Hiroki's gaze was like that of someone staring at a delusional patient. Tianzi, the Daimyo of the Land of the Forefathers, was truly furious.
He had always favored Kaguya, shown her great respect, and even endured her coldness.
This kind of favor was something many women desperately desired...
Yet Kaguya turned around and gave that special affection to another man!
"Even if she is merely a concubine, she's not someone outsiders can covet or touch."
Tianzi said coldly, the more he thought about it, the angrier he became. He harshly ordered his soldiers, "Kill him!"
First kill this man, then deal with that unchaste woman, Kaguya...
"You must be the Daimyo of the Land of the Forefathers, huh?" Hiroki suddenly asked.
"Now you want to beg for mercy from me?" A mocking smirk appeared on Tianzi's lips.
"You don't actually think because she stays in your territory, she has some connection with you..." Hiroki suddenly laughed aloud.
Before his voice faded, an invisible and powerful force spread outward. The soldiers surrounding him were suddenly flung away, falling onto the ground.
With disbelief written all over their faces, they hadn't even been touched, but their bodies were suddenly covered in wounds, blood pouring out endlessly.
"Lord Tianzi..." Those on the ground tried to struggle up, only to discover an invisible pressure relentlessly pinning them down, making movement difficult.
Red blood pooled on the ground, forming a small puddle.
The fallen soldiers could only lie there helplessly as death crept closer.
Suddenly, a strange familiarity washed over Tianzi—he felt as though he'd seen these scenes somewhere before.
In front of his disbelieving eyes, Hiroki stepped forward and placed his hand on Tianzi's head.
"What are you trying to do?" Clutching Hiroki's wrist, Tianzi asked with alarm.
"Obviously, I'm going to help you break free from this illusion," Hiroki lightly smiled.
He kept dragging Tianzi forward without pause.
Tianzi struggled fiercely but could only be pulled helplessly across the ground.
That night, one torch-bearing figure after another surged into the territory of the Land of the Forefathers.
Suzaku led the forces of the Land Beyond, pushing steadily toward the capital of the Land of the Forefathers.
Inside the palace, someone rushed in panic-stricken. "Where is Lord Tianzi? Is he here?"
"Lord Tianzi went out! Did anything happen?" Ayano asked in confusion.
"The Land Beyond's army is attacking us—right at such a time... Do you know exactly where he went?"
"What?" Ayano gasped, "Lord Tianzi went outside looking for Lady Kaguya..."
"Do you know exactly where?" The commanding officer became even more anxious.
At that moment, Kaguya stepped in out of nowhere.
All eyes immediately turned toward her. "Lady Kaguya, wasn't Lord Tianzi returning with you?"
"I don't know," Kaguya replied flatly.
"Damn it!" The commander muttered under his breath before taking part of the palace guards and rushing off to reinforce the front lines.
After they left, Ayano approached Kaguya and hesitated for a moment before gritting her teeth and saying, "Kaguya-sama, I've told the Son of Heaven about your situation..."
"Hmm?" Kaguya turned her head, looking at Ayano with confusion.
"The Son of Heaven already knows you're pregnant..."
Hearing that, Kaguya froze, completely baffled.
Who was pregnant? Since when did *she* even know about this?
"The Son of Heaven left because of this matter..."
At this point, guilt washed over Ayano. Their homeland was currently at war with the Land Beyond. If the Son of Heaven were here to command, boosting morale, perhaps some casualties could be avoided.
"He said he'd go find the one who forced you to kill the man close to you," Ayano continued.
Kaguya slightly frowned, feeling more confused than ever. How could she not follow these savages' logic?
Thinking it through, she asked, "Who is he going to kill?"
Ayano was just about to speak when suddenly several sharp whizzing sounds pierced the air. Arrows shot in, instantly killing two guards stationed outside.
"Enemy attack! Counterattack!"
Witnessing the sudden change, the other soldiers immediately shouted, grabbed their weapons, and rushed out.
A grim expression on his face, Suzaku—a man from the Land Beyond—led a group of soldiers wearing cloth armor barging in.
With just a wave of his hand, these soldiers from the Land Beyond immediately engaged in battle with those from the Land of the Forefathers.
