Shiki’s trust in Mujun developed in ways she herself couldn’t fully understand. Perhaps it was because Mujun had no interest in her—a rarity. Or maybe it was because Mujun was an incredibly simple man. He displayed no ambition, let alone any intent to usurp Shiki’s position as leader. To him, leading a large organization like the Four Seasons was merely a tiresome and pointless job, a waste of time and energy.

Even though Mujun often complained, it wasn’t because of his status beneath Shiki but because of the workload he had to handle. If Shiki had asked Mujun to stand still like a statue in the corner of a room and do nothing, Mujun would’ve gladly tossed aside his position as the head of Winter faster than Shiki could finish her sentence.

Shiki could only remain silent in the face of someone like Mujun—someone utterly devoid of ambition. Perhaps that was the reason Shiki trusted him. Despite his frequent grumbling, Mujun always completed his work efficiently, likely because he didn’t want the hassle of repeating tasks due to errors.

The Four Seasons, the organization Shiki had built, wasn’t just a tool. It was the foundation of a major faction that would one day dominate the Procession Tower and lead the dragonewts into the future. However, so far, no one—not even Mujun—knew the true purpose behind the organization’s creation. Shiki was aware that Mujun probably didn’t care at all, but the same couldn’t be said for the other members. The team leaders, especially those with influence, were bound to harbor doubts.

It was natural for concerns to arise. A princess from the world’s most powerful noble family suddenly gathering people to form an organization without a clear goal? Of course, this invited suspicion. Even so, Shiki chose to remain silent, allowing those doubts to linger in their minds. Soon, everything would become clear.

“...That’s Johan’s report on the recruitment efforts in Kojulin City—” Mujun paused mid-sentence when Shiki interrupted him.

“Mujun,” she called.

Mujun frowned, the creases on his forehead deepening. His tone was reluctant as he responded, “What?”

Shiki glanced at her digital watch. 11:58:15. She knew the teleportation would begin at precisely 12:00 PM today.

“What do you think about a world where monsters prey on anyone who enters, and that world also connects you to other worlds you never imagined existed?” Shiki asked suddenly.

“If you’re planning to fantasize or write some weird story, I’d rather—”

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“Can you just answer my question?”

“...”

“...”

Shiki’s digital watch now read 11:59:05.

“Ugh... It would be a massive pain,” Mujun finally answered. “I’m already struggling enough just to survive in this world by breathing. I don’t need to worry about money, a place to live, or food, thanks to my dead parents leaving enough money to last me until I’m old and gray. So if a world like that exists, I’d choose to stay out of it. I’d even erase any knowledge of that world from my mind as quickly as possible.”

“Well...” Shiki smiled faintly. The watch now read 11:59:50.

“Unfortunately, you don’t have the option to stay out of it.”

11:59:55.

“And going forward, I’ll be counting on your cooperation too, Mujun.” A wide grin spread across Shiki’s face.

11:59:58.

“Huh?”

Suddenly, their bodies were enveloped in a blinding light. So bright that their entire field of vision turned white.

12:00:00.

Their bodies felt as if they were floating, like being inside a car plummeting into a deep ravine. Waves of nausea, dizziness, and visual distortion hit them mercilessly. When their sight finally returned, what they saw was no longer the room they had been in moments before.

12:00:01.

----------------------------------------

Shiki watched as her surroundings transformed in an instant, as if the world she had known for the past sixteen years had been nothing but an illusion. She could feel the same disbelief emanating from those around her—sharp intakes of breath, eyes wide with shock, and trembling bodies grappling with the sudden shift. Their faces betrayed their struggle to process the reality that had just shattered everything they understood. But this confusion would soon give way to chaos, which was now gradually approaching.

As Shiki surveyed the scene before her, she recognized several familiar landmarks: a towering dragon monument visible even from outside this sprawling city, thick walls that seemed impervious even to missiles, and ancient-style buildings typically only seen in history books or tourist sites.

This was Starting City, the place where all participants of this brutal competition were gathered.

It was also the safest place in this world—so safe that, in the past, she had found it difficult to step outside of it. So safe that she had willingly confined herself within its walls.

But that safety would vanish the moment Brides War began. The Procession Tower had no use for the weak. Sooner or later, those seeking shelter in this city would be forced out, becoming prey for the strong.

This time, however, Shiki would not repeat the mistakes of her past. Over the past three years, she had prepared herself for this moment. The Starting City, which had once been her prison, would now become her stepping stone to power. She would seize control of this city, rule every corner, and mark every inch with her presence. And she would find the purple-eyed man, imprison him in this city, and bind him to her side forever.

Shiki vowed to make it happen!

“Mujun, snap out of it! You need to find the others and regroup! Wait for me at the base of the left foot of the second claw on that giant dragon monument! Mujun? Mujun—”

Her breath caught as she noticed something strange about Mujun. The eyes that usually held nothing but boredom now sparkled with joy and excitement she had never seen before. A wide grin spread across his face, revealing his white fangs, and he spoke in a cheerful tone, like a child who had just received a new toy,

“Ah~ it’s finally starting!”