Chapter 451: 451

"Enough, you two!"

Another voice struck through the chaos like a hammer hitting metal. The force behind the voice made both Rein and Adele fall silent. Their chests rose and fell as the dust settled around them.

From the darkness, a vague shadow began to move. The figure slowly stepped forward until it took the shape of a human. Only the outline of his body could be clearly seen in the dim light.

"The Abyssal Sect isn’t filled with mindless idiots. We moved, taking the possibility of failure."

The moment he said this, Rein’s eyes narrowed deeply. He looked at the man with a grievous expression, his jaw clenching so tightly that the veins in his neck trembled. After a long moment, a bitter laugh escaped from his lips.

"So this is it? This is it?" Rein muttered, his voice shaking with disbelief.

"I really became a scapegoat. Can’t believe that I out of everyone had become a fool."

He laughed louder, the sound echoing through the ruined cave.

"Hahahahah!"

While Rein laughed, Adele’s eyes turned even more furious. Rage twisted her expression as she charged forward without hesitation. She raised her arm and unleashed her attack.

BOOM!

"Bastard. Everyone of you is a bastard."

Wind blades shot toward the man with the speed of a storm tearing trees apart. However, the man casually waved his hand. The blades bent away as if they had struck an invisible wall and disappeared.

He lifted his finger toward the two of them and shouted.

"Knee!"

BOOM!

A crushing pressure slammed down on Rein and Adele. Their legs gave out instantly and both of them crashed onto the ground. The force pushed them down until their knees dug into the broken stone beneath them.

Rein gritted his teeth so hard his gums started to bleed. Adele squeezed her eyes shut as the veins in her neck stood out sharply. Their bodies trembled violently under the overwhelming weight pressing down on them.

Crack. Crack.

Crackling sounds came from their bones. Their bodies felt like they were being squeezed by a giant hand ready to tear them apart piece by piece. Pain shot through every joint and muscle. Their fingers clawed at the ground as they struggled to breathe.

Just when both of them were at the edge of breaking apart, the man finally eased his hand. The crushing pressure disappeared like a storm passing in an instant.

"I think this is enough punishment for you," he said calmly.

Rein and Adele collapsed forward, gasping for air. Sweat dripped down their faces. Their arms trembled as they lifted their heads to glare at the man with pure hatred in their eyes.

"No need to see us like this," the man said with a faint smile. "You want to be Emperor, right?"

His words sliced through the silence like a blade.

"Don’t worry. Not only will I fulfill your wish but I will make sure you trample this entire Heizen Empire."

Both Rein and Adele froze. Their eyes widened. Shock flickered across their faces at the man’s proclamation. For a moment they could not speak, their minds unable to process what they heard.

"How?" one of them muttered.

The man’s lips curved into a slow smile.

"Wait. You know very soon."

His voice echoed strangely, sending a chill through the already cold cave.

......

Meanwhile, in the Capital of Heizen, chaos broke out without warning.

"What..."

"WHAAATT!"

Kael rubbed his eyes for a few moments and then shook his head slowly, trying to process what he was seeing. His brows tightened and he leaned forward a little.

"I am not hallucinating right?"

"Of course not?"

"Is this true?"

"Yess!"

Kael sucked in a cold breath as his gaze settled on the tattoo carved over Ruth’s back. His eyes widened in disbelief. It was the tattoo of a lion covered by graffiti symbols, and what shocked him even more was that the tattoo was alive. The lion’s outline moved ever so slightly, like it was breathing or waiting to jump out.

"This..." Kael swallowed his saliva as a chill ran down his spine. His fingers trembled a little as he pointed at it. "This isn’t an ordinary tattoo.."

Hearing this, Ruth’s lips twitched and he shot Kael a cold glare.

"Do you think I am someone who likes his body painted by those useless things?"

Kael blinked and nodded hesitantly. "Now that you said this, you surely aren’t the type to craft a tattoo on your back." He clicked his tongue and fell into deep thought, rubbing his chin.

