The three royal guards felt helpless having such a master.
Upon learning the situation, Shaiapouf arranged for the most obedient of the trio, Menthuthuyoupi, to guard the central staircase connecting the first and second floors.
If any intruders emerged from underground, this would be their only path.
"His Majesty's mood has been really bad lately. Probably because he lost at Gungi and can't accept it, right?"
Menthuthuyoupi, who had taken on the task, casually muttered this.
Even he could sense the King's displeasure, let alone the other two.
Shaiapouf lowered his gaze quietly, having already guessed the cause.
If he could use his Nen ability, Spiritual Message, he might be able to understand the King's emotions more clearly.
But to do so would be a grave disrespect, an insult to the King.
Whatever thoughts the King currently harbored filled Shaiapouf with deep unease.
To the extent that... he was terrifying beyond words.
As the three royal guards moved into action, Shaiapouf left with a heavy heart.
Meanwhile, Komugi sat alone in the palace's game room.
She reminisced about the time she'd spent with the King.
"The supreme leader never even told me his name..."
Tears slid down her cheeks. "I want to play Gungi with him again... soon..."
Everyone had their own burdens.
That night, there was no peace or joy for anyone.
Even though the Chimera Ant Extermination Team had no more hesitation or doubt, the pressure on them was immense.
As the time came, they all stood up and stepped through the portal of the four-level mansion, ready to initiate the final battle.
Every member of the Chimera Ant Extermination Team moved out, advancing toward the Ant King's palace.
First, Knov opened the portals of the four-level mansion.
The closer the portal entrance was to the palace, the closer the exit would be to the throne room.
Everyone exchanged glances; they all understood each other's words without needing to speak.
Morel also decided immediately to attack from the nearest exit, the position next to the central staircase.
He would call for everyone to gather there one minute before midnight.
In this way, the peaceful night is about to be broken.
In the luxurious room on the other side, Lan stretched his body slightly after enjoying a sumptuous dinner.
"Let's go, too."
"There is no problem with Chairman Netero's side."
Ging checked his phone, confirming everything was ready.
"Then let's move."
Lan chuckled lightly while Ging casually stretched his neck.
Unlike the others, who were tense and uneasy, the two of them were remarkably relaxed.
At the same time, an old man, long prepared, was also lying in wait.
He, too, was holding himself back, waiting for the moment to unleash everything he had.
… … …
Night descended like a vast black satin curtain, pressing heavily upon the world.
The light of the moon and stars was completely swallowed up, and the darkness enveloped everything in the world without reservation.
Moonlight and starlight were swallowed, and darkness engulfed all.
Tonight was especially black.
Close to midnight, Neferpitou sat solemnly in the royal hall, completely on guard.
She knew that tonight would be the official selection.
If the enemies were going to interfere or destroy their plan, tonight would be their last chance.
Neferpitou dared not lower its guard even for a second and even had to concentrate more than before.
It was because of this intense focus that she noticed something abnormal right away.
"Hmm?!!"
Suddenly, Neferpitou jerked her head up, staring into the pitch-black night.
Relying on her sixth sense, she gazed at the stormy sky; she could feel something approaching.
And this premonition would come true just seconds later.
Whoosh!
With a few leaps, Neferpitou jumped onto the rooftop, entering full battle mode.
Her En (Circle), which originally guarded the palace, was quickly released into the sky!
Shaiapouf and Menthuthuyoupi, who noticed this scene, also realized that there was a strong enemy approaching.
Immediately, the two of them also aimed their gaze at the sky.
And at that very moment, the entire world seemed to hold its breath.
The next second…
Boom!!
An overwhelming and invisible repulsive force exploded from the sky!
In an instant, the air seemed to be stirred fiercely by an invisible giant hand, making a sharp whistling sound.
The originally calm dark clouds were like boiling water, violently churning.
Among them, the gravel scattered on the ground, as if given life, broke away from the ground one after another and rushed towards the surroundings.
Wherever it went, it made a crackling impact sound, like dense drum beats.
And in the sky above, the clouds twisted under the mighty force, forming into a giant black dragon, spiraling downward toward the palace!!
"Dragons?!"
The royal guards' eyes widened in shock.
Neferpitou's pupils turned red. The moment her En touched the dragon, it was instantly destroyed by an unseen force!
"So powerful..."
Neferpitou showed her fangs, and her body trembled a little. It was not fear but because of excitement!
She saw figures emerging from the sky, each radiating immense power.
She saw the figures that appeared in the sky, each of which had an extremely strong aura.
The opponent's powerful aura made her very excited.
She instantly released her En (Circle), gathered all the aura around her body, and waited for the enemy's frontal attack. However, the next moment, the excitement on Neferpitou's face froze instantly.
Under her shocked gaze, the dragons exploded instantly.
In each dark cloud that bloomed, there were pieces of gravel!
And at this moment, these gravels fell from the sky like raindrops!
"Shinra Tensei."
A calm voice echoed from the sky.
Instantly, the falling gravels spun like leaves in a hurricane, carving arcs through the air.
The nearby palace buildings, under the force of the explosion, collapsed like fragile houses of cards…