The two locked eyes. Sky Qi shrank back slightly, lowering his head. This close proximity flushed his cheeks crimson.

Suddenly, realization struck—he’d been sold out by those two bastards! How else would this Empress be here? One moment he’d felt his mind go blank, the next… nothing.

"Hey. You’re Eastern Jade, right?" Sky Qi clenched his fists, steeling himself. "Why did you bring me here?"

"Do you know," she murmured, "everyone in the East who’s dared speak my name so casually is already dead."

A sly, conspiratorial smile spread across her lips. That smile—thick with hidden schemes—sent an eerie chill down his spine. One glance, and you’d be helplessly ensnared.

"Why am *I* here?" he pressed again.

He’d never trusted this mysterious Empress. Now, understanding her intentions, his disgust flared. He wrestled down the urge to strike, forcing his voice calm.

"Oh, this is your shabby realm’s diplomatic hall," she explained, sensing the wariness and impatience deep in his eyes. "The so-called kings obeyed my will and brought you here. I mean no harm. I simply wish to speak with my beloved."

"*Beloved?*"

Sky Qi’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly before smoothing over. *Just as the Knight King predicted.* This Eastern Empress had come to propose marriage. Absolutely unacceptable. He’d never liked dangerous women like her.

"We’re not acquainted," he said, his guard rising higher. He stepped back twice, putting distance between them. "We have nothing to discuss. This is a waste of time—for both of us."

Without waiting for her reply, he turned to leave.

Eastern Jade’s delicate brows knotted. His reaction stung her pride. Her hand shot out, seizing his wrist.

"What are you doing?" His right wrist was locked in her grip, unyielding. His brows drew together sharply. "*Let go.*"

He barked the command, feigning calm. Yet he could feel his magic draining rapidly.

He jerked his arm twice—still trapped.

*Damn persistent nuisance.* He shot her a look of pure loathing. Golden flames ignited in his eyes.

Blinding, searing light erupted. His entire arm blazed with golden fire.

**Detonate!**

With a roar, power surged to his wrist. Flames exploded from his skin, engulfing her pale hand. No mercy—he spun, launching a bolt of light. Eastern Jade barely deflected it.

He lunged for the window, crashing through the glass. Shards flew, magically redirected toward Eastern Jade as she gave chase. The fragments transformed into razor-sharp blades, ricocheting like bullets through the hall. In seconds, the room lay in ruins.

Eastern Jade lowered her guard at the window, watching his retreating figure. She didn’t pursue. A soft, cryptic laugh escaped her lips.

Guards flooded in moments later. Seeing the wrecked hall and the lone Empress, they understood. No one had expected things to escalate so fast—within minutes, the Grand Marshal had seized his chance to escape.

"Your Majesty, shall we bring him back?"

"No need." Eastern Jade waved them off. "I have my methods. Everyone has a weakness. A rebellious bird will always return to its cage."

The guards nodded mutely, bewildered.

"Leave. Await my next command."

"Yes!" Relief washed over them as they retreated. *When this woman rages, not even the Pope could stop her.*

Eastern Jade stood by the broken window, chin resting on her palm. Her gaze, tender yet calculating, followed the direction he’d fled. A secretive smile played on her lips.

"Then I’ll start with his sister. Until he agrees."

---

Meanwhile, Aina wandered aimlessly through Bordersea City.

The streets buzzed with excitement over the Eastern army’s arrival. People chattered endlessly about the Empress’s marriage proposal. Aina walked past them with a disdainful sniff.

Hidden beneath her hooded cloak, she went unnoticed—a blessing.

The ongoing war seemed forgotten. Earlier, the Dark Forest had lit up with apocalyptic clashes, but the Empress’s arrival had stolen all attention. No one cared about the earth-shattering battle; every eye was fixed on the Eastern ruler.

"Man, that Eastern Empress is a real looker," a man leered. "Those legs? I could play with ’em for a decade."

"Pathetic," another scoffed. "If I could just *have* her once, I’d die happy."

"Hahaha!" A group of middle-aged men burst into crude laughter.

Aina’s brow furrowed as she passed. Every alley echoed with gossip about the Empress’s chosen suitor. She ignored them all, drifting until she slipped into a deserted side street.

*Perfect. Empty.*

"You’ve followed me long enough, Knight King," she called coldly, tilting her head up. Perched on a rooftop ledge above her sat a grinning girl in heavy armor.

"Actually, I *do* have business," Annie replied, leaping down with surprising grace. The cobblestones didn’t crack beneath her armored boots. "Urgent business. About your brother. I raced here using the Alliance’s teleportation circle."

After personally delivering Sky Qi to that "den of wolves," guilt gnawed at her. She’d parted ways with Zhang Fengmang immediately to warn the Holy Maiden still in Bordersea City.

At the word "*brother*," Aina tensed. Her beautiful eyes widened with worry. "What happened? Is my brother in trouble?"

Annie avoided answering directly. "You’ve been in Bordersea long enough to see the Eastern Empress arrive, right?"

Aina hesitated, then gave a slight nod.

"And she declared she came to seek a husband?"

Another nod, this time with a puzzled frown.

"Well, yes—but what does that have to do with my—"

Her eyes flashed. Silver-gray irises sparked with stardust. An icy aura radiated from her. "*You mean that seductress came to Arcana Continent for my brother?* That witch dares to court him? She deserves death!"

Annie winced, awkwardly tugging at her golden braid. *How to explain this…*

"Essentially… yes. The Grand Marshal was reinforcing General Lin when the Eastern army intercepted him. They met, sparks flew, and she rushed straight to Caesar City to report to the Alliance kings. They’re probably planning the wedding right now."

She carefully omitted her own role in knocking Sky Qi out and dumping him at the Empress’s feet. *If she finds out…* Two S Ranks clashing in a civilian city? The devastation would be unimaginable.

"That vile witch! Tell me where she is! I’ll kill her now and spare my brother this trouble!" Aina’s voice trembled with fury, though her flawless face remained eerily calm. Her tone and shifting eyes betrayed her rage.

*How dare she covet my precious brother? Seeking marriage? That degenerate doesn’t deserve him! Obsessive freak! Pervert! Scum!*

Annie hurried to soothe her. "Wait! That Eastern Empress is stronger than the Pope himself. Charging in now is suicide. Trust your brother—he’ll refuse her. Then we—"

Her words died in her throat. From the corner of her eye, a streak of golden light flashed across the sky. To others, it might have been a shooting star. But Annie, once Sky Qi’s fiercest rival, recognized that signature move instantly. *And at this exact moment?*

*No way. He escaped already?* She’d expected at least a night of forced politeness. Yet here she was, barely stepping into Bordersea City, and Sky Qi had already bolted. *That stubborn bastard.*

"Well," she sighed heavily, watching the golden trail vanish. "He definitely refused." She rubbed her forehead, thinking hard. "Your brother’s rejected her. Now tell me—how do *you* plan to handle this? Maybe I can help."

Aina considered it, then met Annie’s gaze with solemn intensity. "The Pope once said: when persuasion fails, execution is justified."

"Are you *still* not getting it?" Annie groaned, half exasperated, half amused by this brother-obsessed sister. "Even if we teamed up, we might not win. And our positions forbid us from acting openly. Think of another way!"

"Enough talk," Aina declared, lips pursing. "First, we find my brother. Whatever choice he makes—I’ll support it unconditionally."