"There is someone I want you to search for me," Abdin said, presenting them with a sketch of Yunus. "He is here in the castle, but I can't find him."

During his days of meditation, he sent his golems in search of Yunus. However, they couldn't locate him at the last place he was seen. He then dispatched them to search throughout the entire castle, but they came up empty-handed. The man had once again cleared the villages and towns on the way to the castle. It didn't seem his cousin would be honoring any agreement after colluding with his enemies.

The three took turns examining the sketch. The man depicted was a stranger to them, but they believed that finding a single man within the castle wouldn't pose much trouble. After some discussion, they decided to send soldiers with copies of the sketch to aid in the search.

"We have almost occupied a quarter of Biyakis already. I want us to invite more people."

San bowed and replied, "My Lord, I have already dispatched a team of men to assess the situation in the empire. After they return, I shall personally go out to extend more invitations."

Abdin nodded in approval. If his adversaries granted him the opportunity for a fourth expansion, he felt optimistic about defeating them.

***

While things were progressing smoothly at the castle, the situation in Biyakis was different. Thirty-six kings sat before Biyakin, accompanied by three men from the guild of level one empires. Jubu and Kininura were also present, along with five other men who sat slightly apart from the crowd.

As the crowd engaged in a discussion with the emperor, those five individuals remained aloof, seemingly uninvolved in the ongoing deliberations.

"I am certain he is lying," Emperor Biyakin declared. "We have spoken with Emperor Shen, and he confirmed his ignorance regarding this matter. He doesn't even know the whereabouts of his daughter, let alone marry her off to a stranger. He assured us that her betrothal to Jubu still stands. I believe we must take action before some troublemaker seizes our continent." His frustration became evident as he spoke, causing his mouth to froth.

The news of the wedding reached him just as the guild had already agreed to eliminate the castle. However, due to the announcement, the guild was compelled to postpone any further actions against the castle.

"You understand that we must adhere to protocols, Emperor," the guild's spokesperson said.

"We believe that Shen has no involvement in this, as you have mentioned. However, remember that Juwaira is also a rank one citizen and princess. According to the law, she is permitted to personally launch an attack on Biyakis. Supporting you against her would appear as if we are taking sides. The only way to gain legal access to our army is if the princess herself publicly refutes the news about her alleged engagement."

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Biyakin clenched his teeth, feeling the urge to strangle the man, but fearing the consequences that might ensue.

The guild had direct support from Yusta'Diyum, and the person in charge happened to be the son of King Marununu of Yusta'Diyum. Offending the guild would invite the destruction of Biyakis as a whole. Therefore, Biyakin suppressed his anger.

He felt that the annual tithe they provided to the guild was proving to be a complete waste if they couldn't assist them in times of need.

"So, is there nothing you can do for us?" Jubu asked.

"There is nothing we can do at the moment," the man replied. "But we will certainly investigate thoroughly as directed by the Prince. We will compile a detailed report and take appropriate action against the culprit when the time is right."

Jubu managed a weak smile. So they would only act "at the right time"? That meant they wouldn't intervene until the unrest was over. Kininura and the rest of the crowd seethed with anger, but none of them could openly express their frustration. The threat posed by Yusta'Diyum far exceeded that of the Commander and his castle. They couldn't afford to antagonize the guild.

The three guild representatives departed soon after. The hall fell into silence as everyone came to terms with this unexpected turn of events. The thirty-six kings turned their gaze toward the emperor. Some of them had lost numerous cities, and some had even lost their entire countries. Some remained unharmed, but they were filled with fear and uncertainty regarding the unknown.

The castle's destructive nature terrified them, as it swept away everything in its path.

"Just as we planned, those among you who have lost your homes will move in with us," Kininura said, attempting to ease the tension. "This is not a permanent solution, of course, until we eliminate this so-called Commander. Everyone will eventually return to their homes, and those who participate in the battle will be duly honored."

He presented a list of names before them, containing the affected kings and the countries they were to relocate to. Most of them were secretly dissatisfied with this decision, but they had no choice. The emperor had informed them before the castle's expansion, which was why they were saved from being buried underground. To show their gratitude, they had to accept the affected people, even if it caused them discomfort.

"I want each one of you to assemble a squad of five thousand of your best men," Emperor Biyakin declared. "It is time to eliminate this thorn in our flesh. The guild won't lift a finger to help us, but we have received unexpected assistance. Despite the rumors of him being a deva, this Commander can't harm us."

The king's present glanced over at the five men who sat apart. They were the "help" Biyakin mentioned. The men remained silent with their heads bowed, resembling monks.

These kings were frightened by the rumors of the Commander being a deva. Some even said that he had reached the level of middle-stage Deva. Emperor Biyakin himself was a few steps away from being a true deva. So even the strongest of them couldn't fight the opponent.

Both Kininura and Jubu were pseudo-devas and showed no signs of becoming devas anytime soon. This fact unnerved them, despite outnumbering the opponent. After all, a deva was still a deva. If the legends were true, they could never defeat him even if they pooled their strength together.

That's why they had decided to invite the guild. However, the Commander's alliance with Princess Juwaira made it impossible for the guild to intervene.

Could the five men invited by Emperor Biyakin do anything to change the situation? They stared at the monks with curious gazes.

One of the five men looked up at them, wearing a robe and a small cap. His friendly smile went unanswered. It was more of a glare than a smile due to the ugly scar on his face.

"We will assist you in killing him," he said, "on the condition that you accept the true religion and disregard those infidels. You have witnessed how they failed to help you when you needed it the most."

Emperor Biyakin and his kings frowned. What was he saying? What was true religion?