moment? He would seek their forgiveness when necessary, but for now, he wanted to embrace the tender love she had for him.
Overjoyed by his confession, Aria accepted his hand and threw her arms around him, and they shared a tender kiss, sealing their new relationship.
Princess Delilah, watching from afar, blushed deeply, embarrassed by the sudden display of affection.
“Ahem! Ahem!” Hank, Drake, Yona, and the others coughed loudly, trying to remind Aria and Aengus that they were still there and the situation was critical.
When Aria and Aengus finally pulled away from their passionate exchange, Sofia spoke up, her voice steady but tinged with disappointment.
“Zero, me, Hank, and Nate also want to come along. We need to find Alisha, to know if she’s in there. We won’t get in your way.”
Sofia looked upset, a clear result of Aengus’s deception to get into the party.
Aria turned to Princess Delilah and the others with concern. “But what about Princess Delilah, Drake, and Yona? Will you guys be fine?”
Drake and Yona reassured her. “Don’t worry, Sister Aria. We will be fine here. You should accompany Ethan there.”
“Yes, Lady Aria, we will take care of each other. Please take care of yourself in there. If only I were stronger, I would have accompanied you too.”
Yona said, her head low, but her bow ready to be drawn at any moment.
“It’s fine, Yona. You can take care of Drake and Delilah here,” Aria said in a comforting tone, slightly relieved.
“And, Sofia, do you really need to go in there? You might find your friend Alisha outside too, you know.
Or… are you starting to doubt Ethan too?” Her brows furrowed as she posed the question.
“No, Aria. It’s not that,” Sofia responded, shaking her head. “We’re grateful for all the help. But after losing Mara and Lark, we can’t trust anyone fully right now. We can’t afford to lose another friend. We’ve had enough…”
Hank and Nate exchanged conflicted glances before Hank spoke up. “Captain, I’m sure Brother Zero has his reasons for keeping things from us. He shouldn’t be blamed for Mara and Lark’s deaths.” His voice was firm, trying to mediate the tension.
Sofia glared at Hank, her anger boiling over. “Shut up, Hank. You weren’t there when they died right in front of us. I know I shouldn’t blame him, but why did he give us hope then? We trusted him, and now it’s all broken. What trust can be restored after that?”
Aengus replied calmly, “You’re right, Sofia, but I never said I would take responsibility for their deaths. You don’t know why I did what I did. I had my reasons, but you can’t hold me accountable for their deaths. All of you decided to come here of your own volition to seek power, did you not?”
He paused, taking a breath before continuing.
“But I will ask for your forgiveness: I am sorry!” He bowed slightly, then straightened, his tone turning cold, chilling the air around them. “But, once again, I am not responsible for their deaths.”
Sofia snorted in response, crossing her arms stubbornly. “Humph! Your excuses don’t mean anything, Zero.
“You… are… a liar!”
“Let’s go, Nate, Hank. Follow me! We don’t need to rely on others to save our friend,” she declared, storming off in frustration.
Nate followed her without hesitation, casting Aengus a sidelong glance, similarly upset as Sofia.
“Brother Zero, don’t mind them. They’re just too emotional after witnessing those deaths. Please pray for our safety,” Hank said, giving a respectful bow before joining his companions.
Drake, Yona, and Princess Delilah looked at each other, seemingly understanding the situation.
