Time, a Race Against the Gods!

When Arata returned from the space created by the Mirror of Clouds, he found himself still inside the Shrine Palace at Sun Wheel Pavilion.

The divine artifact possessed such formidable spatial power that it had recreated the pavilion's interior exactly!

But this was no time to marvel at the artifact's power.

They had to race against the gods who would come next!

"Yao..."

Himiko called out instinctively when she saw the two emerge from the other space.

But the sight of her retainer, who had become a yokai to protect this land, cut the call short. Guilt filled her trembling eyes.

Arata's attention went to the white-haired man lying helpless in the queen's arms. He had a handsome face and a tall, slender build.

Now, though, his paper-pale face and bloodstained white clothes made for a harrowing sight.

Mantō was an ordinary man, and the sickness had ravaged him too. His condition was dire; he was close to death.

From his condition alone, Arata could imagine how terrible things were across Sun Wheel City.

Mantō at least had Queen Himiko to protect him. The ordinary residents could do nothing but await death.

"You can use the Mirror of Clouds to hide the real Sun Wheel City and create a false world in its place, can't you, Your Majesty?"

After briefly examining Mantō with his Sharingan, Arata addressed the ruler of Sun Wheel City, who had lost all her former splendor.

One thing she had said earlier was undeniable.

No one could wield the artifact's power as fully as she could.

Arata could also sense something indescribable—a "factor," an "energy," perhaps even a "gas" hidden in the air—slipping toward his body.

With a spread so swift and so invisible, it was no wonder Sun Wheel City had fallen in so little