Once the showcase concluded, Zephys settled into an uncanny calm. The once-vibrant air of festivity faded into murmurs and shifting gazes. The absence of the Fantasy Couple did not go unnoticed, it sparked whispers among the crowd.

Most, however, dismissed their disappearance as the result of a new covert operation within the capital. After all, they often acted beyond public sight. The elites in attendance seemed unconcerned; their interests were directed toward more influential figures, the Solaris Lord, whose authority shaped nations, and the Hero of this generation, whose name carried divine weight.

To them, the Fantasy Couple were impressive, yes, but ultimately secondary.

Yet, among the executives of the Demon Cult, the mood was markedly different. Beneath their composed exteriors, tension brewed. They were far more reserved and cautious, particularly since they were well aware of how dangerous and unpredictable the Fantasy Couple was.

"Are you sure that bastard is down?"

"Hmph, he better not die before we get our vengeance."

Damien and Dante crossed their legs and let out derisive snorts. Of all the Demon Cult Apostles, the Apostles of Vengeance had the most grudges against the Knight who foiled their plans. They wished nothing more than to kill Amon with their own hands. Thus, hearing that he had fallen left a sour taste in their mouths.

"No, he's not dead yet…"

Kieran frowned and turned his attention to the right. Nirvana Karnam, the Pope of the Utopia Church, was bawling his eyes out, showing signs of despair and fanaticism. Blushing, the Adonis of a man cried:

"Ahhhh, what a wonderful soul! Lord Kieran! You'd better capture him now! He'll be perfect as my soulmate!"

"... you don't call the shots here, Nirvana."

"Uwuuu… My beautiful Amon Solaris! You will join my soul in the halls of pleasure soon!"

The Pope of the Utopia Church completely zoned out the Apostle of Domination's words and slipped deeper into his own fantasies.

The second-in-command of the Demon Cult felt a migraine pressing on his skull as he wondered why the Prophet had given this lunatic such a godly power.

The Eyes of the Demon King.

Or in short… The God Eyes.

A divine ability that granted its wielder the ocular powers of the Demon King they served… such was the nature of this godlike gift. It allowed the user to peer into the very depths of another's soul, to mesmerise and even bend their will through sheer hypnotic force.

With it, one could dominate, delight, and even reshape reality itself within the mind of their victim. So overwhelming was its power that even the Prophet and Kieran, famed respectively as the Apostle of Domination and the Mind Stealer, could not fully command it.

Thus arose the need for another, a vessel whose affinity aligned perfectly with the artefact's divine nature, someone capable not only of wielding it but of mastering it completely.

That individual emerged from within the Holy Church itself: Archbishop Nirvana Karnam.

Using the power of the God Eyes, Nirvana had charmed thousands, if not tens of thousands, of followers into joining the Utopia Church, a relatively new religion. Elites and influential individuals all fell to those alluring eyes, which seemed to give them anything they so desired.

Power… Wealth… Sex… Anything that they wished for could be granted with the God Eyes.

And Amon was no different.

Few could resist the mental influence of the God Eyes, and Amon wasn't one of them. From the beginning, his strengths never lay in the cognitive realm. If Nirvana focused all of his energy into breaking down Amon's defences, there was nothing that the transmigrator could do.

"If Nirvana had really brought him down with the God Eyes, we'd have nothing to worry about."

"I didn't bring my precious Amon down! I'm welcoming him into my domain!"

Nirvana yelled, spiking the mana in the room. His green eyes gleamed viciously as a blood star was reflected in his pupils. Staring at those menacing pupils, a bead of sweat rolled down Kieran's cheek as he attempted to calm the invigorated Pope.

"Yes, you've done spectacularly. And once our plan is completed, you are free to do as you please."

"Really?! I get to keep him?! Heheh, that's fascinating! A soul as pure and beautiful as his comes only once in a million years, after all!"

"Right…"

Kieran didn't possess Nirvana's eyes, so he couldn't comprehend what the Pope saw in Amon. However, he knew that if his appeasement could keep Nirvana in check, at least until their business in Zephys concluded, the chance of success would increase tenfold.

"Why don't you retreat for the day? Leave us to discuss among ourselves?"

Nirvana's presence was only needed to confirm Amon's current state. Now that they'd confirmed that Amon was incapacitated, they no longer needed Nirvana present… at least for now.

"Heh, you better keep your promise!"

Laughing with pure joy, the Pope of the Utopia Church exited the Demon Cult's base, retreating to his palace of pleasure. With the liability out of the room, the Demon Cult's executives collectively heaved a sigh and continued their conversation.

"At the very least, we should have bought a few days to carry out our plans."

"Those few days are all we need," said Ravenna, the Apostle of Grief. "We have produced enough Magatamas and Chaos Dolls for the next phase. All we need is the signal."

"Thank you," Kieran flashed a brief smile before turning to the other Apostles. "You are all clear on your roles, right?"

"Hmph, how many times have you repeated them? My ears are going to bleed."

