As soon as Juan realized that the attack was targeted toward Dismas, Juan let out a roar and pushed away the smoke around him in a hurry.

Dismas was still in the prison cell, but this time he was standing up. His back, which had certainly been struck by the beam of light, was already recovering itself amidst a gurgling sound.

Only then did Juan realize that all the pieces of iron embedded throughout Dismas’ body had melted away.

‘Did he attack himself all in order to get rid of the restraints keeping him in check?’

Before anyone knew it, Ivy was already in Dismas’ arms. She was bleeding from the back of her neck, but she didn’t look like she was seriously injured.

“Stay back. Do not come near me, fake emperor,” Dismas shouted, almost as if he was warning Juan.

Although his recovery was already underway, his ability to recover was not the same as before due to the burns; not to mention that the iron pieces that were embedded inside him had not been completely removed.

There was no other way for Dismas to stand up to Juan other than holding Ivy hostage.

However, Dismas’ plan was not effective enough to restrain Juan. Juan simply ignored Dismas’ warning and strode closer toward him with the intention of killing both Ivy and Dismas if need be.

At that moment, someone threw a spear toward Ivy and Dismas. The spear that was clearly aimed at Ivy was bounced off by Dismas when it got close to Ivy’s chest.

Upon glaring...