Yao was now leaning against a pillar near the entrance of the Pocket Castle, discussing with Mephisto and Alma Elma. The succubus queen had decided to come as soon as she saw the red fox, as she wanted to inquire about how her friend Tamamo was doing. In the meantime the yoma just wanted to get away from the tea party as Spider Princess and Alicetromeria were starting to get into a little too much detail about digesting their victims alive.

The kitsune chuckled. "Standing guard against a pillar waiting for someone… I feel like I am back at my job in the Monster Lord's castle."

"Is the situation that chaotic over there? You told us the Lilith Sisters are securing anything around Hellgondo. Nothing in, nothing out." Mephisto was antsy about the situation.

"It is a mess, everyone is panicking over the Monster Lord's death. The Lilith Sisters are trying to do everything to keep the more powerful monsters there under control while trying to prevent the rumor from spreading, but even then, it is only a matter of time before everybody is made aware. Furthermore, the sisters themselves have difficulties not indulging themselves into hedonism, and additional rumors spread that they nearly found death in one of their sessions, which made them appear weaker to the community at large. The only good new is that her death seems to have slowed the spread of chaosization, making it one less thing to worry about for now. "

Alma intervened. "I heard the Lilith Sisters talking about how she had died long ago in the true history and how they would have to deal with it sooner and later… I wonder if the Fifteenth realized that she would have been disposed of once she had outlived her usefulness."

"Anyway, it is impossible to enter the continent without every monster being warned, and I won't even talk about the Monster Lord Castle." She flashed an enigmatic smile. "For now, that is."

The main door opened. Luka entered the castle with several other monsters, with everybody looking tired after their latest serie of trial. The trio could hear some gossips about the equipment they found and the enemies they faced. Luka took notice of the stranger who was discussing with Alma Elma and Mephisto, and made his way to the group. He was soon followed by Alice, who frowned upon seeing the fox.

"Ah Luka, we have a guest that requires our help on a matter."

The kitsune bowed respectfully. "Indeed. I am Yao, Tamamo's right hand. I think you already met several times through your adventure."

Luka nodded.

"I came here to request your help on an urgent situation. The tanuki tribe recently declared war to us after a long time and peace, and threaten to wipe us out."

Alice crossed her arms under her small chest. "That would be making this world a service."

Mephisto glared at the young looking lamia while Yao ignored the underlying threat.

"As she got some power from Black Alice, we fear we may not be able to beat her back. We would require your help in dealing with this issue. In exchange, we will guarantee you the support of the kitsune race, and I will personally help you enter Hellgondo and the Monster Lord's castle."

Mephisto interrupted the group. "I want to point out that the only little intelligence that manages to filter out of Hellgondo for the moment is that they're fortifying the continent. They really don't want to be disturbed."

Luka pondered the situation for a second.

"What do you think, Alice?"

"As much as I hate kitsunes, I don't think Yao or Tamamo would betray us. They're the race that is the most loyal to the Monster Lord bloodline, and right now I'm the most fitting for the title. We're going to need any help available for storming the castle."

Luka pondered the options presented before him. Attacking Hellgondo was becoming an urgent matter, but if they rushed in, they could easily end up flaying blindly and get taken apart right after landing. Also, there was no telling what someone supported by Black Alice would do if allowed to thrive.

"We'll go help you first then. I have a bad feeling about what we will get to face inside the castle, and I'd like to get any help available."

"Thank you. I will announce the good news to Tamamo, and I will meet you there." Yao grimaced. "There is also another issue I almost forgot. There have been some conflicts around Yamatai. Apparently the Elf Princess's elite guards are currently rampaging in the countryside in search of someone."

Luka froze up. Mephisto and Alice were trying to remain composed, but were glaring at the young hero. Meanwhile, Alma Elma considered it would be funnier to fan the fire.

"Oh, did that someone wound her heart?"

Yao grimaced. "It's surprising to think she would make such a decision since she is a total shut in… If I got it right, the elf queen saw a good occasion to help her socialize, and hooked her up with someone that matched her tastes -that's surprising considering how demanding she is when it comes to men-. But anyway, they had agreed to send correspondence to each other, but he didn't answer any letter and it has already been several months…" Yao bowed apologetically. "I'm sorry to ask you this, you shouldn't have to deal with the consequences of an idiot breaking a maiden's heart, but you are the only ones strong enough to hold a candle against the princess's elite followers."

Luka was absolutely petrified by the situation. Mephisto's glare was almost burning through the hero, while Alice had balled her hand in a fist and Alma Elma was chuckling softly. Yao sniffed the air, before pointing an oversized paw at the boy, surprised.

"Wait… Don't tell me…"

"SYLPH!"

Before anyone could react, Luka was dashing at breakneck speed through the corridor toward the castle exit. He was already out, ready to use a harpy feather when the group finally started to give him chase.

-Ilias Temple-

"Greetings, hero Luka, do you-NO RUNNING IN THE TEMPLE!"

