Yerik did not talk to Kenneth for long. They were done fairly fast and when they got back, Yerik give them some more specific directions on how to get to the Angel's territory.

"There are three lines of defense on the outside, you'll have to get past it somehow. I cannot take you there because I need to find Faraji, it's a dangerous time for use Angels to be out there."

"Because of the new kings of the Devils and the Fallen Angels?" Nieza inquired.

"Yes, it have only been a short time since they became the king, we're not sure what they will do yet to our race," Yerik nodded with a solemn expression, "However Faraji was never that good at listening to orders, sometimes I even suspects that he intends to endanger himself."

"Before you go, Yerik, how did the Ruby end up in the Black Forest?" Kenneth asked lazily.

"It's her instructions, of course," Yerik responded, "The Ryoki family has done its job and protected the Ruby for over a thousand years, it's the time to end all that."

Kenneth lowered his eyes and expressions faded from his face.

"Nieza, may I talk to you about something?"

Nieza didn't seem surprised when Yerik asked. He simply nodded and left with the blue hair Angel.

"Kenneth, do you know what Yerik is going to talk about?" Retsu glanced warily at the way they've left.

"Some ideas, maybe," Kenneth smiled at him, and messed up his hair, treating him as if he was a little kid. Well, Retsu guess his is quite a little kid comparing to the Angel who've live for over thousands and thousands of years, "Don't worry about them, you are like an over-protective old brother. Come on, Nieza is not even you true brother."

"How do you know I have a brother?" Retsu ducked away from Kenneth's hand and began tidying his hair.

"Guessed," Kenneth said with a shrug, "It's quite obvious actually. You acted like it."

"Do I?" Retsu paused for a moment, looking over to where Nieza and Yerik are standing, "You know, Nieza said the same thing."

"I'd thought so," Kenneth followed his glance, and smiled warmly, "You know, he must have a really caring big brother just like you, or else there is not a single explanation to why he'll have you sticking around. You do realize the differences of power between you two, right?"

"Of course!" Retsu protested loudly, then, lowing his eyes to look at the ground, a flash of hurt of not being able to help went across his eyes.

"I didn't mean that," quick to notice Retsu's depression, Kenneth said, "Although you are not yet able to compare with Nieza at the moment, you are still very strong from human standards. Besides, Nieza seems happy to have you around, I do believe he likes the feeling of being cared about."

"Everyone do."

"Well, yes," a troubled look flashed across Kenneth's face, "But you see….Never mind, forget about that."

Retsu looked at him questioning, but Kenneth just shook his head and refused to say more.

That's when he noticed the strangeness.

Kenneth, still bathing the red light from the Ruby as his always do when he appears, the tip of his hands are slowing turning into a more translucent colour. But Retsu was sure that had never happened before.

"Kenneth, what's wrong?" he asked in a worried tone.

"What's 'what's wrong'?"Kenneth's face is full of confusion.

"You hand, it's disappearing!" Retsu said in a more urgent tone.

"What?" Kenneth finally noticed his hand, he studied it for a moment, then hid it behind his black cloak so that it's out of Retsu's view, "It's nothing, I'm just a bit too tired today. Yerik can always wear me out no matter it's talking or fighting."

Retsu bit his lower lips in thought.

Why is everyone hiding the important things from him?

######

Nieza looked troubled after Yerik left.

"What's the matter?"

Retsu was concerned.

"Yerik told me about a man," Nieza is frowning, "From his descriptions, it sounded like my old brother."

"Are you looking for him?"

"Yes," Nieza nodded, then looked quite puzzled, "Aren't you as well?"

"Well, sort of, yah," Retsu glanced into the distance, "We had some quarrels the last time, but it has been a while ago."

It took Retsu a moment to realize that Nieza meant his little brother.

"You should be looking for him. Blood is always thicker than water, there is nothing to be held as a grudge between brothers," he casted a glanced at the Ruby, "Especially twins."

That was meant for Kenneth, no doubt.

Retsu kept his mouth shut.

Kenneth did not respond to the comment.

Nieza signed and changed the topic, "Kenneth, Yerik said you can tell us more about the defenses of the Angel territory."

That is if they hadn't changed it over this thousand of years.

Kenneth's voice sounded right in their heads like the first time they've talked.

Actually, they probably hadn't. Those defenses only work for those who are intending to do bad things. It's been there ever since I can remember.

Don't worry about it, you two will get past easily. There is no reason for the defense to attack you.

######

Turns out, trusting Kenneth was the worst decision they've ever made.

They've only walked for three steps into the Angel's territory before the environment around them shifted from green trees into a snow covered hill.

At the same time, about tw or so giant ice block men raise from the ground, howling as they dashed towards them.

"Kenneth!"

I don't know what happened! You were permitted to go at the beginning. Anyways, this must be Kenyon's Magic, take it apart and it won't harm you anymore.

Nieza and Retsu exchanged a glance, then the two figures turned into wind at the same time.

Retsu leaped for nearest ice man, Battle Aura all out, and sword like lightning, it did not take him long to take care of the first ice man.

He took a glance at Nieza's direction, just in time to see Nieza turned an ice man to shreds, then leaping away to summon his black unicorn. The summoning will take a few seconds, but Nieza was able to finish summoning before the other ice men can advance on him. The unicorn dashed out from the Summoning Circle and head bumped one of the ice men straight in the knees.

Leaping backwards to avoid a blow that would have flatten him like a pancake, Retsu refocused on his own battle here.

Keeping his sword at ready, Retsu dashed in at those ice men. He mind cleared off all other thoughts and cool as if he was also made out of ice. With the Battle Aura out his speed also cannot be underestimated, he jumped nimbly between the huge and clumsily ice men and attacked with lightning speed. It takes about two slashes of his sword to take down a body part of the ice men, but his speed and agile was able to cover every disadvantage.

Now and then the ground will shake under the impact of ice men crushing to the ground. Before long, Retsu and Nieza was able to clear off most of the ice men, just a few remained. That's when Kenneth came in.

This is strange, it shouldn't have been this easy. Especially if Kenyon is setting up all this.

"Your point?" Nieza asked coolly.

Watch out for traps, there should be…Damn it Nieza get off that spot!

Kenneth's warning was a bit too late. A sound between growl and the whinnying of horse rose from all around them.

More than two dozen of flaming horse had just appeared out of thin air and is now rearing at them. Nieza's unicorn reared back at them, but he looks a bit small against all the horses that are surrounding them.

"Your trap?" Retsu heard Nieza ask in a dangerous tone as they dodged those nimble horses by a centimeter's space.

Ah, yes, but I thought they would have took it down, or refine it, since I joined the Fallen Angels.

Retsu can't tell what Kenneth is feeling right now from just his voice. But he sounded calm, so Retsu guessed it's a good thing. Since the swift horse plus the muscular giants are starting to give them a hard time.

I can take care of the horses, they are mine's, after all. If you would just let me out, Nieza.

Retsu did not understand what Kenneth meant until Nieza jumped onto his unicorn and drew the Circle of Summoning again.