Shizuku furrowed her brow in irritation when she saw that her signature flames had left nothing more than a faint trace of soot across the dimensional beast's skin. Her fists clenched tightly at the sides of her maid uniform."This creature is far more stubborn than I expected," she grumbled, her deep voice laced with annoyance.Krai turned casually toward his maid, not a hint of panic showing on his face."Can't be helped. It's our first time fighting something from outside our dimension," Krai replied languidly, clasping both hands behind his head.Shizuku blinked her crimson eyes, studying her master with a sharp, probing gaze. She caught the unnatural calm in his demeanor."It seems you've already deduced something, Master."A faint smirk touched Krai's lips as he looked at his personal maid with clear appreciation."Spot on. Even if the details aren't entirely clear, I have a rough idea of where the previous Chaos Masters went.""I see. If they crossed into another dimension, tha

The grand corridors of the Great Dwarven Empire's subterranean palace lay dead silent, shrouded in profound grief. Crystal lanterns hung along the stone walls, casting only a faint golden glow that deepened the somber mood in the wake of the bloody incident.In the main audience chamber adorned with heavy metalwork, Griselda stood to receive them, her back slightly stooped."I understand. Lord Krai wishes to search for information regarding the previous Chaos Master," Griselda murmured softly. The dwarven elder had yet to recover from the deep grief of losing her loved one, but she did her best to maintain her composure before Krai.Noticing the sheer exhaustion etched into Griselda's wrinkled face, Krai said with polite consideration, "If this is too difficult, I can always come back another time.""No, I am fine. Please follow me. I will take Your Grace to the deepest library of the Great Dwarven Empire," Griselda replied, stepping forward to lead the way with the carved wooden staf

Krai stared at the crimson-haired maid with a mixture of bewilderment and awe. Her ability to completely mask her presence was nothing short of extraordinary."Shizuku, how long have you been standing there?""About thirty minutes."The answer rolled casually off Shizuku's delicate lips. She tilted her head slightly, her composed demeanor unshakeable."Why didn't you wake me?""I could never bring myself to disturb Master's peaceful slumber."Krai gently rubbed his forehead, pulling the blanket up to his chest. The corner of his mouth twitched at his maid's dangerously innocent attitude."Hah, I appreciate the thought. Anyway, I'm going to change. Could you turn around?"Shizuku remained standing right where she was. Her gaze locked onto her master, brimming with an intoxicating charm."Shizuku?" Krai asked tentatively, realizing she had no intention of budging."Does Master need help calming it down?""Huh?"Shizuku's index finger pointed straight toward Krai's groin beneath the thic

As the voice transmission ended, Krai turned toward Shizuku. The telepathic link snapped shut, leaving behind faint ripples of mana that slowly dissolved into the office air."Leave the empire to me, Master. You can go without worry."Shizuku bowed gracefully, resting her right palm over her heart. A fierce spark of confidence shone in the crimson-haired maid's eyes.Krai nodded in satisfaction, then shifted his gaze toward Evelyn and Rirui. Handling the palace bureaucracy of an empire this vast clearly required the touch of his most trusted confidantes."Sorry to dump this on you, but I'm leaving the empire in your hands."Krai looked between the two of them, his gaze brimming with complete trust.Evelyn offered a gentle smile, the aristocratic air she radiated only enhancing the black-haired, gold-eyed maiden's refined grace and dignity."I'm more than happy to help," she replied softly.She neatly straightened the stack of parchments in her hands with effortless poise. Her elegant

Krai and Haruna stepped out of the dimensional rift, landing on a floating stone platform. Below them, an ocean of magma glowed a searing red, erupting with intense waves of heat that warped the air.Sparks of glowing lava shot into the air, crumbling into ash as they hit the thin barrier of magical protection around Krai. The extreme temperature here could melt even the strongest iron in seconds."Hahaha! It's been so long since the last visitor came!"A raspy shout echoed loudly, shaking the stone structure and rattling the soul of anyone who heard it. The pressure-heavy voice came from the middle of the churning ocean of lava.Krai narrowed his eyes, scanning the magma ocean below on high alert."Master, over there," Haruna whispered, pointing toward a massive stone pillar in the middle of the glowing lake.Following where Haruna pointed, Krai saw the figure of a blood-red man. The man looked utterly thrilled to sense their presence.His neck, arms, torso, and legs were bound tight