Placing the Rose inside himself was simply to reassure Netero.
In Law's view, although it might be an unfair victory, he didn't believe the current King could defeat him.
But given the current situation, how to handle Netero was a problem.
Law thought of Ging, wondering if he had dealt with Pouf.
With this thought, Law released Netero's hand and turned to face the expressionless King.
While using God Hand to transfer the Rose, Law used In. Whether the King noticed or not, he had to kill the King here.
Then, in front of the King, Law took out his phone and sent a text to Ging.
This arrogant behavior didn't provoke an attack from the King.
When Law arrived, the King had been momentarily unaware, because at that time he was stunned by a strange sense of danger.
Compared to Netero, the King felt Law was more dangerous.
Now, he wouldn't underestimate any powerful human. Perhaps Law also possessed skills as refined as Netero's.
They faced each other but didn't immediately fight.
Why? Of course, because of Netero's presence. To some extent, the current Netero was like Komugi in the play room back then...
The King believed Netero's death would bring danger threatening himself. Law had come for Netero, so why would he fight before Netero was evacuated?
It wasn't tacit understanding, but both sides found a reason to temporarily not fight.
Though no conflict arose, the atmosphere remained tense.
A trace of murderous intent slowly brewed.
Netero looked at Law standing before him and sighed deeply.
He had gotten what he wanted, yet an uncontrollable sadness remained.
Now, with the Rose gone from his body, he was truly a useless vessel. And the burden of dealing with the King now fell on Law.
Even if this incident was resolved, he likely couldn't recover to his former state.
That Zero Hand hadn't just exhausted all his Aura… it had also depleted the physical condition maintained through years of training. Even with treatment later, a perfect recovery was impossible.
So, what reason was there to continue clinging to life?
Drip-drop.
Rain began to fall again from the sky.
Raindrops fell like needles, not heavy.
Seeing the rain, Law immediately activated his Domain, shielding them from the rain to avoid Netero getting wet. After all, the current Netero was no different from an ordinary old man, and might be even more fragile.
The King just silently watched Law and Netero, as if waiting for a certain moment.
"Wait a while. Someone will come to take him away." After the rain started, Law suddenly spoke to the King.
The King didn't answer but sat cross-legged on the ground, letting the rain fall on his rather battered body.
Seeing the King's tacit response, Law confirmed one thing: the King hadn't detected the Rose transfer.
When he came to stop Netero, Law had seen clearly.
When Netero was about to activate the Rose, the King sensed danger, hence his reaction. He hadn't even noticed Law's arrival.
In this situation, there was no reason to refuse Law's proposal.
Moreover, in terms of condition, Law clearly appeared much stronger than the King. So, the King would also take this chance to rest and recover as much as possible.
Neither spoke further… only the sound of rain remained.
At that moment, Selina finally mustered the courage to enter the area.
The King, Law, and Netero all looked at Selina.
Under their gazes, Selina's body trembled. After a pause, she bit her lip and continued walking towards the King.
Only during a lull in the fighting could she enter.
'The Chimera Ant from the palace.' Law's gaze followed Selina.
The King watched Selina approach as if watching walking food.
Noticing the King's gaze, Selina felt as if plunged into an ice cellar. She halted, her heart turning cold.
The King pointed at her and said in an unquestionable tone, "Come here."
Hearing the King, Selina seemed to see her own death.
Her eyes instantly showed fear, so she didn't have the courage to go forward. Yet her remaining courage allowed her to fulfill her mission.
"I... I come with the Queen's dying wish. She gave you a name: Meruem." Her lips trembled as she delivered the Queen's dying wish.
'Dying wish? A name?'
The King remained expressionless, not a ripple of emotion.
"Oh." He replied in a cold and indifferent tone. His raised finger didn't lower. He continued, "Don't make me say it again."
Before asking the girl's name, before feeling any need for a name, the King's cold reaction made the Queen's dying wish a joke.
Selena, carrying the Queen's wish, also became a joke.
'Why did I insist on coming?'
'Because I'm part of the Chimera Ants?'
'So I'll become the King's food, die here...?'
Selena seemed to lose her soul, walking forward dejectedly, seemingly having mentally prepared to become food.
She accepted her fate, but the King grew impatient.
After the battle with Netero, he was already hungry.
He rose and charged.
The sharp tip on his tail directly pierced Selena's temple. Her body shuddered, light fading from her eyes.
He didn't whip his tail to shatter her head because the King knew the brain was the most delicious part.
Watching this, though Law knew the King grew stronger by consuming Nen Users, he didn't stop it.
Compared to that, staying by Netero's side was more important. Besides, it was just a Chimera Ant.
After killing Selena with a stab, the King devoured her body in large bites. A stream of life energy entered his body.
The King's Potential Aura could increase by feeding, but in this situation, it only restored a small portion of his Aura.
Law didn't disturb the King's meal. Even if he wanted to stop it, he probably couldn't.
Crunch, crunch.
Not even the bones were spared, chewed and swallowed.
As the King ate, the rain slowly intensified.
When only half of Selena's body remained, Ging arrived at the scene.
He saw the King devouring Selena's body, saw the completely changed, withered Netero, and saw Law standing still.
Ging didn't need anyone to tell him what happened. Just seeing Netero's condition, he guessed most of it.
He silently came to Law's side, picked up Netero whose body was so weak he couldn't move, and suddenly asked Law, "Can you handle it?"
Law looked at the King, solely focused on eating, and just nodded.
Ging looked at him, then at the King. Honestly, seeing Netero's miserable state, yet it wasn't enough to seriously injure the King, showed the King's strength.
But since Law nodded, Ging said nothing more. He came decisively and also left decisively, directly taking Netero away from the scene towards the palace.
In the field, Netero was gone, but Law still didn't stop the King.
Rain fell patteringly.
After a while, Ging brought Netero back to the palace.
Now, the medical team had arrived. With efficient action, they even set up a small canopy on-site for shelter from the rain.
"This... this is, the Chairman?!"
Morel looked at the unconscious Netero with horrified, shocked eyes, almost unable to believe it.
"Yes."
Ging carried Netero towards the medical canopy.
"Was the King dealt with?" Morel quickly asked.
"Not yet."
Ging's simple reply made Morel feel chilled to the bone.