At first, Shaiapouf suppressed his bloodlust toward Komugi.
This was because he didn't want Komugi to become an immortalized, godlike existence in the King's heart that could never be surpassed.
To him, this matter was far more important than any other influence Komugi might bring.
But the scene that unfolded half an hour ago made Shaiapouf completely awaken.
He realized he had severely underestimated Komugi's status and importance in the King's heart.
What troubled him even more was the fleeting confusion that crossed the King's face when Komugi asked for his name.
Without a name, does one lack self?
No, The King doesn't need a name at all.
A true ruler of the world should be a monster devoid of any emotion, completely abandoning the concept of self, yet mastering all knowledge and power.
Therefore, the King needs no name.
Nor does he need Komugi.
Just disappear, you annoying and lowly human!
Shaiapouf quickly averted his gaze, turning instead to the two figures that had landed on the roof of the eastern tower.
Even before he looked their way, he had already manipulated a swarm of victims parasitized by his 'Beelzebub' clones, sending them flooding toward the two figures on the tower roof.
These two figures were none other than Netero and Zeno, who had followed closely behind the star rain.
The aura emanating from them, tempered by age, carried a presence even more intense than the star rain pouring from the sky.
Yet Shaiapouf, who thoroughly embodied Manipulation principles, remained unaware...
As he continuously delved deeper into the fundamental characteristics of Manipulation, the most common personality traits of Manipulators, such as possessiveness, desire for control, and self-centeredness, were further spreading within him.
So much so that during the brief moment when the star rain fell from the sky, although he intercepted numerous Dragon Lances that threatened the King...
When forced to choose between the subsequent invaders and Komugi, he prioritized eliminating Komugi.
Even if the time difference between the two was merely a fraction of a second, in that instant, he indeed placed eliminating Komugi above the King's safety.
Nevertheless, in this clash between loyalty and complex human nature, asking what is right has already lost all meaning.
Because all these actions would be simplified under Shaiapouf's philosophy of sacrifice and devotion into the thought: "This is all for the King."
Thus, on the eastern tower roof, when Netero and Zeno saw the numerous victims swarming toward them like ants, they clearly sensed Shaiapouf's distorted will from the aura surging through their exploited lives.
Zeno felt slightly moved.
But Netero remained completely calm.
Facing this manifestation of Shaiapouf's distorted will, he offered the most sincere response.
「100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva」
The moment the golden Guanyin materialized out of thin air, unstoppable palm strikes had already landed on the numerous victims.
Under Shaiapouf's slightly astonished gaze, the swarming victims were sent flying back even faster by the palm strikes.
The speed of the palm strikes was too fast for the naked eye to follow, but one thing was certain.
In terms of pure power, the palm strikes that sent the victims flying couldn't penetrate the aura output defense blossoming from their exploited life force. In other words, the force of the palm strikes was only enough to send the victims flying.
Yet, Shaiapouf did not consider Netero's attack power weak because of this. Instead, in that moment, he felt an indescribable sense of crisis.
That old man...
With just one glance, he had seen through the weakness of the victims.
Knowing full well that the victims' explosive period was as fleeting as a flash in the pan, he did not waste the slightest bit of effort in his assault.
Instead, with just the right amount of power and consumption, he swatted the converging victims away to a distance of over a hundred meters.
Even if the victims remained unharmed, they would collapse and fall on their own due to overexertion of their life force before they could regroup and attack Netero again.
Based on this, Shaiapouf confirmed Netero's threat level, and alarm bells rang loudly in his mind. Without a moment's delay, he flew toward the third floor of the palace.
—--
At the same time.
Zeno released his 'En' to its maximum extent.
The pale green ring of aura swept through the central area of the entire palace like a scanner, quickly detecting the locations of the King and Neferpitou.
After completing the enemy detection task, Zeno tilted his head to look at Netero, signaling the direction with his eyes.
Netero understood instantly and turned his gaze to the third floor of the palace.
The commotion caused by the star rain and the '100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva,' combined with Zeno's unapologetic 'En,' made it impossible for the King and Neferpitou on the third floor of the palace to remain unaware.
However, even when Neferpitou sensed the impending threat, she remained focused on treating the King.
Her reasoning was simple.
Even if the attackers could appear before her at any moment, she must not panic and waste "every single second" of treatment time.
"Your Majesty?"
Neferpitou remained fully concentrated on the treatment but was stunned to see the King once again ignore the high-precision surgical arms of 'Doctor Blythe' in operation, rising to head toward the West Tower.
The King wants to find Komugi...
No, he wants to confirm Komugi's safety.
As the King abruptly broke free from the treatment, Neferpitou's initial confusion was quickly replaced by speculation.
But she was different from Shaiapouf.
Upon realizing the King's intention, Neferpitou immediately cooperated.
For her, no matter what the King wanted or intended to do, as a Royal Guard, she only needed to fulfill his wishes to the best of her ability.
Beyond that, there was no need for any other meaningless thoughts.
So, while striving to maintain synchronization with the King's movements, she manipulated 'Doctor Blythe,' achieving the ability to perform high-precision surgery even while on the move.
The King glanced at Neferpitou, still paying little attention to the accompanying 'Doctor Blythe,' and suddenly increased his speed, arriving at the open balcony facing the West Tower.
What met his eyes was the half-collapsed and ruined West Tower.
"Neferpitou."
A subtle change flickered in the King's eyes.
For the first time, Neferpitou detected a trace of urgency in the King's tone.
This made her instantly understand what the King needed her to do.
It was still about Komugi.
So, even before the King explicitly gave the order, Neferpitou deactivated 'Doctor Blythe's' ability.
Admittedly, from her standpoint, she placed immense importance on 'Doctor Blythe's' treatment of the King.
But the King's command would always take precedence over everything else.
"Find Komugi."
The moment the King's command was given, Neferpitou immediately released her 'En,' instantly enveloping the entire palace.
The movements of Netero and Zeno rushing toward this direction, along with Shaiapouf, as well as the numerous intruders on the first floor of the palace, all were grasped by Neferpitou in an instant.
Yet, Komugi's presence was nowhere to be found.
"Komugi isn't here."
Meeting the King's gaze, Neferpitou delivered her answer without delay.
The King froze for a moment, as if realizing something.
In the next blink, a viscous, powerful aura erupted from his body, sweeping through the entire palace in an instant.
Time seemed to stagnate at that moment.