Chapter 335: 335

Her voice grew colder. "Pathetic. I will never be someone pathetic. I will carve my own path so I never have to depend on men. And for that, anyone who stands before me will be removed."

A sharp, confident laugh escaped her lips. "Hahaha..."

Her laughter rang through the chamber, and her aura burst out again in a sudden surge. The shockwave shook the walls, scattering debris, and the storm of power around her continued to grow, fierce and unyielding.

Moments later,the phenomenon of Adele breaking through resided.

"Since you have broken through, you have to keep your promise," the dark-robed figure said, her voice calm yet firm. She spoke in a way that drew Adele’s full attention, making sure she didn’t forget what she had agreed to.

Adele turned toward her, her eyes steady. "Of course, I will," she replied. "But you remember my condition. I will not take part in anything that involves killing innocent people, sacrificing them, or using evil means."

"We don’t do that," the person said quietly. Then, raising her hands, she pulled her hood back.

Adele froze for a moment, startled. What she had assumed was a man turned out to be a stunningly beautiful woman. Her long purple hair spilled over her shoulders like silk, shimmering faintly in the dim light. A delicate blindfold rested over her eyes, giving her an air of mystery. Her figure was graceful and alluring, every movement calm and controlled.

Adele glanced at Mariana and saw the woman’s shocked expression.

But Adele knew her well enough to recognize it was just an act. Mariana was rarely truly surprised.

The mysterious woman stepped forward, her voice smooth yet filled with quiet conviction. "I am Adra, one of the spokespeople for a group called Heretic. We don’t harm people. We don’t create conflicts. We don’t strive for power or control."

"Then what is your purpose?" Adele asked, her brow furrowing slightly.

"Our purpose is only one," Adra replied, lifting her hands upward as though offering something unseen to the sky. "To prove his innocence. He fought for mankind and for the world, only to be betrayed—killed by his own and branded a heretic. We want to show the truth. We want to reveal how the Gods used him and then cast him aside."

A chill ran down Adele’s spine. They were not trying to overthrow any one kingdom or group they were aiming at the very laws and order of Heaven itself. The thought alone was daunting.

"How do you plan to achieve this?" she asked slowly.

"By waiting," Adra said with a faint smile.

"Waiting?" Adele’s confusion deepened.

"Yes," Adra answered. "Waiting for the right time and the right moment. For the evidence to gather, for the stars to align. And I understand you’re worried about the Gods. But there’s a reason we have survived this long." She smiled faintly and looked directly at Adele. "It’s because we also have the support of God. Not an evil God, but one from the orthodox faith. You see, not everyone will bite the hand of their savior."

The revelation struck Adele like thunder. She had no words for a moment. Just what had she gotten herself into? She glanced at Mariana, then at the potion in her hand.

The orthodox church didn’t sell things like this to outsiders—or even to their own members freely. And if she sought help from an evil God, the methods would surely be dark and dangerous.

Compared to that, this seemed like the safest and most reliable choice.

After a long pause, Adele spoke softly. "As long as it doesn’t interfere with my path or cause trouble for me, I will help."

......

Kael stood still, his eyes fixed on the statues ahead. His expression was grave, and his chest felt heavy. Every time he looked at them, the same fire burned in his heart.

’I have not forgotten my promise,’ he thought, his jaw tightening. ’One day I will break you apart. I will tear down every one of your statues piss on them and scatter your remains. I swear it.’

A voice came from behind him.

"What’s wrong, kid? Why do you look so sad?"

Kael turned and saw a familiar face. It was the old man he had not seen in some time.

"You’re still alive and walking around," Kael said with a faint smirk.

"Why? Are you wishing for me to die?" Ramos asked, a teasing smile on his lips.

Kael didn’t answer that and instead gave him a questioning look.

"So, did you get yourself into trouble again?" Ramos asked, grinning as if he already knew the answer.

Kael’s lips twitched, but he began explaining what had happened recently. He didn’t leave out much.

When Kael was done, Ramos let out a long sigh. "Your mother had suitors from every corner of the world. That’s why I still think she shouldn’t have married that block of ice. The man knows nothing about romance. I have no idea where you got your personality from."

Kael glanced at him without changing his expression. "What happened to the Assassin Tower?" he asked suddenly. He had asked Ruth before, but the cold man had refused to say anything.

The air seemed to shift. Ramos’s smile faded, and a sharp edge entered his eyes. The sudden seriousness caught Kael off guard. This was the first time he had seen Ramos like this.

"Ruth struck them hard," Ramos said quietly. "He even took the right hand of the Leader of the Assassin Tower."

Kael’s eyes widened slightly. He had not expected Ruth to go that far.

After thinking for a moment, he said, "That’s good. But you don’t sound pleased."

"Displeased?" Ramos suddenly laughed, the sound echoing against the stone.

"I just think it was too easy," he continued. "Bound by rules and pride, he showed mercy. He even stopped me from finishing the job. If not for that—"

If not for that, then what?" Kael asked, his curiosity sharpening.

"I would have killed the man myself." Ramos’s voice was calm, but there was steel in it.

Kael studied him for a moment, then said, "Oh."

Ramos narrowed his eyes. "You don’t believe me?"