Watching Dottore press those two raging flames of Eerie power into his forehead and brow, both Su Yuan and Lumine grew tense, their expressions heavy and serious.
They could clearly sense an overwhelming surge of Eerie power radiating from Dottore's body.
Although its intensity was still slightly below that of those who had fully fallen into Eerie state, it wasn't far off.
Yet the most troublesome part wasn't his raw strength— it was that Dottore could maintain full awareness and reason in that state.
No one could predict what kind of strange, twisted techniques he might unleash next.
"Dottore, take this!" Lumine shouted, no longer hesitating.
She swung her blade, releasing a slash infused with dense Abyssal power straight toward him.
But Dottore wasn't about to back down—he countered by gathering Eerie power in his hands and launching it forward.
When the two forces collided head-on, the resulting shockwave tore through the air.
Dottore was still slightly forced back, but Lumine's attack had failed to cause any real damage.
Lumine frowned.
It was clear now that these long-range, probing attacks were useless.
Without another word, she charged forward, sword blazing with Abyssal energy, and aimed directly at Dottore's heart!
As Lumine dashed in, her blade about to strike, Dottore made no attempt to dodge.
He didn't panic—he merely smiled faintly, a deep, unfathomable curve on his lips, just as the sword was about to hit.
"This method can only be used once," he murmured, "because after that, you'll start guarding against it."
"But as long as it works this one time— it's enough to decide the battle."
With that quiet smile still on his face, something completely unexpected happened.
Lumine's sword—originally aimed at Dottore—suddenly shifted course mid-swing and plunged straight toward her own chest!
Her eyes went wide in disbelief.
She could feel her arm moving entirely against her will, gripping the sword tight as the blade drove into her heart!
It all happened in a flash of light and steel— so fast she had no time to react, no way to stop herself.
Her own attack landed squarely on her body.
Su Yuan froze, stunned by the sight.
His own arms would sometimes act out of control due to his "affliction," but Lumine—why was she affected too?
And at such a critical moment?!
"Lumine, Su Yuan… haven't you realized it yet?"
Dottore spoke with a tone of triumphant amusement, watching Lumine clutch her bleeding wound.
"My strength doesn't lie in how much Eerie power I possess— but in how precisely I can control it."
He smiled wider, eyes glinting.
"My Eerie power has already invaded your bodies!"
"Using Eerie power merely to suppress an opponent's movement is the crudest application.
To control another's actions entirely—that is true mastery!"
"In the past, only the Eerie Neuvillette could achieve such a thing…"
"But now, after my tireless research—"
"I can do it too!"
Hearing Dottore's words and recalling what had just happened, Su Yuan finally understood everything.
So that was it—Dottore could now conceal the aura of his Eerie power, silently let it seep into someone's body, and then control their movements from within?!
As much as he hated to admit it, Su Yuan had to concede— Dottore truly was a genius.
A mad, evil, but undeniably brilliant genius—capable of reaching this terrifying level.
By now, Lumine was on the verge of collapse, her life fading quickly from the blood loss and the fatal wound to her chest.
Yet even so, she refused to yield.
With a trembling voice, she spat out,
"Dottore… do you really think this means you've won? That you're untouchable now?"
"Even if I die here—your fate won't change."
"With Su Yuan… and with everyone's efforts… you will fall in the end."
"Tch. So noisy."
Dottore frowned slightly, a trace of irritation flashing across his face.
"Even if you are the Abyss Order's princess, with all the secrets of the Abyssal power in your veins…"
"Perhaps the old me might've been tempted to befriend you—to study the Abyss more deeply through you."
"But now… there's no need."
"Because Eerie power, though seemingly on par with the Abyssal power as a force beyond this world…"
"But in my eyes, Eerie power is a far stronger force—one with far greater potential for development!!!"
"Now, the power of the Abyss no longer interests me…"
"So, there's no longer any need for you to exist…"
As Dottore spoke, he casually flicked his finger—Lumine's head was instantly severed, killing her on the spot.
Su Yuan's heart ached as he watched Lumine die before his eyes…
Although he had never fully understood what purpose Lumine truly had in staying by his side all this time…
She had helped him again and again, saving both him and his companions from danger—Su Yuan knew then that Lumine had never been his enemy.
His gaze shifted to Aether, who lay unconscious beside them.
Though Aether had once said that his condition for Eerie state might be Lumine's death…
Now that he had been rendered unconscious by Dottore, was he unable to enter that Eerie state at all?
Moreover, judging from Dottore's words, that imperceptible Eerie power had already infiltrated Su Yuan's body—his own flesh could fall under Dottore's control at any moment…
Faced with such a dead end, how was he supposed to break through this situation???
"Well then, Su Yuan, the nuisance has been dealt with…"
Dottore looked at Su Yuan with a smile and continued:
"Now, let's return to our previous topic."
"Su Yuan, you and I are the same kind of people—both driven by curiosity toward the unknown of this world."
"I believe you must also be very curious about what condition must be met for the writing on your right palm to reveal its meaning, correct?"
"So then, allow me to unveil that answer for you!!!"