Just at first sight, the Black Dragon Emperor could accurately guess Odin's strength.

"Odin, you really have grown old. Your power isn't even one percent of what we used in our holy war! Hahaha!"

That holy war was the battle for divine authority, and during that time, Odin, who possessed the Hope Emblem, fought the Black Dragon Emperor for only ten rounds before the outcome was determined. But this time...

Faced with the blatant mockery from the Black Dragon Emperor, Odin, the giant god (at least previously), remained unwavering in his mindset. He was trying to buy time.

"Indeed, one percent is quite small, but it will be enough to deal with you."

"Oh, then let me see if you, without the Hope Emblem, can still be my opponent!"

The Black Dragon Emperor knew that he couldn't waste any more time, so he quickly launched a fierce assault against Odin.

Unfortunately, every sneak attack he made was easily countered by Odin. Truly, they were old rivals. Odin would casually defend against each attack, but his translucent body was telling him that he couldn't hold on much longer!

"Old friend, this is the end for you. I will repay everything you've done to me!"

The Black Dragon Emperor unleashed an energy wave capable of destroying the world, laughing hysterically: "Die, all of you, just die! Hahaha!"

Juxi was greatly frightened. This level of power was truly befitting of a divine king, and it was devastating!

Fortunately, his spiritual power finally replenished...!

Juxi quickly stopped Odin and stood in front of him.

"Odin, leave the rest to me. I will fulfill Youmu's wish, which is..."

Juxi swung his fist, filled with elemental power, against the surface of the energy wave released by the Black Dragon Emperor. "Always, always protect her by her side!"

With this punch, he almost exerted all his power in a last-ditch effort. Losing believers meant losing the source of his strength for the Black Dragon Emperor, but he didn't despair and just wait for death!

"You don't know anything at all. My actions will change..."

"Shut your beak! All I know is that... you have caused the deaths of countless people!"

The powerful Wind and Rotation Fist ignored the energy wave and instantly shattered the Black Dragon Emperor's dragon form. In that moment, the numerous mirages ascended like stars in the sky until they vanished completely.

The evil spirits did not turn into mirages. It was a perfect ending... achieved.

"Released... thank you, King..."

The dissipating evil spirits collectively bid farewell to Juxi. Before dispersing completely, each person performed the most splendid scene of their lives.

Each tear appeared so real. Was it because their desires kept them from being liberated?

Because Juxi couldn't believe it. In these souls, there were rarely appearances of power and money. They were all scenes of families reuniting, enjoying harmonious moments together. He suddenly remembered a sentence someone familiar once told him: Protection is actually a form of desire.

Juxi never expected that those evil spirits destined for destruction according to the prophecy could also experience warmth that belonged to them.

Even though he only discovered it later... was it just a dream?

"... Was the future saved?"

Finally, they achieved victory. Juxi couldn't support himself any longer and fell down, gazing at the endless falling ashes.

Juxi felt an immense discomfort because he knew these were the last remnants of those departed souls.

Next, it was time to leave... huh?

"Why is my power draining every minute and every second? Why?"

The remnants of the gray world couldn't continue to exist, but the space remained intact.

This left him very troubled. Which part did he overlook?

The gray energy continued to swirl in the air, and the mentally simulated space showed no signs of breaking... why? Juxi wondered. Could it be that the Black Dragon Emperor hasn't...?!

All that remained was Juxi, who had exhausted all his strength and lay motionless on the ground. At this moment, he shifted his gaze towards the direction where the Black Dragon Emperor vanished... in the sky floated a ball of bloody red smoke. Was that the Black Dragon Emperor's true form?

As long as there was a trace of black energy, even if turned to ash, the monster could still be alive and kicking!

You're kidding! Juxi gasped for breath. Just getting up from the ground was already incredibly difficult for him, let alone continuing the fight, even if it was just one attack!

However, the Black Dragon Emperor is not much better either. He is now nothing more than a toothless tiger. The aura of power and authority that he symbolized can no longer be felt. Both Juxi and the Black Dragon Emperor are now on the brink of death, and the fierce battle between light and dark is not over yet!

"Ah...!"

The Black Dragon Emperor completely lost his temper. Revenge and the inability to return to his original world made him become negative and desperate, venting all his hatred on Juxi.

"Do you think that I will spare you just because you have made me look ridiculous? Dream on, even if I have to die, I will drag you down with me!"

The blood mark emitting bursts of red light let out an angry roar as it charged towards Juxi. Along the way, even space became distorted and radiant with fire. Is this the end that they both seek?

...Forget it, Juxi was about to unleash his power, but he realized that he didn't even have the strength to catalyze it anymore!

"Hehe, my existence doesn't matter anymore. In the end, my fate will be the same as those evil spirits..."

In the face of such a deadly attack, he displayed a calm expression.

