Resolve (
Synopsis[]
Pouf remains in disbelief over the blood on his hand, and Meruem notices his hesitation, but Pouf asks him if anything is wrong, wondering if he is willing to evacuate from the palace now. Meruem thinks that Pouf will never reveal his fate, even if he's aware of it, telling Pouf that he plans to capture the remaining intruders and make sure he won't return on his promise to reveal his secret if he loses. Right as Pouf confidently agrees, Meruem once again uses his En to illuminate the entire palace, spotting a new set of footprints, Youpi's corpse, as well as a truck left behind and a door leading underground left open. A new person reacts to his En, and he immediately leaps toward them, appearing before Welfin amidst the crowd and leaving him petrified.
Meruem asks him if he killed Youpi, and Welfin quickly denies it, saying the two were just talking when he started expelling blood. However, he keeps to himself that he shot him with Missile Man, but that he died before his questions could be answered and the centipedes could hatch. As he assures the King that he is looking for Youpi's killer in the crowd, Pouf spots the two and lands behind Meruem, with Welfin worried that Pouf will see through him and Pouf worried that Welfin will reveal his secret. Pouf plans to deem him a traitor and have him killed, or at least send him away, but as he goes to address Meruem, the latter already knew what he was going to say, revealing he can feel the emotions of those he's touched with his En and that Welfin is displaying incredible hostility toward him.
Pouf realizes that Meruem has acquired not only Youpi's ability and wings, but Spiritual Message as well, improving them beyond what the Royal Guards were capable of. He begins to rejoice at the King's invincibility, while at the same feeling overcome with anxiety as blood begins to run down his nose, with roses depicted all over his body. Meruem questions Welfin about the anger he feels toward him, ordering him to speak the truth. But Pouf suddenly bows behind him, apologizing and revealing that Welfin is involved in his secret but unaware of it. Welfin nervously waits in confusion, and Pouf concocts a plan to entangle the facts with the truth, reminding the King of their game and that he shouldn't want to collect his reward before the match ends.
Welfin remains utterly confused about what secret he knows and fears the King's unbelievable strength. He realizes how dumb he was to think he could defeat him, deluded by ideas of grandeur and blinded with a longing to avenge Gyro, even though he's probably still alive. He blames Ikalgo for making him a messenger, as thoughts continue to flood his mind about how to survive the situation. He tries to remember Pouf's secret and knows that one word could be the thing that saves his life. With a menacing glare, Meruem asks Pouf if his secret has something to do with Welfin's hostility, quickly surmising Pouf's plan to confuse him. It's stated that Meruem's use of Spiritual Message allows him to analyze Pouf even without an answer, sensing his complete devotion. However, Meruem's aura grows ominous, and no matter the truth of Pouf's answer, if it does not please him, Meruem will have to take his life.
Pouf is dedicated to dying, calling himself a martyr for his devotion, and answers Meruem by saying he has no words since their match is still ongoing. Pouf's insane commitment stalls Meruem's killing intent for a moment, but he suddenly says he's hungry. Without warning, he looks back with an intense glare toward Welfin, who instantly realizes his fate.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
Trivia[]
- The chapter's title was reused for Chapter 348. Although Viz used the same title for Chapter 362, the two are different in Japanese:
- 312:
覚 悟 , Kakugo - 362:
決 意 , Ketsui
- 312:
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