Meanwhile, Iris was on patrol with Astrea and Anew. Iris said, "Astrea, this is the Solace family treasure." She opened the door. Inside stood a glass tree.
"This is our family treasure," Iris said. "The sacred tree—Vitralith."
Lucifer stepped forward. "Iris, take this."
Iris looked at the object. "Is this… a mask of Ifrit? What does it do?"
Lucifer replied, "It's the mythical model—Theia."
"Got it," said Iris.
"I worked hard to get my hands on it," Lucifer said. "Don't waste it."
"I won't," Iris replied.
She turned back to the tree. "They say this tree can bless members of our family. If you're chosen, the tree will grow a bit right in front of you. That's the sign—it means you're destined to be the next head of the House of Solace."
"It's just a glass sapling," Astrea said, amazed.
"It was grown because of our house," Iris replied. "But you have to see it during the day. It looks divine. If you look down, you can see how deep the glass roots go—it's like they reach the center of the earth."
"It's beautiful," Anew said.
As they admired Vitralith, a sudden noise shattered the calm. A monster crashed through the glass roof above them. Lucifer's voice rang out:
"Everyone, take battle formation!"
Anew, Astrea, and Iris were caught off guard. Iris shouted, "Who are you? State your business!"
The monster stepped forward. "I am Grimmer. Lord Drake ordered me to take control of this area, and so I will."
Iris replied firmly, "I'm a knight on duty here. If you leave immediately, no harm will come to you. But if you stay, you'll be destroyed—turned to nothing."
Elsewhere, Thalorin stood at the entrance, facing a second monster that dropped in front of her.
"So, you're my opponent, huh?" she muttered.
In three different locations, Faiz, Masaki, and Celestio were stationed when vampire monsters appeared before each of them.
Celestio said, "So you're the vampire monsters we were warned about."
"We are here to kill you," one of them hissed.
The three knights replied in unison: "As if we'll lose to you."
Meanwhile, Lucifer and Louis were seated in the hall.
"Are you sure about this?" Louis asked.
Lucifer smiled. "Don't worry. I have everything under control."
Back at the sacred tree, the monster near Vitralith launched an attack. Iris stepped forward.
"That was your last warning," she said. "Let's fight. Summon: Holy Relic—Staff of Eins!"
The monster swung his fists, but Iris dodged with ease.
"I will kill you!" he roared.
"Go for it," Iris replied coolly. She stood still, taking his punches without flinching.
Astrea was stunned. How is she taking those hits without getting hurt?
After several seconds, Iris asked, "You done yet?"
By then, 90 seconds had passed.
"How the hell are you not injured?" the monster screamed. "You're hurting my fists instead!"
"You're a slow one, huh?" Iris said. "Then take this!"
High above, Licht had been watching the fight from 750 feet in the air. He raised his right hand, pointing upward. A glowing orb began forming on the tip of his finger.
Back in the sacred tree chamber, Iris said, "This should teach you something." She punched Grimmer in the chest, sending him flying. He crashed through the wall.
In the hall, Louis turned to Lucifer. "Did you hear that?"
Lucifer nodded. "Yes. Let me blow out this candle."
He extinguished the flame, plunging the room into darkness.
Moments later, the wall to their right exploded as Grimmer came flying through.
"Stop," Lucifer commanded. Grimmer froze mid-air, inches from them.
"Fall to earth," Lucifer said.
Grimmer slammed into the ground, unconscious.
"As I said," Lucifer continued, "you're completely safe."
In the sacred tree chamber, Iris stood, breathing heavily.
"That attack took more strength than I expected," she admitted.
Astrea stared in awe. "That was amazing, ma'am."
Suddenly, the door creaked open. A powerful magical presence filled the room. Even Lucifer and Louis felt it.
Louis's nose began to bleed. I know this magic power from somewhere… but it's never felt this terrifying before.
Lucifer asked, "Ma'am, are you okay?"
In the sacred chamber, a hooded figure stepped inside, smiling and clapping slowly.
"Very good… Iris."
Iris, Astrea, and Anew all thought the same thing: Who is this guy? How does he have such strong magic power?
Iris gathered herself and asked, "Are you the one behind all this?"
The man smiled. "I'm Drake Solace. And yes—I command these forces."
Iris charged, using the energy left from her fight with Grimmer.Iris screamed, "I m Iris Solace"
Drake smirked. "Ah… so you're one of my younger sister's favorite toys. I'll smash you to bits."
He activated a four-sectioned staff. As Iris's punch connected with one end, the impact was reversed. Her fist hit the staff, and she was the one sent flying into the wall.
Only 120 seconds remained.