Chapter 98: Setting the Stage

Ty's eyes sparkled with a mixture of surprise and awe as the dual Kama blades, resembling sickle blades, descended into his hands.

The blades' golden aura shimmered softly, casting a warm glow on his face.

He felt a sense of power and responsibility emanating from them, a feeling both exhilarating and daunting.

Beside him, Todd was enveloped in a cascade of platinum light, a stark contrast to the golden hue surrounding Ty. As the light receded, Todd examined the wooden staff in his hands, metal tips glinting at both ends. A smirk played on his lips.

"Oh, neat; I've always liked twirling sticks," he remarked, his voice tinged with excitement and a hint of nostalgia, perhaps recalling childhood memories.

Meanwhile, Nana watched silently, her expression a blend of awe and contemplation.

In her hand rested a small wand, an orb at its center swirling with blue and red hues, converging into a sharp point of purple at the end.

The fairy on her head, now awake, expressed its astonishment, "Wow, a platinum-grade weapon?!" The fairy's voice was a mix of surprise and admiration, reflecting the rarity and prestige of such an item.

Nana's silence spoke volumes. It was as if she was internally debating the significance of the wand, understanding its power and the weight of the responsibility it brought.

Her usual playful demeanor was replaced by a more reflective and serious attitude, a rare sight Todd had noticed since leaving Planet Alexia.

Todd, still adjusting to the changes since their departure from Planet Alexia, couldn't help but notice the rare shift in Nana's demeanor. It was a side of her he hadn't seen before, a vulnerability that contrasted sharply with her usual bravado.

Ty rubbed the top of his head, a determined glint in his eye. "Well, I suppose I should go check it out," he declared, already moving towards the source of the disturbance.

Lady Amaris's expression shifted to one of shock, mixed with concern. "You really shouldn't," she cautioned urgently. "You could get hurt, and I would find myself responsible if something happened to one of Nanako's friends."

Ty, recalling the Demon King's daughter's words about his strength, reassured Lady Amaris with a confident smirk, "Don't worry, I can handle myself."

"Besides, now that this is done, we need to head to the capital to speak with King Griswald," Ty declared, vaulting over the wooden railing with ease. He paused, glancing back at Nana and Todd. "Let's go give a warm greeting to whatever's causing that noise," he proposed with a hint of excitement in his voice.

Nana and Todd shared a look and then, with matching warm smiles, nodded in agreement. They, too, jumped down, ready to face whatever lay ahead.

Lady Amaris, her concern evident, reached out in a futile attempt to grasp Nana's hand. "Please be careful," she implored, her voice laced with worry. Her usually immaculate appearance was slightly disheveled, a strand of hair falling across her face, reflecting her distress.

As Ty, flanked by Nana and Todd, approached the doors of the Cathedral, he pushed them open, revealing a scene of tension and uncertainty inside. The children, armed yet fearful, had pressed themselves against the walls, seeking cover. Only four children, three boys, and a girl, stood defiantly at the center of the church, engaged in a hushed conversation.

"I suppose it's normal to be afraid in a situation like this," Ty commented, thinking back to his own experiences. "We had bomb threats all the time back in New York." As he spoke, he exerted force on the doors, swinging them wide open.

The sight that greeted them was startling. General Mattison, a figure known for his stoicism, was leaning against the door with blood trickling down his face. The bodies of three men in dark cloaks lay in pools of blood nearby. Further off, a group of six men and another figure – a man with long black hair and an eyepatch under his right eye – advanced towards the Cathedral.

"How's it going, General? Odd to see you this far away from the outlands," Ty greeted Mattison in a casual, almost playful tone, despite the grim scene. "What brings you here, and do you need some help?"

Mattison, struggling with his injury, coughed, blood leaking from a wound on his head. His response was blunt and unexpected. "I came to arrest you."