’This tattoo...’

’Why does it look similar to Valcrest?’

House Valcrest also had a lion symbol on their flag. Except for a few small modifications, this tattoo looked almost the same. Kael’s mind drifted as he kept comparing both symbols.

"So what is it?" he finally asked.

"It’s the Crest of Veydrin.. An ancient magic blessed by God of Storms which can only be inherited by the Leader..."

Ruth paused, letting the words sink in, while Kael stared at him, stunned.

"This is proof that you will be one leading Veydrin.. The Black Knights and all secret forces feel connected to it and follow your will."

"It’s not just for show..It’s like a contract binding everyone around."

Kael’s heartbeat quickened. He did not move, too surprised to even shift his posture.

"Anyone who disobeys your order will be cursed by the Will of Veydrin which will make you live an agonizing life worse than death."

"I understand.." Kael spoke softly, nodding at last. His voice carried a mixture of respect and shock. "So why are you telling me this?"

"Because I am gonna pass it to you now.."

"....."

Kael blinked a few more times, his eyes widening. He lifted a hand like he wanted to pause the moment.

"Wait.. Wait.." he said, confused. "Aren’t we skipping things a bit too much?" Kael asked worriedly, scratching the back of his head.

"No.. Since I have made up my mind there is no time to waste... I will pass this to you now.."

"For real?" Kael asked, not knowing if he was supposed to feel surprised or happy. His mind spun wildly.

Of all the things he imagined, he never thought he would get the Veydrin seat this easily. He had already pictured a rough battle with this old man for days, with him finally coming out on top and mocking Ruth for losing. He even imagined himself laughing over the victory.

But this.

Now that it fell into his lap so suddenly, he felt oddly stifled.

’The process didn’t feel satisfying...’

"Did you think enough? Now take your shirt off and sit before me?"

"Ohh.. Yes..." Kael straightened his back quickly. Then he saluted jokingly out of reflex and sat down with his back facing Ruth.

Ruth stared at Kael for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then he placed his palm on Kael’s bare back. His cold touch made Kael flinch slightly.

A faint light began to glow under Ruth’s hand. It was soft at first, but it grew brighter and brighter until it lit up the entire room. The tattoo on Ruth’s own back shimmered like molten gold. As the light spread, a powerful force surged outward.

Then, without warning, a huge influx of power flowed into Kael’s body like a raging storm. It hit him so suddenly that he almost lurched forward. His breath caught in his throat as his muscles trembled.

A sharp, bone-deep pain shot through his body. It felt like his bones were being crushed and rebuilt at the same time. Kael clenched his teeth hard, his fingers digging into the ground.

The sudden pain twisted his face. Sweat instantly rolled down his forehead.

"Ahh—" He gasped, trying to steady his breathing. His chest rose and fell rapidly.

The power crashed inside him again.

Kael let out a rough breath. "Huh.. Why is this process painful?" he asked in surprise. His voice cracked slightly from the pressure.

"Shut up and focus.." Ruth replied in a cold, steady voice. He pushed more energy into Kael’s back, his hand glowing fiercely.

Kael nodded quickly even though Ruth could not see it. He closed his eyes and tried to focus. He inhaled slowly and exhaled shakily. His face twitched as the energy ran deeper into his body and clashed with his own mana.

His nails scraped against the floor. The pain did not stop. It only grew, crawling through his shoulders, arms, spine, and chest.

The room trembled slightly from the intense transfer.

Kael’s breathing became ragged. His whole body trembled uncontrollably as the Crest’s power kept entering him. His vision blurred for a moment.

Then suddenly, the pain reached a peak.

Without warning, a loud roar echoed in his ears. It was so loud that Kael’s eyes snapped open in shock. It sounded like the roar of a massive lion standing right behind him, roaring into his soul.

The roar vibrated inside his head. It startled him so much that he almost jumped forward, but his body was too stiff to move.

The sound felt ancient, powerful, and wild. It shook him deeply, like it was declaring something from within him.