Chapter 13: The One Who Should Be Gone

The Holy Capital stood quiet—until a single masked figure, No. 3, stepped through the central gate.

He whispered to himself, "Only Master Lee could be a problem… but even he can't stop me."

A squad of royal guards spotted him. One shouted, "Hey! You there! Identify yourself or we'll use force!"

No. 3 tilted his head. "Well, then…"

Before they could draw weapons, a massive wave of pressure erupted from his body. Soldiers flew backward like paper blown by the wind.

Meanwhile, Akumo's team stood in a grand hall surrounded by village leaders. Tension crackled in the air.

Accusations filled the room. "You stole the stone!" "You attacked our temple first!" "We only responded to your aggression!"

Akumo raised his voice. "Enough!"

Everyone silenced.

"We've investigated thoroughly. Neither of you stole the stone. The truth is—two years ago, a terrorist group tried to steal the same kind of stone from the Holy Knight Training Centre. They failed… but now? They used this to start your civil war. To make you fight."

He stepped forward.

"My request is simple: hold off your conflict. Let us return to the capital and report this. Then justice will be delivered."

The leaders exchanged glances, and after a long pause—they nodded

Back in the capital, No. 3 stood in the ruins of the city square. Entire buildings had collapsed under the weight of his aura. Fire surged from his fingertips as arcane symbols glowed beneath his feet.

"No one can even touch me," he murmured.

Then, a gust of wind parted the smoke.

Master Lee arrived.

"You've caused enough damage."

The two exchanged no further words. Their auras collided like storms crashing into mountains.

No. 3 extended his hand. A black crystal pulsed with immense magical energy—the Magic Stone. So potent that even standing near it overwhelmed the senses.

"No one can touch it," he said. "Their bodies would explode."

Master Lee didn't hesitate. Sword drawn, he lunged.

Their clash was blinding. Movements so fast, even trained Holy Knights couldn't follow. With each blow, shockwaves shattered buildings, tore apart stone, and broke the land under their feet.

Lee's sword clashed with No. 3's reinforced arms—until, at last, the blade cracked... and shattered.

Lee narrowed his eyes. "Then I'll use something else."

He whispered, "Ethereal Conflux: The Wind of Light."

A column of wind enveloped him. Suddenly, Lee moved so fast, No. 3 couldn't track him.

"Where are you—?!"

From behind, Lee struck with his legs—each kick sharp as a blade. Cuts appeared across No. 3's body. He staggered, swatting blindly as Lee launched a dozen strikes in seconds.

But eventually—Lee dropped to one knee, panting.

His legs trembled. Blood ran down his knees.

"I've reached my limit," Lee breathed. "My mana is empty… my soul is strained. My legs… broken."

No. 3 wiped blood from his mouth and stood.

"You're strong, Master Lee… but you've lost."

Lee smiled. "We've already sent the signal. Every knight, every S-Rank… knows."

No. 3 cracked his knuckles. "Then I'll wait here. They won't make it in time."

Far away, a magical creature—small, glowing, swift—raced through valleys and airways, delivering the message.

The Lord Emperor read it and turned to Kael. "It's up to Akumo's team. Only he can use portal magic to reach the capital faster than us."

In the capital, No. 3 used a magical device to safely extract the second Magic Stone.

He walked into the secure prison, breaking through magic barriers. He approached a cell.

Inside: Ryū.

"Who are you?" Ryū asked.

"No time. Take this stone and go to the planned location. I'll stay here and delay them."

Ryū took the containment box. "Can you handle them alone?"

"I will," No. 3 said, disappearing into the city.

High atop a ruined tower, No. 3 looked out over the flaming city.

"Long time no see…" he whispered.

Footsteps echoed behind him.

"How are you?" he added, without turning.

Akumo and his team had arrived.

Akumo stepped forward. "You… know me? Who are you?"

No. 3 chuckled. "You came to die."

Ardy and Sumi split off, helping evacuate villagers and extinguish fires.

Meanwhile, Zero, Ruka, Edward, and Akumo charged in.

No. 3 raised a single hand—his aura burst outward, forming a shield so dense that Ruka's ice shattered on impact, Edward's blade bounced, and even Akumo's portals were deflected.

Zero landed a powerful kick—and was launched backward.

The battle was fierce. No. 3 dodged Ruka's glacial spikes, countered Akumo's blade with elbow strikes, and sent Edward flying with a backhand.

He didn't just block—he predicted them.

After minutes of nonstop combat, the four collapsed from exhaustion.

Only Ardy and Zero remained standing.

No. 3 landed a heavy blow on Zero and fled into the jungle. Ardy followed.

As they reached the trees, Ardy called out, "You're good. Familiar. I think… I know your style. Who are you?"

No. 3 said nothing.

They clashed.

The trees shook. Roots tore from the ground. Every strike from Ardy met a precise counter. No. 3 ducked a spinning kick and slashed Ardy's chest with a hidden blade.

Blood spilled.

Ardy stepped back—then delivered a fierce uppercut. His fist struck the edge of No. 3's mask.

It cracked.

A chunk of the mask fell away. No. 3 turned slowly.

Ardy's eyes widened.

"You—"

Before he could speak, the mask fully broke.

It was…

Leo.

Ardy froze. His chest heaved as blood stained his shirt.

"…Leo?" he whispered.

Leo stood silently, his expression unreadable.

And everything stopped.