Passing through the dark passageway, Takeru's consciousness quickly returned to his body. He was somewhat surprised to have met Echidna, and the issue of the Authorities had been activated.

However, for Takeru, these things didn't hold much significance. He wasn't sure if encountering such beings in this world would contribute to a rating bonus, nor about the Authorities… they would only hold value if they could be brought back to the main world.

After his consciousness returned to the outside world, Takeru could even feel his [Little King] Authority had become usable, with five targets: Ram, Rem, Felt, Emilia, and Beatrice.

He was somewhat puzzled, as he had never designated them as his wives or anything similar. Perhaps reaching a certain level of relationship could also trigger this Authority?

Unable to figure it out, Takeru shook his head and didn't use the Authority. After all, he didn't currently need to rely on it to use [The Lion's Heart]. Takeru was practically invincible as he was… he could use it if necessary later.

Emerging outside, Takeru saw Ram, Rem, and the others waiting anxiously.

"To come out so openly from such a place... tch, really annoying!" Seeing Takeru appear, a man beside Ram and the others spoke arrogantly.

Seeing the man, Takeru recognized him as Frederica Baumann's younger brother, Garfiel Tinsel.

"Takeru, are you alright?" Seeing Takeru emerge, everyone rushed over anxiously.

"Don't worry, I'm fine." Hearing them, Takeru spoke softly.

Hearing Takeru's words, they finally relaxed, though Beatrice looked gravely at the ruin, or rather, Echidna's tomb.

"Alright, let's go check the village first." Patting Beatrice's head, Takeru spoke softly to the group.

"Okay." Hearing Takeru, they nodded calmly.

"So, what's your real purpose? You can tell me now!" Watching Takeru and the others who had been ignoring him, Garfiel felt somewhat angered.

"To pass the Sanctuary's trials and eliminate one of the Three Great Witchbeasts, the [Great Rabbit]." Hearing him, Takeru replied expressionlessly.

"What?" Hearing Takeru, Garfiel frowned, staring intently at Takeru and the others.

"What, you want to spar with us?" Looking at him, Takeru unleashed a powerful aura, pressing down on Garfiel. Feeling Takeru's terrifying pressure, Garfiel felt immense oppression and broke out in a cold sweat.

"Boring. Let's go." Takeru naturally showed no courtesy to arrogant people. After saying this expressionlessly, Ram, Rem, and the others returned to the land dragon carriage and drove away.

As for Garfiel, watching their departing backs, he gritted his teeth. But under that terrifying pressure, he knew he was no match for Takeru… the difference in level was far too great.

After the carriage proceeded a while longer, Emilia woke up.

"What happened to me just now?" The awakened Emilia asked nervously.

"You fainted while passing through the barrier just now, Emilia." Hearing her, Takeru directly explained.

"Eh? A barrier? So, we're already in the [Sanctuary]?" Emilia asked again.

"Yes." Hearing her, Takeru confirmed.

"But why did only Emilia faint? We were fine." Felt asked curiously.

"The barrier ignored us and only reacted to her naturally, because the barrier affects mixed-bloods." Beatrice directly explained.

"Although Roswaal named this place [Sanctuary], its original name was Kremaldy." Seeing the surprised Felt and others, Beatrice added.

Subsequently, as they traveled, everyone noticed the demi-humans living here, whose conditions didn't seem good.

Returning here after many years, Beatrice felt somewhat nostalgic. Although it wasn't as prosperous as before, memories from over four hundred years ago surfaced, making her somewhat sad.

Noticing Beatrice's melancholy, clearly recalling both beautiful and painful events here, Takeru simply held her quietly in his arms.

Sensing Takeru's thoughtful care, Beatrice quickly buried her sadness and gave Takeru a smile.

No matter what, Beatrice had found salvation now. At the very least, from now on, Takeru would be by her side.

Soon, Takeru and the others reached a small village. Upon noticing Ram and Rem, the villagers understood Takeru and his group were from the Roswaal Mansion and provided them with lodging and food.

"Takeru-san, what should we do now?" After settling in, Ram looked at Takeru.

"I plan to release a heavy snowfall composed of mana here to attract the [Great Rabbit] and eliminate it in one go. But before that, we need to gather the demi-humans here to prevent accidents. And then, there's Lia."

"Me?" Hearing Takeru mention her, Emilia became tense.

"Yes, Lia. Regarding the trials, let's start tomorrow." Looking at her, Takeru directly said.

"Oh, that. I understand." Hearing Takeru, Emilia quickly nodded.

Afterwards, everyone had a simple dinner and began preparations. Due to everyone's considerable strength and their connection to Roswaal, they quickly gathered the local demi-humans after informing them.

Takeru easily found the place producing Lewes clones using his Observation Haki. Then, using magic crystals, he employed a ritual to summon snow clouds.

It wasn't that Takeru couldn't do it himself, but because the Great Rabbit is attracted to the mana in the atmosphere, Takeru wasn't sure if his own mana alone could lure it.

As for the Lewes clones trying to stop him, Takeru easily hypnotized them. Garfiel, who arrived later, was also effortlessly defeated by Takeru using Genjutsu.

As time passed, a massive blizzard soon began in the Sanctuary. Takeru, along with Emilia and the others, waited in the village for the Great Rabbit's arrival!

They didn't have to wait long. In the distance, a dense mass of white figures with blood-red eyes. The Great Rabbit quickly approached the village.

"Squeak, squeak!"

Hearing the grinding sound of the Great Rabbit's teeth, somewhat resembling a mouse's squeak, Felt and Emilia felt a twinge of fear.

"What's wrong, scared?" Looking at the two, Takeru asked with a light laugh.

"No! With big brother here, I'm not scared at all!" Hearing Takeru, Felt said seriously.

"Alright then. Now... Super Tornado Hurricane!" Looking expressionlessly at the Great Rabbit, Takeru's mana erupted, generating an immensely powerful hurricane around him, covering several hundred meters. It quickly swept up the Great Rabbit, tearing thousands of them to shreds.

The remaining tens of thousands, though not dead, were all gathered together by it.

"Great Flame Commandment: Flame Emperor!" Looking at the clustered Great Rabbit, Takeru extended his right hand. Above his index finger, a massive fireball rapidly condensed, soon becoming a sphere about ten meters in diameter appearing before everyone.

The demi-humans present, seeing the huge fireball Takeru held, showed expressions of shock.

Ignoring them, Takeru looked at the Great Rabbit trapped in the tornado hurricane and threw the Flame Emperor towards it.

Boom...

Then, the Flame Emperor collided with the Great Rabbit, utterly incinerating it with unstoppable momentum, followed by a violent explosion.

With the intense blast, everyone felt the ground shake violently. Blizzard winds and smoke and dust obscured their vision temporarily.

However, since Takeru had used a barrier to protect everyone, they weren't harmed. When everything finally cleared, a bottomless crater appeared before them.

Looking at the massive crater, even Beatrice couldn't help but sigh. She had no idea if Takeru had even used one-tenth of his power in that last move.

Takeru himself was pleased with the result. Although he had imitated Ace's ability, compared to Ace's use of the Mera Mera no Mi, Takeru had used pure mana.

Through recent training, Takeru's own mana had grown considerably. Although still insignificant compared to the reserves from Gluttony, his personal mana had reached over 4,000 points, specifically, 2,560 from his base and 1,656 from his Spirit bonus.

So even if the mana reserves from Gluttony encountered issues later, Takeru himself wouldn't be too lacking in mana.