There was only a dead, empty void. Colder than the emotionless modified humans he had seen in Germa. She mechanically and earnestly prayed for the people who oppressed her and treated her as a sacrifice. She even wore a look of forced "devotion."
She believed this was her rightful place.
BOOM—!
Rage surged in Rhett's chest like lava, threatening to break through his reason. The blood mist around him churned violently for a moment, but he forced it back down with sheer will.
He didn't act immediately.
Because he saw no will to live in Witte's eyes.
If someone didn't want to live, what could saving them accomplish?
Rhett stood still. His face behind his mask showed nothing. Only his crimson eyes held a fire capable of burning down this false kingdom.
He waited.
For a chance. Or for a reason for her to want to live.
Rhett: I'll save her first, then figure it out.
Rhett suppressed all his presence and silently followed the "Holy Maiden."
After completing the long, painful prayer ritual, under the watch of two cold-eyed guards in uniform, she dragged her heavy chains step by step to a low building at the edge of the plaza. It was a clean prison.
The door closed silently behind her, shutting out the noise and freedom.
She walked to a small cushion in the center of the room, ready to continue her endless prayer or atonement.
Suddenly, Rhett materialized before her.
The sudden appearance made her tremble. She couldn't even see his face before she instinctively covered her head and curled up, her voice full of fear.
"I'm sorry! I'm praying! I'm not slacking off! Please don't take away my food..."
Her pleas stopped.
She hadn't received the scolding or punishment she expected. Trembling, she cautiously looked up and met a pair of eyes.
What kind of eyes were these! Deep crimson, filled with emotions she had never seen. Not coldness, not arrogance, not fake pity, but... a boiling fury that almost burned her, and... heartache?
She froze, forgetting her fear. She just stared at this strange man in strange clothes.
Rhett saw her instinctive reaction and heard that heart-wrenching plea. The anger he had forced down exploded again.
Cold killing intent spread uncontrollably.
The girl trembled under the pressure. But years of conditioning kept her from running. She just repeated the phrases she had been taught.
"Th-This is my duty... my mission... to sacrifice for Piruka is an honor... I..."
"Shut up!"
He stepped forward, his tall figure overshadowing her.
She fell silent immediately, closing her eyes, waiting for punishment.
But it never came.
With two sharp cracks, the special chains that had bound her ankles for so many years were torn apart by Rhett's blood mist, turning to dust.
The sudden lightness made her open her eyes in disbelief.
Rhett looked at her confused, frightened face. His anger finally turned into a single, firm decision.
"Your mission ends today. From now on, everything is your choice."
He held out his hand to her.
"Come with me."
Rhett saw the ingrained numbness behind her fear. Even with his silver tongue, it wouldn't work right now. He didn't soften his killing intent. It only became sharper. His voice was cold.
"Come with me, or I'll kill you now."
She trembled. The threat of death seemed to break through her conditioned shell.
"I can't die... my mission isn't done... I still have to..."
"Come with me. You can't resist anyway." Rhett cut her off. He grabbed her thin wrist. It was ice cold. He pulled her toward the door.
She stumbled after him, her mind blank. The freedom of broken chains, the threat of death, the stranger's force — it all overwhelmed her rigid mind.
"BAM!"
The prison door was blown open by the blood mist.
The light flooded in, drawing the attention of the people outside. When they saw the "Holy Maiden" being dragged out, and the strange man radiating dark energy beside her, there was a moment of shock. Then the voices erupted.
"Look! It's the Holy Maiden!"
"How dare she leave? With a man?"
"Her chains are gone! She's betrayed us!"
A winged man in fine clothes pointed at them, disgust and mockery in his voice. "I told you! She's been working with those Blue Sea scum who use devil powers! She's not fit to be our Holy Maiden! Pfft!"
Rhett didn't slow down. He didn't even look at the man. He just turned his head slightly. His crimson eyes swept over him.
The next second.
"Ahhh!" The man's mockery turned into a short, sharp scream. He dissolved into blood mist.
The street fell silent.
All the insults and curses died in their throats. Only the sound of fearful gasps remained.
Rhett's gaze slowly swept over the terrified crowd.
"Whoever blocks me, dies."
"Whoever mocks me, dies."
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried the certainty of death. It reached everyone. His killing intent was like a tidal wave. The crowd was breathless. They backed away, creating a wide path.
And so he walked through the street, pulling the numb girl. Everywhere he went, only fear spread.
Rhett had sensed no opponent stronger than him. This was the Void Century. Power systems were still early.
The girl stumbled after him, her wrist held tight. She watched the terrified faces, the man who had just been mocking her now dead. She watched this man take lives as easily as crushing an insect. Her mind went blank. Was this the power of a devil?
She didn't know where they were going. She didn't know what would happen. She just followed this overwhelming force.