In a secluded alleyway, Aengus, Be, and the Sky Phoenix Queen stood alone, their expressions tense yet filled with unspoken emotions.


    "I can''t believe how beautiful you''ve be," Chrystia said, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "Thest time your mother showed me a glimpse of your grown-up profile, I was in awe. Her skills in such matters are unparalleled."


    "My mother still remembers me?" Be asked, her voice steady, though her heart raced with suppressed excitement.


    Chrystia smiled warmly. "Yes, she does. She misses you every moment of these past years. You''ve never left her heart."


    Be''s eyes shimmered with a mixture of joy and sorrow, but she quickly masked her emotions.


    "But, niece," Chrystia continued, her tone shifting to one of concern, "tell me, why have youe here? And why do you look more like a human than a demon? What''s going on?"


    Aengus immediately signaled Be with a subtle gesture, cautioning her to tread carefully.


    Understanding his intent, Be replied calmly, "Aunt, there are some secrets I cannot share with you just yet. I hope you can understand."


    Chrystia''s expression softened, though worry still lingered. "And why have youe here, Be?"


    Be straightened, her voice resolute. "We''re here to meet my mother. I want to ask her if she still wants toe with us."


    "To where?" Chrystia asked, narrowing her eyes slightly.


    "To our home," Be said, her gaze softening as she nced at Aengus.


    Chrystia fell silent, her brow furrowed as she pondered the situation deeply.


    After a long pause, she asked, "And what if she says no?"


    "Then we''ll leave," Be replied bluntly.


    "I see... Don''t you want to meet your grandmother and grandfather?" Chrystia asked cautiously, her tone probing.


    "Hmph… my grandparents…" Be scoffed, her voice filled with a mixture of bitterness and disdain.


    "I''m sure they don''t care about me. Otherwise, they wouldn''t have allowed my mother and me to be separated in the first ce. But I''m not scared of them either," Be dered, her tone growing fiercer as Phoenix mes flickered around her clenched fist. "Let theme if they dare."


    Chrystia chuckled lightly, though her gaze shifted warily to Aengus. "Oh, my niece is so confident… Is it because of him?" she asked, her eyes narrowing as she studied the man standing calmly beside Be.


    She couldn''t help but feel a sense of unease. The rebellious human she''d once dismissed as insignificant now exuded an overwhelming aura, as though a storm of unimaginable destructiony dormant within him. The mere proximity to Aengus sent chills down her spine, forcing her to reconsider everything she thought she knew.


    The tales of his crushing victory over the Kairos Emperor resurfaced in her mind. Back then, she had thought they were exaggerations, myths spun to embellish his reputation. But now, seeing him in person, she was beginning to believe every word.


    Be''s radiant smile broke through Chrystia''s thoughts. "Yes," Be said with unshakable confidence, her voice ringing with pride. "No one can stand in his way. Even if it means going against you all."


    Chrystia''s eyes narrowed, sensing the underlying threat.


    Her own niece was now siding with the man she loved.


    Though she must admit, Aengus was a man worth putting everything on the line for.


    "Why are you silent? Do you truly want to wage war against us, oh Ruination Emperor?" Chrystia asked, her tone solemn.


    "It''s not war that I want," Aengus replied nonchntly. "I want liberation—a united world, free from the suffering of ordinary people caused by the senseless wars between the so-called gods."


    Chrystia was angered beyond measure.


    "You''re talking about seizing power right in front of a queen of this empire. Do you realize what you''re saying? Has your power gone to your head? What if we trap you here? How foolish are you?" Chrystia red into a zing sun, her entire body engulfed in mes.


    Aengus looked up at her fiery disy, unimpressed.


    "YOU CAN TRY."


    In an instant, Aengus closed the distance between them, his piercing gaze locking with hers. His eyes seemed to pull Chrystia into a void of chaos and destruction, a vision of eternal oblivion that sent chills down her spine.


    For a brief moment, Chrystia felt as though her very existence was being unraveled. Just one signal from Aengus could have obliterated her entirely.


    With Be''s pleading eyes, Aengus let go of Chrystia, his expression softening until he appeared harmless.


    Chrystia regained herposure and looked at Aengus speechlessly.


    The boy she had once known was now unfathomable to her. He had be a genuine force of nature, a threat that couldn''t be taken lightly.


    "Aunt, please take us to my mother. We promise we will do nothing else if she refuses to leave," Be pleaded earnestly.


    Chrystia studied Be''s face for a moment before nodding.


    "Okay,e with me..." she said calmly, turning to lead the way.


    Aengus observed the queen closely, peering into her heart to judge her sincerity. Though she seemed genuine in her intentions, he knew that didn''t mean their request would be granted so easily.


    But Aengus weed challenges. No one had forced him to his limits since he had risen to power like an unstoppable tide.


    On the way, they encountered Evan and Ste.


    Aengus stopped in front of the duo, who stood nervously, unsure of what was about to happen.


    "Tell me," Aengus said, his tone calm yetmanding. "Do you want to join my Empire? I will give you a chance at a second life as thanks for your small but valuable help."


    Evan and Ste didn''t hesitate for even a second. "We ept, Your Majesty!"


    Having learned his true identity as an Emperor, only a fool would let such an opportunity slip through their fingers.


    Be and Chrystia nced back curiously, watching the interaction unfold.


    "Very well, off you go," Aengus said with satisfaction.


    With a wave of his hand, a spatial portal opened before Evan and Ste. The siblings exchanged a grateful look before stepping into the shimmering gateway, disappearing into the Liberation Empire.


    Aengus turned back, meeting Chrystia''s wide-eyed, impressed gaze.


    "Did you really send them to your Empire just like that?" Be''s aunt asked incredulously.


    "And what if I did?" Aengus replied, his voice cold but calm. "Are you already thinking of blocking space to prevent me from using that skill? If so, remember this—you''ll only bring doom upon yourself by attempting to force my hand."


    Chrystia clenched her jaw but said nothing further. The sheer conviction in his words and the immense aura he exuded left her with no retort.


    With a flick of her fiery robe, she turned around and resumed walking, her attendants following closely behind. Be walked beside Aengus, throwing him a proud smile.