Birds of a feather flock together. Achtreal had not been the only territory that suffered under the rule of a tyrannical Noble in the area. Its neighbouring territories also suffered from the same problem. Therefore, when the news about Achtreal's liberation was spread, many of the Nobles who governed the territories sweat coldly.

This, of course, didn't change anything. If any, the people got treated more harshly than before. The Nobles believed that treating them fairly would only make the people get cocky. By treating them more harshly, the Nobles were certain that they would forget the idea of rebelling.

Many were executed because of a mere accusation. The fear of getting accused of being a potential rebel was rising every day, so it was natural for the Nobles to believe their method was effectively working.

Alas, their egoistic mindset made them discard how resilient struggling people could be. Despite the looming threats and high potential of dying, there were still a lot of people who would rather die trying than live miserably.

Abigail and Gabriel, who had arrived at Achtreal first, told Felix to invite the representatives of the five neighbouring territories, which was what Layland had asked them to do before instructing Teanosvera to teleport them away. Because of that, the representatives were present in the office with palpable excitement.

"Lord Shadow.."

"Greetings, Lord shadow.."

"Enough." Layland waved his hand, prompting the bowing representatives to straighten themselves. Taking a good look at the worn-out people, he said, "I have to apologize for making you wait even though I rushed you to come here. I can't use Teleportation Gates, so I hope your hearts are big enough to give me some slack."

Layland wasn't lying. He truly couldn't use Teleportation Gates that the Kingdom owned. Anyone who used them would have their Mana Signature registered by the Kingdom. He was a wanted individual, so doing that was equal to suicide.

Abigail and Gabriela were different, though. Even though they were targeted by the Heroes, the Kingdom didn't want to meddle in their affairs. They could use Teleportation Gates and the Kingdom wouldn't come looking for them. They, of course, weren't aware of this. Layland was the only one who knew about it.

"Ah, no. We don't mind waiting for a whole week as long as we can meet you, Lord Shadow."

"Indeed. What is a week worth of waiting if we can get lifetime freedom in exchange?"

"Agreed."

Pointing his hand to the sofa in the room, Layland prompted the representatives to sit. He went to the chair that was previously occupied by Felix, sat down and then let Felix stand on his side.

Intertwining his fingers as he put his elbows on the desk, he said, "Let me hear your situation."

The representatives talked one by one. Layland listened to them carefully and decided the order of the liberation based on the severity of the situation in each territory.

When they were done, he told them to go home, gather as many masses as possible and wait for his arrival. None of them questioned him. They immediately stood up, thanked him and left. They were certain that he would come to their territories.

"Are you sure that you are going to liberate that many territories in a short amount of time, Lord Shadow?" Felix asked after the meeting.

"Why not?"

"You are going to alert the Kingdom this time, I am sure. Once you become a national crisis, the Heroes will also be actively looking for you."

"Let it be, Felix."

"My Lord—"

"Just call me Sir. Calling me Lord makes me think that you are putting me in the same spot as those Nobles we all despise."

"Oh my, you are way better than them, Sir! We are very sorry for that."

From his tone, one could tell that Felix was indignant and from how sincerely he was bowing, one could tell that he was mad at himself for not realizing how Layland would feel about how they called him. Abigail was right; everyone's respect toward Layland was immense.

"It's fine. You don't need to apologize like that—I am not going to punish you or anything." Layland waved his hand nonchalantly. "Well, for your worry, that is actually what I am aiming for. I need the Heroes to join the stage."

"..I am sorry?" Felix could faintly hear the mirth in Layland's tone, so he couldn't help but doubt his ears. "Why do you even want the Heroes to join in? Isn't that a little.." he trailed off since he didn't want to offend Layland.

Layland gave a soft throaty laugh. "I have time but I can't wait that long, Felix," he said cryptically, causing Felix to frown in confusion. "Ku-Ku-Ku. Just know that at the peak of the event, there will be a big reveal that will make you question your entire life."

Leaving the even confused Felix, Layland went to join the girls even before Felix could ask anything. Abigail and Gabriela were frowning as soon as he arrived there and he knew why they were—the fact that he had let go of Mark and Brianna.

