The legendary warrior

Ryland only agreed to lead Ricky to the Short Devil tribe's strongholds because the other man promised he would set him and his companions free right after. However, Ricky's favor was another story. He figured that he shouldn't think about it, at least, for the time being.

"Thank you, man! I'll remember this,"

Ricky responded gratefully as soon as Ryland agreed.

Ryland then led the three of them to one of the Short Devil tribe's strongholds, and they arrived at their destination after about half a day's travel. Unfortunately, Ricky couldn't detect Claire's aura in this stronghold, which meant that she and her companions must be in a different stronghold.

"It looks like they aren't here,"

Ricky muttered with blatant disappointment. He had hoped to find them here, but they came to the wrong place.

And since they went to a dud, all they could do was wait for news from Ryland's companions, hoping that one of them would have better news.

Thankfully, Ricky finally received good news from one of his Shadowy Replications after an hour. It reported that they had detected Claire's aura in another stronghold.

"Thank you for bringing us here, Ryland. Now, just as I promised, the five of you are free from now on," Ricky declared with a smile. "But you must make a Martial Arts Oath before you leave, as the others must not find out we are here. You five need to promise to keep this a secret."

"I understand,"

Ryland agreed, nodding.

Under their agreement, Ricky let them go once Ryland made the Martial Arts Oath.

With that taken care of, Ricky took Mordechai and Ella to the Massacring Zone, and they headed to where the Shadowy Replication found Claire. Once they arrived, he deactivated the Shadowy Replication that was waiting for him there.

Ricky's space and the Shadowy Replication's space were linked to each other.

In that way, the Shadowy Replication's space served as Ricky's safety net. It could take him away from dangerous situations, and it could also serve as his hiding spot.

'Perhaps, in the future, I should hide some Shadowy Replications in concealed places. When my Shadowy Replications reach maturity and could produce Flesh Replications, I can use them to hide and even escape in times of trouble, ' Ricky thought with much foresight.

valley.

other devil tribes that served as protectors of the Short Devil tribe. Since the creatures from the Short Devil

and the other two cautiously hid in

Ricky? Can you tell where they

asked the other

can sense their auras inside the castle,"

Ricky affirmatively.

moment, he drove the space into

inside, following Claire's aura, until they arrived deep into

them found what

halo surrounded Claire, Peter, and the other four, while the halo itself was enveloped in a profound illusory

knowledge about this golden halo. He only knew that

weapon could release powerful and profound

course, the illusory space's strength depended on

into the Illusory Ring, he saw that Claire and her companions stood inside, joined by an old and stout black devil.

Emperor Level. In fact, this one looked positively ancient that it seemed like he would deteriorate at any moment.

outside the Illusory Ring stood countless devils from the Short Devil tribe and other

they try to attack the people inside. The short devil inside the Illusory Ring must be a high-ranking official of the Short Devil tribe, so they didn't dare to put him in danger.

release him and hand over our casting heritage, we will let you live," said the Short Devil tribe's current

strong are these devils?" asked Mordechai out

are average warriors. With our current strength, only one devil can pose a threat

delighted grin. "That's not much, so we can probably take them. However, I'm afraid that stronger reinforcements

from each other, so we'll have plenty of time to get away from here. Plus, we have enough in our ranks. Every upper spiritual emperor of the devil race has a creature from the continent ready to confront him." Ella added her two cents

and her companions picked a good hostage. The Short Devil tribe in this stronghold seems to care a great deal for their old chief. That or they just

Claire and Peter. They managed to take the Short Devil tribe's casting heritage," Ricky agreed

bring them in?" asked Mordechai, thinking that they would use the

blocking me here. However, wouldn't that be a waste? We are already here. We can't just save them.

let this chance go. I want to kill every devil here whose strength does not far surpass mine," explained Ricky.

them." answered Mordechai playfully, laughing in amusement. They seemed to be two peas