Thunder rumbled intermittently, and a torrential downpour fell, drawing a curtain of rain between the city of Peijing and the Capital Palace.
Standing atop the Capital Palace's spire, one could see the outline of Peijing City.
Pitou ignored the heavy rain, silently crouching on the tower's peak, her En enveloping the entire palace.
On the ground before her lay a large cross-shaped road, and further in the distance, the outline of Peijing City.
With her attention focused solely on covering the palace, she was unaware that the humans had formed a Chimera Ant Extermination Team and had already arrived in Peijing City.
Law and his companions stood atop the domed roofs of Arabian-style buildings, gazing at the distant palace from there. By concentrating Aura in their eyes, they could clearly see Pitou's En.
That Aura, undoubtedly vast up close, appeared only about the size of a fist when viewed from afar.
That scale of ability technique was incomparable to Tonpa's, which relied on clever mechanisms… this was the real deal, an En that commanded attention.
Knov adjusted his glasses and said, "The range is too large. There's basically no chance to set up an exit near the palace."
Judging by the distance and area, it was easy to tell that En covered the entire palace grounds. Sneaking in was practically impossible.
However, if the plan was a direct assault, his ability wouldn't be needed.
"As long as it's a living being, there will be times of exhaustion. That level of En can't possibly be sustained for an entire day. Besides, at its core, our action plan is a direct assault, isn't it..."
Morel stood beside Knov, glancing sidelong at the two figures about ten meters away.
On a roof of roughly the same height, Law and Ging stood side by side.
According to Netero's offhand remark, Ging and Law's strength was enough to rank among the world's top five.
That assessment wasn't just for the Association, but for the entire world.
Because of this, Netero's insistence on a 'king vs. king' plan seemed illogical in terms of combat power allocation.
Knov glanced at Morel, as if able to discern his slightly complex thoughts, and said calmly, "Let's hope everything goes smoothly."
Morel fell silent at that.
The rain continued for a full day and night without any sign of stopping, much like the En shrouding the Capital Palace.
Through continuous observation, the Chimera Ant Extermination Team was shocked to realize this fact.
That En, with such an enormous range, had actually been sustained for a full day and night. Thinking about it carefully sent chills down their spines.
'Just how much Potential Aura must one possess to achieve such a feat?'
"We can't engage in a war of attrition."
Law looked up at the oppressive, unyielding dark clouds.
Given human limitations, if the battle dragged into a war of attrition, they would inevitably fall into a disadvantage.
"Exercising one's specialties significantly reduces Aura Consumption. But sustaining that level of En without pause for a day is truly unreasonable."
A faint gleam flashed in Ging's eyes.
Law watched the curtain of rain, remaining silent for a long moment before saying, "To be honest, I don't want to wait anymore."
Ging glanced at Law and said, "When the rain stops, it will ultimately be advantageous for us."
Law fell silent.
Once the rain stopped, they would launch a swift assault. But no one knew when the heavy rain would cease.
Time passed, and another half-day went by.
A figure moved through the rain curtain, coming from the direction of the coastline, heading straight for the palace.
The figure wore a large, loose robe, head bowed as they advanced.
Occasional flashes of lightning illuminated the sky, faintly revealing the face beneath the hood, which seemed to have several striped markings.
This figure was Selina, carrying the Queen's last wish.
Due to Nique's warning earlier, she had proceeded cautiously. Unlike other Squadron Leaders who acted arrogantly and aggressively, she had carefully made her way towards the capital to ensure she could safely reach the palace.
Facing the heavy rain, she finally saw the outline of the Capital Palace.
"I must fulfill the Queen's last wish."
Selina muttered to herself, then quickened her pace.
As she gradually neared the palace, Selina noticed the rain beginning to lessen. Without thinking much about it, she instinctively tightened her robe.
On the palace tower peak, Pitou, still as a stone sculpture, soon noticed the robe-clad Selina.
"An enemy?"
Pitou looked at Selina, a strong desire for battle surfacing in her eyes.
Strictly speaking, since her birth, she had never truly fought anyone.
From a guard's standpoint, she shouldn't hope for enemies to arrive. But deep down, she harbored a desire to fight strong opponents.
All who fight possess an instinct to test their abilities, and Pitou was no exception.
Selina stepped into Pitou's En. At that moment, Pitou's legs tensed, ready to spring into action, but then quickly relaxed.
She recognized Selina as a Chimera Ant and sensed no hostility from her.
Though disappointed, Pitou restrained her intent to attack but had no intention of letting Selina enter easily.
She leaped down forcefully from the tower peak, her figure like lightning, descending from high above and landing in front of Selina in an instant.
Facing Pitou, who radiated terrifying pressure, Selina's heart trembled.
They were five meters apart, but Selina had a premonition that at this distance, if Pitou wanted her life, it would be as simple as crushing an ant.
"State your business."
Pitou stared at Selina.
The pressure of their differing levels made Selina involuntarily swallow hard, feeling as if she couldn't even speak clearly.
But, thinking of the Queen's last wish, Selina instantly cast off her burdens.
"Before her death, the Queen left a last wish. She gave the King a name and ordered me to convey it."
"Oh?"
Pitou raised an eyebrow.
Normally, as a Royal Guard, she had no authority to decide anything for the King. After Selina stated her purpose, what Pitou should do was report the matter to the King and then act according to the King's will.
But she didn't do that.
Because, the King was currently playing chess with that woman.
Despite repeated defeats, Pitou could see that the King was enjoying himself immensely.
It was a strange feeling… she could vaguely sense the King's displeasure and irritation, yet also see that the King was savoring the process.
Therefore, following the King's will meant not disturbing the King's enjoyment.
"Speak. I will convey it to the King for you," Pitou said, looking at Selina.
But Selina hesitated. Perhaps influenced by her past human life's personality, she took the Queen's last wish extremely seriously, even to the point of insisting on seeing the King receive the name with her own eyes.
That deep-seated obsession made her hesitate about saying the name now.
However, that obsession quickly shattered under Pitou's gaze.
Selina was like a weakling surrendering under a white flag. Her lips moved slightly, and she was about to say the name.
But before she could utter it, she heard Pitou's command, tinged with a hint of panic.
"Wait here. If you act on your own..."
As she turned to leave, Pitou gave Selina a cold glance.
She didn't specify the consequences, but swept by that cold gaze, Selina knew the consequences would undoubtedly be severe.
She couldn't understand why Pitou had panicked, and she didn't even have a chance to ask before Pitou swiftly headed towards the throne room on the palace's third floor.
The rain began to show signs of letting up.
The reason Pitou decisively rushed to the throne room where the King was, was because within her En's perception, the King had torn off his own left arm.
She didn't understand why the King would do such a thing, but Pitou knew she had to get to the King's side immediately.