Hearing her words, Azriel's demeanor calmed slightly, though the atmosphere around him remained tense. Lumine and Yelena exchanged worried glances as they stepped back cautiously.
'Wait—Nol isn't here, which means he hasn't found a solution yet…'
This was an opportunity Azriel couldn't afford to miss.
Cole's soul echo had already dissipated, and he bowed, avoiding Joaquin's gaze. The soldiers stood by, torn between fear and morbid curiosity at what Joaquin might do next.
"Y-Your Majesty… I know the crime I committed last year, and I sincerely apologize. I've paid for my actions… for trying to approach Her Highness."
Gasps rippled through the crowd as they grasped the weight of Cole's confession. Lumine and Yelena looked to Jasmine and Azriel, now understanding his reaction.
"I have regretted it every day since then, I swear! I even risked my life to ensure the prince's safety!"
But Joaquin's cold, unyielding stare showed no hint of forgiveness. Cole's heart pounded as dread settled in, spurring him to desperate pleas.
"Yelena, it's fine," Azriel interrupted before she could speak further. She cast him a confused look but obeyed, falling silent.
Joaquin tilted his head slightly at Cole, a soft hum escaping him.
"So, you claim that saving my son's life should absolve you?"
His voice was low, detached.
Cole froze, his throat tightening.
Joaquin nodded slowly.
"I suppose it's only fair to grant forgiveness for saving my son's life. But… I made a promise to myself: if I ever saw you again, I'd rip your head off."
The next moment was a blur. Joaquin appeared in front of Cole so quickly that no one had time to react. Cole's face turned ashen, his body trembling.
"W-WAIT! PLEASE, HAVE MERCY!"
Joaquin's silence was colder than ice as his hand extended, moving closer to Cole's face. Cole's body refused to move, as if every muscle recognized that dodging would mean something far worse.
Just as Joaquin's hand was about to make contact, a voice cut through the tension.
Every breath caught in the crowd's throats. Eyes widened, turning toward Azriel in shock.
It felt as if time had stopped, like the climax of a grand performance abruptly interrupted, leaving the audience breathless and frustrated. Some even dared to glare openly at the prince, their discontent clear.
Joaquin's hand halted mid-air, and he shifted his gaze to Azriel. But Azriel, unaffected by the eyes on him, pointed at Cole.
Confusion swept across the onlookers as they processed Azriel's words. Joaquin stared at his son for a few tense moments before, as if understanding, he exhaled and stepped back.
Cole, who had been holding his breath, crumpled to the ground unconscious. The collective sigh that followed was palpable. Disappointment lingered in the air as Azriel moved toward Cole.
"Thank you, Father," he said softly.
Joaquin nodded, then turned to the soldiers.
"Malcolm, lead them back to the castle. I will join you with my son shortly."
Malcolm hesitated but ultimately nodded.
"As you wish, Your Majesty."
Without further objections, he led the group down one of the corridors, with the rest trailing in silence. Jasmine, Amaya, Lumine, and Yelena cast lingering glances at Azriel before disappearing from sight.
Alone at last with Cole's lifeless body, Joaquin's expression shifted, curiosity sparking in his eyes.
"There's much I wish to say to you… but I have a feeling you're about to do something intriguing."
A smirk played on Azriel's lips as he let out a soft chuckle.
"I had a feeling you were up to something, but I never expected it to be on such a scale. Impressive," Joaquin said as he walked side by side with Azriel through the labyrinthine corridors.
"Though your mother is definitely going to kill you for this one when we get back. Staying in the void realm might actually be safer than going home."
Azriel chuckled dryly, ignoring the last part. He had just finished recounting everything that had transpired in the void dungeon, including how he had derailed the enemy's plans in Asia and taken down one of their leaders.
"You knew I was planning something?"
Azriel's eyes widened slightly, caught off guard.
'He wasn't supposed to know…'
Joaquin's lips curved into a subtle smile as they turned into another corridor.
"Don't underestimate your father. I am not like that little girl who was made head of the Hero Academy. We may both be saints, but we are leagues apart."
