Freeman sighed. "Time really is terrifying. An empire that was once so powerful has now fallen apart."
"There aren't many of the Eggers left, either."
"Good thing I possessed this human."
"The Numinous Episcopate originated from the Death Church, and its leaders include members of the imperial family. Perhaps one of them is an Eggers."
"I can use my current identity to approach the upper ranks of the Numinous Episcopate."
"I might even have a chance to advance to Sequence 1."
"There's no reason to stay here any longer."
The old man's figure began to fade.
Eventually, he vanished from the room.
Freeman entered the Spirit World.
But the instant he stepped into the Spirit World, surging crimson flames came rushing toward him, engulfing him in a heartbeat.
Immediately afterward, a Feathered Serpent burst out of the sea of crimson flames.
Flames clung to the Feathered Serpent's entire body, leaving him in a sorry state.
Just as he tried to flee deeper into the Spirit World, a hand reached out of its void and seized him by the neck.
Then a crimson Flame Giant appeared.
The Giant's body seemed to be formed from searing magma. She raised her other arm.
Clenching her fist, she smashed it into the Feathered Serpent's head.
The pale flames about to pour from his mouth were knocked off course.
Freeman's furious roar echoed through the Spirit World. "Why?"
"You swore you wouldn't hurt me!"
The Crimson Giant made the air vibrate to produce her voice. "I only promised not to hurt you while we were in the underground mausoleum."
"But I can't let you remain in this world."
"You should know why."
Freeman roared, "Shameless! Despicable!"
"You damned Conspirers!"
The Crimson Giant ignored him. She grasped a massive spear with a blazing white tip and