The unexpected success forced Stas and Satoshi to fundamentally reconsider their approach to further experiments.

Now that a working "formula" for immortality had been found, there was no longer a need for a large number of test subjects.

Besides, only about twenty percent remained in a condition somewhat suitable for further work.

Another point to consider was that their usefulness in terms of testing new techniques was questionable, as the consequences of past experiments in their bodies could undermine the integrity of future research.

In such a case, one could not be sure whether it was your mistake or a flaw from past techniques.

That's why most of the test material was eliminated.

Only the healthiest and most successful samples remained, which Satoshi was to monitor vigilantly in the future, tracking the slightest changes.

Takehiro himself was also of interest.

The scientists had previously worked out how they would continue their lives after using the rejuvenation technique. After all, if an old man who was supposed to die any day suddenly appears in public looking fifty years younger, it raises questions.

That's why Satoshi was concocting a legend about his own grandson, whom he had long hidden and taught. He was to become this grandson, living a new life as his own relative.

However, considering that the technique only rejuvenated him to his fifties, there was no rush.

So Stas just worked on his face, aging it and adding wrinkles. Hair was more difficult to handle, so the master had to shave his head completely.

Besides, Stas noticed that Ryu, Takehiro's assistant, went missing. Ordyntsev was concerned, but Satoshi dispelled his fears, saying that he had taken care of the overly knowledgeable servant.

Apparently, the one-eyed lad had been too astute, to his own misfortune.

In any case, eliminating the possibility of the master's sudden death, Satoshi and Ordyntsev redoubled their efforts to work on their brainchild.

While Satoshi took upon himself the refinement of the original technique, Stas chose to diverge a bit.

Whatever anyone said, the technique for rejuvenating the body consumed enormous amounts of energy. To assess the energetic scale, one had to understand that the expenditure would have been enough for two Deathbringres' ray of destruction techniques.

Ordyntsev himself still did not understand where all this energy was going. Yes, part of it transformed cells, but most seemed to leak somewhere else.

To compensate for this leakage, they had to complicate the technique.

In any case, their creation was capable of operating massive quantities of energy, which meant that they could be used for something else besides rejuvenation.

Eventually, Ordyntsev became fascinated with the path of restoration.

The ability to heal any - even fatal - injuries, or instant regeneration of damaged tissues up to severed or crushed limbs.

Isn't that something worth striving for? After all, having immortality alone doesn't really make you immortal. You also need to be able to protect it.

However, the challenge here was that the technique of eternal life was very cumbersome and inconvenient to use.

Stas had to discard the superfluous, optimize it, and accelerate the process. He was engaged in this task right up until the war finally knocked on Satoshi's door.

"It seems it's time to say goodbye," Takehiro grimaced irritably and turned away. "I hope you quickly deal with those trifles, and we will continue our work."

"You call the World War a trifle?" chuckled the earthling, gathering his notes and sealing them in a scroll.

In the weeks that had passed, the two men, though they had not become friends, definitely learned to joke about each other.

"Exactly," grinned Satoshi. "What are these squabbles of grown children compared to the grandeur of the universe's secrets? I think a few more years, and all this turmoil will settle down on its own. You don't believe in all that 'honor' nonsense, do you?" the old man squinted suspiciously.

"Not really," shrugged Ordyntsev. "Why do you ask?"

"I'll be glad if you don't do anything stupid, like jumping into the abyss after the dying Sumada, if they indeed lose. I've known some people who chose death over 'life in disgrace'," Satoshi mimicked. "Idiots."

"I'll try not to do that," Stas smiled slyly. "I appreciate that you're so concerned about me."

"I'm concerned not about you but about the research that you might not do," Satoshi grumbled indignantly. "Just selfish interest, nothing more! Don't you dare attribute all that mushy bullshit to me."

"Of course, I believe you," the Serpent responded innocently, making Takehiro eye him suspiciously.

Finally, Stas finished packing his belongings.

They were silent for a moment.

