Between heaven and earth, all was silent. Only the waves slapped against the ship's sides in a dull rhythm.
Suddenly, space seemed to be cleaved apart by an invisible greatsword, and a distorted black shadow slowly emerged from the void.
Imu stood atop the rift, dressed in a dark robe whose hem snapped sharply in the wind.
The pitch-black longsword in Its hand trembled lightly. Its blade was black as night, as though it devoured all light, draining even the slightest warmth from the surrounding air.
Imu smiled faintly, cold light flickering in Its eyes:
"I told you, even if you have grown stronger, you can only fight me at best.
So many battles back then failed to do anything to me. What makes you any different?"
Its voice echoed across the deck, as though it came from the depths of an abyss, making blood run cold.
Before Its words had faded, the tip of the dark sword pointed ahead. Space twisted soundlessly once more, countless spiderweb-like cracks appearing as though the void might collapse at any moment.
"The army created by my laboratory will soon pour into this battlefield from every corner of the world without end."
Imu slowly stepped back, Its cloak whipping wildly in the wind. Its tone grew slower, yet even more unquestionable.
"When that time comes, how will your Elbaf possibly resist?"
Its gaze swept over the flickering lights of the distant fleet, as though It were looking upon lambs awaiting slaughter.
"Let me give you some 'good news' as well. Those people you secretly sent to Mary Geoise have probably already encountered the 'surprises' I prepared."
As Its words fell, the rift suddenly vanished without a trace. The night sky returned to calm, as though everything just now had been an illusion.
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