With bowed head and compliant demeanor, he walked through the deep corridor.
The surroundings grew ever more serene and beautiful, with various exotic floral scents wafting to his nose.
There were even graceful butterflies dancing among the flowers.
But the further he went, the more rigid Saint Garling's steps became, and his breathing grew heavier.
Finally.
He stepped into the Flowers Room.
Upon lifting his gaze to see that slender black figure, he hastily stopped and knelt down, pressing his forehead to the cold ground, shivering as he spoke:
"Master."
No response for a long time, only an unsettling silence.
After a while.
The shadow on the semi Void Throne finally spoke.
That voice was chilling and ethereal, as if emerging from the abyss:
"You've been hurt."
Saint Garling's body stiffened, realizing the master already knew everything, cold sweat pouring down.
"It was...It was my recklessness, merely unable to tolerate the damage to the family honor, I intended to clear the doors, but never expected that Shano would come, and had no idea of his strength, that he had grown to such a degree..."
"Hah."
A light chuckle, yet it made the atmosphere heavier.
"Garling."
Imu leisurely rose from the Void Throne, the hem of the gown flowing like clouds, she floated like smoke, swiftly reaching Garling.
She looked down at the kneeling figure, shaking her head slightly:
"Imu, very disappointed."
Saint Garling trembled all over, not daring to lift his head.
"I humbly beseech the master for another chance! I'm willing to lead the Divine Knight Order in person, draw on the Navy Grand Admiral, launch a surprise attack, and completely annihilate Shano's group..."
"Silence."
Imu raised her hand, her fingertips lifted, pressing gently in the void.
Saint Garling's voice immediately ceased, as if a hand had closed around his throat, his face turned crimson, unable to utter a single word.
"You don't understand at all why Imu is disappointed."
"After giving you so much time to integrate the government center, yet till now, you haven't even resolved the discord between you and Nusjuro and others."
"If you had their assistance, how could this battle have been so chaotic?"
"Remember, what Imu needs is a clenched fist that can be mobilized at any moment when dropping a piece on the chessboard, not joints divided by personal greed."
"Imu's world will soon be completed."
"Until then, let the storms on the chessboard unfold as they may, Imu doesn't need you rashly charging into battle."
Imu's index finger waved casually, and Saint Garling's sense of suffocation abruptly dissipated.
He coughed violently, barely steadying his trembling arms, hearing the final words from above:
"On this point alone, there cannot be any mistakes, do you understand?"
"I understand."
Garling hurriedly buried his head deeper into the ground.
"However, that little rascal is indeed becoming more interesting, even though not of the Davy family, nor Joe...how exactly..."
"Hah, if there's an opportunity next time, Imu doesn't mind playing with him a bit."
Imu's voice gradually faded, her figure dissipated into the flower sea like mist, leaving only a cold lingering echo:
"Withdraw."
Once the oppressive presence completely vanished, Saint Garling dared to stand up, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, a face full of post-crisis relief.
After a brief pause, Saint Garling headed toward the corridor exit, contemplating deeply.
What the master needs is for me to gather and consolidate my strength.
But, even if those few old men could truly align their hearts, our current strength is no longer enough, is it?
Counting the losses from the Shampodi incident with the death of Ikuko and Soma, we lost eight Divine Knights at once, and Shamrock this time seems likely to face dire consequences...
There's only one solution.
—Time to recruit new power.
Saint Garling turned his head, looking towards Below the Holy Land, the distant horizon of the sea.
In that direction lies the New World, the world's number one powerhouse, known as "Elbaf"...
Saint Garling's gaze grew heavy, thoughts swirling.
Elbaf, the nation of the Giant Race, possesses the strongest racial talent upon this vast sea.
Even the most ordinary adult warriors possess the formidable power of a Navy Vice Admiral.
If we could gain their support, the World Government could decisively suppress Shano and the Endgame.
Yet the Giant Race is proud, and relations with the Holy Land have historically been strained, recruiting them won't be easy.
"Perhaps we should start with the imprisoned 'one'?"
Saint Garling narrowed his eyes, a plan forming in his mind.
......
"Faster, even faster!"
The New Redfox Ship sailed at full speed, cutting through waves, finally arriving at the Thunder God Island sea area as night deepened.
Whoosh!
The downpour continued.
Beckman grabbed an umbrella, leading the group in haste off the ship, first noticing those shocking traces.
Cracked scorched earth, collapsed Black Rock Mountain, and corpses scattered everywhere...
All indicating a tremendous battle had recently erupted here.
"The boss is over there!"
Lucky Roux shouted suddenly, raising a torch, pointing toward a figure beside the reef.
Everyone turned to look.
They saw their captain slumped in the dirt pit, head hung low, letting himself be drenched by rain.
Upon hearing the shout, he lifted his head woodenly, revealing hollow eyes and a face as pale as paper.
"It's everyone, you've finally arrived..."
Shanks barely regained consciousness, smiled faintly, murmured, "It's good everyone is here, it's all over, it should all be over."
"What do you mean over? Why are you speaking so strangely, Shanks!"