Okay… What now?

We are essentially moments away from re-enacting what happened last time, and there is barely enough time to get my bearings.

Still, I don't plan on making the same error as last time.

The instant I gain consciousness, I take control of our vessel and turn the direction away from the shore.

"W-what's happening?!"

Naturally, my action causes some commotion, and Enrydral yells out in shock.

Tyrrion also expresses some discomfort, but he simply eyes me in silence. I can tell he's annoyed by my sudden action, though.

"I had a vision. It will make sense later, but right now… we need to leave this place. No matter what, we cannot land on the coast!"

The smart thing to do would be to return to the Central Plains and obtain reinforcements.

But that's the best case scenario.

'Will Kalakuta allow that? If we manage to escape, there's no telling if he and his warriors will still be around when we return.'

I grit my teeth in mild frustration.

I am grateful for my regression, but this is the first time it has taken me to a rather inconvenient point in time—a moment where I can barely affect anything.

'I have to make the best out of what I have!'

After manning the ship for a brief while, I'm finally able to steer it in the direction of the Central Plains.

Such an abrupt change causes some imbalance, but nothing too extreme.

We are still on the right path!

"We're returning to the Central Plains? What of the Emperor? Why can't we land on the coast?" Enrydral questions my decision yet again, and I groan silently.

I respect this man deeply, but he is being too inquisitive at the moment.

It is too distracting.

But his reaction is also understandable.

I should explain.

"The Emperor can wait. Right now, I believe we have a traitor in our midst. Kalakuta and his men are waiting for us on the coast, and they wouldn't have known about our arrangements unless someone told him."

"W-what? Kalakuta?!"

At this point, even Tyrrion stirs, his ugly face twisting even further.

"Do you think it's representatives from the Western or Eastern Continents?"

I shake my head solemnly.

It's natural to suspect them first, but I have already confirmed that the likelihood is slim.

"It's one of our own people. Tell me everything you can about the two Imperial Knights we left back in the Sanctuary." My voice remains low as I look around in a panic.

"Those two? What about them?"

"Just answer!"

If my guess is right, then it's possible that one of them could be the spy. After all, they know all about my Armaments, and they are also aware of the Central Plains plan.

Although they were never given a specific date in which I would be returning, I did inform them of the range. Kalakuta and his men could have camped at the coast during that period and waited for my return.

Then there's the fact that I heard him mention stuff about my Divination. This is only something that the likes of them would know.

He also wasn't taken aback by my use of Tracing, which means he must have anticipated that as well.

These are all things that the Imperial Knights knew about, because I had to reveal them to make things more convenient for myself.

He also got rid of the Magivores in the vicinity because he knows that I possess the ability to command them.

'But how did he know the exact location of the shore?' It only takes me a few seconds before I answer the question myself. 'I developed a map of No Man's Land and showed the Emperor while also telling him of all my plans. I also shared the map with the Knights, just in case they needed to navigate the wilderness for some reason.'

This must be how Kalakuta knew about the shore. He must have circled around No Man's Land with his few men as inconspicuously as he could in preparation for our arrival.

These are all decisions he could have only made due to information he should not have.

All of this means the spy is among us!

But who is it?!

"I don't know a lot about them. One was appointed because his father was an influential Noble, and the other is the younger brother of the Captain."

"Wait… the Captain's younger brother?!"

Something clicks immediately.

The Captain was the first spy, and I caught onto him rather early in the Trial Scenario. I just never assumed he would have an accomplice.

No, it's possible he had several.

But most of the Imperial Knights died during our journey, leaving two.

'One is his younger brother. If there's a spy among us, it is that fellow!' The moment I think this, a brilliant detonation erupts in front of me.

Its source is a dark crimson ray of light stemming from a tall cliff behind.

I already know who it is from.

Casting my gaze behind me and looking yonder, I once again witness the man's glorious form and his intimidating presence.

I whisper, "Kalaluta!"

"Greetings, everyone. We are the Freedom Fighters, here to liberate you from the tyranny of the corrupt government." Once again, his loud voice bursts forth, and even at sea, I can hear him clearly. "My name is Kalaluta, and you have my word that if you surrender, no harm will come to you."

The same words as before.

But after seeing just how frightening this man is, there's no way I'm allowing us to be captured.

'I blame myself. Why didn't I realize there could be more than one spy?' Shaking my head, I quickly dismiss the thought. 'It's too late for regrets and self-reflection now, though.'

