10,

Upon hearing King Allen's speech, the four men exchanged glances before nodding in consensus.

First, the tall and lean man took a stand and knelt down. Then, the second, the third, and finally, all four men knelt down.

No one spoke, their actions seemingly expressing their thoughts. King Allen nodded in satisfaction in return.

"Damn it..."

Seeing this, although no one took notice of Mr.Cyclone, he felt awkward standing while everyone else was kneeling. To think that the peculiar creature was the king of Arlen City was beyond his wildest dreams.

In order not to offend anyone further, the recently-spared Mr.Cyclone followed suit and knelt as well.

At this point, Sonja returned.

She jumped down from the upper level and quickly knelt beside King Allen, her head bowed.

"The maid...I let her escape. My deepest apologies..."

Sonja expressed remorse for her failure.

However, King Allen also replied gently.

"Ah, it's all right, Head of Sonja."

Receiving King Allen's sympathy, Sonja finally raised her head.

"I apologize, Your Majesty. There's another matter. I've confirmed it. It's indeed the Prime Minister himself."

"Hmm, understood."

King Allen replied briefly. On the other hand, after finishing her report, Sonja shot Mr.Cyclone a slight smile.

Seeing her expression, Mr.Cyclone couldn't help but smile.

King Allen, still with his back to Mr.Cyclone, didn't turn around but began to speak.

"To think we've been played all along by the Prime Minister..."

"Your Majesty..."

"His sick sense of pleasure, where he enjoys secretly watching my failure while indulging in sexual pleasure..."

Hearing this, Mr.Cyclone mumbled to himself.

"Damn, is he talking about the stuff that's about to happen to me?"

No one heard Mr.Cyclone's comment, and King Allen continued in his normal vein.

"However, today seems to be the end of his luck. Who could've imagined, everything came so suddenly."

In the midst of speaking, King Allen finally turned to look at Mr.Cyclone.

"Young man, what's your name?"

A bit surprised, but Mr.Cyclone answered honestly.

"Mr.Cyclone...Mr.Cyclone Dio."

Still kneeling, Mr.Cyclone had to keep his head up to see King Allen.

"Mr.Cyclone, is it? On behalf of Arlen City, I express my highest gratitude to you!"

"What, what?"

Mr.Cyclone was taken aback when he heard this. Seeing his reaction, Sonja explained.

"Just now, the man you killed was the Prime Minister of Arlen City. He abused his power and expanded his influence within the Royal City. If not for the former king... "

"Captain Sonja!"

King Allen stopped Sonja abruptly.

"There's no fault in my father. The Prime Minister was once a loyal servant who devoted everything for the sake of the king. It’s all because he was influenced by black magic."

"...I understand."

After stopping Sonja, King Allen looked back at Mr.Cyclone.

"Impressive...to defeat Arlen's most powerful magician at such a young age."

At this instant, Mr.Cyclone didn't know how to respond. Who would believe that he defeated the powerful magician just by throwing a vase, especially when he couldn't even cast magic or fight?

"Regardless, no words can express my great admiration for you, young man...no, the great hero of Arlen! Is there anything you wish for? Any wish that I can fulfill, I promise to grant you!"

At that moment, Mr.Cyclone was stunned.The next instant, a smile crossed his face, inexplicably.

"I've become a great hero, huh? Heh heh~heh heh~"

Mr. Cyclone had thought that all the dangers had passed. What lay ahead was perhaps the most intriguing chapter of his life. However, when he was about to relish the moment and voice his wishes,

"How could I let you, the rat who murdered my master, live!!!!!!"

A guttural roar from close-by. Just beyond the room's doorway. There was a burst of misplaced rock, the door went missing, and a familiar figure reappeared.

As Mr. Cyclone turned to look, it was already too late; the enormous scythe was less than half a meter from his neck.

"Watch out!!!!!!!!!!"

The Sword of Wind whooshed past Mr. Cyclone's neck, its strong gust blocking the ominous black vapor from the scythe.

Right by Mr. Cyclone's neck, two formidable forces collided.

With a sudden explosion, the world went white, everything dissolving like ink in water.

In the middle of it all was Mr. Cyclone, who by now could see nothing.

***