Boom!

At the same time—

Two even more terrifying auras erupted nearby, soaring straight into the heavens.

They came from Fiona and Lucio, who had fully released their power without restraint.

"Did you not hear Her Highness?"

Lucio's face was cold and sharp.

"Or must I personally escort you back into your cages?"

Fiona's dragon pupils narrowed, her expression fierce.

"Get back to your cells—now!

How dare you anger my lady?!"

Rego and Demore's expressions instantly turned ugly.

They had indeed acted impulsively…

But to give up their hard-won freedom just like that?

Absolutely impossible.

"M-Miss… please give me another chance."

Rego looked at Lilith, his voice filled with conflict.

Demore, in contrast, said nothing.

He swept an icy gaze across Rego, then fixed his eyes on Lilith.

"I already gave you a chance,"

Lilith replied without hesitation.

She had come here to offer an opportunity.

If they failed to grasp it—or worse, challenged her authority—she would never show mercy.

Power she could not control was power she would rather discard.

This was a lesson her father, Leo, had drilled into her long ago.

"Hmph! Princess!"

Demore suddenly spoke, his voice hoarse and dangerous.

"You let me out—I appreciate that."

"And fighting aliens? Sure, I'm interested."

"But…"

His tone shifted, and his aura surged chaotically.

"What I hate most—

is being ordered around!"

Most beings imprisoned here had once been top-tier powerhouses of various starfields—

each suppressed only because they refused to submit to the Zisen Sacred Empire.

Their pride was not to be trampled.

Lilith remained calm.

"I think you misunderstand something."

Her voice was soft, yet carried a biting chill.

"I can grant you freedom…

and I can also take it away."

"By you?"

Demore began laughing wildly.

"You little girl, I admit you have status.

But status is not strength!"

"If your mother—the Empress—were here, I might listen."

"But you? Hehehe…"

His meaning was obvious.

"You bastard!

To deal with trash like you, Her Majesty doesn't need to lift a finger!"

BOOOOM!

Fiona exploded in fury.

Pure draconic might surged like a tsunami, overwhelmingly crushing Demore's chaotic aura!

Demore's expression changed drastically.

Only now did he realize he had gravely underestimated the woman constantly at Lilith's side.

Even though they were both Supreme Sanctuary peak,

her power overwhelmed him completely.

He whipped his head toward Rego and shouted:

"Rego! Do you really want to rot in this sunless pit forever?!"

"If you're smart, join me—we'll carve our way out!

The starfield is vast—we can go anywhere!"

Rego's eyes flickered with momentary temptation.

But when his gaze brushed Lilith's cold, unwavering eyes—

He snapped back to his senses.

And made his decision:

Silence.

"Cowardly waste!"

Demore roared, his mana surging violently as he prepared to force his way out.

BOOM!

Fiona unleashed her dragon breath.

The massive wave of power made the entire Divine Prison tremble violently.

The shock even alerted powerful figures across the Sacred Empire, who began rushing toward the Divine Prison.

Inside the prison—

Pfft—!

Demore coughed up blood, fear spreading across his face.

He never expected this dragon woman to be this monstrously strong—

he was completely suppressed despite being of the same rank!

"Miss, please step back and let them witness what true strength looks like!"

Fiona growled, flames burning in her dragon eyes.

A starborn-infused dragon claw ripped open the air itself and came crashing down toward Demore!

BOOM!!!

The barrier of the cell flickered violently.

Countless imprisoned beings began stirring restlessly, reacting to the shockwaves.

The warden, huddling behind everyone, went deathly pale.

"Your Highness! This is bad!

The seals are loosening!!"

"The other prisoners might break free!!"

Lilith frowned slightly, then let out a cold snort.

"With me here, I want to see who dares leave."

A glowing emblem covered in profound runes appeared in her hand.

Hum—!

Outside the Divine Prison—

People watched in shock as a massive transparent barrier of order descended, enveloping the entire structure and isolating all interference.

Inside, the sounds of battle gradually died.

"Ahhh—! I was wrong!!"

"I admit it! Your Highness, please give me another chance!

I don't want rewards—I'll kill the aliens for free—just don't kill me…!!"

Under Fiona's crushing power, Demore collapsed instantly, begging for his life in a shrill voice.

Lilith's expression did not change.

Her cold voice echoed through the entire Divine Prison.

"Send him on his way."

Shiiiing—!

A streak of starlight flashed.

Demore's body collapsed—

head and torso falling in opposite directions.

His voice ceased forever.

Rego trembled, cold sweat pouring down his back.

As Lilith's gaze turned toward him—

Thud!

Rego dropped to one knee without hesitation, bowing deeply.

"Your Highness!

I-I truly understand my mistake!"

"From today onward, I, Rego, swear to serve you with all my strength—

for all my life, for all eternity, I shall follow your path!"

Before the fear of death—

and before Lilith's unquestionable decisiveness—

he made the wisest choice available.

Lilith regarded him with a faint, ambiguous smile.

"Oh? Is that so?"

"I seem to recall someone saying…

his temper was quite explosive."

Rego lowered his head even further, voice trembling with sincerity.

"In the face of absolute strength and wisdom,

even the wildest thunder will learn fear… and obedience."

Lilith's teasing made Rego's face burn with embarrassment.

Yes—he was hot-tempered.

But that depended entirely on who he was dealing with.

Demore's fresh corpse on the ground was more than enough to extinguish what remained of his pride.

Lilith watched him for a long moment.

Finally, she sighed softly.

"Remember, I do not tolerate disobedient subordinates."

Hearing that, the boulder in Rego's chest finally dropped.

His life was spared.

Though freedom still seemed distant, survival was more important than pride.

As Lilith turned to leave, Rego felt a wave of complicated emotions—

almost enough to make him cry.

He had no idea that, in the distant future,

he would look back on today's decision with deep pride—and deeper gratitude.

"Your Highness, shall we continue selecting?"

Lucio asked quietly.

Lilith thought for a moment, then shook her head.

"This one-by-one method is too slow."

She stepped to the central platform of the circular prison complex.

Her voice, infused with mana, spread through every corner.

"Listen carefully!"

"All who are willing to stand with the Zisen Sacred Empire

and fight against the alien invaders—

step forward!"

"This opportunity comes only once."

"Those who earn merit shall receive true freedom and glory!"

Her proclamation was like dropping a meteor into a still lake.

The entire Divine Prison exploded into a frenzy.

Within seconds, countless voices filled the air:

"What damned aliens?! Let me at them!"

"Your Excellency! I volunteer! I volunteer!"

"Count me in! I've been locked up so long my bones are rusting!"

"Release me! I want blood!"

"..."

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