Spirit Hall was already finished." Florian cut him off.
His voice was not loud, yet it carried an unquestionable certainty, like a sword slowly being sheathed. Its edge had left the air, but its lingering sharpness could still be felt.
"The Fairytale Empire has already established its dominance. Most of the former Spirit Hall personnel willing to submit have integrated into the Fairytale Empire's system. Even if there are still people like you who refuse to accept reality, just over thirty of you cannot possibly rebuild anything."
The respect on Zheng Huai'an's face vanished the instant Florian finished speaking, like a thin veil being pulled away. He straightened, and the coldness he had deliberately suppressed finally surfaced in his eyes.
"Lord Florian." Zheng Huai'an's voice was several degrees lower than before, its ending carrying a flattened note of threat.
"I advise you to think carefully before answering. Since we were able to find you today, it means the intelligence in our hands far exceeds what you imagine. Your current whereabouts, the route you have taken, your next destination—we know everything."
He stepped forward half a pace, lowering his voice until it was nearly a whisper, yet every word reached Florian clearly. "Whether you agree or not, you will bear this title."
Florian's brow twitched slightly. Before he could respond, Zheng Huai'an had already raised his right hand and forcefully waved it toward the figures waiting behind him.
The figures scattered along the riverbank behind him, who had seemed casual and unconcerned, moved at the same instant.
More than thirty people closed in like a net tightening all at once, surrounding the entire stretch of riverbank where Florian stood.
They moved quickly, clearly displaying coordination honed through repeated drills. The distance between their positions was precise enough to form multiple layers