“—We were separated.”

“True, but that’s not a problem. Makes it easier to fight.”

Hades replied to Rave and looked up. The skies were still dark.

He was all alone.

The number of personnel was small to begin with, and to make matters worse, only Hades was separated from Listeard and the others.

He was aware that he was surrounded. The enemy had probably anticipated such from the beginning when they attacked.

Their push-and-pull strategy, which began in the middle of the night, had successfully isolated Hades.

“How’s Natalie? Rosa should’ve reached the Southern King’s palace.”

“I haven’t heard anything yet. …Still, why aren’t they attacking us? I thought the Saber family would retaliate harder than this.”

“I agree. So far, we’ve only been dealing with the private army of the Saber family. The national army hasn’t even come out yet.”

As Hades said that, something occurred to him. Perhaps, they still didn’t know that Hades could issue instructions to the Rave Empire through Rho. They probably thought that as long as they could stop Hades, the army of the Rave Empire wouldn’t move.

But that’s just the way it is.

“The Little Miss sure is quiet. Once she sees Rosa, she’ll be shocked for sure.”

“…She doesn’t in believe me. It’ll only serve as further evidence that I intend to start a war.”

“I know, I know… Well, as long as Little Miss doesn’t become strange because of it…”

“What do you mean by ‘strange’?”

Rave slipped out of Hades’ chest.  Hades, at that moment, was sitting in a triangular position.

“Well, they’re going to paint you as the bad guy while also making her feel sorry for her family. Isn’t this too emotional a strategy to whittle at the Dragon Princess’ power? The Goddess seems to be behind it, but I feel like there’s more than meets the eye. The Goddess has lost to the Dragon Empresses so many times, I wouldn’t be surprised if she had come up with some sort of countermeasure.”

“Whatever. Jill just wants to quite being the Dragon Princess. I don’t care.”

“Can you stop acting weird at times like this?”

“I’m not being weird, I—”

He couldn’t afford to finish his words. He couldn’t help but be concerned.

Rave noticed the same thing and looked in the same direction as Hades, faraway to the South.

The presence of the Sacred Relic of the Dragon Princess had vanished.

“…Oi, Hades…”

Did something happen?

—or did she somehow manage to remove the ring of the Dragon Princess?

“…Who cares. There’s something more urgent right now.”

“But what if the Goddess did something to Little Miss?”

“With or without the ring of the Dragon Princess, Jill is the Dragon Princess I chose.”

Rave rolled his eyes at Hades who stood up and smiled wryly.

“…I see. Right. Yes, that’s fine.”

“What are you mumbling about? Get ready. They’re coming.”

“Finally, it’s my turn.”

“With this, I can inform my brother of my location. Besides, my future father-in-law is coming. I have to be polite.”

Rave enveloped Hades’ right arm and transformed into a silvery, heavenly sword.

As if waiting for that precise moment, magical power cascaded from the sky. It was as if all the stars in the night sky were falling down.

—As expected of the Saber family.

Laughing, Hades kicked up off the ground and leaped. Without turning around, he used the hilt of his Heavenly Sword to deflect the fist that was aiming for his back. Normally, that alone would’ve knocked his opponent to the ground, but this opponent didn’t lose his momentum and followed with a kick. As Hades evaded and moved away, Rave was fussing about.

“Who in the world challenges THE Heavenly Sword with their bare hands!? No matter how much magical power he has, he’s too cocky!”

“Amazing reflexes you have there. You managed to dodge that blow just now.”

At the exuberant voice, Hades turned around.

Billy Saber was smiling at Hades, just like when he welcomed them to the mansion. However, his body was no longer that of the plump gentleman he’d seen before.

“T-that’s Little Miss’ father, right? Hasn’t his build changed?”

Billy had increased his muscle mass using magic. His skeleton seemed to also have changed.

“—Just to be sure, I’d like to confirm something. Are you the margrave, Billy Saber?”

“Indeed, Your Majesty the Dragon Emperor. Honestly, that question isn’t new.”

While sensing their surroundings, Hades confronted Billy. Hades grinned.

“Alone?”

“I am. The people of the territory wanted to come too, since it’s the Dragon Emperor. Understandable, but no. The selection of who would come got messy. The options were either the decrepit old, or hot-blooded youth. As such, I’ll be the only one to welcome you, so please bear with me.”

“No worries. I really wanted to talk to you again, so this works out.”

“Do you need anything?”

“So far, we couldn’t really talk, but there’s something I’d like to ask you.”

Hades grinned, pointing the tip of his Heavenly Sword at Billy who was exposing his well-trained upper body in a stance that eliminated all openings.

Keeping such in mind, Hades said the most important words.

“Give me your daughter.”

“Denied.”

It was a smooth and immediate reply.

Just like that, their magical powers collided against each other.

---

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***T/N: Hades: Understood, have a not so nice day

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