"So, you're the jewel the Son of Heaven keeps locked away? No wonder you exude such grace—truly a beauty beyond compare." Looking toward Kaguya, Suzaku rubbed his chin. Seemingly lost in thought, a strange smile unknowingly surfaced on his face.
"Who are you? Do you know whose private residence this is?" Ayano stood protectively in front of Kaguya and loudly proclaimed.
"What of it? I come from the Land Beyond. What do I care for the Son of Heaven?" Suzaku sneered arrogantly before declaring, "This nation is doomed. Everything the Son of Heaven has will be mine—including you. Hahahaha..."
He extended his finger, pointing directly at Kaguya.
Kaguya watched everything unfolding before her with a calm, indifferent expression.
"Quickly escape, Kaguya-sama..." Ayano tugged at her.
Unmoved and expressionless, Kaguya slowly descended the steps.
"Oh? Remaining unflinching even in danger—I'm becoming increasingly interested in you," Suzaku laughed wildly. "Capture her!"
Two soldiers from the Land Beyond lunged forward, but the moment they came near her, they screamed in pain and were flung backward several meters.
Seeing such an inexplicable scene, the soldiers from the Land of the Forefathers looked fearful yet cautiously remained rooted in place.
Advance! Don't fall back!" Suzaku barked angrily.
Exchanging glances, the others had no choice but to move forward again.
Before getting too close to Kaguya, the leading pair abruptly burst apart—flesh scattering everywhere—and vanished without a trace.
Searing blood sprayed across Suzaku's face. Fear clawed at his chest.
"These are all your men?" At the same time, Hiroki also encountered a small squad.
Corpses lay scattered across the ground. He questioned the Son of Heaven, who was crouching on the floor.
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Witnessing another bizarre death, the Tianzi's body trembled slightly. The look in his eyes toward Hiroki carried indescribable fear.
No matter how hard he tried to understand, he couldn't grasp how this person had done it—killing from a distance without moving a muscle.
Just what kind of man was he?
"Hey, I'm asking you a question."
"N-no... not really..." The Tianzi shook his head violently. "They're not wearing armor from the Land of the Forefathers—they belong to the Land Beyond."
More and more torchlight illuminated the night sky. The Tianzi suddenly understood—there were likely far more invaders infiltrating the Land of the Forefathers than just these few.
Crawling to Hiroki's feet, he pleaded humbly, "If you help me eliminate these intruders, I'll give you anything you want—I can even give you Kaguya."
Hiroki chuckled. "Although you're making a request, your tone always sounds irritating to me..."
Suddenly, a black fissure appeared before the two people.
In a heartbeat, the crack widened into a gaping black void—almost like a door opening to another realm.
A jade-like pale hand stretched out from within the void, reaching toward Hiroki.
Tilting his head slightly, Hiroki grabbed that hand.
Then, right before the Tianzi's incredulous eyes, he was pulled straight through the black "door."
Immediately, the door vanished as well. Everything looked exactly as if nothing had ever happened.
Darkness filled their vision for a moment. When their feet touched solid ground again, Hiroki already stood beside Kaguya, her hand tightly holding his without letting go.
Everyone else stood frozen, terror etched across every face.
They hadn't yet recovered from the shock of those soldiers from the Land Beyond dying without warning earlier. Now seeing Kaguya activate [otsutsuki Teleportation] to bring Hiroki directly to her side left them completely blank-minded and confused about what had just happened.
"Is that bewitching figure actually some kind of demon?" murmured Suzaku. "Looks like the Land of the Forefathers is truly doomed..."
Completely ignoring everyone else's presence, Kaguya glanced at the night sky. From the corner of her eye, she noticed the yellow flames drawing nearer.
Turning her head, her purely white eyes held gentleness and illusion as she asked softly, "Would you be willing... to stay in this world with me?"
Hiroki stiffened slightly.
"...Don't think about that person anymore," Kaguya whispered.
At this moment, Suzaku was the first to snap out of shock, his expression gradually turning odd.
What the heck was going on here?
Did this seductress, the Tianzi, and this sudden stranger have a love triangle?
The Tianzi really was pathetic—he couldn't even keep one woman under control.
Ayano also stood silently behind Kaguya, utterly bewildered by what was happening.
Meanwhile, Kaguya herself fixed her gaze unwaveringly upon Hiroki, unwilling to miss even the slightest change in his expression.
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