Atticus stared at him for several long moments before eventually sighing inwardly and stepping into the circle.

To him, trust was something that had to be earned. But until then, the least he could do was grant his bond’s mother the benefit of the doubt.

As Atticus stepped into the formation, the others soon followed behind him.

A moment later, the Pride Queen’s eyes erupted with intense golden light that spread through the formation like liquid gold racing across paper.

Then the world twisted violently.

A powerful force yanked Atticus away.

...

Atticus opened his eyes.

A vast chamber revealed itself before him.

Marbled floors stretched into the distance while massive golden chandeliers hung overhead, casting a warm glow across the hall.

He stood atop a slightly elevated platform marked with the same formation the Pride Queen had drawn moments earlier.

’Where is this?’

Just as Atticus was about to spread out his perception, the doors burst open.

A man strode inside. He wore flowing golden robes embroidered with intricate markings. Tall. Broad-shouldered. Powerfully built.

A warrior.

An eight-gemmed crown hovered above his head, radiating brilliant light.

He carried himself with overwhelming regality. The bearing of a king seemed etched into every movement. Numerous maids and guards hurried in behind him.

The instant the man’s eyes landed on the Pride Queen, they widened dramatically.

"My Queen!"

He hurried forward before dropping heavily to both knees the moment he reached her. His head lowered so deeply it nearly touched the floor.

"Please forgive this ignorant one, my Queen! Had I known you were arriving, I would’ve prepared a far grander welcome!"

The maids and guards behind him widened their eyes in shock. To witness their king bow before another person so completely was utterly unimaginable.

Yet the man suddenly turned and shot them a furious glare.

"What are you all standing around for?! Bow immediately! Do you all wish to die?!"

The guards stiffened before hurriedly falling to their knees as well.

The Pride Queen merely smiled faintly.

"Hm, Koi. Relax." The Pride Queen waved lazily. "I didn’t come here to judge your decorating skills. We have more important matters to settle."

"Important matters...?"

"Yes."

The Pride Queen nodded lightly. Then an immense pressure slowly seeped from her figure as she casually said,

"Declare war on the nearest kingdom."

The room fell silent.

...

After hearing her words, Atticus had expected at least some resistance. A brief hesitation, perhaps.

Instead, Koi simply nodded as though her command were the most natural thing in existence before immediately turning to carry it out.

Though not before issuing strict instructions for the Pride Queen’s every need to be attended to.

Moments later, the group was escorted into one of the castle’s massive wings, where each of them was given separate rooms.

Atticus eventually found himself walking through the castle halls alongside the Pride Queen. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Meanwhile, Ozeroth and Ozerra were apparently busy "adding grandeur" to their rooms.

After several moments of silence, Atticus finally spoke.

"Why didn’t you simply ask these people for help?"

The Pride Queen cast him a knowing glance.

"Koi is strong," the Pride Queen said calmly. "But my husband would turn him into a corpse before the poor man even realized he’d stepped into a trap. That required a sturdier hand."

Atticus fell silent once more. Several moments later, he finally asked,

"You realize what I’m going to do to him once we meet, don’t you?"

His gaze shifted toward her.

"And you still intend to help me?"

The Pride Queen smiled knowingly.

"You’ve been glaring at me like you’re trying to stab me with your eyes for the past minute. Ask the question confidently."

"I’m going to kill the Spirit King when we meet." Atticus’ eyes gradually turned cold. "I want to know now... will you stand in my way?"

Even as they walked, the pressure spilling from Atticus caused faint cracks to spread across the marble floor and walls around them.

"Hm. But is it truly me you should be worried about?"

The Pride Queen smiled faintly, utterly unfazed by the pressure bearing down around her.

"I can see the bond you share with my little Ozzy. He adores you. And you value him just as much. So tell me... what will you do if he doesn’t want you chopping off his father’s head?"

Atticus’ brows furrowed silently.

The matter of the Spirit King had always remained unspoken between them. Yet Atticus believed his intentions had long since been clear.

He would kill the Spirit King.

Still... the Pride Queen’s words continued replaying within his mind.

Ozeroth might despise the Spirit King, but he was still his father. What if... in the end... he did not want him dead?

If that happened... Would he have to fight Ozeroth as well?

The Pride Queen instantly saw through the storm of thoughts passing through Atticus’ mind and chuckled softly.

The sound was strangely melodic. Calming.

Atticus emerged from his thoughts almost immediately.

"Bonds are truly beautiful things," she said softly after a while. "Capable of surviving even the cruelest circumstances. I believe the bond between the two of you is strong enough for exactly that."

Then she suddenly turned toward him, her eyes growing serious for the very first time.

"But there is one thing I know for certain. If we do not stop my husband... he will destroy this world."

She gave a small nod before turning away.

"If you’ll excuse me... I have a war to plan."

Atticus silently watched her figure disappear into the distance.

A strange heat slowly rose within his chest.

As the seconds passed, the coldness in his eyes intensified to such a degree that the air around him began trembling violently.

Then suddenly... Atticus clenched his fist tightly, forcefully suppressing the killing intent overflowing from him.

His gaze slowly shifted toward his trembling hand. Then he exhaled softly.

’What... was that?’

For some reason, the moment the Pride Queen spoke about the destruction of the world...

His Will had stirred.