No.

If Antra was an Immortal, then maybe... he was thousands of years old, and hadn’t advanced yet.

That could explain him knowing about a Mythical Grade weapon like Garthel.

Huh?

Another possibility took root in my mind, as I once again looked at Antra with utmost vigilance, though the man in question didn’t answer my gaze.

If Arthur could hide his rank, then...

"A sword should be taken out only to kill, dear."

"..."

Arthur didn’t budge an inch at Antra’s words, though his eyes had narrowed, as I could feel Arthur’s grip over the sword tightening.

Though Antra still had the same amused smile over his face, not showing the slightest hint of aggression towards Arthur’s behaviour.

"Talking all about etiquettes, yet you couldn’t discipline your... dog, was it?"

Pushing aside Arthur’s blade, Antra stepped towards me.

At first Arthur looked at me, and seeing my nod, let Antra pass through.

Within a minute, things had spiralled down in an unpredictable way, so I had to now take a different approach.

"So... mind explaining to me what all this is about."

Standing just inches away from me, Antra bent slightly to match my eye level.

There was a long silence as I went over all the words I could utter at the moment without regretting them in the future.

"We are just following the orders... As for explaining everything, you will have to talk with my boss."

Shifting the responsibility was a necessary skill in today’s world.

"Boss?"

’So wouldn’t that be you?’

My pupils dilated as I immediately took distance from Antra, before taking out my own sword.

Seeing my act, Arthur and No. 5 did the same, though both of them were confused seeing my sudden action.

This...

Though I had my doubts, Antra’s voice had directly been transmitted into my mind, with no way for the others to hear it.

How?

There was no way someone could guess a kid at Gold having an Immortal serving him.

Traitor?

I turned to look at Julien, but—

There was no way he would betray me, as having to face a Silver core was the same as facing an Immortal for Julien.

The level of danger to his life would have remained the same.

So there was no way he would have revealed everything about my identity due to some threats from an existence stronger than him.

Logically, every single person in this room was stronger than Julien.

Then?

Who could it be?

Did I mess up somewhere along the way?

My mind processed countless possibilities at the same time, but not even a single one of them seemed even remotely close to the current situation.

"My apologies... I might have startled you."

Antra smiled as he once again placed his hand over his chest, before slightly bowing his head.

"What’s his rank?"

Not caring to accept the repulsive apology from Antra, I looked at Arthur, who focused his attention on the guy, trying to sense deeper.

"Immortal 1. No matter what I do, his rank stays the same—"

"Wisdom... it’s earned with age, not strength."

Antra, after switching his gaze between me and Arthur, spoke as if remembering some ancient truth. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"Being an Immortal doesn’t make you a God, dear."

Spurt!

Just as Antra disappeared from his place and appeared beside Arthur to place his hand over the latter’s shoulder, Arthur moved Garthel in a motion that was impossible for me to see, yet—

The blood on Antra’s arm was proof enough that the blow had landed.

After the strike, Arthur had retreated quickly before taking No. 5 along with him, as now—

All of us were standing behind Arthur... his sword in a stance that was ready for combat.

"You really are a wild one."

Antra spoke as the wound on his arm healed within a second, with the bloodstains disappearing altogether.

"This world... it’s bigger than what you think, so...

Never act above your station."

The last words were spoken in a tone that sent chills down my spine.

Though Antra still had the same smile over his face, the words had made it clear...

This was a warning.

I lightly grabbed Arthur’s arm, as fighting here—now seemed to be the worst decision I could have ever made.

’That’s nice of you. Trust me, I have no interest in killing any of you.’

Antra’s words made my head ache, as the burden felt a lot more than what my mind could bear.

’Oops... I had nearly forgotten... how weak you are.’

The next words, though they felt heavy, the burden released by them wasn’t like before.

Antra...

He had reduced whatever side effect his voice had.

Haa...

I didn’t like it.

Everything... none of it was going the way I had expected it to.

Was it my capability that was lacking...

Or—

Is the enemy too strong for me to handle?

No.

My enemies had never been weaker than me.

I had always known that.

Haa...

Taking a deep breath, I tried to stabilise my mind that was beginning to feel numb from Antra’s words.

"Let’s forget about everything, and start anew."

Clapping his hands once, Antra flicked his fingers, as the environment around me... changed?

Huh?!

One moment I was in the room, and the next thing I knew...

I was standing in an empty place that was covered in black from all sides.

The sky was black, and so was the ground.

No matter where my eyes landed, everything was covered in black...

No.

It was more like I was in a world of black... as the darkness encompassed every inch of the place around me.

"Your subordinates weren’t the most tamed. And I certainly don’t enjoy being interrupted every now and then, so—"

"..."

"Let’s have a little chat, shall we?"

Raising my head, I met Antra’s gaze, who sat on a throne in the middle of the wide expanse around me.

Just as I was about to speak, something pushed me from behind, as I mysteriously appeared before Antra, with a chair being formed beside me.

Looking at the chair, I hesitated for a second before taking the seat.

Haa...

There was no use in being scared.

My life had always been a game of death.