The quiet space filled with stars slowly returned to silence after Nina's last words.

For a moment none of them spoke.

The distant clusters of stars continued to move slowly across the endless void, casting soft silver light across the four figures standing there. Compared to the chaos spreading across the world below, this place felt strangely peaceful and unreal.

Kael remained standing where he was.

His eyes moved slowly between Nina and Asana, and then toward Christina. The calm expression on his face slowly changed into something more complicated. There was pride in his gaze, but there was also a deep weight that had not faded even after centuries.

He rubbed the back of his neck and let out a slow breath.

"You all really went through hell," he said quietly.

Nina raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms while looking at him.

"That coming from you sounds a bit strange," she replied.

Kael chuckled faintly.

"Fair point."

Christina stepped closer and looked at him carefully. Her eyes carried a thoughtful look as if she was trying to understand the thoughts moving inside his mind.

"You are thinking about something again," she said softly.

Kael looked at her and smiled slightly.

"I always am."

Asana stood quietly beside them. The cold aura around her had calmed, but faint frost still drifted slowly through the space around her.

"You are thinking about the gods," she said calmly.

Kael did not deny it.

He turned and looked into the distant darkness where the world existed far below them.

"They reacted faster than I expected," he said.

Christina nodded slightly.

"They were watching."

Kael let out a faint breath.

"Of course they were."

For centuries the divine forces had watched the world carefully while waiting for any threat that could challenge their authority.

Now that threat has returned.

Kael lowered his gaze slightly as if remembering something far away.

"Eric is still alive," he said suddenly.

Nina shrugged lightly.

"That man refuses to die."

Asana added quietly, "He will gather the churches again."

Kael nodded slowly.

"Yes."

The four of them remained silent for a moment as the truth settled between them.

The world below had already begun moving.

Empires were reacting.

Churches were panicking.

Ancient races were whispering his name again.

Leonard.

Kael slowly clenched his hand.

"The gods will not wait forever," he said.

Nina looked toward the distant stars.

"They never do."

Christina suddenly smiled faintly.

"But they also know they cannot descend freely."

Kael looked at her.

"The balance of laws," he said.

Christina nodded.

"If they step into the world directly, the entire structure of existence will collapse."

Kael's eyes darkened slightly.

"That never stopped them from trying before."

Asana's voice remained calm.

"This time the situation is different."

Kael turned toward her.

"How?"

She looked directly at him.

"You are no longer alone."

For a moment Kael did not answer.

Then he let out a quiet laugh.

"You all really think that makes things easier?"

Nina stepped forward and lightly punched his shoulder.

"Stop acting like everything depends only on you."

Christina nodded gently.

"We walked our own paths to reach this point."

Asana added calmly, "And we are not stepping back."

Kael looked at the three of them.

For a moment the fierce warrior who had terrified the entire world simply stood there quietly.

Then he sighed.

"Fine."

He looked toward the distant horizon again where faint ripples of divine energy still moved across the sky of the world below.

"So the game begins again."

Nina tilted her head slightly.

"It never ended."

Kael smirked faintly.

"That is true."

"So what plans do you have, girls?" Kael asked while looking at the three of them.

"Or do we even have one?"

Hearing this, Christina smiled calmly.

"The plan is already in motion and just needs your rolling consent."

Kael blinked once.

"What plan?" he asked, clear confusion appearing on his face.

Christina stepped a little closer.

"The plan for you to attain Godhood for real this time."

Kael's eyes sharpened immediately.

"Godhood huh…"

His gaze turned serious as he looked into the distant void.

The quiet space filled with stars remained calm as if even the universe was listening.

For a few seconds Kael remained silent while thinking carefully.

Then he slowly nodded.

"However before that…" he said.

His eyes turned colder.

"It seems I need to make a few moves."

Christina nodded without hesitation.

"Okay."

Nina looked slightly curious.

"What moves?"

Kael looked toward the distant world below them.

His expression turned calm, but the dangerous glint in his eyes returned.

"There are a few people," he said quietly, "who should know that I am truly back."

.....

The Veydrin Estate stood quiet under the pale afternoon sky.

The once lively courtyard had fallen into a deep and heavy silence. Dark banners hung from the stone walls, and the wind moved them slowly as if even the air respected the solemn mood that had settled over the place.

A small mourning ceremony had been arranged in the center of the estate.

It was not a grand funeral.

There were no musicians, no long speeches, and no crowd of nobles gathered to pay their respects. Only the members of the Veydrin family and a few loyal retainers stood present. The atmosphere was calm, yet weighed down by something deeper than grief.

At the center of the courtyard stood a simple wooden coffin.

Inside lay Adele.

Despite choosing the wrong side and dying in conflict, she had still been a member of the Veydrin bloodline. That alone was enough for the family to perform a small ritual offering for her.

A shallow grave had already been prepared beside the ancient oak tree that stood at the edge of the courtyard.

The tree had existed longer than the estate itself, and the Veydrin family had buried several of their own beneath its shade over the generations.

A priest stood quietly nearby and held a small bowl filled with purified water and crushed herbs. The scent of the herbs drifted lightly through the air as he whispered the final rites.

A few candles had been placed around the coffin, their flames swaying softly in the breeze.

At the front of the ceremony stood Emilia and Ruth.

Both of them wore dark clothing. Their expressions remained calm, but their eyes carried a quiet heaviness.

Behind them several Veydrin guards carefully lifted the coffin.

The wooden box creaked slightly as they carried it toward the open grave.

The priest raised his hand and began the ritual prayer.

"May the soul that walks the next path find clarity beyond the mistakes of this life."