Upon hearing Sorento's words, Ikku was left speechless. For several seconds, he couldn't even breathe.
" M… me?! Why me?"
Hypsen stepped forward, his gaze sharp and unwavering.
"What do you want with Némuri Ikku?"
"Némuri Ikku," Sorento repeated coldly. "We know you have found a legendary Jewel. You discovered it in the underground kingdom… which lies beneath Mékira, making it part of our territory. We overlooked it last time for the province of Saymar, but this time we will show no mercy. Hand over the Jewel… or all of Kul-Elna will go to war because of you."
Ikku felt the world crumble beneath his feet. A cold sweat ran down his spine.
Had he truly caused this? Because of him… an entire nation might go to war?
Around him, soldiers whispered:
"So that's him? That Ikku guy?"
"This kid found a Millennium Jewel?"
"So the Jewels were real after all…"
Ikku's breath shook. He walked toward Zéno, looking crushed by guilt.
"Master Zéno…"
"What's wrong?" Zéno asked calmly.
"I'll give him the Jewel…"
"Oh? And why is that?"
Ikku clenched his fists.
"You were right… Because of my stubbornness, I'm about to cause a massive conflict. I don't want that on my conscience."
For a moment, silence.
Then laughter erupted all around them.
A soldier slapped Ikku's shoulder.
"Incredible, kid!"
"You make Nexus proud," another added, messing his hair.
"You guys see this?!" a third shouted. "The kid's brand new here, and he managed to make an entire nation mobilize! PUAHAHAHA!"
Ikku blinked, more confused than ever.
"I… I don't understand. Because of me, a war might break out—"
"You're wrong, Ikku," Hypsen said firmly. "If a war happens, it'll be solely because of a fool named Sorento. So the item you brought me really was a Jewel… Everything makes sense now."
"Get ready, boys!" a soldier yelled. "Things are about to get fun!"
Ikku's eyes filled with tears. The emotion was overwhelming. His friends watched him quietly, a subtle smile on their lips, relieved by Nexus's reaction.
Then Sorento's voice rang out:
"People of Kul-Elna! We await your answer!"
Hypsen inhaled deeply before responding:
"Of course. Here's our answer."
A few seconds passed…
A colossal laser descended from the sky like divine judgment and pierced the dirigible beside Sorento. The ship exploded instantly, crashing into the ocean below.
Sorento watched the scene silently.
"Very well… you've brought this upon yourselves," he said.
His spiritual energy ignited. A golden aura burst around him, his fists glowing with radiant light.
Ikku swallowed hard.
"Yumé… did you see that?"
"Yes," Yumé replied. "No doubt… he's a Sonka too."
Sorento raised his eyes to the sky and launched dozens of light spheres into the clouds.
"What is he doing?" Ikku asked.
"This guy is on a completely different level," Hypsen answered.
"What do you mean?" Yumé insisted.
Kenny crossed his arms, tense.
"Alright… I get it now."
Moments later, something massive broke through the atmosphere.
A satellite plummeted from the sky and crashed into the ocean.
Hypsen's face turned pale.
"One single shot… He needed just one shot to locate the exact position of MY satellite… Inform King Ryu immediately!"
"The king left yesterday," a soldier replied. "Even if we warn him, he won't arrive before tonight… or tomorrow."
"Damn it… No one here is a match for this guy…"
Zéno closed his eyes briefly.
"It doesn't matter. We'll hold the line until Ryu arrives."
"Well said, Zéno!" a soldier shouted. "COME AT US, MÉKIRA SOLDIERS! NEXUS WILL SHOW YOU WHAT REAL WARRIORS ARE!"
"And remember," Hypsen added, "you're the ones who stepped into the wolf's den."
"FIRE!" Sorento roared.
All enemy ships fired at once—
But none of the shots ever reached Ikku or the others. The projectiles shattered against an invisible barrier, leaving Sorento and Ikku equally stunned.
"Woooow…" Ikku whispered.
Hypsen stepped forward confidently.
"Dear friends from Mékira… allow me to show you how we fire."
He pressed a button.
Massive platforms rose from underground, revealing dozens of missile launchers all aimed at the enemy fleet.
Hypsen smiled.
"Fire."
Dozens of missiles shot into the air, ten times more numerous than Mékira's barrage.
But again—none of them reached their target.
They froze mid-air.
"What is that…?" Yumé gasped.
"Probably a Brand," Kenny replied.
"Look at the ship in the middle," Zéno said.
At the front of the vessel, Myu stood still, arm extended, palm facing the missiles. His presence alone seemed to suspend reality.
"Your turn, Myu," Sorento ordered.
Myu clenched his fist.
Instantly, the missiles rotated toward the island and launched at full speed. They exploded once again against the protective barrier.
But Sorento wasn't done—he unleashed dozens of energy spheres to amplify the assault.
"The shield won't hold," Hypsen warned.
Zéno drew his weapon.
"Everyone, get ready.
This will be total war."