Translator: yun

The light had been so overpowering that the light the emperor showed moments earlier paled in comparison.

A shadow of a man had been sliced down. Blood splattered. The smell of red blood. The familiar stench stung my nose. But no one could put up a fight. No, it was because they had been so starstruck by the display of divinity that they could not move.

I tried to move slowly.

I can move.

When I glanced to the side, I noticed Soricks and Rebecca who seemed to have found themselves in similar situations.

Perhaps the Power of the Lord doesnt work as effectively on other Templars of the Lord?

If that was the case, I was the only one in this hall who could move.

From some point, more than half the people in the hall had fallen. Did everyone who collapsed die? I made a hasty conclusion. The fact that I could still hear peoples moans seemed to tell me otherwise.

Why did he stop?

Castor stared at the scene before me unimpressed. Then, he turned his head. His eyes turned to face mine almost unrealistically.

Ashley.

His eyes were soaked in another level of madness.

If everything everything in this palace disappears, will you look at me?

His whispers sounded like a roar.

I have no need to go to you.

My voice was neither loud nor soft.

But Castor seemed to have heard what I said nonetheless. At a moments time, he had already crossed half the hall.

Will you not call me brother anymore?

He held me tightly. When he tilted his head, his black hair cascaded down.

Youre not even my real brother, are you?

Rebecca flinched at my words. Soricks looked surprised too.

So, you knew.

Did you not want me to know?

I smiled with my chin caught in his grip.

If you hadnt wanted me to know, why didnt you hide it? The truth I have been seeking has only been revealed to me in bits and pieces.

I continued as I stared straight into his eyes.

You already knew I wasnt genuine anyway.

Castor smirked.

Youre right.

His golden eyes swirled with immense energy.

I wanted you to know. At the same time, I didnt want you to. I also wanted you to be my bird and stay trapped in my cage,

On the night of the Founding Festival, he confessed that he wanted me to be like a bird in his palace for the rest of my life. He would grant me anything I wished so he requested me to stay confined for the rest of my life.

I thought seeing you without your memories wasnt bad either. Since you looked so lovely when you smiled without knowing anything.

He pulled on my chin. His long fingers descended from my chin before stopping at my throat.

But, just as I thought, its best you remember everything and continue looking at me like this.

Only his fingers had touched me so far but still, goosebumps dotted my skin. Or perhaps it was the giddy way he was staring at me.

Ashley. Do you loathe me?

I have no idea what youre talking about.

I smiled as I placed my hands together. For a long time, I had forced myself to place this smile in front of him.

What answer were you expecting from me?

I murmured dryly in a thin, naive voice. As he lowered my head, he stretched a sneer on his face.

You dont have to answer.

He lifted my chin slowly. Our eyes met with intensity.

You already know the answer, dont you, brother?

I spoke, without wiping the expression off my face.

Castor Dje.

His eyes stiffened slightly when I spoke his name.

I loathe you.

Though he might be facing me with a sword just as he did back in that month of Habermia, with an expression completely different from back then, I smiled.

I had been so disgusted with you, I could barely stand you.

I acted like a moron so as to survive. I pretended to like and care for the murderer who killed me. I had been so desperate to survive.

I was the monster you created.

But here he was staring straight at me. Looking at the person he made.

Rather than guarding my life, I had grieved for those who died because of me so I had abandoned them to atone for my irreparable past.

There had never been a moment when I didnt resent you.

The cruel murderer that ruined my life.

I had wanted you to disappear from this life.

Finally, in this bloody landscape, I confessed my feelings.

I had once wished for the same.

Castor smiled broadly. With his laugh, a strong gust of energy swirled in his irises.

When all my loved ones had been slaughtered and the men who wielded the swords forced me to make a choice, I had wanted to disappear from this world instead.

He spoke seductively in a giddily low voice before holding my cheek. His hand had been dyed in blood.

What do you think? Look. Ashley, Im the only one who can understand you. No one knows about your regressions. They dont remember.

His words continued to sway me. His words were making a mockery of me.

Dont fall for it.

But I couldnt resist spitting out.

You made me like this!

Right, I made you. So, have you grown afraid of the regressions? Because I will not give up until this Empire is destroyed. Having died and survived thousands of times, Ive become the best tool for its destruction. You cannot stop it.

Castor whispered with his low voice next to my ears.

Become the bird who would only look at me. Ill give anything for you.

He took my hand before kissing my fingertips. After leaving clear streaks of blood on my cheeks.

Do you need a beast that barks to your commands? Ill be that for you. Ill bring you all the treasures in the world. Say that youll look at me.

His eyes curled beautifully.

Theres nothing left in this devastated world.

His hand slowly parted with mine. In a blinks time, he was already looking across the hall.

Ill show you the true Power of the Lord no one has ever told you about.

A blinding light burst out from beneath his feet. I noticed a strange golden gleam in the crystal. Then, dozens or what seemed like thousands of sigils emerged on the floor. And then.

Run away!

P-People are coming back to life!

Those who had been stabbed and groaning in pain rose. Even those who had their legs so crushed their bones could be seen rose and raised their swords.

D-d-dont do this! Were both templars!

Those who rose again raised their swords before striking their comrades.

Though they were trusted comrades moments before, they raised their swords against each other causing even more confusion and pandemonium. Some fought for their lives bravely.

