"Your Majesty, Empress, what should we do now? If we can''t break through this nt barrier, we won''t be able to leave the Tower of Exile. And it''s on the verge of total copse," theMechanical Tutorsaid, her mood worsening by the second.


    She had never imagined that the Tower of Exile would faceplete copse just because of Jeremy and his group''s invasion.


    In response to theMechanical Tutor''squestion, theMechanical Empressslowly shook her head.


    "I don''t know what to do next either. Our power is not enough to break through this barrier. So perhaps we should return to the area where we came from."


    TheMechanical Empress''s words shocked the other mechanical monsters. None of them wanted to go back to the previous area.


    TheMechanical Tutordirectly objected to the Empress''s suggestion.


    "Couldn''t we release all the souls trapped here in the Soul Prison? It seems like they''d be willing to help us."


    As the Mechanical Tutor spoke, the Mechanical Empress nced at the powerful souls locked within the prison cells. Though the souls appeared calm now, the Mechanical Empress knew that once they were released, they would immediately turn on them. After all, these souls had been captured and imprisoned by them.


    "Doing that would only make our situation worse. Instead, you should focus on how to make yourself more powerful in the uing battle," the Mechanical Empress replied sternly.


    This remark only deepened theMechanical Tutor''sdespair. She believed she had already pushed her abilities to the limit, and no matter what, she couldn''t be any stronger for the next fight.


    Just as the Mechanical Tutor was about to say something else, both she and the Mechanical Empress suddenly sensed the presence of Jeremy and his group not far behind them.


    Both theMechanical Empressand theMechanical Tutorquickly prepared for battle, but they didn''t immediatelyunch an attack. They knew that in their current situation, avoiding conflict was wiser than provoking it.


    As soon as they saw Jeremy and the others, they called out in their direction, cautious but not aggressive.


    "Don''te any closer! If you keep approaching, don''t me us for being hostile! You are our enemies, and we''ll attack you without hesitation," theMechanical Empressthreatened.


    In the face of her warning, Jeremy merely smiled calmly and replied, "Do you really think you have the time for a fight right now? The Tower of Exile is on the verge of copse. If we don''t get out before it crumbles, we''ll all be destroyed along with it."


    Jeremy''s words made theMechanical Empressand theMechanical Tutorbreathe a little easier. Their biggest fear was that Jeremy might be oblivious to the reality of the situation, which could lead him to insist on fighting them.


    Although theMechanical Empressconsidered herself strong, she also knew that engaging in battle with Jeremy wouldn''t lead to a quick victory.


    "So, what''s your n? Are you suggesting you''ll take us out of theTower of Exilewith you?" theMechanical Empressasked slowly.


    Jeremy nodded.


    "You''re absolutely right. I intend to take you with us, because I know that if I don''t, you''ll try to stop us from escaping." His tone was genuine as he spoke.


    The Mechanical Empress and the Mechanical Tutor both looked shocked.


    "Don''t try to deceive us! We won''t be fooled so easily! We are enemies—why would you help us escape?" theMechanical Tutorburst out angrily before theMechanical Empresshad a chance to respond.


    She felt as though Jeremy was toying with them.


    Jeremy remained calm. "Mypanions and I may be strong, but even we can''t escape theTower of Exileon our own. And from what I can tell, neither can you and yourrades. So, wouldn''t working together be the most logical course of action? Or do you prefer we stay here, locked in a stalemate, until we all perish?"


    Jeremy''s question made theMechanical Empressand theMechanical Tutorhesitate. His assessment mirrored their own.


    After a brief moment of silence, the Mechanical Empress stepped forward.


    "If you want to cooperate with us, what are the terms of this cooperation? What kind of actions do you think we should take together?" the Mechanical Empress asked, her tone still slightly cold.


    Despite her frosty demeanor, Jeremy knew he had sessfully deceived her. He had no intention of sincerely cooperating with the mechanical monsters. His n was to carry out his deception to the end, using his cunning to manipte the mechanical monsters into doing exactly what he wanted.


