The heat of that sun makes nothing easier, and the soldiers are mentally and physically exhausted. Not only have they had to put an end to the dead of others, but they were also forced to destroy their own loved ones. Just that alone fills them with that feeling… that disgust toward themselves, toward having to destroy those they had already lost once.
Within those flames, Asterio walks calmly toward Ameria. He places his hand on her shoulder, which is not as scorching as he expected. Then he whispers into her ear that she no longer has time to play. With a deathly calm, the sun in the sky disappears.
"I see… Asterio, I believe Miss Vespia is mistaken… She should not waste her time on them. They are beings unworthy of our gods."
At those words, a door appears beside the two Devourers, who vanish with the same calm in which they appeared, leaving Felice and the students to rest.
Meanwhile, in one of the noble districts, Zach Eternhal drives his sword into the ground. He and his class were tasked with protecting the nobles under the orders of their homeroom teacher, Marvin Greathun, who is currently destroying the last revenant.
"Well, it seems that with the sun gone, the dead have stopped their attacks… Zach, go to the other sectors and help the wounded, and Katia, take care of the castle. We need to ensure the safety of the royal family… And in a moment like this, you didn't even lift a finger, Lamia… seriously."
He then moves toward the center, where the festival is located… or at least what remains of it.
The attack left damage in front of the palace, and while Leonard goes to Leslie to check on her condition, Oria stands before Devo's corpse. She kneels down in front of him and gently closes his eyes despite the state of his body.
"Devo… you strayed from the will of our gods for the sake of your ambitions. That alone would have earned you the wrath of the Faxia group… But how could I ever hate you, you who saved me… We will meet again one day under the gaze of the fallen gods… Farewell, Devo."
Leonard watches her, but he says nothing… This day has been exhausting, but it is also a wake-up call for all the heroes. A reminder of the Devourers' power. And those were only two of them.
Many were absent during this festival, and the defenses were weaker. Yet even so, the shame of having lost a battle will remain forever in the people's memory and will, by extension, increase the power of the Devourers.
"The sun sets… the spirits sleep… They used probabilities and souls to destroy everything… hmm."
Lamia watches those memories unfold before her alongside Lux… It was expected for this day, and she was prepared for it. But quickly, she erases the vision, unwilling to become sentimental.
At the same moment, five doors open inside Lamia's office, allowing Ameria, Asterio, Cassidy, Thomas, and Vince to step through, only to bow before Vespia. The only one who speaks is Vince:
"We apologize for acting without your authorization, but I wanted to see whether Thomas's idea would truly work… Thomas and Cassidy can no longer remain undercover after this. I hope you will forgive us. And lastly, the old psychopath went off to devour children, so I doubt she will be back anytime soon."
Lamia says nothing. She looks at Vince, then gently pats his head. He feels immense stress despite his smile… He has never been treated like this by Vespia, which frightens him greatly.
"I am not angry, quite the opposite… A reminder of danger is good for the students, and thanks to you, I have found the perfect idea… I am so proud of you."
The Devourers feel immense joy and bow even lower, their heads nearly touching the ground.
"I call it… the Interstars Games. Haha… hahaha… This will be truly entertaining~"
End of chapter