The place that Eugene arrived at after passing through the portal of chains was Neran, where they had been stationed during this war. Having exhausted most of his power, this was as far as the Demon King of Incarceration could manage to connect the gate, and Eugene actually found this fact fortunate.
From here, he could see the battlefield clearly. He stood at the highest point of the city walls and watched as all the members of the Divine Army passed through the portal of chains.
Eugene observed the battlefield they had all just vacated.
The figures of the Demon King of Incarceration and the Demon King of Destruction were not visible. All that was there now was a massive dome of chains — the last seal the Demon King of Incarceration conjured by sacrificing himself. Eugene narrowed his eyes and intently observed this seal.
He could faintly make out the inside of the seal. What he saw within were writhing masses of flesh. It was packed with Nur as far as the eye could see. The seal was about the size of the coliseum where he had dueled Gavid, and it was filled to the brim with nothing but the Nur.
"I can't see,” Eugene muttered, rubbing his aching eyes.
No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't see the center of the seal, and looking from the outside was futile with so many of the Nur crowding the view. Finally, Eugene gave up with a heavy sigh and looked away.
'What about Molon?' he asked the Saints inwardly.
[We are continuing the treatment, but… he is not fully recovered yet.]
Eugene sighed again after hearing Anise’s response. Should he be grateful that Molon was still alive? If so, it wasn’t just Molon who was fortunate. They had all nearly died. In fact, many had perished.The scene he had witnessed was still etched in his eyes: Priests of the Graceful Radiance, who had been organized from the start as a suicide squad, spreading their wings and charging at the Demon King of Destruction.
If the Demon King of Incarceration had not come this far and acted stubbornly, insisting on testing them and pushing them to their very limits, if there hadn’t been a full-scale battle, they would have proceeded with the original plan to enter Pandemonium with only a few key members of the general staff. The Graceful Radiance would have also sacrificed themselves to become the Light for Eugene.
But the battle had unfolded differently. Even though some priests had died during the fight, more had survived. But all the members of Graceful Radiance who survived had momentarily blocked Destruction in exchange for their lives, and seeing this, the entire Divine Army had charged forward for Eugene.
"Dammit,” Eugene cursed.
Whether as Agaroth or Hamel, Eugene had seen his fill of battlefields. This wasn't the first time he'd seen people die for someone else. But, this was a first. Those who had charged for Eugene’s sake were killed by the very person Eugene had sworn to save. That creature had even tried to kill Eugene.
'Is that really even Vermouth?' Eugene mused, recalling the indistinct figure he had seen.
Thinking back on its movements, it seemed devoid of any sense of self. If even a shred of his ego remained, it wouldn't have acted that way. Eugene forcibly erased the haunting scene from his vision. It was because of those who sacrificed themselves without a second thought that Eugene had survived.
But in truth….
"Stupid bastard,” he muttered.
Eugene gave a heavy sigh and slapped his own face. With a smack, his head was whipped to the side.
"If I hadn't just stood there like an idiot…," Eugene muttered angrily.
His excuse had been that he didn’t have proper control of his body due to the recoil from overusing Ignition in the earlier battle. But that was just that — an excuse. The real reason he had frozen in the face of the descending Destruction was that he couldn't bring himself to believe what was unfolding before his eyes. Recalling it made his stomach churn again, and Eugene slapped his cheek harder this time.
His head turned with a loud smack. Thinking a slap might not be enough, he had punched himself. But he had hit himself so hard that his head spun, and his mouth was filled with the taste of blood.
"Idiot, what are you doing?" a voice was heard chastising Eugene.
Someone steadied Eugene as he staggered, about to fall. He blinked rapidly to clear his vision. He recognized the face and spat the blood pooling in his mouth to the side.
"What else? I’m doing something idiotic,” he answered in frustration.
"At least you know." Cyan sighed deeply and released his hold on Eugene. He examined Eugene's blood-caked face and body and shook his head, asking, "Aren't you going to at least wash up?"
"Speak for yourself,” Eugene retorted.
It was true. Cyan was in no better condition. Eugene pointed at Cyan’s hair, which was matted and stiff with dried blood, and clicked his tongue.
"Don’t come any closer; you smell like a rotting corpse,” Eugene commented.
"That’s probably coming from you,” Cyan grumbled before sitting down on the parapet of the wall.
In the middle of the empty battlefield was the seal of chains. The scene he had just witnessed was truly unfathomable and ominous. Just thinking about it made Cyan shiver, but he did not show it and gripped his knees tightly.
"A lot died,” Cyan said, still staring at the empty battlefield.
"I know,” answered Eugene.
"But far more survived,” Cyan continued.
"Because we won,” Eugene replied.
"Because you won," Cyan corrected him.
During the battle, Cyan’s hands had moved of their own accord as he wielded his sword. It seemed he had relied more on instinct than reason from some point onwards. He couldn’t even remember how many of the enemies he had killed.
