May slammed her fist onto the desk beside the bed, her eyes flashing with rage and a trace of fear. The impact sent a shudder through the wooden surface, but the weight of her emotions was far heavier. Ryomen exhaled deeply, his expression unreadable. Across the room, Rose leaned against the wall, her gaze narrowing with quiet caution. Before she could speak, May's voice sliced through the silence, raw with frustration.
"So this is why you want your own son to learn blood manipulation? How low must the divine sink before they're satisfied? You left your family to spare them, yet here you stand before me again, all because of—"
Rose interrupted smoothly, her tone laced with something between amusement and disdain.
"So that's the real reason you came back? The goddess gave you a request... ensure Dazai survived long enough to learn that technique."
Ryomen remained silent for a moment, staring at his fingertips as black flames flickered to life around them. Their glow cast shadows along his face, but his voice, when it came, was eerily calm.
"In truth, I never expected this outcome… but it does explain why this world is the way it is." He flexed his fingers, the flames dancing along his knuckles before fading. "Women are born with greater mana reserves, heightened physical attributes—making them the so-called superior half of humanity. But that was never the real design. The goddess shaped this world for equilibrium—for protection, not domination. The arrogance of women is simply a byproduct. In the end, the gods are filthier than the mortals they toy with."
May let out a slow, measured breath. "And why," she asked bitterly, "why is it that the fate of this world rests on a mere child—"
Rose cut her off again with a soft chuckle, her expression unreadable.
"Oh, my dear sister… that is no mere child. Dazai—that boy—is more cunning than even his father." Her voice was laced with something almost akin to admiration. "I've seen those eyes. Those sea-blue eyes hold something far worse than anything we've encountered. There's a beast lurking inside him—a monster wrapped in the body of a child."
Ryomen clapped his hands together, chuckling.
"Yes, yes, my son is far beyond what anyone expects. But let's get to the real matter at hand. That boy… he is the key. The holy war is coming." His expression darkened. "Athena promised the gods wouldn't interfere with this world, but some of them have already broken that oath. And that means war. Dazai is the only one capable of opening the Gates to Olympus. He's the only one who can end this cycle of madness."
Rose let out a thoughtful hum, tilting her head slightly.
"So in short, the gods want their revenge—or at least, they want an excuse to punish us for a mortal besting one of their own. And now they expect us to bow and become their obedient little slaves?" Her lips curled into a smirk. "How pathetic. Zeus really is a failure of a god-king."
Ryomen chuckled under his breath.
"Calm yourself. But yes… if multiple gods have already entered this world, things will get messy. However, we still have a chance to win this. Gods, demons… even something far worse—they won't stop us." He folded his arms, his gaze sharp. "Humanity is far more twisted than any god. That's the dark truth."
He turned toward the others, his tone decisive.
"We begin preparations immediately. Every kingdom must be informed. In a few months, we'll set foot in the capital—when Dazai enrolls in the academy."
May exchanged glances with Rose and Ryomen, exhaling in resignation. She could see it now—the wheels already turning, the inevitability of the war they would have to fight.
"Fine," she muttered. "I'll teach the brat. But tell me one thing… why didn't you bring your brother here with you? He could have—"
Ryomen cut her off with a hum, his expression unreadable.
"Hebi already saw this coming. He's always one step ahead." A smirk ghosted his lips. "My little brother… well, let's just say he's been waiting for this."
He turned, his movements unhurried.
"Let's head back. The sooner, the better."