Duke Inferno fell into deep thought and memory: it remembered seeing these two trash cans from far away, so how had they suddenly appeared in front of it?
Duke Inferno: "Have I really walked this far without realizing?"
It didn't think much of it and assumed it had unconsciously gotten closer to them. But as it turned to continue walking and thinking, it suddenly realized something wasn't right.
"No, I didn't change location…"
It had precise control over its movements, and it knew it hadn't walked far. It had been moving in place.
That meant, the garbage cans didn't move towards it, but it had been approached by the cans?
It asked: "When would a trash can move closer?"
Answer: "When someone moves it."
Correct answer!
Duke Inferno felt an immense sense of pride and accomplishment. It felt like it had solved a great puzzle, and it was certain it was the first in the universe to solve the garbage can mystery.
It was proud, it was elated even!
However, it failed to notice that while it was basking in its own glory, a pair of white, slender hands reached for its cloak.
"Hand it over!"
Stelle's clear voice interrupted Duke Inferno's thoughts, and in that instant, it felt its cloak being yanked off.
It instinctively turned around to see Stelle standing in the garbage bin, holding its cloak and smugly giving it a thumbs-down.
"Trash! Useless! Your cloak is mine now." After saying this, Stelle smoothly climbed out of the bin, holding the cloak in one hand and placing her other hand on her hip, proudly looking at Duke Inferno.
"Hey! I'm talking about you, fiery one. Your glasses are nice too. They're mine now."
Before Duke Inferno could react, Stelle yanked off the monocle it was wearing.
Normally, the flames on Duke Inferno would have been enough to make any living being retreat, but for Stelle, the flames weren't much. She had already been protected by Pei Guang's Savory Truefire.
Pei Guang had long since mastered many tricks with the Savory Truefire, both offensive and defensive.
While the fire from Duke Inferno could not be countered for long with the Savory Truefire, there were enough consumables to keep the flames going, ensuring that Pei Guang and Stelle wouldn't get hurt.
Duke Inferno paused for a moment, its vast knowledge and experience never having prepared it for someone stealing its cloak. Wait, this wasn't just stealing: it was being done right in front of it! Someone had taken its cloak, and now its monocle?
It grew furious, and as it fumed, it smelled the distinct scent of flames coming from Stelle. The three different fire scents made it briefly consider what flavor to make of the woman in front of it.
While it thought, it also acted. But just as it prepared to attack Stelle, a War-Flaming Lance pierced through its crotch.
Looking down at the War-Flaming Lance sticking out from its pants, Duke Inferno instinctively turned its head and immediately saw Pei Guang.
In that instant, Duke Inferno felt its body go numb.
As a being of fire, regular physical attacks didn't harm it, but Stelle's War-Flaming Lance wasn't a regular weapon. The amber glow at the tip and the execution effect from Pei Guang's sneak attack made Duke Inferno fall into a stunned state.
The numbness in its body made it impossible to move, and, because of this numbness, it couldn't retaliate against Pei Guang or Stelle.
At the same time, what infuriated Duke Inferno even more was that its pants had turned into open-crotch pants, with flames erupting from the opening. This humiliating state made it seethe with anger. It swore to torment these two individuals thoroughly.
However, its anger was futile. The execution state lasted only a brief moment, but during that short stun, it was completely unable to do anything.
Looking at the immobilized Duke Inferno, Pei Guang flashed a polite yet awkward smile. "I really hate that look you're giving me."
Feeling the furious glare of Duke Inferno, Pei Guang walked up and gave it a big taunt. This taunt successfully drew all of its hatred toward him.
Pei Guang had been observing Duke Inferno's condition, and it was clear that the stun effect from his execution would soon wear off, so they had to act fast.
It was time to escape.
With that in mind, Pei Guang glanced at Stelle, who nodded in acknowledgment.
Watching their interaction, Duke Inferno grew even angrier. Feeling the scornful gaze, Pei Guang nodded in satisfaction. "That's more like it, now you look like a real boss."
However, as it focused all its attention on Pei Guang, Stelle made her move. She slapped Duke Inferno's head with her left hand and, with her right hand, yanked the fiery crown off its head.
"Not bad, this is mine now." While Duke Inferno was still frozen in place, Stelle and Pei Guang each grabbed one of its hands and swiftly stripped off its gloves.
A second may seem short, just a blink and a breath, but that second felt long enough for Pei Guang and Stelle to slap Duke Inferno, rip off everything they could, and even Pei Guang didn't forget to grab its staff while casually packing everything away.
Stelle was even more mischievous. She took Pei Guang's wooden sword and slashed from top to bottom, cutting through Duke Inferno's clothes and pants. The moment they were torn open, Stelle swiftly stored them in her personal inventory.
Duke Inferno was left in a state of running around naked…
What a humiliation!!!
Duke Inferno felt an indescribable sense of disgrace. It could feel its body regaining control, and it swore it would make these two beg for mercy, with no way to escape.
However, before it could use its powers, Pei Guang taunted it again. After this second taunt, Pei Guang felt that the boss in front of them was finally about to enter combat mode, so he and Stelle instantly returned to the Astral Express.
Just as they returned to the train, the surface of the planet was engulfed in unquenchable flames.
"Damn it!!!"
Duke Inferno's body regained control, but by then, it was too late. Pei Guang and Stelle had already returned to the Astral Express and were preparing to count their spoils.
Duke Inferno was left speechless, unable to express its frustration. It had been preparing to go to Penacony to carry out destruction, but instead, these two had stolen everything it had?
How embarrassing! How humiliating!
The Annihilation Gang only steals from others, but today, it was the one being robbed.
Enraged, Duke Inferno's flames grew even more terrifying. But just as it burned with fury, a calm voice made its heart sink.
"Hmm? Found you. What's going on here?"
Accompanied by the calm voice, a woman holding a long sword with deep blue hair appeared before Duke Inferno.
Seeing the pitiful state of Duke Inferno, the one known as "Acheron" seemed a little puzzled.
There were no other life signs around, and no residual spatial transfer energy. How had this Annihilation Gang Duke ended up like this?
But it wasn't too big of a deal. After all, she was just here to borrow something from Duke Inferno. After seeing a few visions, she knew exactly what she needed to ask from the Duke.
Although it was life-threatening, it wouldn't hurt much.
At that moment, Duke Inferno, who had just been tormented by Pei Guang, felt its heart stop.