CHAPTER 109: A LAST-SECOND INTERVENTION

«The famous Hakuto Tendo... what an honor to finally meet you in the flesh,» Raelos sneers, his hateful gaze locked onto Hakuto from the ceiling above.

«I’d love to say the same, but I have no idea who the hell you are,» Hakuto mutters through clenched teeth.

He knows damn well that this incubus didn’t show up for a friendly chat. Right now, all he can do is buy time while figuring out what to do next.

«You’re right, how rude of me... My name is Raelos. I’m the father and master of Ana here—who I believe you know quite well. Lucky for you, I don’t plan to kill you... not yet, at least. Come with us quietly, and I promise I won’t kill more than necessary to fulfill the will of the exalted Cassian Thalukvar.»

~Cassian Thalukvar... yeah, I clearly remember Velune mentioning that name during the interrogations. So that means...~

«Ana! Tell me this isn’t real! You joined that cult of lunatic criminals?! My dad gave up his right arm to save you and your mom from Velshekar’s clutches so you could live the life you dreamed of with her! Not to mention Chantal, who almost lost everything fighting that ogre at Ashiya Rock Garden... What the hell does this all mean now?!» Hakuto snaps, rage boiling in his voice.

But Ana doesn’t reply. She just lowers her cold, blank gaze slightly.

«No point talking to her,» Raelos cuts in. «My beloved daughter belongs to me—body and soul. Right now, not even the words of her precious Soulmate can reach her. I’ll say this one last time, Hakuto Tendo. Come with us quietly, or I’ll drag you by force after I kill those two!» He points at Tony and Lucrezia—his body now healed enough to at least stand upright.

In response, Hakuto fully equips his diamond armor.

A massive sword appears in his hand—blinding white flames erupt from both blade and armor, leaving Tony and Lucrezia speechless.

Raelos shrugs.

«I’ll take that as a no. Fine... Ana, kill the brats. Now.»

Ana doesn’t hesitate. She glides instantly toward Tony and Lucrezia.

Hakuto moves to intercept her—but Raelos is already on him.

He exploited that split-second distraction to land a vicious punch, his fist crackling with purple lightning. Hakuto blocks it just in time with his sword... but he can’t reach Tony and Lucrezia in time.

Ana’s about to strike them with lightning... when something slams into her face and sends her crashing through the building wall with brutal force.

Hakuto’s shocked expression vanishes as soon as he sees her—Chantal, standing protectively in front of Tony and Lucrezia, her body blazing with radiant pink flames.

«No idea why you’re here, but perfect timing,» Hakuto comments, using the momentary distraction caused by Chantal’s kick to Ana to leap back and flank her.

«Hakuto... did you really take me for an idiot?» Chantal retorts. «You’ve been in Rome like, what, twice? You probably had never even heard of the Ostiense district. Watching you insist on searching this area personally was hella suspicious. Considering the mess you’re in, I’d say I was right to follow you.»

«Yeah, guess you did the right thing,» Hakuto replies, then glances toward Tony. «You should be able to move by now. Take Lucrezia and get her out of here. This place isn’t safe for either of you.»

«W-Wait... so Chantal is a superhero too?! Don’t tell me the others are as well! That would be so insane... and also super depressing since I’m the only one in the group without even a hint of superpowers!» Lucrezia complains, pouting.

Hakuto can’t help but smile at her words.

~Superheroes... superpowers... it’s got nothing to do with that. But to a human who knows nothing about N’Raeth, the Sacred Flame, or the creatures tied to it... it probably does seem like we’re comic book heroes~

«Yeah, they’re, uh... superheroes too,» Hakuto says with a faint smile.

«You must be really desperate if you’re asking me to save the girl I was about to kill,» Tony scoffs.

«Trust me, I’d rather not. But right now, I don’t have a choice. Hurt her in any way and I swear I’ll hunt you to the ends of the earth.»

Tony shakes his head.

«I’m a man of honor. It’s thanks to Lucrezia that you didn’t kill me—I owe her my life, and I intend to repay that debt.»

«I hope so. And Lucrezia, please... don’t tell anyone what happened here. Not even Rika, Yuzu, or Elisabeth. It’s too dangerous for them, and I don’t want them getting any ideas about jumping into this mess,» Hakuto adds, now turning his eyes back to Raelos.

Tony nods, then speeds off with Lucrezia slung over his shoulder—moving at impressive speed despite the wounds Hakuto inflicted.

Meanwhile, Ana rises to her feet again.

Even with blood dripping from her nose and mouth, her face remains cold, detached—like her mind has blocked out the pain.

«Well, looks like reinforcements have arrived... and a gorgeous one at that. I couldn’t ask for more,» Raelos grins, surrounded by a violent storm of violet lightning. «You see, Hakuto. I don’t hate you because you’re a Monster Reaper. Or because you’re protecting those two hybrids. No... I hate you for being my daughter’s Soulmate—for taking her body, her heart, and stealing what’s rightfully mine!»

«Her body...? Wait, when the hell did you and Ana have sex?! You were mine back then! How dare you cheat on me like that?!» Chantal snaps, shooting daggers at Hakuto with her eyes.

«Nothing ever happened between me and her! I swear! That lunatic must’ve imagined it!» Hakuto protests, genuinely convinced.

But he doesn’t remember. He was under Ana’s charm back then—right before she left Ashiya.

«It’s exactly because your seed entered Ana’s body that I was able to perform the ritual to track her Soulmate!» Raelos interjects. «An offense I will never forgive. One she’s already paid for—and now it’s your turn! The original plan was to take you alive and extract the information we need using Ana’s powers... but since your red-haired friend was kind enough to show up voluntarily, I’ll get what I need from her instead. So you’re no longer needed alive, Hakuto!»

«You and I need to have a serious talk, Hakuto,» Chantal hisses—her mind stuck on the first part of Raelos’s speech.

«I think we’ve got more pressing matters right now...» Hakuto mutters, sword still aimed at Raelos.

«You’ll have all the time you want to argue—in the Realm of the Dead!» Raelos roars, irritated that no one’s paying attention to him.

The lightning storm around him intensifies, and one just as fierce erupts from Ana’s body.

«My daughter, deal with the redhead—but I need her alive. As for you, Hakuto Tendo... I’ll make you suffer more than you ever thought possible!»