"I hope you won't just croak out there," Satoshi said reluctantly, looking away. "It would be a big blow to science."

"I also hope all will be well with you," Stas nodded. "If you notice that the front is approaching, leave immediately."

"Of course. It's not in my rules to play the hero."

With that, they both decided the farewell was over.

Following Stas were the silent Minoru, as well as Kenta and Mari. Regardless of how the lamia felt about Ordyntsev, she would never choose to stay alone with Satoshi.

Coming out of the house, Stas was not surprised to see Jun waiting for him. The supreme warmaster was, as always, dressed in an open-chested vest, displaying his excessively hairy chest to all onlookers.

By his appearance, the sensei clearly felt excellent. Moreover, he looked even better than during peacetime.

The war clearly did him good.

"There's our lost one," the master smoothly rose from the bench and more comfortably gripped his cudgel, causing Stas to almost take a step back instinctively. "I thought I'd have to break through the wall; you made me wait too long."

"I had to collect some records," Ordyntsev replied indifferently. "I take it Jishin will no longer be satisfied with postponing my return?"

"Ha! You should have seen how he fumed and raged when he gave me this task. Teeth grinding, fists clenched, and eyes full of the desire to kill everyone. Reminded me of my brother in his youth, eh," Jun smiled with a sad warmth. "So if you now say 'no,' I have the right to drag you back by force. So, which option do you choose?"

"The first, the one without force," Ordyntsev hastily interjected, seeing the teacher's frightening enthusiasm. "I've basically finished what I wanted, so I'm ready to return."

"Sure?" the sensei drawled doubtfully, thoughtfully weighing his club. "I wouldn't mind stretching my muscles. And I'm curious to see what you've been training for so long..."

"Nothing much important. So, where do we go next? Ah, over there," Stas moved enthusiastically in the right direction, followed by Jun and the others. Levi's tail flickered and disappeared under the ground.

"By the way," Stas looked carefully at the supreme. "What's the situation on the front?"

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

"What, curious?" the sensei looked at Stas ironically. "Then, you should've dashed to the front instead of doing some nonsense here. Some are calling you a coward already. If you continue squandering your reputation, it will hit me too, as your sensei."

"So that's how it is," Ordyntsev drawled thoughtfully. "But do you know why I'm here in the first place? I mean, for what purpose?"

"Not really, and you didn't seem eager to show me. Have you changed your mind?"

"It's not just some combat technique, Master Jun," Stas shook his head hastily. "Tell me, have you heard anything about chaos?"

"Yes, I've heard," the supreme warmaster somehow tensed up. "I love history, and I've come across mentions of this force. What made you mention it?"

"An invasion has started again..." Stanislav detailed to Jun how his subordinate met the crazed peasants and the growing camp of chaos servants. Jun listened attentively and did not interrupt.

"Lousy," the supreme finally summed up. "And remembering that our leader is doing nothing about it makes it even sadder. So you managed to create a technique that destroys chaos inside the body?"

"Not only that, it can also disperse weak chaotic techniques and curses afflicting lands. That's something, at least. The issue is that Jishin underestimates the threat. Of course, I sent Kaede to warn the Great Spirits, but their own reaction is unclear."

"I wouldn't worry too much about it if I were you," Jun finally said. "I'll try to convey the danger of chaos, but don't count on it making any difference. Right now, you better focus on the Southern Alliance."

"What's with them?"

"Things are bad with them," the sensei frowned. "We clearly underestimated their strength. Yes, there's no talk of defeat yet, but we can't simply deal with them. We just keep cutting each other, wasting time. Good thing we made peace with Mizuno, so at least we were able to transfer troops to the southern borders."

"By the way, how did the clan react to the peace treaty with the water-wielders?" Stas inquired anxiously.

"How, you ask," the topic was clearly unpleasant for Jun. "Everyone was furious, but they still reluctantly agreed. I heard Mizuno took the news even worse than we did. After all, they were the first to send a message. Luckily, that's not our problem, but their new leader's."

