Chapter 126: Kaguya Appeared!

"Is... that really him?"

"I think... no, I am sure of it. It's Nathan... um, Onii-sama." Akane's voice was soft but resolute as she nodded, the conviction in her words growing stronger with each passing moment. The more she allowed herself to remember, the more certain she became.

Ayaka, still reeling from the shock, could barely process what her sister was saying. Her mind raced with a thousand questions, each more unsettling than the last. Before she could speak, another voice broke the heavy silence in the tent.

"Ayaka-san is right."

The unexpected voice drew the attention of everyone in the room. As they turned toward the newcomer, a collective gasp filled the air.

Ryuuki's mouth hung open in disbelief. "Kaguya-san..."

In the midst of their despair, Kaguya's arrival was like a breath of fresh air. Her presence, so radiant and commanding, seemed to infuse the tent with a renewed sense of hope. Her white eyes, calm and perceptive, swept over the group, assessing the state of the Heroes who had been so thoroughly beaten.

'It's worse than I imagined,' she thought, her heart sinking as she took in their despondent faces.

When the Goddess Amaterasu had informed her of the events that had transpired, Kaguya could scarcely believe it. That all of her Heroes had been overwhelmingly defeated, with one slain and another kidnapped by the Hero of Darkness, was a reality she hadn't been prepared for.

But now, seeing the aftermath firsthand, she began to understand the gravity of the situation—and why Amaterasu had sent her here with such urgency.

"What are you doing here, Kaguya-san?" Ryuuki voiced the question that was on everyone's mind.

Kaguya's gaze softened as she addressed them. "Goddess Amaterasu told me about what happened. I sincerely apologize for what happened to Taketa-sama." She bowed her head lightly, a gesture of respect and sorrow for their fallen comrade.

"It's not your fault, Kaguya-san. It's that Hero of Darkness!" Yumiko spat, her voice thick with anger and grief.

Ayaka and Akane exchanged uncertain glances, their earlier resolve now wavering. If Samael truly was Nathan, how could they possibly bring themselves to fight him? The thought of facing their brother, let alone killing him, was unimaginable. Their hearts, once filled with determination, now hesitated in the face of this new, cruel reality.

Kaguya sensed their inner turmoil but pressed on. "The Hero of Darkness has proven to be far more dangerous than we initially thought. It's our failure for not properly assessing his true strength, but now we can prepare ourselves," she said, her voice steady and reassuring.

My thoughts shifted as I turned my attention to Rena's side of the room, expecting to see her still asleep—or at least restrained—but instead, my gaze met a pair of heterochromatic eyes, one green, one red, staring back at me.

"Good morning, Lord Samael," Medea greeted me with a smile, though her eyes were dark, almost smoldering with something unspoken.

It didn't take a genius to figure out why she was upset. She must have realized what had transpired between Semiramis and me while she was away.

I looked past her, scanning the room for Rena, but she was nowhere to be seen. My expression turned cold, my gaze sharp as I fixed it on Medea.

"Where is she?" I asked.

Rather than shrinking under my glare, Medea seemed to revel in it. Her cheeks flushed, her breath quickening as she responded, "She needed some fresh air, so I let her take a walk. But don't worry, Lord Samael—I made sure she can't go too far. She knows what will happen if she does."

A mix of irritation and relief washed over me. I couldn't entirely trust Medea's motives, but I also knew she wouldn't risk Rena's escape, especially not when she was clearly vying for my attention in her own twisted way.

"Any news from Kratos?" I asked, shifting gears as I stood and began pulling on a fresh shirt.

"Yes," Medea replied, her tone returning to business. "It seems the Heroes are preparing a new attack."

"Has someone joined their side?" I asked, buttoning my shirt.

"Not any news about reinforcements has leaked," Medea reported. "But as you requested, Samael, I surveilled the area and detected a very strong presence near the Heroes before it suddenly vanished. It's likely heading in our direction."

A cold sneer twisted my lips. "I knew it."

Was it the Goddess Amaterasu herself coming to confront me, or perhaps one of her retainers? Either way, it was clear that this new presence was someone with the power to pose a significant threat. My instincts told me it was someone capable of challenging me.

Before I could contemplate further, Medea's attention snapped to the entrance of the cave. "My Lord."

I followed her gaze and sensed it too—a powerful force drawing near. The air around us seemed to crackle with an almost palpable energy. "He or she has arrived, huh?"