A frown appeared on Aspen's brow. "Huh? Why do you want it now? We have agreed that I will be the one who will stab you in the heart if something goes wrong-?" he asked in bewilderment.

Esmeralda sighed heavily. Dang! Aspen can be so stubborn and irritating sometimes!

"Think about it, there's only six of us now. Sooner or later, something will go seriously bad. Honestly, do you think that you won't be separated from me during the heat of the battle?" she asked him. "What if we all got caught and Maxwell will release all the monsters and the dark shadow armies? What do you think will happen to the innocent people out there? If those flesh-eating monsters will reach far-flung places where most people are residing? Then we will have a bloodbath. I don't want to see innocent people being slaughtered cruelly because of my selfishness. And we both know, only my death can end all this..." she said without a hint of sadness in her voice.

Aspen sighed, she has a point though. But still, he was reluctant to hand the dagger to her.

"Common...Aspen, give me the dagger. I will end my life when the right time comes! Innocent lives were lost already. I can't wait for a river of blood to flow in every village!" she said in a convincing tone.

"But I have to be there by your side when you do it! I have to save you!" Aspen insisted.

Esmeralda sighed. "When that time comes...I want you out of the castle in seconds and save yourself. You deserved to live a peaceful and long life. You don't have to accompany me on my death!" she said. "Give me the dagger! I want to die in my late mentor's weapon, this is my way of repaying her wasted life because of me! Please respect my wishes...!" she pleaded, on the verge of tears.

Aspen sighed, feeling conflicted. He was silent for a moment weighing his options.

He finally made a decision.

He opened his palm and the dagger appeared in his right hand.

Esmeralda grabbed the dagger quickly before Aspen can change his mind. She stared at the weapon for a few seconds and make it disappear from her hand. "From now on I'll be in charge of it," she concluded. Now, she had two powerful daggers in her position. She feels much better.

Aspen released a deep sigh. "Whatever!" he huffed. "By the way, do you think the castle will release monsters tonight?" he asked.

Esmeralda shook her head. "I dunno, the only thing we can do right now is waiting..." she said.

Aspen rose to his feet. "Take a nap and keep the boy company, I will continue patrolling the area," he said and rose in the air.

Breaking dawn arrived...still there is no sign of monsters coming out of the castle.

Esmeralda stretches her body feeling sleepy, she's longing to sleep in her bedroom. "It's morning already. I wonder why Maxwell didn't release the monsters last night? What was he thinking?"

Aspen smiled and rubbed his chin. "Hmm, maybe he changed his mind and he will release the monster during the daytime? What if he will release today?" he asked suddenly.

Esmeralda looked at the castle above the hill. "It's ironic, I'm here outside, supposed to be enjoying my freedom, but I can't even enjoy peace of mind. If I wanted peace of mind, maybe I would just kill myself right now and the castle will come to end then I will sleep eternally. And maybe I will meet my mentor in the afterlife. What do you think?" she asked her companion.

Aspen sighed and glared at her. "What are you thinking? You just need a good sleep. Go ahead, go back to the mountain first, I'll follow later. I will just wait for the new shift to arrive. Besides, I have Agran here with me," he suggested.

Esmeralda rose to her feet. "Alright, I'm going back to the mountain to sleep."

"Next time, I will ask the boys that we will take the day shift because the night shift is not good for an old woman like you. Much better if you, I, and Jegun will take the day shift because old folks should have a good sleep during the night. Staying awake the whole night is well suited for Zemeth, Ramza, and Agran. What do you think?" Aspen suggested.

Esmeralda shrugged. "Whatever..." she said. "I'm leaving now!"

A few minutes later, Esmeralda disappeared in front of Aspen.

~

Meanwhile, on the island.

The men woke up to a beautiful morning. They feel better health-wise because they're well-rested.

Ramza was already preparing a hearty breakfast in the kitchen.

Agran and Zemeth took a quick bath in the ocean.

After bathing, they gathered in the kitchen to eat breakfast. After they finished eating, Jegun and Zemeth tidied up the kitchen while Ramza took a bath.

One hour later.

The men teleport back to the castle.

They found Agran and Aspen under the shade of the tree.

