Blood and Flesh Vessel

Before the Void Throne—

The Five Elders had gathered here in rare unison.

Their faces were filled with humility and deference, yet their hearts churned with unrest.

Since the upheaval at God Valley, Lord Imu had never summoned them directly again.

The prolonged silence had been more unsettling than any rebuke.

Now that they had finally been summoned, each of them desperately wanted to know where this "king's" will would lead next.

The shadows rippled.

A tall, slender figure draped in magnificent robes and an air of mystery rose from behind the throne and stepped into the light.

Has the Holy Land remained stable lately...

Imu's voice echoed directly into the minds of the five.

As their representative, Saturn stepped forward half a pace and bowed. "Of course, Lord Imu. It's just that... erasing and concealing the aftermath of the God Valley incident—

"—as well as hunting down remnants such as Rocks and Roger, will still require time."

Imu gave a slight nod.

Saturn hesitated, but in the end, he could not suppress the doubt and unease in his heart. Summoning his courage, he asked, "Lord Imu, please forgive my presumption..."

"Since God Valley, you have not summoned us. Could it be that..."

Before he could finish, a sudden wave of killing intent descended and completely engulfed him.

Saturn's entire body stiffened. The rest of his words caught in his throat as he instinctively dropped to one knee and pressed his forehead to the ground.

"Y-Your subordinate misspoke! Please forgive me, Lord Imu!"

Imu withdrew that indifferent gaze. The pressure receded, though its lingering might remained.

Mu has Mu's own way of doing things...

The changes at God Valley forced some plans to move ahead of schedule...

Bloodline activation, nurturing the vessel, and... preparations for the necessary sacrifice had taken