As the figure snapped, a purple portal ripped open. A shackled person stepped through.

  Reo woke up, sensing Akime nearby and the figure ahead. He strained against the chains but failed to break them.

  The figure snapped again. The shackled man spoke in a growly voice: "The one you see before you is none other than the ruler of the south territory of the _____ realm. a god.”

  Hearing this, Akime grew furious and enraged. She spat toward the figure. "Don't compare your filthy self to the almighty!”

  The figure stood fluidly and walked toward Akime without a word. It leaned close to her face, then shook its head three times in quick nods, earrings jingling.

  As it stepped back, the figure lifted its right leg and swung it toward Akime's face. The kick shattered her face, leaving her body headless.

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  In slow motion, Reo realized Akime's aura was gone. He screamed and broke the chains.

  The figure turned to Reo. Suddenly, new chains seized him—heavy ones pinning him motionless, unable to move an inch.

  The figure snapped. Akime's head regenerated, leaving her breathless. It leaned in, ear near her mouth, and shook its head as the earrings jingled, then stepped back to the throne.

  The man spoke again: "What do you think now? And that stitched boy—want to know about your parents?”

  Warren stood at the castle gate. Hearing demons cry out, he ran toward it, thinking it signaled another intruder from the world of the living. As he reached the gate, he saw a gleaming large katana.

  Meanwhile, in the land of Deneb, Erwin visited Jiho's castle. The environment loomed rainy with dark clouds, yet no drops fell.

  As he entered, he said, "Ahh, as I expected—his castle is lonely as always." Guards stopped him en route to the throne room. "No one enters except the king. It's the rule of our kingdom.”

  "You know who you're stopping," he replied. His piercing gaze made them step aside. Inside, he found no one.

  He searched the whole room, ending near the dragon statue. Black feathers littered everywhere, red liquid pooling on the ground. He touched it and sniffed.

  Hakuren entered the room and leaned against the wall. "So you're here.”

  Erwin stood, fist clenched. "What are you doing here? Where is Jiho? And what is this red liquid?”

  Hakuren replied, "Actually, if you ask me, I don't know. Lord Jiho's been missing for three days.”

  Erwin demanded, "And the whole empire has no idea? What are you doing here? Explain!”