Step by step, Tanton and the Vice Commander followed the ordinary knight’s guidance outside Londan, moving toward the mysterious space that had appeared. Under normal circumstances, they might have considered bringing reinforcements, but given that they would be entering an unknown space, such measures were deemed unnecessary.

Londan’s iron rule was never to enter an unfamiliar space lightly. Entering such spaces could lead to death at the hands of an Entity or, more often, to the space severing abruptly, with little to no chance of return.

These risks justified the decision for only the two of them to investigate. According to the knight, he had discovered the space while patrolling near the Gardener's Garden. Initially, he felt a strange compulsion to enter but quickly regained his senses. He claimed the light emanating from the space was mesmerizing.

“Were there any issues during yesterday’s patrol?” asked the Vice Commander.

“No, there was definitely no sign of this space yesterday.”

“You’re certain?”

“Yes, absolutely!”

The Vice Commander’s voice held a hint of suspicion, which was understandable—if this space had gone unchecked for several days, something could have already slipped into Londan.

However, the knight's emphatic nod and reluctant expression suggested it was not the worst-case scenario.

“This is it,” the knight said, stopping and pointing to a cave-like structure.

At first glance, it seemed like a natural formation, but as the Vice Commander and Tanton approached, they peered inside to get a better view.

“There’s something here,” murmured the Vice Commander.

They could see it—the strange, otherworldly light.

It wasn’t entirely clear, but there was an unmistakable connection to another space.

The Vice Commander’s expression turned contemplative. Tanton felt an inexplicable sense of unease about entering this unknown realm. However, the Vice Commander soon steeled himself, seemingly confident that Tanton’s immunity to Entities would minimize their risk.

“Let’s go in.”

“Vice Commander?!” the knight called out in shock, but the Vice Commander gave him a stoic look.

“Have White Mask cover my duties temporarily. She can serve as the face for now, can’t she?”

“But if you’re injured….”

“Are you hoping I’ll get hurt?”

“N-no, of course not….”

The Vice Commander offered a faint smile, resting a reassuring hand on the knight’s shoulder.

“If we don’t act, nothing changes. Each challenge must be met for us to move forward. Isn’t that right?”

Tanton glanced at him, slightly surprised by the words of wisdom. Perhaps, like many profound sayings, it was just an offhand comment, yet the Vice Commander, with his stoic gaze, seemed fully committed to returning safely.

Yes, Tanton thought, we must return alive. He was undertaking this journey to help restore her memories.

“Are you ready, Vice Commander?”

“Indeed. Keep an eye on things here.”

The knight saluted sharply, wishing them a safe return, before running back to Londan. With that, Tanton and the Vice Commander stepped into the mysterious space.

Upon entering, Marenne, the Vice Commander, was rendered speechless, taking in his surroundings in silence.

What he saw was horrifying.

Corpses lay strewn in mountains, grotesquely mutilated, some so freshly dead that their skin still felt disturbingly alive when they accidentally stepped on them.

It seemed recent victims had suffered within this space. Marenne sighed in a mix of frustration and resignation.

“This place is far from safe,” he muttered.

“Y-yes, I can tell,” Tanton replied, attempting to sound cautious.

Though Tanton appeared unperturbed, Marenne wasn’t surprised. After all, Tanton had completed his duties in the Gardener's Garden without succumbing to trauma, so this sight probably seemed mundane to him. Still, Tanton’s halting response conveyed a slight hint of consideration.

“Let’s press on,” Marenne instructed.

“Yes, sir.”

As they moved further, the grotesque scene only worsened. Marenne had witnessed countless horrors, but a space so brazenly littered with corpses was a rare sight.

Whoever crafted Londan's rules must have survived something as brutal as this, he thought.

“Tanton, are you all right?”

“Yes, except for a bit of hunger….”

The fact that Tanton could feel hunger in such a place sent chills down Marenne’s spine. Though he often admired Tanton’s resilience, there were moments like this when he felt something closer to fear, as if a part of Tanton’s moral compass was missing.

Nonetheless, Marenne could sense Tanton’s genuine desire to protect others. Perhaps it was fortunate that his sense of justice was directed toward Londan. With a resigned sigh, Marenne handed Tanton a piece of bread.

“Eat this. It’s all I have on me.”

“Oh, but then you won’t have anything, Vice Commander…”

“If you don’t eat it now, it’s gone.”

“In that case, I’ll eat it gratefully.”

Marenne watched as Tanton eagerly devoured the bread, shaking his head with a faint smile. He’d have to give all their provisions to Tanton at this rate.

They surveyed the expansive area, finding nothing noteworthy. Tanton seemed puzzled, glancing around as if second-guessing their trip.

Noticing Tanton’s frustration, Marenne rested a hand on his shoulder.

“Don’t be too hasty. The abundance of bodies suggests something is definitely here.”

“Oh, right… the bodies. Understood.”

Marenne raised an eyebrow at Tanton’s response, finding it strange that he’d overlooked the corpses scattered around them.

No wonder the reports from Muyeon had been so odd, Marenne mused.

With each step deeper, they began to hear the unsettling sound of bones crunching underfoot. The further they went, the more Marenne yearned to leave this macabre place.

Then, Tanton pointed ahead. “Vice Commander!”

Marenne followed his gaze. There, amidst the sea of corpses, two figures were moving erratically.

From afar, they resembled human forms.

“Let’s approach cautiously.”

“Yes, sir.”

They stepped carefully, finding patches of ground clear enough to avoid the bodies. When they got close enough, Marenne crouched behind a pile of corpses, watching the figures closely.

One figure had his back turned, so Marenne couldn’t fully make him out.

A human? Or an Entity?

The one facing the man with his back turned was unmistakably an Entity, its skin covered in scales and its eyes glowing red.

“V-Vice Commander…” Tanton stammered.

“What is it?”

Tanton pointed nervously at the man’s back. “Isn’t that… him?”

“Who?”

Marenne squinted, watching the two figures exchange blows. As they shifted positions, he finally caught a glimpse of the man’s face. His eyes widened in shock, and without thinking, he reacted.

BANG!

As the Entity launched an attack that almost struck the man’s back, Marenne’s greatsword intercepted, deflecting the blow.

He turned his gaze to the man, stunned.

“W-who is this?!”

Hearing his voice, the man turned, and Marenne’s suspicions were confirmed. Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes.

“Vice Commander?!”

The man before him was none other than the Martial God himself.