"Y..you want to eat me?"
Carrot trembled uncontrollably, her rabbit ears curling tightly against her head, fear evident in every movement.
Lloyd narrowed his eyes slightly and replied, his tone indifferent, "As long as you behave, I will not eat you."
Wanda quickly stepped in, her voice urgent, "Please believe us. We mean no harm. We came here only to inform you about Joy Boy."
Lloyd shifted his gaze toward Wanda and Carrot, lightly tapping the table with his finger. Then, with a subtle motion, he lifted it. A snake-like strand of darkness slithered from his fingertip.
In an instant, the restraints binding Wanda and Carrot were devoured by the darkness. The two instinctively moved their limbs, still stiff from being bound, as Lloyd's voice echoed coldly.
"Get up. Explain everything about Joy Boy."
Wanda helped the weakened Carrot to her feet, steadying her as they rose.
Lloyd glanced at Carrot, who was half-hidden behind Wanda, only her trembling ears visible. The sight amused him slightly.
The remark about "spicy rabbit" had been made casually. Despite being a Mink, Carrot still possessed a largely human form. No ordinary person would seriously consider such a thing.
Wanda, however, did not share that understanding. Noticing Lloyd's lingering gaze, she grew tense, fearing he still entertained the idea. She raised her voice hastily.
"On behalf of the peace-loving Mink Tribe, I humbly request that you, Celestial Dragon Marshal, lead the Marines to Zou and eliminate the bandits!"
"Bandits?" Lloyd repeated, his tone uninterested.
"Yes. Our people have always valued peace, but half a year ago, a man calling himself Joy Boy arrived on Zou. Under his influence, Pedro has begun preparations for war."
Lloyd's expression shifted slightly, a trace of recognition appearing.
"So Pedro became the ruler of Zou. I see."
Wanda blinked in surprise. "You know him?"
"I am aware of his existence," Lloyd replied flatly. "If I had truly met him, he would not have lived long enough to claim such a position. If I recall correctly, he harbors hatred toward me because I killed Nekomamushi."
Before Wanda could respond, Carrot spoke weakly from behind her.
"Yes… Nekomamushi was like an elder brother to Pedro. He respected him deeply. That is why he resents you, and why Joy Boy was able to influence him so easily…"
A faint smile appeared on Lloyd's lips as he stood and walked toward them.
Wanda immediately shifted to block his path, positioning herself protectively in front of Carrot, like a guard shielding the vulnerable.
Lloyd stopped, his gaze sharpening.
Under that oppressive stare, Wanda's body stiffened involuntarily, her instincts betraying her as she froze in place. Lloyd stepped past her without resistance, closing the distance to Carrot.
At such close proximity, Carrot's fear nearly overwhelmed her. Yet remembering his earlier warning, she forced herself to lower her head in submission.
Her reaction intrigued him.
Lloyd reached out and grasped one of her rabbit ears. It was warm, soft, and smooth to the touch.
Carrot's body jolted violently, as if struck by lightning. A blush spread across her cheeks as her body reacted instinctively. Faint arcs of electricity flickered across her fur, climbing up her ears and onto Lloyd's fingertips.
However, the moment the electricity touched him, it was completely devoured by a far stronger current emanating from his body.
Wanda's eyes widened in disbelief.
"How is that possible?"
Carrot, still unaware of what had occurred, slowly realized she had discharged electricity unintentionally. Panic surged within her.
She did not expect to harm Lloyd, but even minor discomfort might provoke him. Her thoughts spiraled rapidly.
What if he became angry? What if he really decided to cook her?
The fear nearly caused her to collapse.
At that moment, Wanda spoke again, her voice filled with astonishment.
"Celestial Dragon Marshal… can you also generate electricity?"
"Hm?"
Carrot blinked and cautiously lifted her head.
Under their gaze, Lloyd's interest deepened. With a mere thought, his long black hair began to move despite the still air, gradually shifting into a brilliant silver.
Crackling energy erupted.
Violent currents, like silver serpents, coiled around his body. A radiant glow enveloped him, resembling pale moonlight. He had activated his Moon God Form.
The moment the transformation manifested, Wanda and Carrot felt an overwhelming pressure rooted deep within their bloodline. Both collapsed instantly.
Lloyd stood above them, his presence akin to that of a deity.
Wanda swallowed hard, her voice trembling. "This… this is the Sulong form? No… that is impossible. The full moon is still days away…"
Carrot, however, stared at him in a daze, her voice soft and entranced.
"So beautiful…"
Unlike Wanda, Carrot had never undergone controlled Sulong transformation. Due to her youth, she had always been confined during full moons to prevent accidental awakening.
For the Mink Tribe, transformation was dangerous. Without proper training and maturity, one could lose control entirely, succumbing to exhaustion.
Lloyd noticed something unusual.
Carrot's eyes had become unfocused, a faint red glow flickering within them. Her fur began to stand on end, subtly shifting.
Wanda remained too stunned to notice until Carrot suddenly cried out.
Turning quickly, Wanda's expression changed.
Carrot's form had already begun to transform.
Her small frame grew taller, her features maturing rapidly. Most striking was her hair, now a flowing mane of silver, spreading wildly like a lion's. The fur on her tail flared outward as energy coursed through her.
There was no doubt.
This was the Sulong form.
Carrot slowly rose to her feet. Though taller than before, she still stood far below Lloyd.
She lifted her head, her gaze meeting his.
The fear that once filled her eyes had vanished, replaced by unmistakable dependence.
Even Lloyd found this unexpected.
He raised his hand, placing it beneath her chin.
Carrot leaned forward obediently, gently rubbing against his fingertips.
The moment unfolded in a strangely harmonious silence, leaving Wanda utterly stunned.