Erwin immediately straightened up.
"My lord," Erwin said at once, standing and bowing deeply.
Alex waved his hand.
"No need to bow."
Erwin nodded once, composed himself, and sat back down.
Raon walked past them and took the chair behind the table, leaning back casually.
Alex stepped forward.
"Raon," he said directly. "Take me to Hephaetaestus."
Raon raised a finger.
"Wait."
He smiled faintly.
"Someone was expecting you."
Before Alex could reply—
A portal materialized beside Raon.
Hot air spilled out.
The scent of molten metal and magma filled the room.
From the portal—
A woman stepped through.
Violet hair cascaded down like flowing silk, shimmering faintly as if lit from within by fire. Golden eyes burned intensely, like miniature suns forged in a furnace.
Alex's lips curved.
"I knew you'd come, Miss Potato Fac—"
He stopped mid-sentence.
His expression changed instantly.
"Lina…"
The woman stood still.
One of her arms was gone.
