— I've never seen a human use a member of my race in this way... — he said, looking at the tentacles of Kay's suit with curiosity. — What technology is this?

— One that humans developed to kill ghouls. — Kay replied coldly.

— Impressive... — the monarch laughed, the sound reverberating through the field. — If those other humans had this, it would have been much more fun to kill them!

Kay disappeared again, moving too fast to be seen. When he reappeared, his sword was about to hit the monarch, but was blocked by one of the enemy's hardened tentacles.

— Damn! What bizarre body is this? — Kay shouted in frustration.

— My ability: Hardened Body. — the monarch replied, with a wicked smile.

— Ability? — Kay exclaimed, surprised.

— Powerful ghouls like us have special abilities. — the monarch explained. — Didn't you see one of my generals using his?

Kay stepped back, analyzing the situation.

“That guy?” he asked, with disdain. “Sorry, but he died so fast I didn’t even notice!”

“Don’t worry…” the monarch said, with a menacing glint in his eyes. “I’ll show you now!”

The monarch’s tentacles advanced at an unreal speed, unleashing incessant attacks.

“Shared Ability: Machine Gun Punch!” the monarch roared, as the tentacles fired blows so fast that they seemed to form a storm around Kay.

Kay dodged with difficulty, her movements slower than usual due to the intensity of the attack. The soldiers watched from afar, restless and worried.

In the skies, helicopters approached the wall, bringing reinforcements.

“What are you doing standing there?” Lena shouted, leaning out of one of the helicopters.

Slayer, next to her, pointed to the battlefield.

— It's the same old thing with the captain. If we go there, we'll just get in the way!

The soldiers hesitated, but continued to watch, unable to intervene.

Back in the battle, Kay tried to cut the monarch's tentacles, but his blows had no effect.

— This won't work... — he growled, irritated.

With a quick movement, Kay once again manifested the tentacles of his suit. They moved like snakes and, in a precise movement, caught the monarch's tentacles, momentarily immobilizing him.

"What is this, human? Do you think you can hold me?" the monarch taunted, trying to pull the tentacles back, but without success.

Kay gave a defiant smile.

"Not only hold... I can do much more than that!"

Kay's tentacles moved in a brutal impulse, lifting the monarch's gigantic body off the ground with surprising ease.

"Let's see how resilient you are!" Kay shouted, spinning the monarch in the air as if he were a toy.

Then Kay swung the monarch with all his strength, smashing him against the ground on one side, and immediately pulling him to the other, repeatedly. The impact resounded like thunder, cracking the ground and raising dust everywhere.

"Don't you like it, you worm?" — Kay roared, as he continued the brutal attack, each blow eliciting grunts of pain from the monarch.

The silence lasted only a moment. Suddenly, the monarch let out a guttural and dark laugh, his voice echoing across the battlefield.

“Impressive…” he said, even though he was bloodied and visibly injured. “But you’ll need much more than that to defeat me, human!”

The monarch began to regenerate, his wounds closing quickly. Kay stepped back, dropping his body to the ground with force.

“Then let’s continue…” Kay said, with a defiant smile, raising his sword. “I still have plenty of energy to finish you off!”

“I’ll take you seriously if you’re able to handle it!” the monarch taunted, with an evil smile.

“Bring it on!” Kay replied firmly, pointing his sword.

The monarch raised his hand, and in the next instant said in a deep voice:

“Converge.”

An overwhelming pressure filled the air around him, distorting the surroundings. Then he thrust his hand forward and shouted:

"Release!"

A massive wave of compressed energy rushed towards Kay like a hurricane.

"It seems my attack..." Kay said, clenching his fist on the hilt of his sword. He leapt up and, with a ferocious cry, delivered a vertical downward blow.

The collision was devastating. The impact created a huge explosion, raising dust and spreading violent winds in all directions. The walls shook as if the world were collapsing, and the soldiers, even in fear, kept their eyes fixed on the battlefield.

As the dust began to settle, a voice echoed in the silence:

"Congratulations, human. Your attack managed to wound me!" said the monarch, blood dripping from his wounds.

"Damn ghoul..." Kay replied, spitting out a large mouthful of blood as he struggled to get up.

The dust cleared, revealing a scene of pure horror. Kay was split in half. His lower half remained standing, while the upper half lay fallen on the ground.

