Ⅳ
The Inner River, whose ceaseless current had never stopped flowing, was cleaved apart.
The hideous monster, so enormous that its length was impossible to fathom, was cleaved apart.
The people standing along the banks of the Inner River stared at it all, dumbstruck. Shock filled every pair of eyes, and every mind went blank.
A single question echoed through them all-
Was this something a human could do?
Hazlitt of the Red Knights kept swallowing, trying to moisten his parched throat. But no matter how much he swallowed, he could not find even the slightest hint of moisture. All he felt was a painfully dry, spasming tightness.
This is the opponent I'm supposed to face?
Damn you, Greisa!
You're trying to get me killed!
Bastard!
Even as he cursed, gratitude welled up in the Red Knight's heart.
Gratitude toward his current father, the Blood Scion.
Gratitude toward Sean and Bont of the [Black Cat Followers].
If not for them, wouldn't he have ended up just like that monster?
At that thought, the Red Knight hesitated no longer-
"Sadi, spread the word. Lord Credos will always have unobstructed passage on the Inner River. Anyone who dares block Lord Credos's ship will be our enemy."
"Yes!"
Skullsplitter Sadi nodded, then turned and left.
The Red Knight had been frightened, and so had Skullsplitter Sadi.
In some respects, Sadi had been frightened even worse.
After all, for Skullsplitter Sadi, the shocks had not stopped coming since last night.
The visit from the [Black Cat Followers].
Danny's betrayal.
Kemal's death.
The Blood Scion's appearance.
One thing after another had happened so quickly that he could barely keep up.
Fortunately-
It's over!
It's all over!
That sudden realization left Skullsplitter feeling utterly exhausted.
Should I retire?
The thought surfaced in Sadi's heart.
Almost instinctively,