Right now, I should have only one thought.

'How do we get out of this alive?!'

All of a sudden, several splashes of water rise to the surface and men rise from the sea as though they were geysers.

Several of them surround us in the waters, and a few even begin to grab hold of our vessel.

'Shit!' Panic spreads across my face.

Even though I took action right away, I couldn't prevent us from getting surrounded.

We're also at sea, which means my fighting ability has been reduced drastically. But that doesn't mean I'm completely powerless.

'I'll take you all down before you get on board!' Unsheathing my blade, I quickly begin to target the enemies, once again slaughtering them with one-hit kills.

Kalakuta quickly catches on to this and shouts a command I already predicted, "Keep your distance. That blade of his is dangerous."

Afterwards, projectiles fly towards me exclusively. However, my C Grade defensive Armament protects me from harm.

Unfortunatwly… I am unable to relish in my victory.

After all—

BOOOM!!!

Kalakuta fires off his beam of dark crimson light once again, and it easily destroys the vessel we occupy.

The entire ship explodes, and the three of us are sent flying into the water.

I instinctively use Tracing to teleport to the nearby shore, since I once stood there in my previous turn.

Clicking my tongue, I feel a sense of frustration.

'It can't be helped. Tyrrion and Enrydral are still alive. Even if they can't swim, I'm sure Kalakuta will ensure they are rescued by his men. I'll let them expend their energy rescuing them, and when they are brought to the shore, I'll take them off their hands. The problem I have to deal with now, though—'

My eyes narrow as I watch the juggernaut of a man descend the cliff.

'—Is Kalakuta!'

BOOOM!!

The ground rumbles the moment he lands, and I feel an insurmountable feeling swelling against me.

I am the Leviathan here, and yet this fellow feels impossible to defeat.

Hehe… But so what?

"Why are you smiling?" Kalakuta asks me with a raised brow. "Is life so meaningless to you that you'd have such a countenance even after slaughtering living men?"

"What?"

A certain confusion plays on my face.

What is this guy talking about?

'Aren't you the one who burned down the Capital and slaughtered many in your coup?'

"Those men approached with every intention to die for the cause, though, so I cannot hold you responsible for their deaths." He slowly walks towards me with a hardened countenance. "Regardless, since you have done the permanent act of taking their lives, your intentions are already clear. Since we cannot reason with each other, I will end y—"

While he is mid speech, I teleport behind him.

WHOOSH!!

I swing my blade while also letting out my final ace—the long-range burst of electricity that is the ability of my final Armament.

CLANG!

Naturally, my blade ricochets off, and the crackle of electricity does basically nothing to the giant.

But I already expected this.

Kalakuta shifts his attention to my attacks, and he immediately moves to subdue me.

However, I immediately teleport once more.

Even though he has me outmatched in speed, with instantaneous travel thanks to Tracing, I can still achieve my objective.

WHOOSH!

Just as planned, I appear right in front of him this time, my venomous blade now coated in deep blue lightning.

My target is one of his eyes!

'I'll pierce through that soft part of his body and cut into his brain. Then, I'll use Tracing to disappear and wait for his death!'

With a maniacal grin on my face, I move to end things in one clean strike.

'Die!'

But—

"Hmph!" Kalakuta swiftly dodges my attack despite it being in point-blank range.

How is that even possible?!

"Killing me won't be that easy!"

He grunts, grabbing my blade and pulling me closer to him.

I immediately panic and use Tracing to retreat, but he won't let me off. The moment I vanish several steps away from him, I notice he has already closed the gap and is swinging his massive club towards me.

Left with no other choice, I vanish once more—only to repeat the same cycle.

'This is ridiculous!' I think to myself in sheer wonder. 'Just who is this man?'

Never in my life have I met someone who countered Tracing to such a degree. It's taking everything in my power not to die at his hands.

And the worst part?

'He's acclimating to my movements!'

I can tell.

It'll only be a matter of time before I meet my end at this man's hands.

Such a frightening thought.

'What should I do? Unless I teleport far away, perhaps into the sea… I cannot outpace him. But if the distance is too vast, he'll use his B Grade Armament's power.'

I could also try to escape to the Central Continent, but he has Enrydral and Tyrrion with him.

That's an automatic loss for me.

'Damn it!' I growl to myself. 'How am I supposed to win this?!'

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