Still, though the templars who had gathered were the best from their temples, they hesitated to stab their comrades.

P-Please dont do this!

While the battered templars struck their comrades down without mercy. Still, the number of people who fell increased one by one.

Those dazed looks, their cloudy expressions. I looked back at Castor in a hurry.

What do you think, Ashley?

You

Just then. I quickly turned my head to the groan I heard from right next to me. Soricks who had been stabbed with a sword had fallen to the ground trembling. He too looked like he could barely resist this force.

No. no Run, princess

When I looked around the hall, I noticed fallen patrols all over the place resisting the power.

Their loyalty to you is commendable.

Why are you doing this?

I said, glaring at him.

You could have gotten rid of everybody here without needing to do this. Why are you playing with life!

Castor could have made them unable to move. He could have also killed everyone here with his powers. In other words, he could have done what he set out to do without creating this savage landscape.

Do you see that?

Castor smiled slowly before pointing towards a specific spot.

The emperor is not dead yet. I missed his vitals when I stabbed him.

Castor who bent over slightly beside me before grabbing me by my shoulder and whispering.

What sights would a greedy man who sacrificed his own innocent son just to maintain this Empire be most frightened of?

Castor laughed to himself before continuing as if he had not expected an answer in the first place.

It would be the sight of all his templars dying before him. The fall of templars is symbolic of the fall of this Empire.

The emperor was staring at the sights before him with his eyes widened. His bloodshot eyes were twitching non-stop.

Vengeance eats away from what you care about. The Lord of the Gods reign above the rest of the gods. That is why we, his heirs, can manipulate templars.

The strongest heir of all time had created the cruellest scene befitting his name.

I closed my eyes. A long time ago, he had intruded into my mind and made me feel emotions that werent my own.

Is this possible because his powers were stronger?

As Castor looked on, another man fell to the ground.

Ashley.

Castor peered over at me.

All that were present here today will die.

For some reason, I was reminded of the Founding Festival. The words he had spoken as he grabbed onto me the moment I regained my memories.

Youll come to me on your own. Because I can see the future.

Was this the future he saw? Amidst the many people dying and in pain, there were people I loved. No, this wasnt horrible because my loved ones were dying, it was because these were innocent lives.

Is there any way to stop this? There must be since you keep reminding me of death. Right?

..

Will you save these innocent lives if I become yours?

Slowly, he raised his head. Groans of pain resonated throughout the hall.

If you find meaning in them living for a few days, I will.

Castor spoke gently yet firmly.

Nobody would be able to live in destroyed lands anyway.

He lowered his waist before caressing my cheek, touching me as if I was fragile.

Other than you and me, I mean.

Eyes holding different warmths met. I narrowed the distance between us.

Castor. That kind of life means nothing to me.

The way you call my name is music to my ears. I want to hear it forever.

Castor.

The name I loathed the most, the name I gritted my teeth as though I was sharpening my sword with them to utter. I stared at Soricks who was struggling not to raise his sword. I spotted Rebecca who had been seated next to me, pointing a blade towards herself.

Do you love me?

He lifted the hands that had been resting on my cheek. This was my first time seeing him flustered.

You turned a blind eye to me even when I cried for help and begged for mercy.

He never failed to come and kill me. Just as he did to me, I wiped off the sweat on his face. Blood that had been partially hardened was left on my fingers.

From the moment he killed me to the moment I would have my revenge. I was slowly taking after him. I had used my life to change the future and used my life to save people.

To be honest, I dont feel particularly perturbed by this scene either.

I have forgotten the importance of life. The fact that the lives of my loved ones were precious. My hope that they would never die. But why were theirs so precious?

From you, I learnt to give up and be resigned. From some point on, I only lived with hate and vengeance as fuel.

At some point, I had become broken. I had taken my life for granted and treated it like a flys.

I had Fleon, Dane, Ray and Rebecca. I had gathered such kind people around me but nevertheless, I continued to break piece by piece.

At the rate I was going on, I might have turned out the same as you. After slowly breaking I ended up the way you wanted me to.

I could see him better now. The tyrant I could never understand, the cruel murderer. I could see him.

The fact that I now could meant that I had changed.

Like how when you stare into the abyss, it would stare back at you?

A part of me had been stained by him as I tried to catch him.

But Castor. We might be similar but I dont think we can ever be the same. Do you know why?

A bright purple flower bloomed at the tips of my fingers. The light that gradually spread throughout the hall created an intense beam of light.

Castor hurriedly retreated.

Even when I was stuck in despair, I was never alone.

Just then. Through a cluster of purple lights, a mysterious green one pierced through. Hundreds of vines rushed through the cracks in the doors.

Vines even managed to enter through windows, and even the walls and the ceiling to immobilise the templars. Those who did not stop and tried to resist were forced motionless by the roots that burst through the floor.

The door swung open.

Someone stumbled into this bloody landscape. His white tunic sparkled as his interestingly sky-coloured hair fluttered in waves.

The man lowered his head.

Its been a while.

Flowers bloomed on all the stalks present in the room.

Brother.

The sight of flowers in bloom. And there Amor was, standing in the middle of it all. He looked up to stare at Castor who was standing on the steps.

Amor.

Amor tilted his head slightly upon Castors call. A piercing smile spread on his face.

The 4th Branch, Amor Noche Kaltanias. Youre a little late for the ceremony.