Morning dawned on the island, and the first rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting golden threads across the wide bed. Saruto slowly opened his eyes to find Emilia and Star still asleep, both clutching him as if afraid he would vanish if they let go.
He smiled, a strange warmth filling his chest. He bent down slightly and kissed Emilia forehead first, then Star, very carefully. Not wanting to wake them, he silently used teleportation and appeared before the bed.
He went to the bathroom, washed with the cool water that cleared his mind, and then dressed calmly. Afterward, he went to the dining hall, where the servants had prepared a sumptuous meal for him. He ate without haste, then went for a walk on the island beach, listening to the crashing waves.
Back in the Dark Family's mansion, Ethan efforts continued. The magic circles were still etched onto Darius bound body. Ethan's face was pale, his eyes sunken with exhaustion, but his resolve remained unbroken. Suddenly, he stopped. His eyes widened, and he said in a low voice, "The name… the name of Mr. Darius…"
He paused for a moment, then continued, "His name is… Umbra."
He frowned, as if the name had awakened an old memory buried deep within his mind. "Umbra… I feel like I've heard that name before… but where?"
He sighed and shook his head. "It doesn't matter… this alone isn't enough. I must extract more information."
In a place other than this world, the darkness was thick and oppressive. In the midst of that emptiness stood a figure shrouded in shadows, its features indistinct, but the aura emanating from it was enough to instill terror in any living being. He said, "It's time to put the plan into action."
He raised his hand, and a sphere of pure darkness energy formed, expanding and pulsating violently until it cracked open, releasing a Dark Knight. The shadowy figure's lips moved, but no words were heard. Then, clearly, he said, "Go to the Mortal Realm… and do as you are commanded."
The knight knelt on one knee. "At your command… my lord Umbra."
It was then that it became clear that the shadowy figure was none other than Umbra himself, Lord Adrios. The scene returned to the island. Saruto was walking among the trees when he spotted Lucian, Kyle, and Rhyn sitting together. He approached them, greeted them, and sat down. "What are you talking about?" he asked.
Kyle smiled. "We were thinking about the future… after we graduate from the Hartz Academy, and when we ascend the thrones."
Saruto looked at Lucian. "What do you intend to do, Lucian?"
"I will marry Selena and unite my kingdom with the Sea Kingdom," Lucian replied confidently.
"And I will do the same with Felisa," Kyle added.
Ryan said, "And I and I... we'll have children, and they'll surpass yours, Saruto."
Saruto laughed and said defiantly, "Then get ready... my children will be stronger than all of yours, and they'll wipe the floor with you."
They all laughed, but Saruto turned toward the trees and said, "Don't hide any longer... I know you were listening."
The three of them were surprised and looked up to find the princesses emerging from the trees where they had been hiding, their faces etched with embarrassment. "Did you... hear everything?" they asked shyly.
"Yes," the princesses replied.
"Then why didn't you tell us, Saruto?" Kyle asked.
"Just to see your faces," he replied.
One of the princesses stepped forward and asked, "Did you mean what you said?"
"Yes," they answered, looking down at the ground.
In a moment of silence, each princess embraced her fiancé and said with a smile, "Then… so be it. Let's be our family after graduation."
They all sat talking about the future, about the names of their children. In the Abyss Prison, the Shadow Knight sent by Umbra stood before the colossal gate. He reached out and pumped out his dark energy, causing the gate to open.
He transformed into black smoke and flowed into the heart of the prison, where the tormented souls lay. He placed his hands on the ground and pumped out his energy with full force. At that moment, Ethan was able to extract more information, and a wave of terror washed over him at the knowledge he had gained. "No… impossible…"
He raced toward the Abyss Prison, but stopped when he saw a massive beam of dark energy pierce the sky. "Damn it… I'm too late."
Inside the prison, the destruction was total. The guards lay on the ground, and the cells were in ruins. The warden crawled, whispering, "How… how did they get free?"
Amid the rubble, the ten most powerful men in the prison emerged, some sitting, some standing, all smiling. "We're free…" one of them said.
Then, his voice thick with hatred, he continued, "And now… it's time for revenge."