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Disregarding the unsettling term master, Myre stated flatly, “I used my innate ability, Heartbeats of Resolve, on her. Both my heart and hers have ceased beating.”

She gestured toward the two hearts amidst a pool of blood on the ground.

“I see, I see. That’s a rare innate ability,” Luna applauded. “But if your hearts ceased beating together, how come you’re still alive?”

“That’s because Myre has two hearts,” she replied honestly.

“Two hearts…”

With another sigh, Luna remarked, “This world is indeed filled with wonders. The existence of someone with two hearts must be unsettling to many.”

“This is the first time Myre has encountered someone as terrifying as she was as well.” A trace of fear appeared in Myre’s expression as she recalled what happened earlier.

“All right, I understand the situation now. I have a few questions for you.”

“Please, go ahead.”

“Why aren’t you afraid of my presence?” Luna tapped her cherry lips thoughtfully, tilting her head to the side. “After such a strenuous effort, having paid a steep price, and even sacrificing one of your hearts to temporarily best a formidable foe, you would normally be reveling in victory. I was expecting you to be astonished, in disbelief or in denial at my unexpected appearance. How can you stay so calm?”

Approaching Myre, Luna met her gaze as if seeking an answer in her eyes.

“That’s because…” A mysterious smile spread across Myre’s face. “I have achieved my goal.”

Luna gave her a puzzled look. “Hm? Goal? Was it not to win this match?”

“Victory in a single match signifies little.”

“Indeed, it’s all about the score.” Luna nodded in agreement.

“So, what now? Will you continue to fight?”

“I’m sorry. We’ve reached our limit. For this match, we concede.” Myre bowed apologetically.

“Oh, how boring. I was looking forward to witnessing your innate ability,” Luna expressed her disappointment.

“Myre regrets to inform you that, with only one heart remaining, she can no longer use that ability again.”

“You actually spent your once-in-a-lifetime ability here. That’s true determination.”

Luna scanned the surroundings, taking in the giant crater that seemed bottomless, the walls glowing red like embers from the heat, fragments of rocks that were scattered around, and the thick and sweltering air. It was not difficult to imagine what had transpired here.

“It can’t be helped. We’re simply outmatched,” Myre admitted with a resigned smile. “However, there’s one last thing Myre would like to ask of Princess Luna.”

“What is it?”

“Would you kindly end Myre’s life?” Myre suddenly pulled out a dagger and handed it over to Luna. “Myre is afraid of pain, so please make it a swift end,” she said, pointing to her chest.

“Someone who endured the agony of ripping her own heart out actually fears pain?” Luna played with the dagger in her hand, seeing her own smirk on its shiny blade. “Never mind that. I know what you’re trying to do.”

Myre froze for a moment, before forcing a smile. “Myre is just surrendering.”

“Oh?” Luna gave her a teasing look. “Then, let me ask you. Are you sure you can use your innate ability only once, right here and now?”

She pointed toward the sky.

“…Myre will fight you!” she declared abruptly, lunging at Luna with a second dagger she had concealed.

Luna effortlessly stepped to the side, dodging the attack with ease.

However, Myre was only feigning an attack. She exploited the brief opening created by Luna’s dodge to drive her dagger deep into Luna’s chest.

“Why the hurry? I still have questions for you.” Luna caught Myre’s wrist in a firm grip, her tone light and mocking. “Did you really think such simple tricks would work on me?”

Myre pursed her lips and shut her eyes, resigning herself. “Kill me, do whatever you wish.”

“There’s no need to be scared. I told you, I only want to ask you a question,” Luna reassured, her tone unexpectedly gentle, reminiscent of a middle-aged uncle coaxing a child with candy.

“What question?” Myre opened her eyes.

“Nothing much, it’s just a very simple question,” Luna replied, pointing toward the two hearts on the ground. “Do you believe Master Lilith is truly dead?”

“Clearly. With her heart gone, she must be dead!” Myre responded, exasperated, as if her intelligence was being insulted.

“But we’re in the Immaculate Tree Domain. How could it be possible to die?”

“Of course, you won’t really die, until the Immaculate Tree Domain determines you’ve suffered a fatal injury and transports you out of the match. This is common sense, don’t… you… know…”

Myre seemed like realization had just struck her. Her confidence waned and she turned a shade paler as if she had lost more than just a heart. She stiffly turned her head around and looked past Luna, her gaze settling on Lilith, who lay motionless in a pool of blood.

Hm, good. She is lying in the pool of blood lifelessly. But… Why… Why hasn’t the Immaculate Tree Domain sent her out of here yet?

“How foolish,” Luna whispered into Myre’s ear before gently pushing Myre’s wrist, driving the dagger into Myre’s own chest. The sensation of the cold blade piercing her heart was immediate, yet strangely, Myre felt no pain.

Haha… I must be dreaming… right? No one can survive without a heart.

Myre slumped onto the ground. Tasting the blood that came up her throat as she gasped, “W-Why…?”

Luna crouched beside Myre and sympathetically explained, “Because… she isn’t a human to begin with. Consider this a small punishment. Don’t try pulling anything funny again the next time we meet. The Immaculate Tree Domain won’t be there to protect you.”

Luna gently shut Myre’s eyes with her hand, a flash of white light then appeared and Myre vanished. Turning her attention to Calvin, Luna nonchalantly tossed the dagger at his feet.

“What do you mean by that?” Calvin’s expression darkened.

“What do you think I mean?” Luna countered with a playful tone.

After a lengthy stare, Calvin looked down at the dagger and clenched his jaw. “I’ll settle the score someday,” he vowed.

“Fine, I heard you. Do you want me to give you a little book for free to jot that down?” Luna yawned, clearly unimpressed by Calvin’s resolve.

“You!” Calvin glowered in frustration. Picking the dagger up without much of a choice, he slit his own throat and disappeared in a flash of white light.

With Calvin gone, Princess Estelle’s body hit the ground hard. The impact dealt the final blow, and she, too, turned into a white light and vanished.

“It’s so silent all of a sudden.”

Luna attempted to rouse Lilith without success, then stood and surveyed the cavern and the paths connected to it.

She eventually spotted a black shadowfish struggling for life under a pile of rocks, coated in mud.

“Life’s been tough on you, hasn’t it? Let me free you from your suffering.”

Luna recalled Skarst demonstration earlier and proceeded to clumsily descale and gut the fish. She started a campfire and without any seasoning, she placed the fish directly over the flames.

The scent of the grilled fish soon filled the air.

Holding her cheeks, Luna waited patiently. Lilith’s fingers twitched first before she abruptly sat up. Her eyes lit up akin to brass lanterns.