"I see," Ordyntsev muttered. "So why was I pulled from here?"

"For the war, of course," Jun replied indifferently. "A key offensive is planned soon, which should break through the Alliances's front. You and my other disciples will come with me. I'm sure we'll have lots of fun."

"Good." Stas nodded and fell silent.

A few seconds passed, then the sensei abruptly threw up his arms and turned to Stas, his eyes sparkling.

"And you won't say anything?! Where's your eternal reluctance to fight? Have I lived to see the day when a true warmaster awakens in you?"

"I don't think so," Stas smirked. "I just have a couple of interesting techniques and theories that need to be tested. A battle is a suitable place."

"That's the real power and spirit! And for that, we must definitely have a drink!"

"Drinking again..."

"Did I mishear, or did you say something?"

"Absolutely not, sensei!"

*****

Surprisingly, Kaede and Katsuya were even provided with escorts. These were the same guards who had been replaced at the gates by newly arrived guardsmen.

And judging by the curious looks and frequent bows, the Umibozu and the boar turned out to be quite well-known yokai.

Although they were moving quite fast, the looming palaces ahead barely seemed to get any closer, so tall were they.

Gradually, it became clear that they were not just built on the ground, but on a protruding stone base. The shape of the "pedestal" itself hinted that it had a clearly artificial origin.

And although Kaede was turning her head like crazy, she still had to sadly admit that she remembered little.

There were so many impressions around that they blurred into a confusing mush where it was hard to distinguish anything.

Nevertheless, the true shock for the Kuchisake-onna was a couple of yokai families, next to which stood real kids!

Kaede did not even suspect that their kind could have children. Yet, apparently, it was so.

In any case, one of the three palaces soon blocked all surrounding space in front of them, and they found themselves in front of massive golden doors.

If Kaede remembered correctly, this palace belonged to the Imperial Turtle faction.

As soon as they got inside, they were immediately surrounded by a "square" of the palace guards, who skillfully escorted them to the opposite exit.

From what the young yokai managed to see, the inner courtyard of the palaces was again divided into three separate areas. In the center stood yet another palace, ancient and small, at least compared to the giants surrounding it.

That's where they were led.

Kaede was about to ask Katsuya a question, but one look from the spider woman was enough to realize that now was not the time for conversations.

The situation was too serious for Kaede's usual fooling around.

Finally, they were brought to a spacious waiting room, where they lined up against the wall. No one allowed them to sit.

"You will be summoned," growled a yokai guard with a toothy shark head.

The excruciating minutes of waiting began.

For the lively Kaede, it was akin to torture. Moreover, whenever she merely thought about doing something, the spider woman froze her with a characteristic look.

However, this made the sudden cheerful girlish laughter all the more unexpected.

The side doors burst open, and from there, a red-haired shadow jumped out. Stomping her little feet, she darted past the flustered guards and stopped right in front of the guests, frozen in surprise.

Several young women followed from the doors and, wailing, chased after the red-haired little girl.

"Your Highness! You shouldn't be here, come back immediately!"

The latter, meanwhile, scrutinized Kaede and Katsuya with big eyes.

"Oh, I've never seen you before! Where are you from?" asked the actual yokai princess with childish directness.

And thanks to two red fox ears and a similarly red tail wagging behind her back, it was not hard to figure out who her parent was.

"My name is Kaede, and this is my friend, Ketsumi," smiled the Kuchisake-onna and patted the stunned girl on the head. Shocked cries rang out around.

The Kumo standing nearby panicked as dozens of guards ominously gripped the handles of blades and other cutting instruments.

Kaede was clearly playing with fire.

"Nobody has ever patted me on the head except for my mother," the girl gasped, her ears pressed against her head, then laughed happily. "That settles it; from this day on, you'll be my best friend!"

"Your Highness," the approaching governess began cautiously. "This is no place for little girls like you. Right now, your mother will be talking to them."