Before the priest could react, however, the hero had already run upstairs toward the door to Hades. As soon as he reached it, he teleported to a place that had become all too familiar. He found himself surrounded by projections of his past opponents, on twisted paths of dirt amidst an endless space. He stepped toward the incarnation of Death that was standing in the middle of the area, with only one wish on his lips.

"I want to restart my adventure again!"

Reaper raised an eyebrow in front of the panting hero.

"Are you absolutely sure about that?"

"YES!"

"Dang! It looks like we both lost!"

The White Rabbit suddenly appeared out of thin air near Reaper.

"But I have to admit, I am surprised you waited that long this time! We expected to see you once you were done with this silly tournament!" She started dancing as she was talking in a sing song voice. "Neither Heinrich nor silly succubi stopped the hero, only his horrible, horrible behavior toward a pure maiden. Break her heart, dance on it, trample it, and VOILA!" Several bouquets of flower popped from her coat's zippers. "One guilty filled big red button push, served with a hint of raw, primordial fear!" She smiled creepily at the hero. "Is it marriage that makes you afraid? When your goal is to get a taste of every girl existing even if it cost you your life thirty times…"

"Forty-five actually."

"Then I can understand that definitive commitment is something one can be afraid of." She raised her coat, filling the area with a dark, thick mist, severely reducing the visibility. Suddenly, two spotlights lit up, pointed toward a dark, collapsed murky cake surrounded by flies. A board with the word "MARRIAGE" written in red, bloody letters was laying at the top of it. Luka was trying to keep his composure, but his shame was growing by the second.

The avatar of Death addressed the hero while trying to ignore the White Rabbit's antics.

"You will keep your current powers and start at the beginning of the adventure. Your companions will retain their power and join you in the next world. However, you should remove anything valuable from Alice. She will not necessarily be your companion in the next life. Are you prepared to begin anew?"

Luka mumbled his answer. "Yes."

"I'll ask you one more time. Do you truly wish to be reborn and start anew?"

"Yes."

"Very well… Then go."

-?-

"Where Am I?"

Luka looked around, wondering how he got in this strange place surrounded by soft light. The atmosphere felt solemn. He heard a voice calling for him.

"Luka… Hero Luka…"

She sounded gentle, full of affection. But he couldn't see its source.

"Who's there?"

Suddenly, Ilias appeared in front of a surprised Luka. He couldn't believe it.

"Are you really the creator of the world?"

"Luka… a crisis is approaching the world, if you don't stop it, the world ■■be swallowed ■■■…

"…huh ? What happened to you Ilias?"

This whole situation fell too familiar.

"With my last bit of power, ■■■to your dreams… There's no ■■■■■■■ time…

"Ilias, I don't really understand what you're saying…"

"Go immediately ■■■■■■■ out ■■■ … The world ■■■■ forget ■■■■■■■ …

"Forget? The world what? What are you trying to tell me…"

"This ■rld■■■■■ … Lu ■ … ■■■■■■■■…"

"Please wait Ilias! Don't go!"

This definitively felt too familiar.

"A dream…? "

Luka hazily got up, troubled by what happened. While he was disturbed by the vision he received from Ilias, he also had a sensation of déjà vu that he couldn't get rid of.

As soon as he stepped down, he could hear some commotion from outside.

"There's trouble! Hans the lumberjack has been abducted!"

Suddenly, Luka's memories flooded back. He remembered his adventures, what happened on the roads, his companions, the latest series of shameful events before he left in a hurry… And, more importantly, his real motivation. He would have to recruit Ilias and try to learn from her and from the seraphs how the angel world was.

He checked his equipment. He had his heavily customized sword and Excalibur, a legendary weapon he had found in the Labyrinth of Chaos. He was still wearing his legendary helmet and armor, as well as a glove that allowed to dual wield weapons.

He sighed. Although he was now powerful and geared heavily, he would still have to act as if he was on his first adventure. Following mostly the path he used to would be the best way to get sure chaos doesn't spread faster.

He stepped out of his home to see his village thrown into chaos in an all too familiar scene. His aunt Betty called out to him.

"Luka! Get back in! The guards will handle it!"

"Don't worry. I'll be fine."

Something in his tone and his body language terrified the woman, as if he had suddenly changed overnight. She was no longer scared for Luka, but for the slimes that would get in his way.

She barely mumbled. "Be careful."

Luka smiled and stepped out of the village. This quest was the first of a long list of heroic deeds that would forge his legend. Once outside, he took a break to consider what would happen next. Feelings mixed in his stomach as he realized he had to do everything all over again. On the other end, he felt like he could actually make a difference this time, and he was surrounded by a loyal army of friends. -His thoughts wandered to the likes of Morrigan, Mephisto and Spider Princess-. Yes, "friends". He started once again to step toward Iliasville's hills.

As Saki once said, time to get the show on the road.