    "My n is quite simple," Jeremy began, "All we need to do is work together to destroy the barrier in front of us. Once the barrier is down, we can proceed to the lowest level of the Tower of Exile. There, we canbine our strengths to form a shield. With this shield in ce, we''ll be protected when the Tower copses, allowing us to survive."


    Jeremy''s n was not overlyplicated, but it was difficult to pull off. For it to seed, everyone needed to cooperate closely, which was no easy feat.


    After hearing Jeremy''s proposal, theMechanical Empressslowly shook her head. Discover stories at м??


    "Your n could work, but I don''t trust you or yourpanions. If you want me to use my power and cooperate with you, you need to show more sincerity," she said.


    "And what kind of sincerity are you looking for?" Jeremy asked, a sly glint in his eyes.


    The look in Jeremy''s eyes made the Mechanical Empress uneasy. She had a strong suspicion that Jeremy was lying, but she couldn''t find any evidence to prove it.


    "Perhaps you should send one of yourpanions over to us. If we have a hostage, I''ll be able to trust your sincerity," theMechanical Empressproposed, after thinking for a moment, convinced that Jeremy would never agree to such a condition.


    To her surprise, Jeremy agreed immediately.


    "No problem! I''ll send one of mypanions to you. But after that, you must follow my n," Jeremy said, turning his gaze to Ritchie.


    Without hesitation, Ritchie walked calmly over to the Mechanical Empress, standing by her side.


    Watching Ritchie and Jeremy''s actions, the Mechanical Empress grew even more suspicious.


    "What''s wrong? Do you think my sincerity isn''t enough? I''ve done what you asked—shouldn''t you now show some sincerity in return? Or do you think you can''t cooperate with me?" Jeremy''s tone had turned slightly stern as he spoke.


    In his view, he had already made a gesture of goodwill, so it was only right for the other side to reciprocate.


    After thinking for a moment, theMechanical Empressturned to theMechanical Tutorand said, "Since they''ve shown sincerity, I must do the same. You will go over to their side and stay with them until our cooperation isplete."


    TheMechanical Tutor ''s face showed a flicker of hesitation after receiving the Empress''s order. She was reluctant to move closer to Jeremy. Being near him felt dangerous, and she feared what risks that might entail.


    TheMechanical Tutor''shesitation drew the attention of everyone around. Under the mounting pressure from the Mechanical Empress, she had no choice but to slowly walk toward Jeremy''s group.


    With the exchange of hostagesplete, the cooperation could finally proceed smoothly.


    "It looks like we''re ready to cooperate atst. Now, lead us to the barrier that''s blocking your way," theMechanical Empresssaid. "When I arrived at the Soul Prison, I sensed the presence of the barrier. And frankly, I doubt you have the strength to break through it on your own. Only with our help will you have the power to shatter it."


    Jeremy nodded as he briskly walked ahead.


    Although the Mechanical Empress and the other mechanical monsters still harbored some doubts, they realized that given the circumstances, cooperation with Jeremy was their best option. They followed him, albeit with lingering wariness.


    The group quickly arrived at the nt-based barrier. Jeremy turned to the Mechanical Empress.


    "Let''s start now. I don''t think you should hold back your strength, because if you do, none of us will be able to escape. And I won''t be holding back either!" Jeremy dered.


    The Mechanical Empress stepped beside Jeremy, fully agreeing with his statement. Both of the most powerful individuals unleashed their full strength without hesitation.


    As theyunched their attacks, the Goddess of Life withdrew the energy that had been sustaining the barrier. Before everyone''s eyes, the nt barrier rapidly crumbled. Seeing this, the group couldn''t help but smile. The copse of the barrier signified their chance to finally escape the Tower of Exile.


    However, neither the Mechanical Empress nor Jeremy rxed. They both immediately sensed a strange disturbance in the surrounding space as soon as the barrier fell. It was clear to them that the master of theTower of Exilewasn''t going to let them leave so easily.


    Moreover, the World had not yet defeated the Fool or The White Tower in the battle that continued elsewhere.