"Where is Esmeralda?" Jegun asked.

"I send her home early this morning. She's yawning, feeling sleepy. Since I know that you guys are coming and I have a suggestion, we need to change shifts. I was wondering if Esmeralda, Grandpa Jegun, and I can take the day shift, while you guys can take the night shift? What do you think of the new arrangement?" Aspen asked for their opinion.

Zemeth looked at the old man. "I have no problem with the new arrangement. How about you Grandpa?" he asked.

"To be honest, I like the day time shift. During night time I feel sleepy. It's hard when my body is aging. Unless there are monsters to slay, I don't feel sleepy anymore, I feel busy..." Jegun joked and grinned.

Everyone laughed.

"Alright, Grandpa, you can return to the island and continue resting. You will start your day shift tomorrow, but if the castle will release the monster today, we will inform you right away," Zemeth said.

"Okay," Jegun replied. "Wait...what I'm going to do the whole day?" he asked scratching his head.

"Grandpa, why don't you come with me to the mountain. Esmeralda wants your help to find the poisonous roots of the Drilizir tree at the foot of the mountain. We have a shortage of those poisonous powder, we need them ASAP!" Aspen suggested.

"Ah, okay, no problem. I know everything about Drilizir Tree. I can help Esmeralda find those roots. By all means... let's go!" Jegun responded.

"Bye, guys! See you tonight!" Aspen said.

"Bye! Give my regards to Kate!" Ramza said.

"Give also my regards to Ella!" Agran grinned.

Aspen chuckled. "Alright, I'll give your messages to your lady love!"

Jegun and Aspen smiled in amazement and turned around. They activated the teleportation in their minds and gone in seconds.

~

Two Days Later.

Inside the castle.

Xenon and Lothaire were having a conversation outside the Ritual Room.

"What is our brother doing inside the Ritual Room? It's almost two days already-?" Lothaire asked, confused.

Xenon shrugged. "I dunno, as if you don't know by now that our brother always plans things without telling us a damn thing. He loves surprises! Maybe, he was preparing something that couple helps us defeat the powerful Nephilim assassins. What do you think?"

Lothaire nods his head. "That is also what I'm thinking right now. Whatever it is, it's better be good! Because we haven't release monsters in the past few days. I'm itching to release them! Why don't we find the dagger in our brother's room and get Ivy so that we can release some monsters?" he suggested to his brother.

Xenon shook his head. "Nah, don't do that! Our brother will get mad! This could be one of his techniques - letting the enemy believe that we no longer have any plans to release monsters. This way, our enemies will let their guard down."

"Yeah, could be. But...we are wasting days without action!" Lothaire agreed but doesn't like his older brother's secretive attitude.

"Control your excitement, brother dear! Maxwell doesn't like it when we're messing up with his plans!" Xenon reprimanded his brother.

"Alright, I'll no longer attempt of getting the dagger," Lothaire said.

"That's good!" Xenon spoke.

"Then what are we doing here? Keep waiting for brother to exit the Ritual Room?" Lothaire asked. "Stay if you like, I'm not going to wait here. I feel bored. I'll go outside!" he said as he turned around and left his brother.

Xenon was left alone outside the room. Wondering - what's going on inside the ritual room? Why it took his brother so long to get out? Maxwell ordered them not to disturb him no matter what until he come out.

He was about to leave the place when the door of the Ritual Room suddenly opened.

Maxwell exited the room and closed the room behind him, looking very tired.

"Brother, what happened to you?" Xenon asked in alarm.

Maxwell smiled brightly. "I'll tell you everything, brother after I have my rest."

"Okay. So...is it a success? I mean what you're doing inside?" Xenon inquired, trying to understand what got his brother so worked up inside the Ritual Room.

Maxwell grinned. "Yeah! Don't worry, it's perfect! I just need to rest. I'll talk to you later," he said and walked away going back to his room.

Xenon breathed deeply. He looked at the Ritual Room, feeling curious and eager to know what's inside!

He walked towards the door and grabbed the doorknob, he attempts to open the door. But it won't budge!

Feeling annoyed, he left without knowing what's inside the room.

~

Meanwhile, Maxwell appeared in Ivy's room.