The girl held her forehead, staring blankly at Rhett's deep crimson eyes. There was no blame in them, no impatience. Only a firm, unyielding patience she couldn't understand.
She opened her mouth, trying to copy that strange phrase, her voice full of uncertainty and hesitation.
"...This... this is my...?"
She couldn't do it.
"Good." Rhett didn't push. He said calmly, "Say it once every day, until you truly understand."
Just then, someone in the terrified crowd below seemed to discover something. They pointed at Rhett on the throne.
"I... I know! Pirates! They're pirates! Like that other one before!"
Another voice echoed in fear. "Yes! Exactly! It's Joy Boy! Pirates after Joy Boy! They're all demons!"
Rhett, who had been about to continue his "lesson," paused.
Joy Boy?
He had just gone out to sea? What?
Rhett looked down at the still-confused girl in his arms. He was speechless.
Future you... what time did you send me to? Joy Boy had just become famous?
Rhett decided it was time to run.
Rhett, why are you running?!
Evil Rhett: I can't beat them. Shh. Keep reading.
The massacre was almost over. The blood mist army had cleared out nearly all the officers. But then, the blood mist around Rhett shuddered. A vast, hidden pressure came from deep within the city. It was dangerous, even to him.
"Tch. There is someone I can't beat." Rhett cursed internally.
"Boring. That's enough killing."
He shrugged, as if the bloodshed had nothing to do with him. The throne dissolved. He landed lightly with the girl.
He said to her, "Let's go. Time to run."
The girl looked up at him, stunned. His face had gone from cold killer to "let's get out of here." Her mind short-circuited. The man who had just summoned an army from his throne and killed without hesitation was now, without shame, saying they should run.
For the first time, her numb eyes showed a clear emotion: confusion.
But Rhett didn't give her time to process. He pulled her toward the harbor.
"Hey, don't just stand there! Remember: if you can win, fight to the death. If you can't..." He grinned back at her. "Run! It's not shameful. The one who survives is the winner. Got it?"
The blood mist spread behind them, blocking the view. He spotted a fast, sleek ship.
"Let's go! Time for a ride!"
He pulled her onto the ship, sat her in the co-pilot seat, and dropped into the pilot's seat. He looked at the flashing controls and holographic displays.
"Looks like a video game..." He pressed some buttons. The ship shook, humming unevenly, rising awkwardly toward the harbor exit.
"Good enough!"
"Almost got it."
"Getting used to it."
"Okay, I've got it."
"I'm the world champion now!!!"
Just as they left the harbor barrier, several powerful presences crashed down onto the street they had just left.
The light faded, revealing figures in armor blending ancient and modern designs. Their faces were dark. Their eyes swept over the destruction.
"Damn it! Too late!" The leader shouted.
But before they could lock onto the target, the blood mist over a residential area suddenly contracted and exploded.
BOOM—!!!
A deafening blast. Blood-red energy bloomed over the homes.
The shockwave flipped nearby vehicles. Protective shields flickered. Screams filled the air.
"Not good!"
The fighters had to stop and defend. They watched the unstable ship speed away, disappearing over the horizon.
"Who is he?!"
He was strong. Ruthless. And completely unpredictable. And shameless.
Rhett had kept his presence low at first, making it seem like the patrols could handle him. They hadn't bothered. But when they realized, it was too late.
And now, he had used this diversion to escape.
On the stolen ship, Rhett sensed the explosion and the chaos behind them. He smirked.
"See you later~"
He adjusted the ship's course, heading toward the unknown Blue Sea.
"Are you ready, my vice captain?"
Silence.
"Say 'oh~'"
"Oh~"
"Good. Here we go!"
Unlike the later era, this world wasn't just isolated islands. The lands were connected. Had they been sunk?
The girl looked out the window at the world she had never known. She looked at the man humming a tune beside her. Her confusion deepened.
From the moment she was found to have that "cursed, demonic power," her life had been decided. Atonement was her only purpose. Prayer was her daily routine. Sacrifice for Piruka was her fate.
She had never thought of rebelling. That would only mean greater sin.
But today, this man had come.