I grow stronger by making my wife happy.

Chapter 185: 185:leaving the team.

”This...” He said quietly. ”Is your last chance, and I mean it. Don’t take this chance for granted.”

No one in the vehicle doubted he meant every word. The conversation ended there, leaving only the sound of the engine.

The silence inside the vehicle lingered long after Dillian’s final words. Cruella stared down at her trembling hands.

For the first time since joining Dillian’s team, she genuinely felt isolated. Usually, whenever she cried, someone would comfort her, defend her, or reassure her that she had done nothing wrong.

Today... No one spoke. Maya looked out the window, Selene quietly cleaned her rifle, and Iris simply rested her chin against her hand, watching the scenery pass outside; all of them were acting as though they weren’t part of the conversation.

Even Dillian returned his attention entirely to the road. Cruella finally gathered enough courage to speak.

”...Are you... going to make me leave the team?”

Dillian didn’t answer immediately; instead, he drove through another winding section of the Green Zone before calmly replying.

”That depends.”

She looked up hopefully.

”On what?”

”On you.” His answer was simple. ”If you pull something like that again... There won’t be another conversation. I’ll ask you to leave.”

Cruella bit her lip.

”I understand...”

Dillian nodded once.

”I hope you do.”

Another few minutes passed before Maya finally broke the silence.

”...Dillian.”

Dillian glanced at the rearview mirror.

”What is it?”

”You seemed surprisingly calm around Silver.”

Dillian smiled faintly.

”I was.”

Selene tilted her head.

”I honestly thought things were going to turn into a fight after Ravenna attacked Cruella.”

”So did I,” Iris admitted.

Dillian chuckled softly.

”I considered it, but only for a second.”

The girls looked at him curiously. He continued.

”Silver never reached for his sword; he just stopped me from interfering, and once Ravenna finished... He immediately suggested either continuing the exploration or leaving. He wasn’t trying to escalate the situation more, like ending it.”

Maya nodded slowly.

”...I noticed that. He looked pissed.”

”He was.” Dillian smiled. ”But angry people aren’t necessarily irrational.”

His eyes remained fixed on the road.

”In fact... I think Silver was the calmest person in that room.”

Cruella looked up.

”But... he threatened everyone over the fire core.”

”He did.” Dillian nodded. ”And none of you noticed why.”

The girls exchanged puzzled looks.

”He wasn’t threatening us; he was drawing a line. He was telling everyone... ’This is where I stop compromising.’”

Dillian tapped the steering wheel lightly.

”If he’d wanted to fight us... He would’ve.”

Cruella frowned.

”You make him sound frightening.”

Dillian laughed quietly.

”I think he is.”

The vehicle became quiet once more. Finally, Selene spoke.

”You’re talking as though you’ve known him for years.”

”In a way... I have, but only for a few days.”

Everyone looked toward him.

”We’re both from Delta Three to begin with, so his reputation exceeds him, and that’s what makes it weird. He doesn’t have the best reputation, but look at him now.”

Maya frowned thoughtfully.

”He changed.”

”He did.” Dillian nodded. ”The Silver I’ve heard of... was untalented and irrational. But the Silver I met... He feels completely different.”

Cruella slowly raised her head.

”You really think he’s that talented? This might just be some phase he is going through. No one changes that fast.”

Dillian let out a small breath.

”I don’t think, I know so.”

He glanced briefly at the convoy reflected in his side mirror.

”You noticed how quickly he adapted against the snake?”

Nobody answered.

”He figured out its weakness before any of us and remained calm. He protected Ravenna, coordinated the fight. And...” He smiled faintly. ”He killed it almost effortlessly once the opportunity appeared.”

Iris nodded.

”I thought the same. It wasn’t brute force but experience.”

”Exactly.” Dillian agreed. ”And that’s what worries me.”

Cruella’s eyes widened.

”Worries you?”

”It should worry everyone.” He paused. ”Silver is growing unusually fast. He was Rank One not long ago, and now he’s already Rank Two. He adapts during battle, learns frighteningly quickly and...”

He remembered the brief distortion of space during the snake fight.

”...I’m almost certain he possesses a space-related ability.”

The vehicle became silent; even Maya’s eyes widened.

”...Space?”

Dillian nodded.

”I can’t prove it, but think about it. He disappears, changes position instantly, attacks come from impossible angles, and during the snake’s venom attack... I can sear Isaw space itself bend.”

Selene slowly exhaled.

”...If that’s true... He’s incredibly valuable.”

”He is,” Dillian replied. ”And that’s exactly why making an enemy out of him is foolish.”

Cruella lowered her head again.

”I... I didn’t think...”

”No.” Dillian interrupted gently. ”You didn’t.”

He wasn’t insulting her but simply stating a fact.

”If Silver wanted revenge... He had dozens of opportunities today. When you pushed Ravenna, after the tiger died, after Ravenna defeated you and while everyone was distracted.”

He shook his head.

”He chose none of them. Do you know what that tells me?”

Nobody answered.

”He isn’t ruled by emotion but calculates the advantages and disadvantages. And those kinds of opponents... are the most dangerous.”

Cruella felt her heart sink. Dillian continued calmly.

”So here’s my advice. Don’t provoke him again and don’t provoke Ravenna either. They’re not people you gain anything from fighting. If possible...”

He smiled slightly.

”Remain acquaintances. If one day they become friends... Even better. I don’t expect that, but neutrality has value.”

He looked ahead toward the distant horizon.

”Enough beasts are trying to kill us; we don’t need to create more enemies ourselves.”

No one disagreed. The conversation gradually faded. Each person quietly reflected on Dillian’s words.

Outside, the Green Zone slowly gave way to more familiar terrain. The roads became smoother.

Traffic increased as contractor vehicles and supply trucks appeared more frequently. Before long, the massive defensive walls of Delta Four rose into view.

Towering watchtowers overlooked the surrounding landscape. Heavy steel gates stood open as contractors entered and exited under the watchful eyes of armed guards.

One by one, the convoy slowed as it approached the inspection checkpoint.