"Ugh, I want to talk to them too! Whatever, catch me!" With these words, the silhouette of the little fox split into many exact copies, which, laughing and howling, scattered in different directions.

Complete bedlam reigned around, where the guards were afraid to move so as not to hurt the real daughter of the Nine-Tails.

The doors to the throne room slowly began to part.

"The guests are invited for an audience!" the loud voice of the steward made the travelers compose themselves.

An important conversation lay ahead.

*****

The northernmost side of the continent consisted of many small islands forming a semi-circular archipelago and a high mountain range descending directly into the water. Very few people lived in these lifeless wastelands.

The reason was the terrible weather and remoteness from all cities and political centers of any importance.

On the other hand, small farming and fishing villages have existed here since time immemorial and were not particularly eager to change anything.

While wars raged in the center of the continent, life was much calmer under the protection of the mountains.

However, the silence could not last forever.

It was a typical gloomy day, and the waves furiously crashed against the rocky shore, only to carry cold droplets back to the merciless ocean.

An unbearable chilly, damp wind blew, seemingly penetrating to the very bones.

The air was filled with that characteristic smell, so well known to residents of coastal cities.

The passing storm had thrown a lot of fish and other marine creatures onto the shore, which now slowly began to rot, staring at the merciless heavens with white eyes.

And at this moment, among the heaps of rotting flesh stretched a chain of men clad in spacious cloaks.

They kept complete silence, staring tensely into the raging waves. Only their clothes trembled and flapped in the wind. But it didn't seem like they were cold or uncomfortable in the least.

But then their formation began to move.

One by one, they came into motion, kneeling and stretching their hands toward the water element.

"O great lord! O the one chosen by our mother. The fruit that must burst and the boil that has finally risen! O great one, manifest yourself and lead us to grand accomplishments!"

With each new word, the ocean seemed to rage even more fiercely. The gray clouds in the sky twisted, writhing and moaning.

Every word of the strangers resonated with pain in this world.

After the first call, the second immediately followed and, finally, the third.

Disregarding the cold and water, the cultists called again and again for "the one who was promised to them."

And their prayers were heard.

In the depths of the water, a huge shadow flickered, causing the chaos servants to go into ecstatic rapture.

In an instant, an incredibly long serpentine body covered in spasming mutated flesh burst upward from the dark abyss.

The main cultist quickly jumped up, gazing in exultation at the gigantic reptile's head towering above them. The man's eyes were inflamed and involuntarily bulged out of the skull, but such trifles did not bother him much, nor did the fact that a grotesque, deformed horn was growing from the center of his head.

"Greetings to you, O Serpent King! Lead us! As was decreed! Unleash upon this world all the joy of rotten blessing! Punish them for your suffering!"

The serpent's maw slowly opened, and streams of black, inflamed blood trickled down the corners, falling in viscous drops into the ocean. A moment passed, and then a monstrous, agonizing scream erupted from the King's throat in all directions.

It didn't sound like hissing or the cry of any other living being. It was as if the very essence of life itself, disfigured and defiled by chaos beyond recognition, was crying out.

Yes, the plane of rot was always famed for its promises of immortality and the absence of pain.

But for the one who destroyed their previous lord, chaos went to the trouble of coming up with something special.

A little further on, on a moss-covered rock, stood a small, rickety shack of an elderly former fisherman.

The owner himself was kneeling, silently crying. Tears slowly trailed down his wrinkled cheeks and disappeared into his thick beard. This man had lived as a hermit for years, neglecting his appearance.

He had come a long way from an ashigaru to an ordinary bandit and finally to a gang leader, after which he became a hermit, fleeing from everyone and everything.

He had seen much, but the scream of pain he heard brought tears even to someone like him. Even if you have but a drop of compassion in your heart, you still cannot calmly listen to such suffering.

The gigantic serpent slowly crawled on amid the laughter and rapture of the cultists twisted by the abundance of chaotic energy coursing through them.

And from that moment on, every instant of the Serpent's life was accompanied by an unbearable scream of intolerable pain.