Azriel stayed silent, pondering the true extent of the power gap between saints. How strong was one saint compared to another? He had no idea. The factors seemed too complex to measure, making it clear that sheer grade didn't always determine dominance. It almost made him respect his father. Almost.
"We already knew of their influence in Africa, but it seems we underestimated them. Seven Heptarchs? And one of them a saint? Does that mean each one is another saint who wants us dead? And this 'Supreme Archon' is their revered leader?"
Azriel's expression turned thoughtful, debating whether to share more. Finally, he sighed.
"Being a Heptarch doesn't necessarily mean being a saint. I'm not sure what the exact criteria are, but it's not just about your mana core."
He hesitated before continuing, his voice quieter, "After I defeated them, the Supreme Archon offered me a position as one of the Heptarchs."
Joaquin's eyes narrowed, halting their steps. Azriel felt a spike of tension as his father's gaze bore into him, scrutinizing.
"So, the mastermind of a major terrorist organization wants you as one of their leaders? Just because you won? There's more to this, isn't there? What aren't you telling me?"
The air thickened as Joaquin's presence shifted, the formidable aura of the Crimson King radiating outwards. Azriel felt the weight of it but knew his father wouldn't harm him. Concern flickered in Joaquin's dark eyes, making the tension all the more palpable.
Azriel swallowed, breaking eye contact.
"I can't tell you. Sorry."
Joaquin's eyes widened briefly, surprise softening his expression. He exhaled slowly, the pressure receding.
"Personal, is it? Very well. Tell me when you're ready."
His tone shifted, adopting a rare fatherly concern.
"I prefer not to interfere with you or your sister's choices. You won't grow otherwise. But if I find out you're risking your life in such a reckless way again, I will intervene."
A hint of guilt gnawed at Azriel, but he managed a smile.
"Don't worry. I'm not planning anything again anytime soon."
Joaquin raised an eyebrow.
"Meaning you will one day?"
Azriel looked away, not answering. Joaquin sighed, resigned.
"I won't make the same mistake a third time. Next time, I'll step in."
Azriel's smile grew a fraction as they resumed walking. They turned into another corridor, stopping when they found themselves facing an imposing white door. Relief washed over Azriel as he realized what he had found.
'No need to swim after all...'
The door was cold and foreboding, making a shiver run down his spine.
"Should I ask how you knew of this door?"
Joaquin's eyes narrowed as he observed the ornate structure.
"It's as if you've been here before."
Azriel's voice steadied, confidence anchoring him.
Joaquin's eyes widened in disbelief.
"I came here once," Azriel admitted, his voice low.
"I didn't go all the way—I wasn't looking to die—but yes, I've been here before."
Joaquin's expression shifted, unreadable.
Without another word, they pressed on. Joaquin placed his hand on the smooth, cold surface, and the door groaned as it opened, revealing what lay beyond.
A blast of icy wind hit Azriel's face, making him shudder. Even with his affinity for ice, the cold felt unnatural.
He stepped onto grass as white as snow, eyes lifting to a colossal tree with bone-white leaves and sprawling roots. Its sheer, haunting beauty made his skin prickle.
Joaquin's voice, low and tense, cut through the silence.
Azriel's heart thudded painfully, his breath catching. The tree's presence now felt more sinister, its stillness oppressive.
"But it's sleeping... under some sort of spell," Joaquin mused, breaking Azriel's daze.
Relief flooded Azriel's veins. He had known of this place, but not that the tree itself was a Leviathan.
His view of it changed entirely.
'It's asleep... Good. It won't wake up, right?'
He forced himself to look calm, nodding as Joaquin met his gaze. His father's expression softened slightly, and with a wave of his hand, a shadowy circle appeared before them, stark against the pale surroundings. The portal shimmered briefly before depositing Cole's unconscious body on the ground.
Cole's eyes fluttered open, disoriented.
"W-what happened...?"
With a groan, Cole rose, his face twisting in pain as he winced at the sight of his surroundings: a forest draped in white and a colossal tree that sent a shudder down his spine. He took a few unsteady steps back, trying to steady his breathing, before turning around.
And there they stood.
Both with jet-black hair—one with eyes as dark as obsidian, the other with eyes the color of blood.
And both wore crooked smiles aimed right at him, smiles that made his face darken.