Ronan's expression flickered with conflict, his head shaking briefly. "No. Lirien didn't deserve to die like that, so I don't deserve a painless death," he said, his voice heavy with sorrow and regret.
Seth nodded decisively and commanded the towering wall of molten lava to retract slowly into the ground. The colossal mass gradually shrank until it vanished entirely, leaving only remnants of molten lava flowing towards Ronan like a river, encircling him in a fiery ring, trapping him at its centre.
With no need for further words, Seth directed the molten lava to stream toward Ronan from multiple directions, engulfing him in the scorching heat. As the searing torrents made contact with Ronan's body, flames erupted, and he let out a gut-wrenching scream, "ARRRGGHHH!!!"
Observing the scene from the side, Leif, having regained his composure, lowered his head with a fierce glint in his eyes, his fists clenched tightly in anger.
Meanwhile, Isadora, still reeling from Lirien's death, couldn't bear to watch, shutting her eyes tightly alongside a few others who refused to witness their former teammate's death in such a manner.
Patriarch Rylan, however, remained firm, his gaze unwavering. As the former leader of the 'Four-eared Lone Rabbit' Runaway City, he had witnessed countless brutal deaths. However, given the gravity of the situation, he felt compelled to witness the events unfold entirely, ensuring accountability for the Four-eared elves who died due to Ronan's actions.
After five minutes, the agonizing screams that had previously filled the air abruptly ceased, leaving an eerie silence. All that remained was a scorched ring imprint on the ground, within which lay the charred outlines of Ronan and Lirien's bodies.
Surprisingly, their bodies had vanished completely, leaving no trace behind, not even a speck of ash.
Isadora briefly glanced at the scene before her, then lowered her head and began to weep uncontrollably.
Lyndon, Leona, and the other gods' chosen felt a wave of tiredness wash over them, exhaling deeply with complicated expressions as they took in the unsettling sight.
Meanwhile, Patriarch Rylan sighed heavily, closing his eyes briefly before regaining his composure and reopening them.
The Village Chief turned his gaze toward Patriarch Rylan. "Now that we've settled this issue, I believe we need to have a serious conversation, Patriarch Rylan," he said, narrowing his eyes.
Patriarch Rylan met the Village Chief's gaze, exhaling briefly before nodding in agreement. "Alright, let's go inside and discuss this privately," he responded.
His eyes briefly flickered to Lirien and Ronan's charred right hands, still wearing their unharmed Devourer's bracelets, before he shook his head and led the Village Chief into the mansion.
As Seth bent down to pick up the Devourer's bracelets belonging to Lirien and Ronan, which he intentionally did not harm, the sound of crackling lightning filled his ears, causing him to exhale deeply. He raised his head and looked at Orion, who had landed beside him with vibrant bluish sparks of lightning flickering around his legs as he surveyed the area with a solemn expression.
After scrutinizing the signs of battle around the mansion, Orion shifted his attention toward the two Devourers' bracelets on the ground, furrowing his brow with a deep frown before turning to Seth.
"Stronghold Leader Seth, can you tell me what is going on here and the reason for all this mess?" Orion asked with a solemn tone.
As soon as Orion appeared, Patriarch Rylan, the Village Chief and Stronghold Leader Zogar halted their steps.
The Village Chief cleared his throat lightly as he walked forward and stopped before Orion. "This is not something we can discuss outside. You can follow us inside so we can tell you what has occurred," he responded.
Since Orion was already here, it was best to inform him about the current situation and everything that had happened before he did the same for the rest of the key figures tomorrow.
Orion furrowed his brow and briefly glanced at Patriarch Rylan's solemn expression and the downcast expressions of his children and the rest of the gods' chosen. "Alright, let's go," he responded.
Though Orion could already guess what had occurred here, he understood that the Village Chief wouldn't take such actions without a reason, so he was prepared to hear what he had to say.
However, before Orion stepped forward, he picked up the two sizable Devourer's bracelets, safely securing them in his hands.
Since Seraphina was currently experimenting on the potential Four-star Vylkr vine and was interested in the Four-eared elves' Devourer's bracelet and the diluted Vylkr energy, he decided to give it to her.
Not only would Seraphina be pleased by such a gift, but it might also help her experiment with the potential Four-star Vylkr energy. And from how things look, he wouldn't need to speak with Patriarch Rylan and the rest of the other gods' chosen anymore.
Seeing Orion pick up the Devourer's bracelets, Seth inwardly exhaled. He was also curious about the Devourer's bracelet and wanted to personally have a look at how it works.
Nonetheless, he understood that he would also be able to look at it later, so he didn't pay it much heed.
Orion followed behind the Village Chief as he led the way forward, with Stronghold Leader Seth beside him. They met with Patriarch Rylan and Stronghold Leader Zogar and walked into the mansion.
…....…
One hour later
"So, is that everything that happened?" Orion asked, his expression filled with surprise.
After hearing the Village Chief's explanations, he began to understand everything that had occurred.
Who would have guessed that one of the gods' chosen had made a deal with Captain Seig, betraying their own race, and was partly responsible for the sharp decline in numbers of the Four-eared elves before they could arrive at the city?
Nonetheless, Orion couldn't help but sigh as he pondered whether he would have done the same if he were in the same dilemma as Ronan.
If something terrible ever happens to their territory, would he make a deal with their enemies and betray the Village Chief and the others in exchange for the lives of himself, his wives, and his children?
