"Athena. You."
As Duke watched Athena stand beside Caesar, his vision darkened.
At the same time, a terrifying surge of magic seeped from his body.
Wait.
Magic.
Caesar looked at Duke.
He frowned slightly.
Then he sneered.
"So that's how it is."
"You even managed to fool me."
"That's right."
"He isn't the real Lord Duke."
Athena spoke calmly.
"I stayed beside him because he offered something I could not ignore."
"Giving you emotions?"
Selene asked softly.
"Yes."
Athena nodded.
"As for him."
"He is neither an imposter nor the real Duke."
"Golden Dragon Viernes."
Caesar and Selene spoke at the same time.
It had not been obvious before.
But now it was clear.
The magic radiating from Duke revealed everything.
"So you realized it."
Duke stood up.
Those defeated earlier also stood.
Their faces twisted.
They reshaped into Duke's likeness.
"Then we cannot let you live."
"Lord Caesar."
Athena spoke quietly.
"Viernes is only a concept."
"He has no real body."
"Fighting like this is meaningless."
"Then we destroy this place."
Caesar chuckled.
Light flashed across his body.
He slammed his fist into the ground.
The Golden Owl guild hall shook violently.
Cracks spread everywhere.
The building collapsed instantly.
The false Dukes were erased completely.
"Still not finished?"
Caesar stood among the ruins.
That presence still lingered.
Figures of Duke reappeared around them.
"Lord Caesar."
Athena spoke quickly.
"Viernes attached himself to the Golden Owl Guild."
"He used it to create Duke."
"To defeat him."
"We must separate him."
"Then use the Philosopher's Stone."
"With a wave of his hand, Caesar scattered the Dukes.
He clicked his tongue.
"Using the Philosopher's Stone on a dragon."
"This mission is a loss."
Athena looked confused.
Caesar raised a barrier.
The Dukes struck it uselessly.
"I learned enchantments from Irene."
"With enough power."
"I can separate him."
"But the Philosopher's Stone…"
"I know who can forge it."
Athena said.
"The real Lord Duke."
"I already have one."
Caesar rolled his eyes.
"But using it for the enemy hurts."
He drew out a gram of Philosopher's Stone.
Light formed in his palm.
Athena was drawn to it.
She stepped closer.
Selene pulled her back.
"What are you doing?"
"When I felt this power."
"I understood my purpose."
Athena smiled bitterly.
"I was created for this moment."
"To reveal Viernes."
Selene stayed silent.
Athena turned to Caesar.
"Please."
"Give it to me."
"Defeat Viernes."
She reached out again.
Smack.
Caesar pushed her hand away.
"I removed that function already."
"Do not underestimate my alchemy."
"I will not sacrifice my child's nanny."
Caesar clapped his hands.
Metal fragments burst from the ruins.
They flew together.
A crude puppet formed.
A stick figure shape.
Selene stared.
Athena was speechless.
"It only needs to work."
Caesar shrugged.
"It's for the enemy."
"Looks do not matter."
He reluctantly tossed the Philosopher's Stone energy into it.
The power fused instantly.
Viernes began to manifest.
Athena bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Lord Caesar."
"I will repay you."
Caesar sighed.
"That was a gram."
"I have three tons."
"But it still hurts."
Selene froze.
Three tons.
"These details do not matter."
Caesar looked forward.
The Dukes attacked the barrier desperately.
They could not shake it.
"Begin."
Light erupted from Caesar's body.
He was not a specialist in enhancement.
But it was enough.
Magic.
Hit harder.
Separation light exploded outward.
The Dukes dissolved.
Their essence flowed into the puppet.
The stick figure expanded.
It transformed into a golden statue.
A sphinx shape.
Brilliant and radiant.
Viernes opened his eyes.
Gold spread across the ground.
Boom.
Caesar's arm transformed.
A dark golden dragon claw.
He slammed Viernes's head down.
"You are guilty."
"Guilty of wasting my Philosopher's Stone."
He tightened his grip.
"Die."
Magic condensed.
A devastating shockwave erupted.
Viernes's head was pierced instantly.