Within a pocket of Hyperspace separate from Uto City.
All the powerful figures under Heinz were gathered there.
They operated instruments of magic or technology.
Thick chains and cables all led to the man seated at their center.
Fan Huo.
The owner of the War Card.
At that moment, he looked utterly battered.
Arcane Runes designed to crack all his lifesaving devices invaded every inch of his body.
Every surge of magic power unleashed pain intense enough to kill.
Yet Fan Huo sat there with his hands and feet chained, his expression unchanged. His modified eyes showed no negative emotion either.
A young man passed through the barrier, walked up to Fan Huo, and tossed a piece of bread onto the floor.
"People ought to have a last meal before they die, though that custom didn't exist in my world before Mr. Heinz invited me to become a Train Conductor.
"But it seems quite common in the Primordial Worlds of human Train Conductors like you.
"Eat. Once you're done, you'll be on your way tomorrow."
Fan Huo calmly picked up the bread. His resolute face still showed no emotion.
"You really don't seem afraid to die. Or do you think the Imperial Sequence people will actually come to save you?"
Unafraid himself, the young man sat down right beside Fan Huo.
"To be honest, I rather admire people like you. You're already so powerful. As a Top-Level Train Conductor, you knew this might be a trap, yet you still plunged straight in.
"Is that conviction... a dream, or perhaps... desire?"
"Do you think I'm stupid?"
Fan Huo finally spoke.
The young man shook his head.
"No, I don't. Because if I were you, I would have made the same choice. The difference is that I would have prepared more, instead