The soldiers were paralyzed by terror. The monarch, covered in blood, was already beginning to regenerate, his wounds closing before everyone's incredulous eyes.

"I couldn't take you seriously, human, but you amused me. Be proud! As your own race says: 'You were the best of the amateurs, but you would never be one of the professionals!'" the monarch mocked.

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"Shut up for a bit..." Kay replied, with difficulty, a weak smile appearing on his face. "I was caught off guard in this attack... but I'm sure... the humans... will be able to kill you."

"If the strongest in this kingdom couldn't do it, why should I believe it?" the monarch questioned, with a mocking tone.

"You'll see..." Kay said, his voice growing weaker. He turned around, facing the soldiers in the distance. — Sorry, guys... but I lost...

“Lena!” Mira shouted, her voice desperate.

“Okay!” Lena replied, composing herself.

Mira and Rem held onto Lena, who manifested her wings and flew towards the monarch.

“Humans are irrational when they are angry!” the monarch commented, watching them advance.

“They are not ready yet... but you will see... how strong they already are...,” Kay said, smiling one last time before her body lost its life.

Lena flew with force and released Mira and Rem into the air. The two fell at high speed, trying to cut the monarch, who only stepped back slightly to dodge their blows.

Meanwhile, Mira ran to Kay.

“Mom! What do I do? He is not breathing!” Mira shouted, her eyes brimming with tears.

“Don’t lose concentration! Focus on the enemy in front of us!” — Rem replied, trying to remain firm.

— Don't die... You said you would return! Please, Kay! It's an order! Don't die! — Mira shouted, as tears streamed down her face.

The monarch observed the scene with interest and smiled cruelly.

— Interesting... You smell like him, girl. I get it... I want to see this future he mentioned. For now, I will retire. But know this: in two months, if this kingdom does not produce ten pregnant women besides you two, I will kill twenty people. And I will do the same the following month... and the next... Increase the population of your kingdom or die trying to defeat us! — proclaimed the monarch, his monstrous wings manifesting with a sinister glow.

— Bastard! — Rem shouted, full of hatred.

With a single flap of his wings, the monarch disappeared into the horizon, so fast that no one could react.

— He is fast... — Rem muttered, clenching her fists.

Rem, trying to control her own emotions, slowly approached. She crouched down next to Mira, watching the girl who struggled in vain to make Kay react.

“No... He’ll come back, mother... He said he would!” Mira sobbed, shaking Kay’s body as if that could wake him up.

“Daughter...” Rem said, her voice firm but full of pain.

Mira ignored him, continuing to call out to him, her hands shaking as she held Kay’s still face.

“It’s not fair! He promised! Kay... please... just one more time... tell me it’s okay...” Mira whispered, her voice weakening as the tears took over her.

Rem couldn’t hold it in any longer. She pulled Mira into her arms, hugging her tightly.

“I’m so sorry, my daughter... I’m so sorry...” Rem said, her voice finally breaking as she held Mira close to her chest.

Soldiers in the distance watched the scene in silence, their hearts heavy with loss and fear of an uncertain future. Even those who tried to maintain a firm posture could not keep their eyes from filling with tears.

In that moment, it was not just a soldier who had left. It was a leader, a friend... and for some girls, the man who had promised to return to them.

The morning sun illuminated the silent cemetery, where the cold wind seemed to carry the sadness of the moment. The burial of Alpha Zero was taking place, surrounded by rows of graves of soldiers who had given their lives for the kingdom in the past. Next to Kay's grave, by order of Mira, now the new captain, a memorial to Takemichi had been erected, even though his body was not present.

The soldiers closest to Kay and Takemichi were gathered, all in formal uniform, in reverent silence. Among them, the presence of the royal family drew attention. The queen and Emilia were there, paying their respects. Emilia, with red eyes and a tear-stained face, could barely contain her pain as she stared at the coffin where Kay's inert body lay.

From afar, Julius watched the ceremony, seemingly indifferent.

"What a waste of time coming here. Let's go back home," he said coldly, addressing the pilot of his vehicle.

"Are you sure, captain?" the pilot asked hesitantly, noticing the sharp tone in his voice.

Before Julius could answer, a deep voice interrupted him.

"Are you leaving already?" the former captain of the sixth division exclaimed, approaching with firm steps.

Julius gave the man a look of contempt.

"I didn't even notice you approaching. Who is that?" the pilot thought, intrigued by the veteran's presence.