He was suddenly reminded of his first battlefield. He had killed quite a few people back then, too, and frankly, it had not been much different this time. But he felt like he could never get used to it.
"If you hadn't gotten the Demon King of Incarceration to surrender... um... I would still be fighting out there, right?" Cyan asked rhetorically.
"That's true,” Eugene agreed.
"And if you hadn’t brought the sun up in the sky... our side would have suffered much more damage. So…." Cyan paused, lowering his head.
What the hell was this kid trying to say? Eugene wanted to press him to get to the point, but he remained silent, finding Cyan’s earnest yet bedraggled appearance somewhat amusing.
Cyan finally continued, "You know... um... I can somewhat guess how you’re feeling. Honestly, you are much... in terms of age or experience…. Well, still, I am your older brother, after all.”
"Who decided that you’re my older brother, you little brat?" Eugene retorted.
"Anyway…." Cyan bristled, then lifted his head and finally saw it.
Eugene was desperately holding back laughter. Seeing that, Cyan felt a mix of embarrassment and as if his blood was boiling.
Did he really even need to say this? Now that he thought about it, what reason did he have to offer comfort or encouragement to someone like Eugene? Shouldn’t he be the one receiving encouragement after barely surviving through the battle?
"Get lost,” Cyan snapped after contemplation.
"Why? Keep talking. Try encouraging your younger brother like a good older brother should,” Eugene urged him.
"Encourage? You've handled yourself just fine,” Cyan said while jumping down from the parapet of the wall. "Looking at your face, it seems like I’m the one who needs to correct my mental state. Ugh, what I saw earlier. It still gives me chills just thinking about it."
"You did well not to faint,” Eugene complimented.
"Maybe because it felt similar to something I've experienced before? Like, when the Black Lion Castle was invaded…? I felt it in Hauria, too, ” said Cyan.
Although not quite the same, the ominous colors resembled the presence of the specter. Had Cyan not experienced it before, he might have collapsed without resisting.
"Besides, it wouldn't do for the future head of the Lionheart clan to faint even before the fight starts, right?” said Cyan.
"Fight?" Eugene asked, looking puzzled. This response made Cyan look at Eugene as if he was the strange one.
"Are you saying we shouldn't fight?" Cyan asked.
Eugene decided to answer this question with silence.
"It turned out well, didn't it? We’re right at the forefront of the battlefield... and the troops are still here. We could head into battle right now if you were ready,” Cyan continued.
"Aren't you scared?" Eugene asked curiously.
"Of course, I'm scared. But that doesn't mean I can run away. Eugene, are you... testing me? Trying to see if I'm shaking in my boots?" Cyan spat.
"What do you think I am?” Eugene asked.
"I think you're trash,” Cyan answered angrily, subtly hiding his trembling hand behind him. Eugene had noticed the shaking before but had chosen not to tease him about it.
"Little brat, you’ve grown up well." Eugene chuckled and patted Cyan on the shoulder, but Cyan grimaced and pushed his hand away.
"From the way you talk, someone might think you were the one who raised me,” Cyan commented in irritation.
"I can take credit for about half the work,” Eugene said with a grin.
"Stop talking nonsense and go wash up and get some sleep. And don't sleep for half a year like last time,” Cyan snapped back.
"I'll check below first,” Eugene answered.
Leaving Cyan on the wall, Eugene descended to the temporary camp. The soldiers were checking supplies, and they nodded as they saw him, and many folded their hands in prayer. Eugene raised his hand slightly in response, then headed to the infirmary.
"Ah... ahhh...."
The largest patient in the infirmary was Raimira. She hadn't released her polymorph and was curled up on the outskirts of the infirmary, groaning in pain.
"Ugh... Benefactor…," Raimira groaned.
Raimira had coiled her long neck into her chest as she suffered, but upon sensing Eugene’s presence, she immediately lifted her head. Her eyes, which were as large as a human’s head, brimmed with tears.
“Benefactor…. My, my wings are… my wings…,” she cried.
“Does it hurt a lot?” Eugene asked in concern.
“It hurts.… It hurts so terribly…. This is the first time having my wings cut off…,” Raimira sobbed.
She suddenly halted, and her eyes quivered.
“Mer!” Raimira shrieked after lifting her head high.
Mer, who had been busily darting around the infirmary surrounded by piles of medicine and bandages, froze in shock.
“I remember now! It was you, Mer. You cut off this lady’s wings, wings as beautiful as obsidian! It was you!” Raimira cried out accusingly.
“How dare you raise your voice at your savior!” Mer yelled back as she grabbed a nearby bundle of bandages and hurled it toward Raimira. “Stupid lizard! If I hadn’t cut off your wings, that vile light would have devoured your entire body! What do you think would have happened then?”
“I… I don’t know…” Raimira muttered hesitantly.
