"Lady Kaire."
The First Seat's voice came from behind her.
Kaire opened her eyes and turned around.
The First Seat was half-kneeling amid the rubble, with half of his spear embedded in the ground to support his body.
His magic mask had completely shattered, revealing a youthful, pale face streaked with blood. His red eyes looked at Kaire, something glimmering within them.
"Give it to him."
His voice was hoarse, yet calm.
"First Seat..."
"Give it to him."
The First Seat repeated himself, his voice softer than before but even more resolute.
"The Slane Theocracy... will understand."
Kaire looked into his eyes.
"We have no room left to choose."
Those red eyes held unwillingness, fury, and humiliation.
But no hesitation.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
Then she opened them and looked at Higashino Makoto.
"This old woman... will give it to you."
Her voice was so soft that the night wind nearly scattered it.
But Higashino Makoto heard her.
He nodded.
"A wise choice."
He turned around and lightly stamped his foot. The ground rose into a wall, separating Higashino Makoto from the others.
They had no intention of taking the chance to flee. Before absolute power, that would have been nothing more than courting death.
It would accomplish nothing except anger him and bring greater disaster upon the Slane Theocracy.
Not long afterward, Kaire had changed into a black robe. Holding the cheongsam in both hands, she offered it to Higashino Makoto.
The cheongsam gave off a gentle glow beneath the moonlight. The golden dragon pattern upon it seemed to drift faintly, as though bidding farewell to its former owner.
Higashino Makoto reached out and accepted it, cautiously using "High-Tier item Appraisal."
Once he confirmed there was no problem, he nodded lightly.
It was quite