"What measures are being put in place by your Majesty to curb any such thing from happening in the future?"

The Emperor narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. He liked that Abdin was not being greedy. "You are the one that helped us save the kids. I would like to hear your take on it."

Abdin shrugged. "In my opinion, the first thing is to summon every emperor and hand their child over to them. There might be trouble if you try to take them home yourself."

The emperor frowned at Abdin's last statement but quickly recovered his composure. "Right. I still need your witness when the emperors arrive. You know... about the girl that got killed. She was emperor Diyanu's daughter. And I regret to say my relationship with the man isn't at its best."

Emperor Diyanu was the ruler of the Dadiyan empire. It had been his young daughter who had died while they were trying to escape. Abdin knew that already and he had also known that she had a sister who was also there.

If the king's only worry was a witness, then the sister would suffice.

"Is she the only one from Dadiyan?" He asked.

"She is not. But your witness is of utmost importance."

The emperor didn't want Abdin to leave. And Abdin also never wanted to, just so he could see how far the emperor would go...

But he wanted to see if the old man would try to stop him from leaving.

He stood and bowed slightly. "No problem, your majesty. When do you expect them? I shall return then."

The emperor frowned. "Why the hurry?"

Abdin grinned. "Is there something that your Majesty wants me to do before I take my leave?"

The emperor glanced to his right as if looking for someone and said, "There is a man from Yusta'Diyum. I want to introduce you to him."

That was when a man with a leather outfit and a silver mask entered the room.

Abdin stepped back subconsciously. A sword appeared in his hand and his stance changed.

The emperor and Silver Mask both pretended not to have noticed his reaction or the sword. The emperor stood up quickly and welcomed Silver Mask before offering the chair next to him. He waited until Silver Mask had sat down before he resumed his seat.

Abdin was still standing, sword in hand.

"Your guest isn't happy to see me, Biyakin," Silver Mask said, shaking his head disapprovingly.

Emperor Biyakin turned and squinted at Abdin, surprised that he wouldn't want to meet his guest.

"Er... It shouldn't be so." The emperor said politely in Abdin's defense. "He probably isn't used to seeing Mighties."

He turned to Abdin and nodded his head to assure him. "There is no problem, young man. Sit down and finish your food. Have you forgotten that you are my guest of honor?"

So emperor Biyakin and Silver Mask had all along been allies. All the things that had happened in the previous loop when the emperor tried to stop the continent from going to war... It had all been in their game plan.

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Abdin had always planned on getting rid of Biyakis, so he had always been ready to face the emperor. But still, he must be patient at the moment. With Silver Mask there, it wasn't easy to kill Biyakin.

He would have to get rid of whoever stood in his way. Even if it were Silver Mask.

"What is your name? I didn't ask you last time," Silver asked.

"I'm Ilu Sanka." Abdin easily pushed away the man's will and replied. He'd enhanced his pol just for things like this.

Silver and Biyakin exchanged surprised looks. They seemed to understand what had happened.

"Why would you lie?" Silver Mask lamented.

King Biyakin placed his face on his palm and sighed. "Low-level cultivators have such brave hearts. Doesn't it surprise you?" He glanced questioningly at Silver Mask.

Silver Mask merely shrugged and said, "The penalty is death. But he could bail himself out."

Abdin steadied his fluttering heart. Silver Mask had killed him twice. He didn't intend to let him do it the third time.

"I am all ears, your majesty. How can this low-level cultivator bail himself out?"

The emperor's countenance changed slightly. Abdin had been so calm that he couldn't feel any fright from him and he seemed to be mocking him now.

Most people couldn't speak without a shaky voice when they faced them. But Abdin had been free of that fear.

Silver Mask brought out a white Ayrid from his pocket and presented it to Abdin.

"Swallow this and your life shall be spared."

Abdin arched his brows as he studied the seed. Every color of Ayrid had its significance. White means life. But, what manner of life?

The emperor cleared his throat and said, "Master has shown you mercy several times. Your scent... You are not from this world. The protection from this realm makes anyone who enters it forget their past life." He paused and took an unnecessarily long breath. "Only a few are ever spared from that agony. This Ayrid shall return to you your lost memories and your past."

A few days ago, after annihilating Queen Aureya's people, Silver Mask had asked him what realm he had been from. He hadn't understood the question until now. Silver Mask and the emperor weren't natives of this world.

Abdin had been born in this world and he should naturally be native to it. But his scent was, at the moment, like that of the castle dwellers he had recently summoned - Queen Aureya's people.

He had exchanged his scent for theirs.

Abdin took the white Ayrid and rolled it on his palm. "What would be my fate after I have done as you have asked?"

"You are going to be my warrior," said Silver Mask. He seemed impressed by Abdin's performance so far. "You need the help of that Ayrid before you can do my bidding."

So he didn't kill Abdin the other time because he had plans to enslave him. "May I know the nature of this bidding before I agree?"

Silver Mask shook his head.

"Then, I apologize, fellow Daoist. I can't take any risk and swallow anything if you are not willing to tell me what you want from me."

Emperor Biyakin sighed but didn't speak. Silver Mask on the other hand kept observing Abdin through his silver-covered mask.

Abdin made a fist. He was running on borrowed strength.

Could he kill Silver Mask with this power? He drew his sword out and pointed at them. The truth would only become apparent after he tried.

Emperor Biyakin shook his head in dismay. He quietly clapped his hands.

Abdin felt a searing pain in his stomach. He looked down slowly and saw that his belly had just soundlessly exploded. The entire front wall of his belly was gone and his guts were splattered on the floor.

The shirt he wore had become tattered and a large ant tattoo had been stamped on his chest.

"You should thank God it was your belly. It will be your chest the next time I clap my hands." The emperor readied his hands for another clap. But he paused to give Abdin a chance to change his mind.

Abdin was dumbfounded. When was he marked?

Except for the empress, he hadn't met any Nànata in this loop. And she didn't touch him. Neither had emperor Biyakin or Silver.

Abdin had always been careful to take a step back whenever the emperor got close. The emperor's eyes lacked that peculiar red gleam, but Abdin didn't want to take any chances.

The only person that touched him so far had been... Prince Jubu.

Jubu had placed a hand on his shoulder when Abdin had stood up for them against their kidnappers.

He had come from behind Abdin and had touched him. At that time, the prince's eyes were full of praise and gratitude. It had never crossed his mind to suspect any foul play.

Laluri's face suddenly appeared in his mind. They touched you when you least expected it...

Jubu!

The prince's face came to him. So that was why he had tried to stop Juwaira from leaving. The princess had realized something was off and cleverly took to her heels.

Following his lack of response, the emperor clapped his hands again. Abdin's chest exploded. The last thing he heard was emperor Biyakin's voice, saying, "we have given him the chance."