A powerful vibration occurred.

Quickly, I stood up as soon as my eyes opened, rushing out of the room through the hole created by the previous impact. Beside me, Celine's golem seemed to be trapped in a purple diamond-shaped glass cage.

I approached, reaching out to the glass which suddenly emitted a massive wave of energy, pushing me back quite far.

The golem looked towards me and said, "No one can open this. Hurry, help them. Without your assistance, they will perish."

After nodding, I leaped onto the wall, observing a column of light reemerging below.

The pillar soared high, piercing through the clouds, radiating dark energy that made every hair on my body stand on end and summoning storm clouds above with continuous strikes of purple lightning. Thunderous roars filled the air, as if proclaiming that 'Destruction has arrived.'

Suddenly, a green mana spiral formed around my right arm, swirling gently and gracefully. Within it, small particles of light moved slowly, following the flow of mana.

Guided by instinct alone, I leaped towards them, landing right in front of those who seemed unable to attack anymore.

Their eyes widened upon seeing me, and Celine shouted, "Zent! Thank goodness you're alright!" amidst the noisy gusts of wind, with the pillar at its center.

"Ah, now I can breathe a sigh of relief. Luna would be devastated if she heard you were gone," Mr. Anderson said as he patted my shoulder.

"You're truly something, Zent. How did you survive that attack?" Rayven exclaimed proudly, taking a long exhale, relieved to see me still alive.

Rio applauded with a wide grin adorning her face. "I'm impressed by you. I didn't expect you to hold on after that."

I smiled at their words, then turned my attention back to the pillar before us.

"She became like that after she struck you. We don't understand why, but it seems like this is the final stage of the battle. Life and death will be determined from now on," Mr. Anderson explained, electricity emanating from his body. This time it appeared much larger and more intense, with a sound that sent shivers down my spine.

Life and death, huh...

Somehow, I don't feel that way.

It's true that we'll die if we lose this battle. But I sense something different, something I've been feeling since this green mana appeared.

"I have a request for all of you," I said, capturing their attention. "I know this might sound a little crazy... Okay, it's really crazy. But please, trust me. I feel like this will not only resolve the battle but also bring us something new."

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They exchanged glances, waiting for Mr. Anderson's decision, and he eventually nodded.

I began explaining to them what I had been experiencing since I opened my eyes in the palace.

At first, they seemed skeptical and thought I might be stressed from the constant blows to the head. However, as time went on, their facial expressions turned neutral, neither accepting nor rejecting. Except for the commander, of course, who outright rejected my idea, stating that I was insane and that they should immediately stop whatever the woman was doing.

But Mr. Anderson shook his head and said, "Let's trust Zent. Besides, up until now, Zent has always done everything for us. Let's consider this as our way of repaying his deeds."

Rayven shook his head in disagreement.

His head lifted, displaying a wide smile full of enthusiasm. "I'm sorry, Mr. Anderson, but this time I have to refuse. I will certainly trust Zent no matter what happens!" he exclaimed, patting his chest.

Rio nodded in agreement. "That's right. Although we have only just met him, what we have is already much stronger than a mere friendship. We are brothers in arms! So we definitely believe in him!"

"I... Without needing to be asked, I definitely believe in Zent, especially..." Without continuing her words, we all understood. It was evident from Celine's blushing face and gentle smile.

Those green eyes gazed at me with deep emotions, making me feel warm in my chest and embarrassed by the meaningful stares from the others.

The defeated commander could do nothing but feel frustrated and restrain his boiling emotions. He kept looking in my direction, and then a powerful surge of energy burst out from the pillar.

We refocused our attention there, exchanged glances, and nodded to execute the plan.

We might be considered foolish for doing something like this, but thanks to their trust, I was confident that we would be hailed as geniuses instead.

As the pillar disappeared, revealing the woman who now fixed her sharp gaze on me, the four of us charged forward.

As requested, they didn't intend to harm him, only to restrain him temporarily.

Rayven shot four arrows that bound her arms to her sides using mana. Then, five mana swords pierced the ground, encircling her and forming a golden cage. In less than a second, Rio used her staff to strike the top of the cage, forcing her to kneel on the ground, where she was then struck by a powerful electric shock from Mr. Anderson.

After receiving the consecutive attacks, I was confident that she would feel dizzy and weak, which was the perfect opportunity for me to try this.

I approached, trying not to pay attention to her sharp gaze still directed at me, and placed my palm on her head. "Break free," I said. I summoned all the green mana I had, channeling it into his head, causing the pillar of light to reappear. This time, it was even stronger, making me feel as if I were burning alive.

However, I had to endure because I believed that I could save her!

I expelled all the green mana until it was depleted, exerting all my strength to avoid losing consciousness due to the pain.

Slowly, the pillar of light dimmed and dimmed, accompanied by her screams that eventually ceased.

The pillar of light vanished, and sunlight began to filter through the gaps in the clouds, giving us brightness and warmth.

Before me, there stood a beautiful woman with long white hair and a pair of sharp, now melancholic eyes.

The sunlight above highlighted the color of her deep blue eyes. Her hand reached out, touching me, and she said, "You have returned..." with a warm smile before collapsing unconscious.

Luckily, I acted quickly and caught her body. Otherwise, her beautiful face would have kissed the ground.

"I'm returned?" I asked, confused.

Suddenly, from behind, a sword pierced through.

I could clearly see the blade coming out from my chest, adorned with thick red liquid that now dripped onto her face.

Behind me stood Loid, wearing a joyful smile. Laughter of satisfaction escaped his mouth. "He is the enemy, he is a spy! He must be killed!"