"I came to put that soldier in his place, but the ghoul has already done that. We won't get involved. What's more, we won't give shelter to people from another kingdom. Pass on the message. — Julius said with disdain, turning to leave.

The former captain could not contain his indignation.

— Are you thinking about your people or yourself? — he exclaimed, his voice full of disapproval.

Julius did not answer, he just kept walking with firm steps, followed by the pilot.

The former captain watched as he walked away, a mixture of anger and disappointment on his face.

— I can already foresee the chaos that those ghoul's words will cause among the humans. Did he realize this and want to avoid problems, or is it just the result of his disinterest? — thought the veteran in a low voice, before turning to the cemetery.

Rem, who had heard the exchange, crossed her arms, her gaze hardened.

— That's why we only admire Julius for the power he has. As a human, he's no good. — she said bitterly.

— He's never changed. He's been the same since he joined the army. — replied the former captain, shaking his head.

Rem sighed, her eyes falling on Mira, who was standing still in front of the assembled army.

— Hard times are coming, aren't they? My daughter became captain at the worst possible time. — Rem said, his voice full of concern.

— I know it's not much, but if you need advice from an old man on the verge of death, I'll be here. — the former captain offered, trying to lighten the weight of the conversation.

— On the verge of death? Sounds pretty healthy to me. — Rem replied, with a sad smile.

— Age comes to everyone, there's no way around it. — he said, giving a light laugh.

— Your help will be welcome. I appreciate it, captain. — Rem said, touching his shoulder gratefully.

Meanwhile, Aiko walked over to Mira, who stood at the front of the army. The young woman's voice sounded soft, but full of sincerity.

— I only knew him for a short time, but he became someone important to me. I'm sorry. — Aiko said, her eyes brimming with tears.

Mira turned to her and held her hand firmly.

— You would have loved him very much. Thank you for loving him, even if it was just for a short time. — Mira said, her voice trembling, but with a gentle smile.

Aiko laughed softly, wiping her eyes.

— You are so strange... But I think that is exactly why he cared so much for you. Thanks to that, I discovered what it is like to be loved. I will analyze what you asked and get back to you with the result. — Aiko said, giving a small smile before pulling away.

Emilia, silently, approached and hugged Mira tightly.

— I am so sorry for him... — Emilia whispered, her voice choked with tears.

Mira returned the hug, and they stayed like that for a while, until the queen intervened, gently separating them.

— I am so sorry for your loss, Captain Mira. — the queen said sincerely.

— Thank you... — Mira replied, her voice low but determined.

— Hey, Rem, it's been a while! — said a girl, entering the cemetery.

— Damn it! — Mira muttered, visibly worried.

— Now is not a good time for you to show up! — Rem said, in a firm tone.

— I have more right to participate in this funeral than you do! — said the girl, with a defiant smile.

Mira lowered her head, her thoughts swirling, worried about what might happen.

The girl entered elegantly, a coat weighing lightly on her shoulders, her imposing posture attracting glances around her.

— She's wearing a suit, she must be from another division. Do you know her? — exclaimed Joana, trying to understand who she was.

— She's his aunt! — replied Mira, her voice tense.

— I didn't know he had another relative! — said Joana, surprised.

— She said she would live her life her way, and after that we never heard from her again. That was months before his parents died! — Mira explained, her eyes still focused on the figure approaching the coffin.

The girl stopped in front of Kay's coffin, her eyes fixed on it. She observed it, as if trying to find something beyond death.

“I know it's him by the smell. But why is he wearing that mask?” the girl exclaimed, turning to Mira.

“It's his identity in the army... He died in combat, so...” Mira began, her voice trembling a little.

“That's cool!” the girl said, admiring the mask with a sparkle in her eyes, as if she had found something that aroused her curiosity.

“Himitsu... where have you been?” Mira exclaimed, unable to hide her surprise and concern.

The woman looked at her with a calculated smile.

“Little Mira, I came to my nephew's funeral. So, I want to know: why is he dead?” Himitsu asked, her voice filled with growing tension.

Mira trembled, frightened.

“Where is my sister’s idiot husband? Why did he let my nephew die?” Himitsu said, anger brimming over her words.

“His parents died when he was six years old…” Mira replied, trying to remain firm, but her fear was visible.

“My sister too…? I understand…” Himitsu paused, her eyes burning with fury. “Who will I have to kill to avenge my nephew?”