The tide of war had shifted in ways Nathan could never have foreseen.

    At first, Heiron had been the primary target, enduring the relentless onslaught of Greek heroes. But now, the focus had changed. The Greeks, led by their unyielding determination, had turned their attention toward Hector, singling him out with an intensity that left Nathan uneasy. Even Chiron, once Hector''s mentor, now seemed consumed by an unrelenting desire to see his former student fall.@@@@

    Heiron''s battlefront, however, was far from dormant. The heroes of the Light Empire had entered the fray, their radiant banners cutting through the chaos. Though Nathan didn''t recognize all of them, one figure stood out starkly amidst the throng—Sienna. She wasn''t alone; several of his classmates fought alongside her, their faces blurred in his memory, forgotten amidst the tides of time and conflict.

    It had been three grueling days since Nathan found himself locked in battle with Sienna. Three days of relentless combat that drained him more than he cared to admit. Sienna was no ordinary opponent; her movements were sharp, her attacks precise, and her resolve unshakable. Fighting her demanded Nathan''s full focus. He could no longer afford to hold back while ensuring his own safety. She was forcing him to walk a razor-thin line: to fight with everything he had while ensuring he didn''t cause her grievous harm. The thought of seriously injuring her gnawed at him, but every passing moment made it clear—if he didn''t take her seriously, she might very well be the one to end him.

    "How did it come to this?"

    The question haunted Nathan as he parried yet another strike from her relentless assault. The joy he had briefly felt at not having to face any of the women he cared for had been dashed the moment Sienna had appeared on the battlefield. Her presence had turned what was already a grueling war into a personal torment.

    But Sienna''s sudden emergence wasn''t the worst of it.

    Liphiel.

    She had arrived too.

    The battlefield buzzed with the presence of the Divine Knight, her commanding aura palpable even from a distance. Until now, Liphiel had remained in the shadows, her hand unseen and her involvement minimal. But her sudden appearance sent a cold shiver down Nathan''s spine.

    Nathan''s mind raced as he dodged another strike from Sienna. The pieces were falling into place, albeit in the most dangerous way possible. He quickly deduced that Liphiel was behind Sienna''s deployment against him. But the burning question remained: had she discovered his true identity?

    If she knew he was Nathan, it would explain why she had sent Sienna to eliminate him. It was the easiest way knowing I couldn''t kill her. But the implications of her discovery were terrifying. If Liphiel had pieced it together, then he was in mortal peril—not just from her, but from the entire cadre of Divine Knights who would undoubtedly be summoned to finish the job.

    Nathan wasn''t ready.

    Not yet.

    Nathan gritted his teeth as he deflected Sienna''s blade, a bead of sweat trickling down his temple. He needed more time—time to strengthen himself, time to prepare for the inevitable confrontation with the Divine Knights. But most of all, he needed to protect the people he cared about. His sisters, his women, and now, his children. Amelia had just given birth, and Aisha was carrying a child as well. The weight of their safety pressed heavily on his shoulders, making failure an unacceptable option.

    There was only one solution.

    Nathan''s expression darkened, his thoughts colder than ice.

    "I need to kill Liphiel."

    The words echoed in his mind like a death knell. It was the only way to ensure his survival and protect those he loved. Liphiel couldn''t be allowed to leave this battlefield alive. If she returned to the Empire of Light, she would tell and inform the high ranks Divine Knights whose power dwarfed even hers.

    "What do you want?" Nathan demanded, his voice steady despite the rapid clash of blades. He parried Sienna''s strike, his movements precise but increasingly strained.

    She had grown stronger—far stronger than he had anticipated. The fluidity of her movements, the sheer power behind her swings, and the speed at which she attacked left him momentarily stunned. It wasn''t just physical strength; there was a refinement in her technique that bordered on perfection.

    Jason, with his vaunted SSS-ranked main skill, was nowhere near her level. Nathan couldn''t help but compare. Among all the people who had been brought to this world alongside him, Sienna had clearly surpassed them all.

    That smile. That cursed, mocking smile.

    Nathan tightened his grip on his sword, his knuckles turning white.

    He would carve it off her face.

    But suddenly, Nathan felt it—a presence closing in behind him like a storm on the horizon.

    Sienna.

    She was moving at an extraordinary speed, her approach so swift and fluid that it was almost as if she were slicing through the very air itself. It wasn''t just speed, though; it was precision, a deadly grace.

    For a brief moment, he thought he had miscalculated. Surely, even in his weakened state, there was no way Sienna could move this fast. Yet here she was, faster than him now—faster than he had ever seen her before.

    Experience exclusive tales on My Virtual Library Empire

    The realization hit him like a punch to the gut.

    Athena.

    The rumors whispered about Sienna being Athena''s favorite suddenly didn''t seem so far-fetched. If the goddess had truly blessed her, then her newfound strength and speed made sense.

    Nathan barely had time to react. Sienna leapt into the air, closing the remaining distance between them in a heartbeat. Her blade gleamed under the harsh sunlight, a streak of silver aimed directly at him.

    With a growl, Nathan twisted his body and swung his sword in a powerful arc. The force of his strike met hers midair, the clash of metal ringing out like a thunderclap. The impact sent Sienna hurtling backward, her feet skidding across the ground as she fought to regain her balance.

    But she didn''t stay down for long.

    Within seconds, she was on her feet again, her movements as fluid as a predator''s. Her blade began to glow, the intensity of the mana radiating from it so overwhelming that the air around her seemed to shimmer.

    Nathan''s eyes narrowed. He didn''t have time for this.

    "Fuck this," he growled under his breath, his frustration spilling over as Sienna charged at him once more.

    BADOOOOM!!!

    The ground trembled beneath them as their swords collided again, the sheer force of their clash sending shockwaves rippling outward. Sparks flew like fireworks, illuminating the battlefield for a brief, blinding moment.

    Sienna''s eyes locked onto his coldly. Nathan met her gaze with equal intensity.

    Then, as their weapons pressed against each other, Nathan did something unexpected.

    "Your brother is alive."