Amid the ruin and devastation, Frey absorbed Thanatos’ soul completely under the watchful eyes of most of the Shadow Sect’s warriors and their allies.
Nameless finished the task swiftly and had already returned control of the body back to Frey.
Frey removed his mask, revealing his exhausted face before turning toward those gathered.
"Ah... you’re here."
He looked at them, meeting the many expressions reflected in their eyes.
He saw astonishment and shock.
Confusion and disbelief.
Puzzlement... and a clear desire for answers.
"That is truly surprising... and quite contrary to what I was told," said Kalameet, the Emperor of Dragons, standing beside Fulghor and the others.
"I thought you said his level was the first stage, yet this man has already reached the third..."
Kalameet found Frey’s reputation puzzling and suspected that the Shadow Sect had fed him inaccurate information.
But Fulghor corrected him calmly.
"It was not a lie. He was at the first stage... until today."
Kalameet raised an eyebrow.
"You’re telling me he jumped two stages in a single night?"
The idea sounded absurd.
And if he had known that Frey had broken through during the battle itself, rather than beforehand, it would have sounded even more ridiculous.
Among those present, Nova Starlight stepped forward before anyone else, walking toward Frey—though he hesitated slightly, as the natural disaster surrounding them had yet to fully reveal the scope of its destruction.
That raging storm of lightning and fire still tore through the battlefield.
Most of the SSS-rank heroes were thinking the same thing.
What kind of battle... could cause devastation like this?
A battle far beyond the limits of their comprehension or strength.
And because Frey had emerged victorious from such a clash, his standing in their eyes had changed completely.
"Frey... what exactly happened here?"
"Why... did you start this battle?"
Nova clenched his fist slightly, bitterness surfacing across his face.
"A battle that destroyed the last hope of restoring the Empire..."
His reaction was only natural.
His homeland had been completely annihilated.
The entire continent that had once housed the Empire had now been shattered into scattered islands, surrounded by rising seas and engulfed in flames.
Nova only wanted one explanation.
But Frey raised his hand, stopping him.
He walked past him and spoke as he did so.
"My apologies... I’m a bit tired right now."
"Let’s talk later."
He moved past Nova and all the other human champions, preventing them from speaking.
In truth, he had no desire to talk at all.
Nor did he see any reason to explain himself.
He walked past everyone until he finally reached the place where his father and Gehrman stood.
One looked at him in silence.
The other with a complicated mixture of emotions.
Frey’s body remained whole.
Yet he looked strangely pale.
The traces of blood and wounds were still visible upon him—offering a faint glimpse of the immense damage he had endured.
Damage that his regeneration had concealed.
"I’m sorry for leaving on my own, Father."
"I must have worried you quite a bit."
He said with a gentle smile.
Abraham remained silent for a moment before answering—his voice carrying an unfamiliar hesitation.
"No... you don’t need to apologize to me."
He narrowed his eyes slightly as he observed Frey’s body ... specifically the different aura pressure emanating from him.
With a single glance, Abraham realized something.
His son had become far stronger than he had been just a day ago.
"I have no right to interfere with a decision you made yourself... or a battle you chose to fight alone."
"I’m just glad..."
"That you’re safe."
Abraham suppressed most of what he truly felt.
Most of what he wanted to say.
Frey was grateful.
"Thank you... for trusting me."
"And I apologize once again."
He said as he walked closer until he stood beside his father, placing a hand on Abraham’s shoulder.
"With this, Father... you are completely free now."
"There is nothing left tying you to that creature."
Frey whispered softly near his father’s ear.
Abraham’s eyes widened suddenly as he realized something.
"Frey... don’t tell me you did this for my sake..."
There was no happiness in his voice.
If it turned out that Frey had fought this battle to free him—
If his son had fought for him and died today—
Then Abraham would have spent the rest of his life blaming himself.
But Frey shook his head.
"I did it for myself."
"So don’t worry, Father."
"Your freedom was just a side effect."
He said in a weary voice before walking a little further, eventually stopping before the Engineer.
He was exhausted.
Drained from the battle.
So he wanted to end things quickly.
Looking into those blue eyes, Frey smiled faintly.
"It seems you have something you want to say."
Gehrman closed his eyes briefly before answering.
"In a way... but I won’t speak about it now."
His deep voice carried weight as he continued.
"But I will ask you just one question."
"Was it you... or was it him... who decided what happened today?"
Frey understood the question instantly.
Perhaps he was the only one who could.
In response, he chuckled softly before giving his answer.
"Both of us."
It was an unexpected answer .. one that surprised Gehrman slightly.
"We both chose this."
"I see..."
"In that case, I have nothing more to say."
"Well done on your victory today."
Gehrman gave a faint smile.
"This new power of yours will make you the strongest on our side in the coming battle."
"I suppose so."
Frey replied with a quiet laugh.
Then suddenly—
His eyes rolled back.
And he collapsed to the ground, his body finally giving out after reaching its limit.
Gehrman caught him midair, preventing him from collapsing to the ground.
At the same time, Abraham rushed forward, and the Engineer allowed him to take over.
Afterward, Gehrman turned toward the remaining members of the Shadow Sect gathered there.
"All of you—today we have won. So there is no need for the gloomy faces you’re wearing now."
His gaze swept across them one by one.
"Thanatos would have become our final enemy if we had defeated the demons. He was an extremely formidable opponent... but Frey eliminated him today."
"The result was the destruction of the Empire, but that is a small price to pay for such a victory."
"Still—do not lower your guard. The enemy may be close."
He pointed out an important truth.
Just as they had arrived here...
The enemy might appear as well.
He instructed Fulghor and the Pantheon faction to inspect the area and remain on high alert in case a High Demon or a Duchy of Hell appeared unexpectedly.
Fulghor immediately complied.
Kalameet, however, seemed hesitant, as though he had something to say.
But when he saw Frey unconscious, he realized the timing was not appropriate and reluctantly agreed.
The others carried Frey and immediately returned with him to the Shadow Sect.
They hurried back quickly, fearing that the Sect itself might come under attack.
After all, the only ones left behind there were Snow Lionheart, the guardian statues, and the remaining human fighters.
But their fears proved unnecessary.
The demons showed no reaction at all.