Heat flooded Atticus’ body as his will erupted outward. In an instant, it engulfed Tia, Anorah, and Thora within a dense dome. The purple glow vanished from Tia’s eyes and she blinked repeatedly, staring around in confusion.

A searing bloodlust swept through the entire hall. At that moment, Atticus’ glare felt capable of piercing through worlds.

"What exactly is the meaning of this?"

"...wait! Please, it’s not what you think." Zenon quickly raised both hands. "Lord Solvath was likely just... excited being so close to his fragments. He truly meant no harm."

"I can’t detect any falsehood from him."

Anorah still maintained her Logoth state. In that state, every conclusion she reached was guided by pure logic rather than emotion.

Atticus also couldn’t sense any deception from Zenon, though considering where they currently were, trusting his senses entirely felt foolish.

After a brief silence, he finally nodded.

"Lead the way."

Zenon visibly relaxed at those words. As he began walking toward the platform, Atticus remained vigilant, not once lowering the barrier of will surrounding the group. Though Solvath had become quiet again, Atticus had no intention of letting his guard down.

Zenon exchanged a few quiet words with the people near the platform before returning with a smile.

"This is good," he said with a relieved smile. "We arrived at the perfect moment. Honestly, it’s easier to show you than explain it."

He gestured toward the group gathered around the platform. About eight lightly robed individuals surrounded a single man lying peacefully atop it.

"Our lord Solvath!" one of them proclaimed reverently. "Once again, we bring before you a chosen seeking salvation through your divine grace. Please accept your fragment and deliver him from suffering, Lord Solvath!"

"Lord Solvath!"

The others bowed in unison, repeatedly chanting Solvath’s name.

Soon, the gem flared brightly. Light burst across the platform, illuminating the intricate runes engraved throughout it. The man slowly began floating upward as countless runic symbols spiraled around his body.

The chanting intensified.

"Lord Solvath! Lord Solvath!"

Then suddenly, the man’s body jerked violently as though struck by a powerful current. His chest lit up, and from deep within him, a purple fragment slowly emerged.

Atticus’ eyes narrowed.

’The fragment...’

The purple fragment shot upward into the beam and was instantly swallowed by the massive gem. Moments later, the man slowly descended back onto the platform, staring at his own hands with visible disbelief.

"I-it worked..." he whispered.

"Thank you for your boundless grace, Lord Solvath."

The apparent leader of the group lowered his head in silent prayer before looking back toward the man.

"Now... try drawing upon Lord Solvath’s power."

The man nodded solemnly and closed his eyes. A moment later, they reopened. Both pupils now glowed with a deep purple light.

"Haha... this is incredible! Incredible! Thank you, Lord Solvath! Thank you for your benevolence!"

Not long after, the group departed.

"See?" Zenon turned toward them with growing excitement. "This is exactly what I’ve been trying to explain. Lord Solvath seeks redemption. True redemption. That’s why he granted us freedom. Even after reclaiming the fragment, he still allows us to wield his power!"

"...Okay, that’s actually kinda insane." Thora muttered. The idea of using Solvath’s power without suffering the usual side effects of holding the fragment honestly sounded too good to ignore.

"Exactly!" Zenon said immediately, clearly thrilled someone finally understood. "This city exists for that very reason. A true utopia for the chosen!"

He then turned toward Anorah. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"Norah... I know I left. I know I abandoned you..." His expression softened. "But if I didn’t truly believe you were safe with your grandfather, I never would’ve walked away. You and your mother are the best things that ever happened to me. I know you’re angry. You have every right to be."

He slowly gestured around the temple.

"But this... all of this... I built it for you. For your mother. So you’d never have to suffer under the fragment again. So you could finally live however you want. I just... want you to be happy, Norah."

The icy detachment in Anorah’s eyes gradually faded as Logoth dissolved. She stared at her father with a trembling eyes, looking dangerously close to accepting his words. But after several moments, she slowly shook her head and stepped closer toward Atticus.

"...what do you think?"

Zenon’s expression stiffened slightly before he let out a quiet sigh and turned toward Atticus.

"...well?"

Atticus’ brows were furrowed deeply. First, he was relieved Anorah hadn’t allowed her emotions to decide for her. But beyond that, this entire situation unsettled him. Something about it simply felt wrong.

Freedom? Redemption?

The hatred he had felt from Solvath was still etched into his bones. Hatred on that level didn’t simply vanish. Not unless retribution had already been fulfilled.

And if Atticus himself were in Solvath’s position, he wouldn’t have given a damn about a bunch of random strangers.

Which was exactly why he found all of this so difficult to believe.

’I’ll stick to my original plan.’

Taking the fragments for himself. However, the sheer amount gathered here... even greater than the fifty-plus fragments he already possessed... made it uncertain whether he could withstand them all. The last thing he wanted was to lose control and become overwhelmed.

’I’ll deal with that after I handle Whisker.’

Having reached a conclusion, Atticus lifted his gaze and fixed his maybe father-in-law with an unreadable stare as he spoke.

...

The major faction region was located in the western territory of the Third Crown. Across an enormous stretch of land, the domains of the major factions spread outward like independent kingdoms, divided by clear borders and territories.

Though they all belonged to the same alliance, their relationships were far from peaceful. Minor skirmishes frequently broke out between them, while full-scale wars had erupted countless times throughout history.

Some True Gods had fallen during those conflicts, while others remained locked in bitter battles even now.

The only forces capable of uniting the True Gods were the brutal Raverents and the alliance of chosen.

Only those two.

Which was exactly why the next scene was so shocking.

In a secluded part of the western wastelands stood a small, unassuming building. Despite its ordinary appearance, a suffocating oppressive aura radiated from it, sending cracks racing endlessly across the barren land surrounding it. Yet the pressure did not originate from the building itself.

It came from the beings gathered within.

Inside the structure, seated upon massive thrones spread throughout a vast hall, the True Gods of the major factions sat together in oppressive silence.