Komugi wasn't here.
This also ruled out the possibility that she had been turned into a corpse.
After confirming this, the King's urgent worry about Komugi's safety vanished from his heart.
But the fact that Komugi had disappeared into thin air made him vaguely aware of the humans' intentions.
From this moment on, for the first time in days, the King's attention, previously bound by Gungi and Komugi, shifted to the insolent human invaders.
He released his aura, infused with a hint of anger.
Even so, this emotion couldn't truly be called rage, yet it was enough to freeze the consciousness of every Extermination Team member who had breached the palace, like a bone-chilling gust of wind.
What is a true monster?
The King's existence was the answer.
But as time resumed its flow, Netero and Zeno's advance remained completely unaffected. They pressed forward against the King's terrifying aura, heading toward the western balcony on the palace's third floor.
Only Morel and the others, who had just emerged from the portal, were stunned into stillness by this aura.
It affected them for about a second.
Given the current situation, the impact of this one-second halt wasn't significant.
Yet when Morel and the others shook off the aura's suppression and resumed their movements, they couldn't help but think…
If they had needed to engage in close combat immediately after exiting the portal, that one-second freeze would have been enough to plunge them into irreversible ruin.
Let alone maintaining fighting spirit in the King's presence.
That was a true monster.
A monster that could only be entrusted to Chairman Netero to handle!
At that moment, Palm used Kalluto's Surveillance Paper Doll to relay the locations of Shaiapouf, the King, and Neferpitou to Morel and the others who had infiltrated the palace.
This was the advantage of being inside Hide and Seek.
The innate sense of security provided by the dimensional apartment allowed Palm to withstand the threat posed by the King, enabling her to relay critical information immediately.
This, to some extent, offset the potential negative impact of Morel and the others' one-second halt.
—--
Western open-air balcony, third floor of the palace.
Neferpitou had just finished reporting the issue the King cared about most and immediately added, "Two enemies have broken through to the third floor. Additionally, there are eight intruders on the first floor…"
Before she could finish, Netero and Zeno blinked from the hall, arriving before her and the King.
The King slowly turned around, his expressionless gaze falling upon the two who dared to confront him directly.
Despite the distance between them, their auras were already clashing intensely in an invisible struggle.
Zeno didn't dare let his guard down for even a moment, ready to engage Neferpitou at any time.
His mission was to create chaos and then help Netero locate the King as quickly as possible.
If necessary, he also needed to help Netero create a "one-on-one" duel environment.
But given the current situation, even if he only had to face Neferpitou, one of the Royal Guards, he genuinely felt as though his old bones might not make it out alive.
Yet even as he sensed an overwhelmingly intense crisis, he harbored not a trace of resentment toward Netero.
After all, he had chosen to accept Netero's request himself. Out of professional integrity, what he should be considering was fulfilling the commission's requirements to the best of his ability.
Compared to Zeno's tense state directed at Neferpitou, Netero was much more relaxed, even taking the time to specifically examine the King's left shoulder.
There remained clear suture marks there.
Moreover, the entire arm was the only vacuum area amidst the pulsating aura.
The treatment truly wasn't complete yet... Netero thought to himself.
His relaxed demeanor came from recognizing that although the King's aura was imposing, he wasn't in a defensive posture.
Instead, it was the Royal Guard beside the King who had contracted their En to cover only this immediate area, radiating an intense defensive intention.
Likely, if he and Zeno made any sudden moves, even without the King's command, this Royal Guard would attack them without hesitation.
But this possibility wasn't within Netero's focus.
What concerned him more was that the King's current attitude completely differed from what he had anticipated.
The King looked at Netero and asked expressionlessly, "Where is Komugi?"
"..."
While maintaining an outwardly calm demeanor with underlying battle intent, Netero instantly understood the reason for the King's attitude.
Komugi... wasn't she the girl playing board games with the King?
It seemed the King valued her greatly.
But had she disappeared? During that brief moment when the star rain fell just now...
Zeno hadn't wanted to involve innocent people beyond the commission's target, so she shouldn't have been affected.
Then, was the purpose of that En earlier not to confirm the intruders' positions, but to verify Komugi's safety?
Thoughts flashing through his mind, Netero subtly glanced with his peripheral vision toward the half-collapsed western tower.
When Zeno heard the King ask about Komugi, he also noticed the western tower's condition.
This surprised him slightly.
Because it wasn't his doing.
Extremely perceptive, Netero confirmed the available information from Zeno's fleeting reaction.
So even without any psychological preparation for this "unexpected situation," he could immediately grasp the key point from this complex context.
Was it Morrow...?
Netero's mind briefly flashed to Morrow's figure, then he raised his hand to stroke his shortened beard. Just as the King's patience was wearing thin, he gave his response.
"She's in a very safe place."
"..."
The King coldly stared at Netero.
Because Netero was absolutely certain that Komugi had been safely relocated by Morrow before any danger could reach her, his answer contained not a trace of falsehood.
Based on this, the King believed Netero's statement.
Moreover, he sensed from Netero a deeper intention for a "leader versus leader" confrontation.
"Let's change locations."
The King casually raised his right hand, speaking in an utterly calm tone: "In exchange, don't involve Komugi, who has nothing to do with this matter."
This wasn't a proposal born from compromise, but one that accommodated Netero's intention.
Simply... for a human girl.
Yet the King's behavior also demonstrated an indescribable absolute confidence.
"..."
Netero and Zeno fell silent involuntarily.
How ironic... For the sake of humanity's future, they had resolved to stake their lives and prepared themselves mentally for the enormous sacrifices required just to isolate the King.
Yet the King, in order to ensure the safety of a single human girl, had so effortlessly complied with their intentions.
"Your Majesty, this is most likely..."
Before Neferpitou could finish her cautionary words, the King silenced her with a gesture.
"I acknowledge their resolve to risk their lives for this cause."
The King's voice was as calm as a deep pool, yet carried undeniable weight.
"..."
Neferpitou stood speechless, her mouth agape.
Netero remained silent, releasing a faint sigh in his heart.
Truly... Unsettling.
---------------
Bonus chapter @400powerstones