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"Trens!!"
Seeing Trens go down, Rojen's figure flickered, and he was about to dash forward. But before he could, a flash of blue light burst in front of him, and a powerful slash came flying straight at him.
"Rankyaku!"
No. 3 swept his leg through the air, a vacuum blade sliced across the space.
Rojen raised his sword to block. The attack was deflected, but the sheer force still caused him to stumble back a step. When he looked up again, Rojen's eyes had turned blood red, two tomoe spinning rapidly in his pupils.
Elsewhere, Trens, having been kicked violently away, had lost his ability to resist in the blink of an eye.
Just as he hit the ground, another figure appeared, moving at unbelievable speed, and extended two fingers toward him like a spear.
"Shigan!" (Finger Pistol)
"Pfft!"
Under Trens's disbelieving gaze, those fingers stabbed directly into the area just below his heart. In that moment, Trens felt his life draining away. His strength collapsed, and his body went limp, crumpling to the ground.
"TRENS!!"
Rojen's face changed dramatically. His heart seized, and he let out a thunderous roar.
"Damn it!!"
His eyes turned a deeper red. In that flash of fury, the two tomoe in his eyes spun wildly, and suddenly, a third tomoe emerged.
Without hesitation, Rojen shouted in his mind: "System!"
But just as he was about to activate it, one of the black-clad men moved and made him freeze on the spot.
"Move again, and I'll kill him instantly."
One foot slammed down on Trens's body, making him cough up two mouthfuls of blood. His body went completely limp.
Rojen saw it clearly that Shigan's attack had missed the heart by a margin. Trens was still alive.
In that instant, Rojen forced himself to calm down. But his gaze turned icy cold.
"I've heard of your strength," No. 1 said coldly, "and with powerhouses like you, of course, we came prepared."
"Besides him, your other two allies are being dealt with as we speak. Soon, you'll all be reunited."
"Crocodile… Jason..." Rojen's eyes darkened, his heart grew colder still.
His killing intent was now completely unrestrained.
"What is it you want?"
"Our master has no interest in you," No. 1 replied flatly. We came here for one reason only, Palace Yilu." Rojen froze. The name meant nothing to him, he had no recollection of it.
"There's no one here by that name!"
Trens's life was in their hands. Rojen was pinned down and couldn't make a move. He swallowed his rage and kept calm.
"Maybe the princess hasn't told you her true identity." No. 1 raised his brows, a mocking smirk playing at the edge of his lips.
"But that's fine too."
He paused, then turned back to No. 3.
"No. 3, go inside and bring Her Highness out."
No. 3 nodded and strode toward the cabin door.
As he passed Rojen, No. 1 gave a final warning: "Move again, and your companion dies."
Rojen clenched his teeth, face cold, his blood-red eyes now spinning with three fully-formed tomoe.
But just as No. 3 entered the cabin, he suddenly paused, startled, and backed out again.
Then both Rojen and the weakened Trens saw... a cat.
"Lordling?" Rojen's expression flickered. But he quickly regained his composure.
Trens, however, was stunned, blurting out: "That cat-- !!"
The black-clad man standing beside him frowned and stomped on Trens again, drawing another cry of pain.
But then, an unexpected voice interrupted: "Mind your manners! You are in the presence of Princess Yilu!"
As the cat stepped forward, every black-clad assassin's face shifted at once, and they all bowed slightly in unison.
"Greetings, Princess Palace Yilu. We apologize for our inability to offer a proper salute, please forgive us!"
The cat, Lordling, continued walking forward. On her feline face, a complex expression formed.
And then, under everyone's stunned gaze, her body began to change. In the blink of an eye, she had transformed, into a sixteen-year-old girl. Dressed in a pink princess dress trimmed with lace, her slender figure and cool, elegant expression gradually emerged before everyone's eyes.
Trens's jaw dropped. He couldn't believe it, the creature that had been a cat just moments ago, Lordling, had transformed into a beautiful, delicate girl.
Now in human form, Lordling was strikingly beautiful. Her face held a pure, aloof expression, and her presence carried an aura of noble grandeur that made others feel unworthy just to stand before her.
"Lordling..." Rojen's gaze froze for a moment, then settled down again.
At last, he understood, the reason she had felt so sentient, so human, was because... she was human all along.
"Why have you come?" Having resumed her human form, Princess Palace Yilu regained her usual icy demeanor.
She looked coldly at the black-clad men before her.
"Our master sent us to bring Your Highness home," No. 1 said with a smile.
"I'm not going back," Palace Yilu responded coolly.
She glanced at Trens, then ordered: "Release him."
But the black-clad man with his foot on Trens didn't move. Though his expression remained respectful, he made no motion to comply.
Palace Yilu's voice became colder: "Since when do dogs defy their master's orders?"
Still, she didn't lose her temper.
No. 1, Igor, smiled faintly, replying: "Our master anticipated Your Highness wouldn't obey so easily."
He swept his eyes over Trens and Rojen, then continued:
"Which is why… these mortals are the best bargaining chip."
Palace Yilu's gaze turned glacial.
"Are you threatening me?"
"I wouldn't dare," Igor replied smoothly.
But the ruthlessness in his eyes completely betrayed the polite tone of his words.
"You think I care about the lives of mortals?" She scoffed coldly.
"But Your Highness," Igor said with a grin, "You've always been merciful since you were a child."
As he spoke, the black-clad man once again stomped down hard, this time right on Trens's wounded chest.
Trens let out a pained scream, spewing blood.
Rojen's face turned frigid. He was just about to act, when No. 3 coldly warned:
"Move, and he dies."
The words froze Rojen in place once more.
Palace Yilu, watching this scene unfold, fell silent for a moment.
Then she finally spoke: "I'll go with you. Let them go."
Igor smiled again, but didn't immediately answer.
"Lordling..."
Rojen's voice rasped, dry and hoarse from the fury burning in his chest.
"Rojen," Lordling said gently, "I have to go. Thank you... for everything during this time."
There was a glimmer of reluctance in her eyes, but she quickly suppressed it, keeping her voice calm and even.
Rojen clenched his fists. His blood-red Sharingan darkened even further.
Then, she walked quickly up to him.
"Only if I leave will you all be safe. Take care."
Her voice was quiet and soft. By the time Rojen reacted, Lordling had already passed by his side.
After a few more steps, she stopped in front of No. 1.
"Let them go. I'll go with you."
Igor's grin widened. He waved a hand. The man stepping on Trens finally withdrew and returned to Igor's side.
"Welcome back, Your Highness," Igor said with an elegant, almost mocking tone.
"Your nobility belongs in the Holy Land, not among these lowly mortals."
With a low bow, he extended his hand forward, inviting her to go first.
Lordling's body trembled for a moment.
Then she straightened her back, and walked forward, step by determined step.
(End of Chapter)