With a flick of his wrist, Caen pointed the dark sword at the ground, causing a crack to form on the surface. The crack extended rapidly, creating a deep chasm that separated the Young Gods from him.
"I trusted you," Caen's voice resonated with disappointment and anger. "I gave you my protection, and my trust, and this is how you repay me? By being greedy? Over a small thing like that?"
"If you had come to me, and asked me to let you keep it, I would've done so without hesitation. But you..."
Elysia took a step forward, her voice quivering with emotion. "Caen, we didn't mean to betray you. We were afraid that if we told you, you might get hurt again or that others might try to steal it from you, when you were already injured. We were about to tell you as soon as we uncovered anything!"
At the last moment, Elysia couldn't think of anything else. She used the same fake justification that they had used to convince themselves that their actions were justified, while the reality was much different.
Caen stared at Elysia. In the next moment, he appeared merely a foot away from her. "Please tell me you didn't expect me to believe that? I would be quite disappointed if you really thought that I was this naive."
His voice appeared cold, as if it came straight from the depths of hell, and nowhere else.
Elysia's heart raced as Caen's proximity and tone sent a chill down her spine. She struggled to find her words, her mouth dry with fear.
"I... I..." she stuttered, desperately searching for a response that wouldn't further enrage him.
Caen's eyes bore into hers, his scrutiny unwavering. "Don't waste my time with lies, Elysia. Your eyes already gave me the answer I needed."
Leaving him alone, these people roamed over this world in search of the Fragments of Heart of Eternity. It was no different than then scheming against him, especially when he was at his weakest. He didn't know how he was going to trust his back with these people after that.
Still, he didn't kill anyone. He took a few steps back. "Give me the Fragments you found."
"Fragments?" Fortunay asked, taken aback. Since Caen talked like that, it was clear that he knew more about the Heart of Eternity than they thought.
He didn't understand if Caen knew about this world and the fragments before coming to this world already, or if he also saw a vision. But at the moment, none of that mattered.
Now that he was personally here, and none of them managed to uncover how to use the fragments, they couldn't do anything. Not listening to Caen at this point was no different than asking for death.
Every Young God looked at Fortunay at the same time, since he had both the Fragments.
Fortunay nodded. He brought out the first Fragment that he had found, which floated in space before him, surrounded by the Divine Energy.
Caen looked at the Fragment floating in space. However, his eyes still remained on Fortunay, as if he was looking at the depths of his soul.
Caen could sense the immense power emanating from the Fragment, its energy pulsating with ancient knowledge and untapped potential. It was quite similar to the fragment that he had found.
Still, Caen didn't take the fragment. His Sword swung without a single word.
A shocked gasp was heard and before anyone could realize it, a Young God dropped on the ground, lifeless. Caen's sword sliced through their throat.
"You want to try again?" he asked Fortunay. He didn't know if Fortunay actually had another fragment or not, but this was the easiest way to draw more out if he had any.
Fortunay's eyes widened in fear as he glimpsed the lifeless body on the ground, realizing the gravity of the situation. Caen was really furious.
Trembling, he reached into his pocket and slowly withdrew another fragment, his voice shaking as he whispered, " I... I have one more... I was about to bring it out as well."
Caen observed Fortunay's genuine fear and remorse. It was clear that there were no more Fragments.
Caen kept both the Fragments safely, but even more, he hadn't sent his sword back. Looking at his sword, all the Young Gods felt uneasy.
None of them spoke anything, and they simply stood with their heads down, as if they were remorseful.
"You all have been with me since my childhood. That's why, I'll be merciful to you despite your scheming betrayal," Caen spoke.
The Young Gods sighed in relief, but their expressions soon turned pale as they heard the next part of his sentence.
" I'll grant you mercy by giving you quick and painless deaths."
The Young Gods exchanged anxious glances, realizing the severity of their actions and the consequences that now loomed over them. Caen's decision was final, and they knew there was no escaping his judgment. Each one of them felt the weight of guilt and regret for their betrayal.
They could fight back, but winning against him was unlikely.
Caen raised his sword, ready to carry out his sentence, but Elysia couldn't bear to see such a fate for herself.
"Caen, please," she pleaded with tears in her eyes. "I know we were wrong, but we can change. We can make amends, help you find the remaining fragments, and protect them together."
"You really think I care about those fragments? They mean nothing to me. I wouldn't care even if I can't find a single more! I care more about you making a fool out of me! I care more about the fact that I was listening to the traitors, without even realizing it!"
"I care more about the fact that because of you, I might become a laughingstock in the eyes of the person who told me to stay away from you! I care more about my dignity than I care about these pieces of stones!" Caen spoke. "And that's why..."
He didn't finish his sentence. However, ten pitch black portals opened all around the Young Gods, from which the Abyssal Beasts stepped out.
