The "handover location" established by the Chairman within Astral Plane space was highly concealed, but also exceedingly crude. There were no buildings, no chairs or dining tables—only empty space and eternal silence.
In fact, when Punk arrived at this lifeless place carrying Owin's head, all he saw was a vague gray-black humanoid projection.
Without question, that was the Chairman's projection. This time, however, the Chairman had not used that enormous sphere as his projection, instead employing a simple, ordinary humanoid image.
Even so, the caster still could not make out the Chairman's actual appearance from this projection.
"..."
"Owin Lirilti, you appear to be severely injured."
Holding the Rune Sage's head, the Chairman's projection appeared calm and courteous. He did not alter his tone merely because the old mage was an enemy. Throughout his words, he maintained refined and impeccable politeness.
Moreover, Punk could tell that the Chairman's courtesy was not an act, much less some unusual form of mockery. This powerful Blazing Sun Throne truly extended basic respectful courtesy toward his "enemy," even if that enemy was merely an "insignificant" ordinary Legend, even if that "ordinary Legend" was now nothing more than a filthy head shrieking and struggling.
Perhaps, to the Chairman, showing "respect" to anyone was simply a natural and necessary sentiment.
Splash.
The vague humanoid projection calmly manipulated a mass of water element to wash the filth and blood from Owin's head. Then, with hands formed from illusory energy, he lifted the still-shrieking old mage until Owin's line of sight was level with his own. After silently staring for a long while at the skeletal "head," which had lost both eyes, the Chairman finally set it down and said calmly to Punk, who stood nearby:
"Mr. Owin's recovery will appear to be a time-consuming undertaking. It is