“What do you mean, you don’t know? You would have been dead! Foolish lizard. Just because you got hit in one wing, you scream miserably and do nothing, so I, being smart and rational, had to step in. Do you understand?” Mer shouted back.
“I…. Just one wing…? I have two wings, so if one is cut off, it’s like losing half—” Raimira’s whimpers were cut short.
“Stop being so dramatic! In the past, I’ve lost both my arms and legs and even had my chest split open to my belly. Even then, I didn’t moan but remained composed,” Mer said proudly, boldly puffing out her chest as she spoke.
Though she recounted experiences from when she had been disassembled in Akron, as a matter of fact, Mer did not feel pain. Of course, Raimira didn’t even think to point this out. She merely curled up further.
“Look.… In truth, this lady is not in pain. This lady just made some noise because my throat was itchy…” she muttered.
“Hmph, then stay quiet,” Mer shot back sharply, then noticed Eugene. After hesitating for a moment, she passed the bandages and medicine she was carrying to a nearby acolyte.
“Sir Eugene!”
Freed, Mer dashed towards Eugene and leaped into his arms.
Normally, Eugene wouldn’t have minded Mer's embrace, but now, he could not maintain his stance. Without a moment to brace himself, his waist bent backward, and his legs buckled. Even the Demon King of Incarceration couldn’t easily force him to his knees, but now, they plowed into the ground too readily.
“Ugh…” he groaned.
Eugene had been forced to his knees, but Mer could not be bothered to point it out. She lifted her head from his chest abruptly. She could feel a sticky discomfort on his face…. Mer grimaced as she rubbed her face and pinched her nose.
“Sir Eugene, you smell,” she said.
“What kind of smell?” Eugene asked.
“Blood smell, sweat smell, and various rotten smells,” she answered.
“I did bleed and sweat a lot. I’ve also been in a pit with rotting corpses,” Eugene pointed out.
“You really need to wash before you sleep,” Mer suggested.
“I was about to wash and then go to bed anyway,” Eugene grumbled as he set Mer down beside him. “Just as soon as I get a grasp on the current situation.”
After leaving the infirmary, he entered the quarters of the general staff. Eugene greeted the bustling knights and headed for the private room.
“You’re here,” someone said as he entered.
The room was filled with his comrades. Sienna was sitting in the center, deep in concentration. She opened her eyes and turned her gaze towards him when he entered.
“How's the seal?” Eugene asked immediately. “I’ve looked everywhere, but the core is nowhere to be seen. How about on your end?”
“The barrier I left in Lehainjar is unstable,” Sienna responded with a frown. There was an active barrier in Lehainjar suppressing the emergence of the Nur. “It should hold easily for another week, but… it’s not looking good.”
“Has the Nur appeared?” Eugene asked.
“Not yet. It's unstable because I'm preventing them from surfacing. I don’t plan to leave it like this... but if the barrier breaks, countless Nur might flood out,” Sienna pointed out.
“The plains are the same,” said Eugene.
Eugene approached Molon, who was lying face down, next to whom Anise had collapsed from exhaustion.
“The Nur are swarming inside the chains. It might not burst because of that… but we need to be vigilant,” Eugene continued.
Molon had no visible injuries on his back, but he was still unconscious. Eugene threw his blood-soaked cloak to the side.
“How long do you think it will take for recovery?” Eugene questioned.
“That... depends on Molon’s mental strength,” Anise replied, barely managing to raise her head.
“No, not Molon. You,” said Eugene.
“Me...? Well, I guess I might recover after resting for a couple of days,” said Anise.
“Sienna, what about you?” questioned Eugene.
“Same for me… But I’m not sure about the Demoneye of Fantasy,” said Sienna.
“I doubt the Demoneye of Fantasy will work against the Demon King of Destruction,” Eugene remarked.
He glanced at the purple gem next to Sienna. It hadn’t shattered, but its luster had faded, and black stains had formed on its surface — a contamination from the Corpse Poison of the Demon King of Incarceration.
“The dark power of Destruction is far more sinister and ominous than the dark power of Incarceration. Just seeing it could drive one mad,” said Eugene.
Even Noir had been overwhelmed by the Demon King of Destruction in Ravesta. Even in life, she couldn’t directly counter that madness. Using the Demoneye of Fantasy in her unstable spiritual form might lead to her being devoured instead.
“Hamel, what about you?” asked Anise.
“Me? Well, a couple of days won’t cut it... maybe a week off might do,” he answered.
“That’s not what I’m asking,” said Anise. Her gaze sharpened as she struggled to sit up. “Can you fight?”
“I wondered what you were going to ask,” said Eugene.
Anise stared at him in confusion.
“You’re asking the wrong question, Anise. Can I fight? Of course, I can fight,” said Eugene.
“Hamel,” Anise called out.
“What you should be asking is, ‘Can you win?’” Eugene chuckled as he clenched his fist. “I’ve always wanted to beat Vermouth.”