Samael, the Apostle of Chaos, snorted while placing both his feet on the table. The move didn't raise any eyebrows anymore, since they were well aware he was the strongest among the Apostles, and no one truly wished to antagonise him. Nevertheless, Kieran still repeated himself.

"I have to… Because our goal must be accomplished."

"Our goal…"

❖❖❖

"The Demon Cult's goal is to destroy the capital."

Yue revealed the staggering truth to everyone gathered within the chamber. In the quiet of the hotel room where Amon lay motionless, she had summoned every figure of importance she could reach.

There was Leon, the Hero; Alrock, the Solaris Lord; Kassadim Bromm, the Sword Saint; Aluria, the Ocean Goddess; Gallahad and Carmen Solaris, Knight Commanders of the Solaris House; Manon, the Sky Spear; and finally, Yugor Elune, her grandfather.

Each of these names carried the weight to shake nations; their combined presence could devastate the capital if unleashed. Yet they were not the only ones. Every member of Eldorin stood witness as well, their expressions darkening as their gazes fell upon Amon's still form. It was in that moment that they truly grasped the gravity of the situation.

"They'd got the Commander?"

"Absurd… Sir Amon actually…"

The members of Eldorin were particularly stunned. Amon had always seemed like an immovable rock, a bastion that they could count on when things got tough. Yet, he had fallen to the Demon Cult's nefarious schemes.

While the newcomers were still in shock after seeing Amon's state, Leon, the second-in-command of Eldorin, spoke firmly:

"Yue… Please explain what you mean by that."

"Quite simply put… They're going to cast a devastating spell that would bring the capital to ruin."

Yue's thoughts drifted to her past life… to the fall of the capital, the first calamity Amon had failed to prevent. Back then, Amon had chosen to act alone, believing that his blade could carve a solution to any problem.

And to an extent, he was right.

His resolve had averted two calamities and even saved Yue's life. But that same resolve had also blinded him. His solitary path earned him countless enemies, and when the time came to sound the alarm… to warn others of the Demon Cult's grand magic, a spell capable of erasing the capital itself… no one listened and came to his aid.

It was then that Amon finally understood his limits. That even the strongest blade was powerless when wielded by a lone hand. He learned, far too late, that true salvation required trust—and allies.

Ironically, in this life, the comrades he had gathered were now preparing to finish what he once could not.

"Starfall, the magic to bring down the sky. The Demon Cult is going to execute that forbidden magic."

"W-Wait! Starfall?! Isn't that a mythical spell?! It actually exists?!"

Johann Amaris, the future Archmage, shouted—his voice trembling with a mix of fear and fascination. In the ancient tomes buried deep within the Amaris Library, there had been a single page describing a spell of mythic proportions.

It spoke of a curse that summoned the wrath of the heavens, calling down a storm of meteors capable of erasing entire kingdoms from existence.

Yet it was thought to be nothing more than a legend… a fairy tale for scholars and dreamers.

No one truly believed such a spell existed. And even if it did, it would have been sealed away for eternity, for the devastation it could bring to the world was beyond calculation.

"Oh, it exists."

Yue shivered as she recalled the destroyed capital in her previous life. That magic should have never been created, a travesty against the natural order. Not only did it destroy the capital, but it also crippled humanity, directly causing them to fall to the following calamities.

"But, even if they use Starfall… Won't the Staff of Yiirun protect the capital?"

"It won't be enough… I don't know how, but the Demon Cult will manage to dispel the barrier created by the Staff of Yiirun, rendering it defenceless against Starfall. For that, grandpa…"

"Urgh, you're really going to work me to my grave, my precious granddaughter…"

Yugor groaned, but accepted his role. He knew that the downfall of the capital would spell the beginning of the end of the Hyades Republic. Besides, what greater joy was there than being relied on by his favourite granddaughter?

"Old bones, you've been enjoying retirement a little too much, huh?"

"Heh, envious, aren't you? Then let go of the Solaris Lord title and let your grandson take over."

"Hmmm, that's a pretty decent idea."

Alrock stroked his beard, actually considering that idea.

"Tch, focus, you guys."

The Sword Saint vented his frustrations. As the only other one from their generation, he was the only one who could stop them from losing focus.

"Grandpa will guard the Staff of Yiirun alongside the Sword Saint. Sir Gallahad and Sir Carmen will work with Maelle and Renee to locate and destroy as many of those sacrificial altars as possible. Grandpa Alrock and Leon will maintain the public image and continue participating in the Eldorin showcases to identify as many traitors as possible. Leon… I leave the rest to you."

"Understood."

No one questioned Yue, for they knew that her place next to Amon was non-negotiable. If they could somehow get Amon back in shape, the upcoming fight against the Demon Cult would be infinitely smoother. Besides, as a spirit summoner, Yue could easily provide support without moving a single inch.

"I have no idea when they'll strike, but they'll definitely do it soon! So time is key! Let's aim to crush them before our showcase ends!"