The girls asked for some explanation and Layland merely told them to expect and wait. He then talked about the next liberation schedule and, like Felix, the girls asked if he was sure.

Again, he told them to expect and wait.

...

A week passed in the blink of an eye. Shadow had finally alerted the Kingdom enough for it to put a price on his head.

His head was now worth 1,000,000 Gold which was equivalent to 500,000,000 Peculia. The drastic price rise attracted the attention of a lot of Bounty Hunters but rather than increasing, the number of Bounty Hunters looking for him decreased.

Such a high price for someone's head means that the wanted person wasn't a bum. The number of Bounty Hunters who had worked together and failed miserably was also immense, so it was a big turn-off for most of the Bounty Hunters.

Because of those reasons, only highly skilled Bounty Hunters or Heroes were daring enough to still hunt Shadow. The result of the quest, unfortunately, remained unchanging.

Boom!

"Keuk..impossible."

The Shadow everyone was talking about, Layland, looked at the Bounty Hunter in front of him whose chest he had just punched through. The Bounty Hunter was not weak per se—he had shown an admirable prowess—but he had picked someone out of his league.

Winning was impossible and he realized it after Layland's fist passed through his chest.

Turning to the right, Layland looked at the trembling Hero who was looking at him in disbelief and dread. Layland, who already took his mask off, smiled softly at the Hero and approached her slowly, prompting her to step back every time he took a step.

"S-Stop... Layland, stop! I..I don't know anything about your problem. P-Please, don't—ah!"

Said Hero fell on her butt as Layland suddenly appeared before her. She lost her control over her bladder, unleashing everything it contained.

She let go of her daggers and crossed her hands above her head. She looked nothing like the image one would think of when one heard the word "Hero." She looked just like a powerless girl before the apex predator. One would instantly pity her the moment one saw her state.

Looking at the pool of urine on the ground in amusement, Layland remarked, "Sonna ni obieteru no ka?" (Are you that afraid of me?)

"Yurushite kudasai. Watashi nanimo shitenakattan janai ka! Nande..nande watashi made!?" (Please, forgive me. I didn't do anything to you, did I? Why..why do you have to target me too!?)

Himeno Yumiko, the Hero before Layland, was of Japanese descent which was why Layland was speaking in Japanese. One could hardly tell that she was Japanese should one look at her face; however, one would instantly say she was one the moment she spoke in Japanese.

"Mondai wa ne, Yumiko, omae wa muzai janai yo. Ano kuso yarou—omae no kareshi—ichidou ore wo nagutta koto arun darou? Shika ni, omae ga sou nzonda kara tte aitsu ga itta. Omae mo aitsu wo tomenakatta shi—jijitsu darou?"

(The problem is, Yumiko, you are not innocent. That son of a bitch—your boyfriend—had once beat me up, hadn't he? On top of it, he told me that you wanted it. You didn't stop him either—he wasn't lying, was he?)

Layland's retort made Yumiko's eyes widen. She quickly uncrossed her hands, frantically stood up and scrambled away like a drunkard chased by a rabid dog.

"You are working together with that bitch, aren't you!? I will just let you know that you are being played. That slut has been fucking everyone who has a dick between their crotch!" she screamed, hoping it would stop Layland from killing her.

Unfortunately for her, it didn't work. Layland still cut her feet with Rexorem to stop her. She squealed in pain like a pig as she put her hands on her thighs in disbelief. Layland appeared beside her and then put his foot on her mouth to silence her.historical

"Shut up, bitch. I know Asian women know how to be loud but shouldn't your white blood tone it down a little bit?" Layland said as he massaged one of his ears lightly. "Tell me something and I will let you go."

"Hmmm..hmmm!"

"Oops."

Layland moved his foot allowing Yumiko to speak. "Are you not lying?"

"Yes, I am not lying."

"T-Then, ask me."

Smiling at the female Hero, Layland asked. "What are Brianna and Mark doing lately?"

Yumiko said answered that the two were lobbying Celia, the senior Holy Maiden. Layland hummed to himself since he didn't get what the two were attempting but he still fulfilled his promise—he let go of Yumiko.

Unfortunately for her, as soon as Layland jumped onto Genelos' back to join the girl, said Wyvern "accidentally" sneezed; thus, killing her with his fire breath.