Holy Land, Chamber of Flowers.
Inside a pavilion surrounded by fruits, vegetables, and exotic blossoms, Imu, cloaked in black robes, patiently taught Aqua to read and write.
Nearby, Gunko—who had just ended her call—radiated a chilling killing intent that lowered the surrounding temperature.
"Gunko."
Imu didn't look up, her voice was flat and unreadable.
"Mind your presence. Can't you see Aqua is studying?"
Gunko stiffened, immediately suppressing all emotions before turning and bowing.
"This subordinate acknowledges her error. Please punish me, Imu-sama."
"It's alright, Mama Gunko." Aqua set down the scroll in her hands and looked up with a bright smile, blinking her lively and adorable large eyes.
"I've finished today's lessons."
After speaking, Aqua closed the scroll and turned to Imu who was standing nearby.
"Mama Imu, Aqua should go practice swordsmanship now."
The authority in Imu's eyes instantly melted away, leaving nothing but overwhelming affection.
She reached out to tidy the stray hairs on Aqua's forehead and said softly.
"Go ahead."
Just then, Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, one of the Five Elders carrying a samurai sword, quickly approached.
He first bowed respectfully to Imu, then turned to Aqua with a respectful gaze.
"Your Highness, shall we go?"
Watching Aqua skip away following Ethanbaron, the softness on Imu's face rapidly faded, returning to the demeanor of the ruler who had overlooked the world for eight hundred years.
She picked up her teacup, her gaze falling upon Gunko.
"Who was it earlier?"
Gunko didn't dare conceal anything, recounting in detail what Liana and the others had done at Grand Tesoro, along with that absurd transaction request.
After listening, Imu's expression remained unchanged as she thoughtfully asked.
"Who is Liana? What does she look like? How old is she? Compared to Sharlia, whose beauty is superior?"
Gunko answered truthfully, "Though Liana is young, her appearance, figure, and temperament are all rather ordinary. Even if she could climb into Orion's bed, Orion would likely kick her off without hesitation."
"Hmm." Imu nodded. "In that case, let them die."
Her tone was as indifferent as if discussing the lives of a few ants.
"Sneaking out of the Holy Land to gamble at such a time, squandering money recklessly—utterly foolish. Even if Orion doesn't kill them, when they return, I will make them regret ever being born."
At this point, Imu seemed to suddenly remember something and changed the subject.
"Orion has been away with the interns for over two months now. Hancock has been by his side—why is there still no sign of pregnancy?"
Gunko lowered her eyelids slightly and chose to remain silent.
First Sharlia, then Hancock—both women had been intimately involved with Orion.
If one showed no reaction, it could be attributed to probability.
But with neither showing any signs, there must be something amiss.
Either Orion himself didn't want offspring, or... was he incapable in that aspect?
This thought flashed through Gunko's mind, but she absolutely didn't dare voice it.
Seeing Gunko silent, Imu suddenly looked up.
"How about you try? If I recall correctly, when Orion needed military funds before, you handed over all the Berry treasury you'd accumulated over the years."
Hearing this, Gunko's cheeks flushed instantly.
She lowered her head, avoiding Imu's gaze, her voice as faint as a mosquito's hum.
"This subordinate has signed a contract with you and may be unable to bear children."
"There's no hurry about this matter." Imu withdrew her gaze, her tone returning to calm. "What I lack least is time."
...
Meanwhile.
Grand Tesoro, top-floor VIP suite.
"It's over... completely over..."
Silos slumped on the carpet, his face ashen, repeating these words incessantly.
As a fellow member of the Manmayer family alongside Gunko, he never dreamed in his wildest nightmares that Gunko would be so heartless as to actually stand by and watch them die without lifting a finger.
"Let's get out of here first!" Liana forced herself to remain calm. "As long as we can avoid Orion, we still have a sliver of hope!"
With that, she was the first to turn and stumble toward the door.
Saint Ferrari and Saint Lamborghini, as if clutching at a life-saving straw, scrambled after her on all fours.
However, just as they rushed to the doorway, the heavy golden door creaked open inward.
The corridor outside was no longer empty.
A group of bodyguards in suits and sunglasses filed in like an impenetrable human wall, instantly blocking all their escape routes.
Leading them was the staff member who had processed their loan earlier.
The obsequious expression he had worn before was now completely gone, replaced by a teasing, cat-and-mouse-like mockery.
He leisurely adjusted his tie and spoke with a cold smile, "Where are you four esteemed ones planning to go? I'm afraid you won't be leaving this room until you've repaid your gambling debts."
"How dare you!"
Saint Silos took a step forward, puffing out his chest and roaring with false bravado.
"Are you trying to detain us? Do you not know that as Celestial Dragons, we are entitled to every privilege?! If you dare harm us, the Admirals from Marine Headquarters will arrive immediately and exterminate you lowly commoners!"
"Heh."
The man at the front laughed as if he had just heard the world's greatest joke.
He pulled a handgun from his jacket, its dark muzzle steadily aimed at Saint Silos's forehead.
"Your Excellency," he grinned, revealing a row of white teeth, "times have changed."
The four Celestial Dragons paled dramatically, instinctively huddling together.
"What are you going to do? Kill us? Have you thought about the consequences?!"
"Bodyguards! Protect us!" Liana screamed at the top of her lungs, her voice shrill.
"Stop shouting." The leader tapped Saint Silos's head with the barrel of his gun, his smile growing even more amused.
"The CP0 agents assigned to protect you slipped away quietly as soon as they learned the Fleet Admiral was about to arrive."
His words seemed to drain the last bit of strength from the four.
Their legs gave way, and they collapsed to the floor in unison, their faces etched with utter despair.
...
Grand Tesoro, Harbor.
Gild Tesoro, dressed in a flashy pink suit, stood at the dock with his trusted subordinates—Baccarat, Tanaka, and others—lined up behind him.
In the distance, a warship flying a seagull flag cut through the golden waves as it slowly sailed into the harbor.
Watching the approaching training ship, Tesoro grinned, revealing a confident and sinister smile.
The prey had entered the hunting ground.
And he could hardly wait to see how the mightiest lion would deal with these filthy so-called "gods."