◆ Avangarde Castle, King’s Chamber ◆ “Listen, I did my best to keep watch, you know? But when someone like that threatens me with ‘Don’t get in my way,’ anyone would instinctively run away! I should have informed everyone beforehand, but that would have been the same as getting in the way! Honestly, I felt … Counter Stop – Chapter 94
Ikana Village It wasn’t even a decisive battle. In fact, it wasn’t a battle at all. What unfolded before me was a scene of utter brutality. Mugen, pierced by a hand clad in black gauntlets, was now devoid of even the slightest trace of his fierce fighting spirit, impaled by the Funeral Knight and held … Counter Stop – Chapter 93
◆ Bears Forest – Northern Region ◆ The massive Gigas Horse-drawn carriage could only make it to the entrance of the forest, so now it was just Kirkton, Mugen, Roel, and me—four of us walking on foot. I had never realized it while living in the village, but Ikana Village seems to be located near … Counter Stop – Chapter 92
◆ Avangarde Castle, King’s Chamber ◆ “Oh, so this is the Millennium Herb… how beautiful.” The King wasn’t the only one taken aback by our return with the Millennium Herb; Prime Minister Belmund’s eyes widened as he repeatedly confirmed its existence. The whispers from the surrounding guards revealed just how unbelievable it was for us … Counter Stop – Chapter 91
Leopardess Guild – White Leopard – Onboard the Ship A ship stood proudly against the backdrop of the blue sea and a cloudless sky. Its sails bore the silhouette of a beast baring its fangs, captured from a diagonal angle. The White Leopard, Leopard Fang, and Leopard Claw faced the ship head-on. At the forefront … Counter Stop – Chapter 90
Onboard the Leopardess Guild Ship, “White Leopard” Roel, the sixty-four villagers, and I successfully boarded the Leopardess Guild’s ship. What surprised me the most was how much larger this vessel was compared to the passenger ship we had just come from. The height difference was so significant that we had to use a ladder to … Counter Stop – Chapter 89
Azuma – Deep in the Mountains – Day 3 In the end, the villagers chose to abandon the village they had painstakingly developed. Perhaps they would not suffer any harm. But as I had known since our arrival, this country is abnormal. Those people might truly massacre us for harboring the disrespect towards Lord Daigami. … Counter Stop – Chapter 88
◆ Near the Summit of Mount Daigami ◆ The severed body of Daigami lay on the ground, its legs and neck still connected to its torso, as if it wanted to say something. “I… I did it… I killed the Divine Being…” “Was this the right thing to do…?” Though it was for the sake … Counter Stop – Chapter 87
The Path to Mount Daigami’s Summit In the dead of night, Nanoka and Konoka were heading towards the Purification Ritual, accompanied by four adults. Each of them held a wooden stick with a flame at the tip, illuminating the darkness around us. The mountain path was different from the forest we had traversed; it was … Counter Stop – Chapter 86
Azuma – The Village Deep in the Mountains “Tomorrow’s Purification Ritual will be just a few adults and us,” Nanoka said. “What do you do during the purification?” I asked. “Um, I don’t really know.” The Purification Ritual. Apparently, it’s something that takes place on one’s fifteenth birthday at Mount Daigami. It’s an important ceremony … Counter Stop – Chapter 85