Joy Boy's fist tore through space itself. The ground—Zunesha's very skin—split apart like fabric being ripped in two.
Yet no matter how violently space twisted and trembled, Carl stood unmoved, steady as a mountain, within the white repulsion field.
Joy Boy stared at Carl's youthful face. A strange emotion flashed through his eyes.
"Celestial Dragon..."
His pupils fractured into radiant sunbursts and began spinning rapidly.
"My era is about to arrive. You can't stop it!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, the power of Nika around Joy Boy surged into a golden torrent, turning the fractured void as bright as day. Carl's silhouette began to blur beneath the searing light—but his laughter still pierced through the rumble and roar.
"Still clinging to that 'your era' nonsense? You're just a clown!"
...
Out of nowhere, countless swirling black vortices appeared, spinning in reverse. Darkness surged forth and filled the space Joy Boy had torn apart, clashing directly with the golden tide of Nika's power.
Joy Boy's eyes snapped open. The golden sunburst patterns in his irises spun even faster as he raised a hand and shouted:
"Imagination Manifestation: Great Sun Overhead!"
Buzz!
From within the golden flood of Nika's energy, a massive orb of radiant gold suddenly rose—just like a true sun.
The sun, formed entirely from the essence of Nika, began to radiate blinding white light. Its brilliance swept across the back of Zunesha, driving out every trace of darkness.
Yet those dazzling rays couldn't touch Carl. Before the light could even graze him, it was completely swallowed by the black aura surrounding his body.
...
Then, a chorus of terrified screams reached Carl's ears—cries from the Mink Tribe still huddled on Zunesha's back.
Among them were Wanda and Carrot's sisters. They were non-combatants, choosing to hide in a corner of Zunesha rather than join the battle.
Carl had noticed them the moment he arrived. He hadn't forgotten the promise he made to Wanda and Carrot: that he would spare those who hadn't taken part in the war.
Even in the midst of battle with Joy Boy, he'd made sure his darkness never reached their corner.
But Joy Boy didn't care. That sun of his warped everything it touched. The weaker Minks couldn't withstand its light. Their bodies were already beginning to tremble and distort under the unseen force.
Carl's lips curled into a cold smirk.
Joy Boy didn't care about those lives—but Carl did.
He waved his hand. A stream of darkness surged forth, sweeping across Zunesha's broad back. It locked precisely onto the shivering Minks trapped within the blazing light.
Bathed in what should have been warm, gentle sunlight, their faces were full of fear. They could feel an invisible force trying to tear their bodies apart, and it was growing stronger by the second—soon, it would crush them entirely.
Just then, a great black curtain unfurled above them, casting a deep shadow that blocked the light. A dark sanctuary emerged.
For the first time, the terrifying darkness became a source of comfort.
They could feel it clearly—the killing force that had threatened to tear them apart was gone. Darkness had saved them.
Before they could even react, the black curtain dropped, scooping them up and sending them soaring through the sky—toward Mary Geoise atop the Red Line.
...
At Mary Geoise, Carl's personal attendants had already gathered outside the Figarland estate, standing alongside Shalria. All of them stared nervously at the giant elephant Zunesha in the distance.
The women stood together, radiant and beautiful, like a field of blooming flowers.
Yet the normally lustful male Celestial Dragons didn't dare sneak even a glance. Not just because Mary Geoise was in crisis, but because everyone knew who these women belonged to.
Among the attendants, Wanda and Carrot were the most anxious. They worried deeply for their kin still trapped on Zunesha's back.
Suddenly, a river of darkness surged through the air and descended before the group.
In the next moment, the darkness vanished—revealing a group of dazed Minks.
Most of them were young women, wide-eyed and confused by the unfamiliar surroundings. Then one of them spotted familiar faces in the crowd and cried out in joy:
"Look! It's Sister Wanda and Carrot!!"
Wanda and Carrot's eyes lit up with tears. Overcome with emotion, they couldn't even speak at first.
Some of the rescued Minks tried to run toward them—but were immediately stopped by black-clad and golden-armored guards.
The black-clad ones didn't worry the Minks—after all, most of them were seasoned fighters. But the golden-armored guards radiated a deadly aura. Beneath their dazzling helmets were cold, unblinking eyes. They were the elite guardians of the Figarland family.
The oppressive pressure from the gold-armored troops made several of the Minks gulp nervously and stay put.
Surprisingly, it was Shalria who stepped forward first. She had noticed Wanda and Carrot's reactions—and connected them to the dark surge just now.
She raised her voice toward the golden-armored guards.
"Stand down! These Minks were sent here by Saint Carl! They're under your protection!"
The moment she spoke, several Celestial Dragons who had been eyeing the Minks with impure intentions immediately shuddered and backed away. The golden-armored guards turned toward their burly captain.
That man was none other than Carlos, captain of the First Guard Squad. Upon hearing Shalria's command, he immediately ordered his men:
"Let them through. Women only."
Carlos understood Shalria's special position within the Figarland family. He had no desire to offend her over something like this.
Though a "man of war," Carlos was keenly aware of subtle matters. All these women behind them belonged to the Figarland family—and to Saint Carl, including Wanda and Carrot.
Judging by the Minks' excitement, he knew there would be hugs and tears soon. As the loyal captain of Carl's guard, it was his duty to protect not just Carl's life—but his dignity. Anything that might make his master uncomfortable had to be preemptively avoided.
...
Now that the golden-armored guards stood aside, Wanda's sisters rushed forward and surrounded her and Carrot, weeping as they recounted their recent suffering.
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+150 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg