Kaito arrived at the shattered gates, dust and smoke still clouding his vision. As the smoke cleared, he felt an ominous chill crawl down his spine. His eyes widened as he recognized the figure emerging from the haze. “Shit,” Kaito muttered grimly, his fingers tightening around the hilt of his katana. “It’s Roman.” A moment later, Akira appeared beside him, her eyes narrowing sharply as she took in the formidable threat. “Roman? How did he escape the Shadow Realm?” Her voice was taut with disbelief. Kaito shook his head slightly, maintaining his calm demeanor despite the tension coiling through every muscle in his body. “I don’t know how, but it doesn’t matter right now. We need to stop him.” Without hesitation, Akira drew her blade, igniting it with radiant light. The bright glow illuminated her face, determination blazing fiercely in her eyes. “Where are the rest of the Gilded Blades?” she questioned urgently. Kaito exhaled sharply. “Hiroto should be on his way. Mei and Yumi are in the Kingdom of Wick, so they won’t make it. We’re short on both time and numbers.” “Damn it,” Akira cursed softly, frustration clear in her expression. “Are there any other SS ranks or above within the kingdom right now?” Kaito considered this quickly. “My younger brother, Satoshi, just returned with his guild. They should be able to help.” Akira’s jaw tightened. “Then it’s up to us to hold Roman off until reinforcements get here.” A steely resolve glinted in Kaito’s eyes, and he shot her a reassuring smile. “Exactly. We’ll handle this threat together and make sure the king doesn’t need to step in.” At that moment, Roman approached, his footsteps heavy and deliberate, echoing across the cracked pavement. He lifted his head, eyes filled with a twisted joy. “It’s been so long since I’ve felt the sunlight on my skin,” he mused aloud, stretching out his hands as if savoring the feeling. Kaito took a step forward, sword ready, voice steady but firm. “Roman, who freed you? How did you escape the Shadow Realm?” Roman tilted his head slightly, a malicious grin spreading across his face. He cracked his knuckles casually. “Escape? Who said anything about escape? I’m here for one thing: to kill the king.” Kaito narrowed his eyes, evaluating Roman’s intent carefully. He knew Roman had no direct gain from killing Shadis. “Who sent you?” Roman laughed loudly, the sound unsettling, resonating with corruption. “You’re a boring man, Kaito. Can’t a fellow just have some fun?” Energy began to swirl violently around Roman, creating dark tendrils of corrupted spiritual energy. “I’m going to enjoy slaughtering everyone in this kingdom.” “That won’t be easy,” Kaito replied, shifting his weight into an offensive stance. Akira stepped up beside him, her glowing sword humming with power. “This blade can cut through anything, Roman. Try dodging it if you think you can.” Roman grinned wickedly, corrupted energy crackling across his fists. “Let’s see if it can cut through this corrupted spirit!” With that, Roman charged forward, the ground beneath him fracturing from the sheer force of his movement. Kaito and Akira immediately split, flanking him from both sides. Kaito’s superspeed was a blur, landing quick, precise slashes across Roman’s defenses. But the corrupted energy around Roman’s body was powerful, dissipating much of the damage. Roman swiftly shifted his strategy, pivoting sharply and lunging toward Akira, fist coated with malevolent energy, directly clashing with her glowing blade. “I thought you said your blade cuts through anything,” Roman sneered mockingly, pressing against her sword. Akira grit her teeth, her muscles straining under the immense pressure. In an instant, Roman broke through, delivering a brutal blow to her arm. She staggered backward, her arm trembling, pain throbbing through her limb. Roman moved to finish her off, but Kaito intercepted instantly, his blade flashing as he forced Roman to retreat temporarily. Akira drew a ragged breath, steadying herself, eyes blazing with determination. Ignoring her pain, she watched closely, waiting for a precise opening. Kaito was locked in a fierce exchange with Roman, his superspeed barely staying ahead of Roman’s increasingly swift movements. Suddenly, Roman broke through Kaito’s defensive maneuver, landing two heavy blows to his stomach. Kaito grunted in pain, clutching his katana tightly to endure. “Now!” Kaito called sharply, signaling Akira. Akira seized the opportunity, dashing forward with her blade aimed at Roman’s exposed side. Yet, at the last moment, Roman spun away, dodging her strike effortlessly. Roman laughed darkly, eyes blazing with triumph. “Too slow.” Meanwhile, high above the outskirts of Radiance, a massive dragon soared majestically, its scales glinting under the setting sun. On its broad back stood a figure cloaked in mysterious authority. His orange eyes glowed sharply, a calculating smirk on his bearded face. “This timing is perfect, Drakar,” the man said coolly, his gaze fixed on the chaos below. “Roman’s distraction couldn’t be better.” The dragon chuckled, its voice resonating deep and rumbling, echoing powerfully through the sky. “King Shadis won’t be pleased.” “For the future of this world, displeasure is a small price,” the man replied calmly. “We must secure the Light Gem.” Drakar laughed knowingly. “Precisely why he’ll be furious.” Back within the throne room, King Shadis sensed the approaching danger. His eyes narrowed, intense and vigilant. “Satoshi, Shunjiro,” the king commanded, his voice resonating with power. “Assist the Gilded Blades immediately.” “Are you joining us, your majesty?” Satoshi questioned quickly. Shadis’s gaze was stern, his words firm. “Another threat approaches. I’ll handle it personally.” Satoshi and Shunjiro shared a swift glance, then bowed respectfully before racing toward the gate. At the gates, Kaito and Roman were locked in a fierce battle, both moving with blinding speed and precision. Their combat was like a dance of deadly precision, neither backing down. A sudden shadow fell over the battlefield, and Hiroto descended from above, his body dense with his power activated. He crashed down onto Roman with devastating impact, creating a massive crater and kicking up debris in all directions. Roman stumbled momentarily, wiping blood from his mouth and smirking defiantly. “That hurt, you fat bastard.” Hiroto rose confidently, stepping back to stand firmly beside Kaito and Akira. “Sorry to keep you waiting. This guy’s tough.” Kaito breathed a sigh of relief, nodding appreciatively. “Good work, Hiroto. With you here, we should have enough power to take him down.” Hiroto cracked his knuckles. “We will take him down.” Roman laughed maniacally, spreading his arms wide. “Oh, this is excellent! More toys to play with!” Akira, regrouped and reinvigorated, steadied herself beside her comrades. “Together, we can handle him.” Back at the dragon, the mysterious figure nodded toward the distant throne room. “The pieces are finally falling into place, Drakar. Move swiftly and silently. King Shadis awaits us.” The dragon snorted, amused. “I’ll make sure our visit is memorable.” As the sun descended toward the horizon, casting Radiance in hues of blood-red and fiery orange, a decisive battle loomed, one that would echo throughout history.