A loud eagle cry echoed through the sky.
Having suddenly lost its target, Hegreon's eagle eyes darted around everywhere.
Very quickly, it discovered a faint trace and folded its wings as it dove downward.
After landing, all that remained there was a faint aura that had yet to dissipate.
Uesugi Ryu had already teleported away long ago.
Even with Hegreon's considerable intelligence, it stood there stunned for a moment.
After waiting for a while without any progress, Hegreon resentfully returned to its nest.
Unfortunately, the place was already empty.
Several drops of bronze-colored venom dripped crookedly onto the tree trunk, corroding dense holes into the thick wood.
Seeing that its own child had vanished and that two unfamiliar auras still lingered within the nest.
Hegreon already understood what had happened.
Its expression darkened as it immediately followed the trail left behind.
Meanwhile, Uesugi Ryu sat atop a giant boulder.
Before him floated a sphere of water, within which was wrapped a bronze-colored venom droplet with a peculiar texture.
"A poison-type Super Danger Beast. Slightly troublesome. I'll bring it back for research."
Uesugi Ryu had not directly fought Hegreon. He had merely used the water dragon to toy with it for two or three minutes.
Hegreon's body was not particularly large, only around six meters in length.
However, comparatively speaking, its speed was extremely fast, and combined with its deadly poison.
Ordinary Teigu users would truly be instantly killed over and over if they encountered it.
Uesugi Ryu turned his head toward the southeast direction, where Mephisto was approaching.
Mephisto carried the sleeping baby griffin in his claws.
Meanwhile, Chelsea had transformed into a small bird perched atop Mephisto.
Mephisto's flying speed was also extremely fast. In less than a few seconds, he had already flown before Uesugi Ryu.
Uesugi Ryu extended his hand and lightly stroked the little Hegreon's wings.
Then he casually applied force and forcibly tore several black bone fragments from the wings.
"Awoo~"
The little Hegreon cried out in pain and looked about ready to wake up.
Uesugi Ryu expressionlessly "stroked" the creature's head.
After getting punched numb, the little Hegreon once again fell into sweet dreams.
Uesugi Ryu tossed the bone fragments to Mephisto.
"Scatter them along the way. Be careful to maintain enough distance. Call me anytime if something dangerous happens."
Mephisto indifferently yawned and waved his wings.
"Got it, got it. Hurry up. That enraged old hen will catch up soon."
Listening to the conversation between the man and crow, Chelsea did not know where this place was.
But judging from the situation, it was extremely far from the Imperial Capital. Provoking this Super Danger Beast.
The towns and tribes along the route would probably suffer disaster.
The sound of the wind suddenly tightened.
Uesugi Ryu calmly took out Shambhala.
After activating the Teigu, a massive magic formation appeared beneath everyone.
A flash of light passed.
Leaving behind only a black bone fragment lying alone atop the stone.
Imperial Capital, within the palace.
Dorothea sat upon a single sofa, lightly swinging her feet in midair.
Honest sat beside her, his expression somewhat strange.
Dorothea's true age was probably more than double his own.
He himself had already entered middle and old age, yet Dorothea still looked like a youthful and beautiful girl.
Aside from the contribution of her Teigu, Blood Collection: Absordex.
Her alchemy techniques likely also brought tremendous benefits toward extending one's lifespan.
Syura was dead, and recently Honest had been searching for exceptional mothers in order to produce outstanding children.
Actually, compared to raising descendants as heirs.
Honest would much rather become immortal himself and continue tightly grasping the power in his hands.
Raising children was merely one of his last-resort backup plans.
After thinking for a moment, Honest spoke.
"How much longer will the modification of the Supreme Teigu require?"
Holding a porcelain cup, Dorothea lightly sipped the hot tea inside.
"With Stylish helping out, at most another two and a half weeks."
Ever since Budo's attitude began to change, Honest had started feeling somewhat insecure inside.
With Chouri at his side offering advice and strategies, Budo was no longer the deaf fool who ignored everything outside his window.
Honest was terrified that one day, when Esdeath was not around, Budo would simply electrocute him to death in an instant.
Dorothea glanced at Honest before softly saying.
"By the way, now that Syura's dead, are there any clues about the real culprit?"
Honest shook his head.
"The assassin possessed the ability to alter appearances. Neither the Imperial Guards nor the servants have gone missing these past few days."
"It seems the person only transformed into my appearance. The possibility of an insider cannot be ruled out."
A subtle curve lifted at the corner of Dorothea's lips as she meaningfully said.
"It really looks like the assassin practically popped out from inside the palace itself."
"Who has a grudge against Syura and can freely enter and leave the palace? So hard to guess, huh?"
Honest stroked his graying beard.
"Uesugi Ryu has a solid alibi. Stylish can also testify for him."
Dorothea sneered softly as she set down the cup in her hand.
"Stylish isn't necessarily completely loyal either. My intuition tells me Uesugi Ryu did it."
Honest did not seem interested in continuing the topic and narrowed his eyes.
Uesugi Ryu had previously smashed Syura's precious possession with a kick. It was impossible for Honest to say he felt no anger whatsoever.
It was not because he cared about his son's suffering, but because he felt Uesugi Ryu's actions showed a lack of respect toward him.
As for Dorothea's so-called intuition, Honest only thought it was complete nonsense.
He secretly thought to himself.
"She's probably coveting Uesugi Ryu's alchemy. But that's fine too..."
Honest lightly coughed and perfunctorily replied.
"We'll discuss this matter later. Esdeath would never accept an argument based on intuition."
"Fine."
Dorothea responded absentmindedly before returning to Wild Hunt's base.
At this moment, only Izou remained within Wild Hunt's base.
Dorothea frowned and asked.
"Where is everyone?"
Izou sat cross-legged upon the tatami, with Kousetsu laid horizontally across his legs.
His eyes were tightly shut as he remained immersed in a strange state.
Without even opening his eyes, Izou spoke in a deep voice.
"Champ and Enshin went out looking for entertainment. Cosmina is in the backyard {horse riding}."
Dorothea slightly opened her mouth as colorful profanity burst out.
"Those two XXX... (hundred words omitted)"
She did not want to tolerate these lunatic teammates for even one more day.
Back when she joined Wild Hunt, it was mainly because she valued Syura's potential and the power behind him.
"The Jaegers are biting down hard."
"If those two idiots get caught again by that country bumpkin and that dog-walking girl, next time they might as well get thrown into prison and hanged!"
Izou remained expressionless, his emotions showing no fluctuations.
Hearing Dorothea's final sentence, he added.
"The two of them said they were going to the pleasure district for entertainment. They probably won't stir up any more trouble."
Upon hearing this, the anger in Dorothea's heart finally subsided somewhat.
Who would even bother policing that kind of gray area? That was Dorothea's first thought.