Therion and Commander Tachi stood on the upper floor of the recruits' quarters, a light breeze drifting through the open corridor.
"Commander Tachi Tsukigami, I felt like my Essence that moment… was acting very strangely."
Tachi gently shook his head.
"Don't call me Tsukigami… As for that, I don't blame you."
Therion lowered his gaze to his hand, slowly clenching his fingers.
"I don't understand… why Triumph behaved like that… Normally, it's the most obedient Holy Scripture I have."
Tachi remained silent for a moment, his eyes drifting down toward the courtyard below before he spoke.
"Maybe you were just a bit tense. When things settle down… I'll train you all myself."
Right beneath them, the members of Squad 2 were gathered around a large fire.
Everyone was there—from new recruits to elite soldiers.
"Here."
"Enjoy your meal."
They passed around bowls of hot vegetable soup, each eating with clear satisfaction.
Napoleta stood up, clearing his throat lightly to draw attention.
"For recruits, sitting around a fire might not seem like anything special… but for us, it's a way to share warmth with others."
He bent down and tossed another piece of wood into the fire.
"One person alone doesn't create much warmth… but the more people there are, the stronger it becomes. Unfortunately… this might be something we'll have to stop."
Immediately, the group grew restless.
"What do you mean, Napoleta?"
"No way, that'd be so boring!"
Napoleta shook his head.
"Rascha-Xena has won against Odin in the election. He's about to take over as Supreme Grand Commander… and has already released a series of new laws."
He took out a piece of paper and held it up.
"This is just part of what the Gods Teachings demand. There's a much longer list outside—you can check it yourselves later."
Shinji fell silent.
He stared down at the bowl in his hands, his expression slowly darkening.
"Rascha-Xena… Gomme…"
The surface of the soup trembled slightly.
Reflected within it was a memory—the scene of Uncle Vuri being humiliated by Gomme, his restaurant smashed apart.
Back then… Shinji could only stand there, completely helpless.
"I… really am useless…"
He clenched his hand tighter, causing the soup to ripple before the reflection vanished.
Akidou, sitting beside him, noticed and turned over.
"Hey, Shinji… what's wrong?"
Shinji startled and quickly looked up.
"I… I'm just a bit worried about someone close to me."
Napoleta cleared his throat loudly, silencing everyone.
"Now I'll read it out. Everyone, pay attention."
He took a deep breath and began speaking clearly.
"First Teaching: After Odin steps down, anyone who supports him, or wishes for his return as Supreme Grand Commander… will be punished."
Thud.
The sound of a seal being stamped echoed.
Inside the Supreme Grand Commander's chamber, Rascha-Xena sat arrogantly in Odin's former seat.
The room was dark, with a single beam of light shining down on Odin seated before him.
"Authority over currency has been transferred."
A deep voice spoke from behind him.
Napoleta's voice continued.
"Second Teaching: Anyone who opposes Rascha-Xena… will be punished."
Thud.
"Authority to summon Commanders has been transferred."
"Third Teaching: The words of the Gods are absolute. Anyone who disobeys… will be punished."
Thud.
"75% of judicial authority at the Hall of Judgement has been transferred. After Odin steps down… it will become one hundred."
The fire in the courtyard began to dim, its light growing weaker.
"Fourth Teaching: Every week, soldiers formerly under Odin must attend church at least once. And every month… they must visit the city of Limburgse at least once."
At the mention of that name, everyone sighed in frustration.
Paul drained his bowl.
"Tickets are expensive, and there's nothing even worth seeing… yet we're forced to go."
Perrie shook his head.
"One trip there probably costs an entire month's wages."
Napoleta raised his hand to quiet them.
"Limburgse is built on the surface without being attacked by demons… so the price makes sense. I don't like it either, but we don't have a choice."
He cleared his throat again.
"Final Teaching: The words of the Gods are truth. Only by believing in the Gods… can one receive miracles and happiness."
No one felt like eating anymore.
"This is ridiculous…"
"Is this leadership or exploitation?"
"And yet he still beat Lord Odin…"
Shinji remained silent.
He turned to Lio.
"Hey… Lio."
Lio looked over, still calmly sipping his soup.
"Tomorrow… will you come with me to visit Uncle Vuri again?"
Lio wiped his mouth, smiled, and raised a finger in agreement.
Shinji visibly relaxed, then turned to the others.
"Akidou, Alba, Omelet… can you all come with me tomorrow… to visit someone very important to me?"
Alba and Omelet exchanged glances, then nodded.
"Sure, we'll go."
Omelet turned to Akidou—who was drinking two bowls at once.
"Um… that one… I think that was mine…?"
Akidou swallowed quickly and looked at Shinji.
"Your uncle's place… it's a restaurant, right?"
Shinji nodded.
Immediately, Akidou wiped his mouth with his hand and stood up.
"Sounds interesting. I'm in!"
He turned and walked away.
Omelet quickly called after him.
"Hey, where are you going?"
Akidou laughed as he walked.
"Going to sleep! Gotta get ready for tomorrow—going to eat… I mean, visit Shinji's family."
Suddenly, Napoleta's voice rang out behind them.
"Since this morning, we've already eaten a week's worth of food. Tomorrow… we might have to go hungry."
In a small, dark, silent room.
Only a dim light from an old lamp flickered.
Ganso sat on a creaky bed, letting out a long yawn.
"Nice… they even gave me a private room."
He lay down and turned off the light.
The room sank into darkness.
But beyond the wall—another room, one that could see through.
Two figures stood there—one tall, one shorter.
"Grandpa… is it true… that you lost to him?"
Grand Commander Ares stood beside Supreme Grand Commander Odin.
Odin nodded gently.
"Yes. I've already handed authority over to Rascha-Xena."
Ares was silent for a moment.
"Then… when will you be replaced?"
Odin let out a soft laugh.
"Probably a few weeks… or a few months, my dear grandson."
He placed a hand on Ares's back.
"Even if I had won… this old man is too weak now, it's… about time I rest."
Ares gently brushed his hand away.
"How old are you now?"
Odin thought for a moment.
"About… 117."
He chuckled.
"20 years ago, when I fought to stop the Demon King's second invasion… I was already 97."
Ares said nothing.
He slowly bent down, pulling Odin's hand onto his head.
Odin gently stroked his hair.
"Grand Commander… When you were little, you always insisted I hold you before you could sleep. Do you remember, Ares?"
Inside Ganso's room, the bed suddenly creaked.
"What the… is it breaking?"
Ganso turned on the light.
The moment the light filled the room—
A man was lying right beside him, even hugging him tightly.
"Hello, is me Commander Raindor."
He had blond hair and wore a flashy floral shirt.
"I'm staying here so that tomorrow—"
BAM!
Ganso immediately kicked him away, sending him flying across the room.
"You damn pervert!!"