The plan's progression was smoother than anticipated.
One might even say it required no effort at all.
However, the King's display of absolute confidence and nearly transparent attitude inevitably stirred a trace of defeat in Netero's heart.
But he was the founder of Shingen-ryu.
At this decisive moment, even if he had to convince himself with ideals as fleeting as duckweed, it didn't matter.
Because no matter what, he who bore the greatest responsibility must not waver in the slightest.
"Very well."
Netero gave the most sincere answer of his life.
The King gladly accepted this response.
For the human faction, this outcome was naturally the best.
But for Neferpitou, it was the worst.
Indeed, she would unreservedly cater to every demand of the King.
But that was predicated on not endangering the King's safety.
Based on this, even though Neferpitou understood the King's resolve was firm, she couldn't help but advise, "Your Majesty, at least allow this subordinate to heal your arm first."
Having fought Netero before, she knew full well his strength and understood that the King's injured condition could never escape his notice.
This was the fundamental reason she had to speak up now.
But the King disdained wasting time on such trivial matters and said indifferently, "I will win."
"But–"
Smack.
Neferpitou, who was about to say more, was sent flying the next moment by the King's tail.
The King retracted his tail and coldly stated, "I do not wish to repeat myself."
"Yes."
Neferpitou quickly stabilized her posture and replied with her head lowered.
She could sense that the King had clearly held back in that strike.
The King had undergone some changes... Neferpitou silently thought.
Netero and Zeno's feelings at this moment were even more complicated.
But with matters progressing this far, there was no room for hesitation.
Zeno subtly glanced at Netero's unchanged expression, then strode toward the open balcony.
The King showed no reaction to his actions.
Zeno also had no concern that the King might pierce his vitals with his stinger at this moment.
He walked directly to the King's side, gathering most of his aura between his hands.
At this moment, multiple vital points on his body were exposed without reservation before the King's eyes.
Was this not a form of respect toward the King?
And the King did not understand the true intent behind Zeno concentrating a large amount of aura in one place.
Nor did he rule out the possibility that the other might seize this opportunity to launch a surprise attack.
But he made no preparations.
Just as Zeno, in this brief contact, was willing to believe that the King, whom Netero had described as cold and cruel, would not resort to such underhanded tactics...
The King was also willing to trust the resolve and will that Netero and Zeno displayed in creating this one-on-one duel environment.
Dragon Head. The massive aura Zeno had gathered between his hands quickly materialized into a pale golden aura dragon soaring toward the sky.
Seeing this technique, the King needed no explanation. He leaped up, hooking his tail onto the dragon's claw. Netero gave a slight nod to Zeno, then leaped up himself, landing on the back of the golden Nen dragon.
The slight hesitation he had felt earlier had now completely vanished.
However, his perception of the King had undergone some changes.
The other party had easily seen through his intentions, undoubtedly a complete monster, both in body and spirit...
Just then, Shaiapouf flew closer and saw the King and Netero being carried away by the Nen dragon.
"Your Majesty!!!"
Unaware of the situation, Shaiapouf's first reaction was to flap his wings and chase after them.
But the next moment, with just one glance back, the King's sharp eyes made Shaiapouf freeze abruptly in mid-air.
What in the world... had happened?
Shaiapouf completely ignored Zeno's presence and sharply turned to look at Neferpitou, who was half-kneeling on the balcony with her head bowed, urgently asking, "Neferpitou, why did His Majesty leave with that human?!"
"They've taken Komugi hostage, but leaving together was His Majesty's own decision."
Neferpitou lifted her head to look at the somewhat distraught Shaiapouf, explaining calmly.
She had accepted the current situation.
Because this was a decision made by the King based on his own will.
Moreover, she didn't believe the King would lose.
"Komugi...?!"
Hearing Neferpitou's response, Shaiapouf was momentarily stunned.
Then he recalled the En Neferpitou had released earlier.
What's going on...
If Neferpitou had already used En to probe the situation in the tower, she should have discovered Komugi's corpse.
How could it have turned into a situation where Komugi was taken hostage by humans?
Shaiapouf didn't understand what had gone wrong, but he vaguely sensed...
That his move against Komugi had instead been exploited by the human side.
This led to the King willingly leaving the palace for Komugi, heading to an unknown place that might be a trap!
Shaiapouf instantly grew furious and flustered.
If he had known the situation would develop like this, he should have acted against Komugi sooner.
Damn it, damn it...!
Shaiapouf's face gradually contorted.
—--
On the balcony.
Having completed his task, Zeno naturally didn't care about the moods of these two Royal Guards. He leaped onto the balcony railing, preparing to leave this troublesome place.
His actions, unsurprisingly, drew Shaiapouf's attention.
The King's earlier glance had conveyed the command not to follow.
But that was all.
So Shaiapouf directed the surging gloom in his heart entirely toward the humans who dared to invade the palace.
Neferpitou, also on the balcony, instantly understood his intent from the malevolent aura he radiated but did not stop him, merely acquiescing to this bloodlust.
Zeno, who had already leaped onto the balcony railing, naturally sensed Shaiapouf's bloodlust immediately.
"What a hassle..."
Zeno muttered to himself.
To send off Netero and the King, he had mobilized most of his aura output to use Dragon Head.
If he had to fight Shaiapouf under these circumstances...
Shaiapouf radiated a chilling bloodlust.
But just as he wordlessly lunged at Zeno, a fluorescent green beam trajectory shot from afar, mercilessly blasting away most of his head.
"Huh!?"
The remaining small part of his head still had half an eye socket attached.
The pupil within that eye socket could still move, following the trajectory of the attack to look toward a certain location. Then Shaiapouf saw Morrow.
"It's you again, damn human...!"
Shaiapouf's resentment surged to the heavens.
Meeting Shaiapouf's gaze, Morrow calmly put away Kalluto's Sound-Receiving Paper Dolls.
"Alas."
He thought of Komugi, whom he had sent into Hide and Seek, and couldn't help but let out a soft sigh.
Using Komugi as a chess piece had completely isolated the King.
But compared to this move, there was actually a more exquisite play, only...
"I am, after all, just a very ordinary human."
Morrow's voice was not loud when he muttered to himself.
But for some reason...
Zeno and Neferpitou in the distance, and even Shaiapouf, could clearly discern the content of those words by reading Morrow's lips.
A trace of gravity arose in Neferpitou's heart.
Shaiapouf directed unreserved anger and bloodlust toward Morrow.
Zeno looked at Morrow, who had completely changed from his memory, with an unusual glint in his eyes.
Has it already reached this level...