Occasionally, some manga creators or publishers will offer free chapters or promotions on their official websites. Keep an eye on those for legal free reads.
Some public libraries might offer a limited selection of manga for free. You could check with your local library to see if they have any.
There are a few manga apps that have partnerships with publishers and offer free manga within certain limits or during special events. But it's important to make sure they have the proper licenses to operate legally.
Chapter 260, "Departure II", is the clearest early answer because it pushes Damien into a new phase or setting. The setup is Queen Lareen's grand throne chamber loomed before Damien, adorned..., but the pressure keeps building through The polished stone floor gleamed under the warm glow of hanging....
Chapter 449, "An Ingredient", is the clearest early answer because it turns Ivaan's situation into a concrete plot event. The chapter turns that into something concrete by moving from Branches split and shrapnelled under pressure as airwaves cracked... to It lunged, wrapping its gelatinous body around Ivaan's leg.. What makes it stick is that the chapter closes with And Damien, gasping for air, realized — this wasn't a fight anymore.
Chapter 269, "Back At Westmont", is the clearest early answer because it turns Damien's situation into a concrete plot event. A useful checkpoint is the way the scene starts with The journey back to Westmont was both long and short—long in... and follows through with And then… what happened?" Damien exhaled slowly, prepared to answer..
Chapter 412, "I'll Be Ready", is the clearest early answer because it turns Damien's situation into a concrete plot event. The setup is The forest grew strangely quiet the further Damien and Arielle..., but the pressure keeps building through Even the insects seemed to avoid the area..
Chapter 296, "Mission Was A Success", is the clearest early answer because it turns Kael's situation into a concrete plot event. The setup is The music soared in sweet rhythm., but the pressure keeps building through In the grand celebration hall of Velthorne Castle, laughter danced....
Chapter 418, "Back Together With Lyone", is the clearest early answer because it turns Damien's situation into a concrete plot event. The chapter turns that into something concrete by moving from The meeting room smelled faintly of steel and parchment, the residue... to I wanted to give up at first..
Chapter 259, "Departure I", is the clearest early answer because it pushes Damien into a new phase or setting. The setup is The morning sun filtered softly through the curtains, casting warm..., but the pressure keeps building through The air smelled fresh, carrying a faint hint of morning dew and....
Chapter 494, "Don't Die So Early", is the clearest early answer because it turns Skylar's situation into a concrete plot event. The chapter turns that into something concrete by moving from Its eyes which were massive, lidless, and glowing faintly with... to Then he straightened and turned to Damien, expression serious, almost....
Chapter 309, "Back At Westmont", is the clearest early answer because it turns Damien's situation into a concrete plot event. The chapter gives readers a real answer by opening on He'd seen that awe before—in young soldiers, new scouts, even nobles... and ending on He waved once or nodded at the familiar voices, but his pace never....
Chapter 257, "Private Discussions With The Queen II", is the clearest early answer because it turns Queen Lareen's situation into a concrete plot event. A useful checkpoint is the way the scene starts with The discussion between Damien and Queen Lareen continued, the... and follows through with As he re-entered his room— He immediately noticed something..