Juxi couldn't be bothered to deal with the Black Dragon Emperor anymore. Thinking to himself, he closed his eyes peacefully, ready to face death calmly because... the world has been saved, and his mission is complete.

Just when Juxi had prepared himself to disappear, faintly, a familiar voice gave him a strong slap and reminded him urgently.

"Not yet, your promise and mission are not yet completed!"

Another Juxi stood in front of him, waving his hand to grab hold of the Black Dragon Emperor's spirit, not letting go.

"Partner, what are you doing?"

Swish—!

Before Juxi could say anything, his partner desperately threw two badges, one green and one red, to him.

"These are two badges symbolizing life and death, the power of Odin. With them, you will be a complete entity..."

"What about you?"

Juxi tightly grasped the badges in his hand, feeling a bad premonition.

"I... I no longer have any attachments in this world."

Sure enough, his partner wanted to defeat the Black Dragon Emperor alone, to save everyone... at least for Yuka. You must survive!

As soon as he finished speaking, his partner activated something similar to an interdimensional portal.

"Hurry! Quickly pass through that door and leave this place. Be quick!"

"But what about you?"

"My mission is completely accomplished. You are the one who made a promise to Yuka from the beginning until now, right?!"

His partner's resolute and strong gaze forced Juxi, loudly urging him.

"If you're a man, follow your own heart. The new world cannot be opened without you!"

Yes...

Whether it was Yu Nai or later Yuka, from then on, it was just me. There was only ever me, because... I genuinely liked them.

Although reluctant, he interrupted Juxi's train of thought and urged him once again.

"Do you understand?"

"Yes!"

"If you understand, then what are you waiting for? I won't keep that door open for long!"

The person who made the promise to Yuka is also me, Tsubaki Juxi. It has always been just me!

"I understand, take care of yourself!"

"Haha, that's the line I should be saying... never mind, you too—take care!"

After saying that, I jumped into the interdimensional space hole. In the next second after escaping, the force of the explosion pushed me towards the trajectory of the real world.

One last look behind, at the continually murky space entrance. It seems that this path will be permanently sealed.

Does that mean there won't be a future like the one in that dream anymore?

"Hmm? I'm so sleepy..."

I don't know how long I've slept, this feeling... it's as if, um, my head is spinning again.

"My throat feels a bit dry, water..."

"Here you go!"

"Oh, thank you."

Without hesitation, I took the glass of water and drank it all, then immediately became significantly more awake.

It feels like I just had a very long dream. Finally, I feel comfortable... huh, where am I?

Dizzy and groggy, I had just awakened from a long slumber, only to find that this place was not the familiar home I knew. Large marble pillars, spacious palace-like bedrooms, and twelve knights in armor standing on either side. And my silver battle robe reminded me... it wasn't a dream, everything that just happened was real!

"Cough...!" But I was still shocked, accidentally choking on water.

"Your Majesty...?"

"No, I'm fine." I opened my mouth, telling him to stop bothering me, but the attendant wouldn't stop talking, as if he had a propeller in his mouth.

"Your Majesty, have you had enough sleep?"

"Um... It's okay."

Being called "Your Majesty" was still uncomfortable, and the atmosphere here was cold, maybe because I was all alone?

With a melancholic mood, I arrived at the grand palace gate that isolated me from the outside world.

"Your Majesty, do you have something on your mind?"

"I said, don't bother me!"

The attendant finally backed away. Ai, I'm not in a good mood right now, because facing the person I'm about to see again...

A knight dressed in exquisite armor knelt behind me and asked with concern, "Your Majesty, where are you going?"

"It's nothing, just going out to breathe some real fresh air."

"And what does Your Majesty want to do now?"

"Things I want to do? Well, I will be gone for a while. Do not come to find me."

Perhaps this will be a new adventure. The Edge of the Capital is just a small part of Sanronica. In this new world, there are still many mysteries. But I will still fulfill that person's ideals.

And of course... her.

I will search for her traces in the vast lands of the Edge of the Capital, believing that she is also waiting for my arrival.

Thinking of this, I shook off the dust on my sleeve and took the first step in this emerging world without looking back. Would my sister accept her useless brother this time?

At the same time, in another jungle in the Edge of the Capital, a girl with sweat on her face casually flicked off the sweat on her hair and revealed a smile.

"The world is finally saved. Someone worked hard for this hope!"

Yuka patted the dirt off her pants and sat down on a stone she usually rested on, gazing at the sky.

At this moment, Uncle Joseph continued to work with his children among the fish in the stream.

And Chiyori and Shinobi were helping with fishing rods on the side. This scene of harmony between humans and animals was a rule created by him. I didn't expect him to really create a perfect world, and...

"The person who fought for us to the death is him... right?"

Indeed, then let my sister and I work together, spreading new ideas to the residents of this world that had escaped the apocalypse, so that this renewed world could last longer!

As the little brother, this is my only wish, to advance alongside my sister Yuka.