Chapter 15

"Don't panic, maintain balance, and hold on to your friends!" The teleportation guidelines had already been conveyed to everyone, and now some were shouting reminders within the crowd.

Boom! Another muffled sound echoed, this time accompanied by the return of Kuma himself, emerging from a bear-paw bubble.

His body bore many wounds, but his lips curled into a satisfied smile. He had accomplished his "rescue" with his own hands.

According to the initial plan, if Kuma and the others failed, they would simply use the teleportation device.

If successful, they would use the fruit's power to send several disposable location markers to the outside islands.

The black ship served as the core, surrounded by foundational structures. Compared to Piltover, this Hextech teleportation gate appeared quite crude but was functional nonetheless.

The core was fully charged, and the beacons were in place. The canyon began to glow with dazzling light. This technological marvel from another world, resembling a miracle from the future, was now slowly activating.

As the teleportation gate powered up, the surrounding air seemed to twist under this mysterious force. The light grew increasingly intense, forming beams that danced in the air like vibrant ribbons. Accompanied by a deep, resonant hum, it seemed to announce an important moment.

Within the canyon, people's bodies gradually turned into blue light particles. "Benefactor! I will remember your words! If I get the chance, I will repay today's kindness!"

"You are our hero! Even if we don't know your name, we will never forget this!"

Before the crowd fully dissolved into blue light, many shouted their gratitude toward Orlan. However, apart from the small group Orlan had initially contacted, most didn't know his name or what his face looked like under the mask.

The gate's humming drowned out many voices, and Orlan didn't pay much attention to what they were saying. He turned and merged into the blue light, completing the teleportation. He never considered himself a hero.

As the blue light surged skyward, the people in the canyon gradually vanished, leaving behind an empty gorge and the still-functioning Hextech core.

On the battlefield, whether they were fighting pirates or repelling the navy, everyone was drawn to this sudden phenomenon. Many ceased their battles, their gazes fixed on the center of God Valley.

"Is that the treasure even Rocks wanted? It doesn't look like the rumors."

"Who cares what it is? Rocks is already engaged; go grab it!"

Before they could act, blades flashed, cutting their throats.

"You scum, that's not something you can touch."

Garling had arrived unnoticed, his eyes burning with fury. According to previous reports, that area was where Erathin had been active.

As for how Garling managed to arrive... The naval situation hadn't been favorable, but midway through the battle, the Roger Pirates switched sides, teaming up with Garp to fight Rocks.

"Hold it, Rocks!"

"Roger, you bastard, stay out of my way!"

Roger's actions altered the battlefield dynamics, freeing some of the Holy Knights to investigate the Celestial Dragon's death.

When Garling reached the canyon, it was empty, with Erathin's headless body still hanging and his head lying nearby, eyes open in terror.

"These... bastards."

Garling's hands trembled, not with fear but with rage. However, another person's arrival calmed him.

"Saint Saturn, why are you here? Is there any news?"

Celestial Dragons usually addressed each other without honorifics, except in special circumstances. Garling's position was high, but compared to the five elders, he was insignificant.

The man in black, with a cane and curled hair, was one of the Five Elders, Saturn, the Warrior God of Science and Defense.

"I was drawn here by the disturbance but sadly, I don't know what happened."

As the elder responsible for scientific defense, Saturn was also a scientist. He recognized the device as some unknown technology, but that was it. Despite his long years, he couldn't determine what it was at a glance.

Before Saturn could speak, his pupils contracted suddenly. Without a word, he pulled Garling behind him.

"Saint Saturn, you..."

BOOM!!!

A destructive force erupted from the core, sweeping through the canyon. Trees and rocks turned to dust, and the ground shook violently as if about to split open. Guided by Orlan's design, the energy flow acted like a sharp blade, splitting God Valley in two.

The sky cracked open, clouds torn apart by the force, as if the heavens were mourning this calamity.

Human bodies in this sea were the strongest shields. Under Saturn's protection, Garling was unscathed, but Saturn bore several gruesome wounds.

"Saint Saturn, you..."

"I'm fine. If I wanted to block it, I could. I just wanted to better experience this power."

Saturn's body healed quickly, a trait of the Five Elders. Even decapitation couldn't kill them; they could recover in an instant.

Orlan had planned this. He wouldn't leave the ship and teleportation gate for the Celestial Dragons. This grand self-destruction was his parting gift. If ordinary people had come to investigate, the results would have been more fruitful.

The explosion left nothing but ashes; even the core had sunk into the sea. Saturn returned to the Celestial Dragon gathering point with Garling, his expression dark.

Meanwhile, on another island's beach, Orlan watched the horizon calmly.

"It's about time. I hope you liked the gift. If not, that's fine. This is just the beginning."

(End of Chapter)