Mirai understood that his sudden disappearance would likely cause some concern among the knights. However, he knew he couldn't afford to give their enemy the advantage of making the first move or, worse, closing the distance. If his suspicions were correct, their enemy wouldn't hold back, and neither would he—not that Mirai was ever good at that to begin with

He raced through the forest at such a high speed that his presence became a mere illusionary mirage. As he searched, he encountered only motionless creatures peacefully asleep. Some even noticed his swift passage but showed no animosity, which only confirmed his suspicions: [every being in the forest was a servant to a higher entity, channeling its will and desire through them, Their lack of aggression, despite my clear status as an apex predator, is telling, no need to flatter myself hehehe.....oh, back to the point]

"This could either be a trap designed to separate me from the group, making it easier to kill them and forcing me to choose between advancing and retreating, or it could be a calculated move to make his presence known, signaling that we've been spotted and must leave the forest "

In either situation, I must raise my vigilance. Could it be that I will finally face one of the ancients? The thought fills me with excitement. No! Focus—the mission takes top priority, and my interests come second. If the knights were in danger, I would have been notified. Without wasting any more time, Mirai looked at the sword resting on his waist.

"I think it's your time to awaken, old friend," he said, drawing the sword from its sheath. As he did, the figure of a youthful, handsome man appeared on the blade's surface. His black hair was like the night, and his abyssal eyes, devoid of light, couldn't hide the surge of bloodlust beneath them. Closing his eyes, Mirai felt a wave of nostalgia course through his soul. In those mere seconds, he heightened his senses to the point where they covered the entire forest.

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Opening his eyes, he knew where he needed to go. Looking east, he raised his sword and, as he slashed downward, he muttered, "Dawn Breaker." In the next instant, Mirai found himself standing in a lush green hall, surrounded by flowers and plants. For a moment, he couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt as he looked back and saw nothing but dark, devouring flames in the path of his sword.

"Damn it, I think I messed up a bit. I really hope that woman won't curse me if she ever finds out about this. In the end, life is precious," he murmured, mesmerized by the scenery. As the forest began to repair itself slowly , as his flames begun to fade away, he couldn't help but be awed by the resilience of the forest nature

Even in this situation, he didn't lower his guard as he approached the ruler of this realm. At the top of the grand staircase, a scene straight out of a fairy tale came to life. On an ornate throne that embodied nature , a beautiful figure lay asleep. It took Mirai a moment to realize that this person was actually a man. His long silver hair cascaded down to his waist, reflecting the dawn's light with a radiant glow. Despite his eyes being closed, their sharpness was undeniable. His flawless porcelain skin contrasted with the dark robe that seemed to blend seamlessly with the throne's marble

Atop his head rested a silver halo crown, its circular base adorned with intricate patterns of leaves, vines, and flowers. Butterflies fluttered around him, and thorns encircled his body, merging to create an ethereal and enchanting scene

Mirai knew all too well the dangers of fairies. These beings walking on the path of sloth, were known to be asleep more often than not. The figure before him could only be one of the ancients. In the blink of an eye, Mirai stood before the sleeping figure. Killing him in this state wouldn't be difficult. As his blade neared the man's throat, it stopped abruptly when the person opened his eyes.

Mirai froze, unable to look away from the striking silver eyes that now met his gaze. What those eyes reflected, he could see it clearly, he could see himself clearly... He saw an indifferent face, devoid of emotions, and eyes full of anticipation for what was about to happen. His sword clattered to the floor as he bent down slightly, ensuring to close the figure's eyes once more as for all this time he has been daydreaming

At that moment. What he felt was a sense of pity and sadness—not for what he saw reflected in those silver eyes, but for the The one before him, in whose eyes the world was reflected