"Dad and Grandpa?"
"They're attending to your mother, supre ruler."
Atticus nodded, glancing around. Each Eldorian and paragon bowed when his eyes t theirs.
"As you're all aware," his said, "my mother was attacked by the leaders of the other worlds. They failed, but it revealed sothing important, mana contracts can't be trusted."
The expressions of the Eldorians hardened. Atticus had just confird their fears. Without mana contracts, how would loyalty be guaranteed?
"So," he continued, "from now on, I'll ensure your loyalty through my will. I've branded every necessary individual across the world. Now, it's your turn."
His will spread and enveloped all of them. They exchanged worried looks.
"Just close your eyes and don't resist."
Seeing no other choice, they complied, and Atticus branded each one.
'It's not any of them.'
Though he hadn't ntioned it, he'd used the opportunity and gone through each of their mories. But he didn't find anything.
'It could be anyone…'
Atticus' mind still hadn't left the apexes, but focusing on them when he hadn't found any proof was illogical.
"Now, I still haven't found who orchestrated the attack. The only clue is their number, three. If any of you have information that can lead to them, you'll be heavily rewarded."
"We'll do everything we can, supre ruler."
As Oberon and the others bowed, Atticus nodded and vanished into the newly built house.
"I'm sorry for not being present, Ana."
"I'm fine, honey. I promise."
Anastasia blushed softly as Avalon caressed her head like a child. The others stood nearby, watching.
'She likes it.' Though she frowned, Atticus could feel she enjoyed the attention. He noticed Zoey quickly glance away.
'I don't have ti for this now.'
It was a an thought, but matters of the heart were the last thing currently on his mind.
"Atticus!"
All eyes turned to him as he approached.
"Where the hell have you been?" Aurora asked.
"Trying to find the culprit."
"Did you?"
Atticus turned to Magnus. 'He's pissed.'
Understandably so, Anastasia was family. An attack on her was an attack on him.
"No." He shook his head.
"Em, aren't you a literal god?" Caldor asked. "Shouldn't you be all-knowing or sothing?"
The others nodded.
"The leaders were following a group called the three. I went through their mories, but there was nothing useful."
"They attacked us," Aurora frowned. "Does that an mana contracts no longer work?"
"They do. But there's a way to bypass them."
"Then what now? Anyone can betray us?"
"I've taken care of that already."
"Wh—"
"Children," Anastasia interrupted. "I'm sure Atticus has had a long day. Let him rest. You can ask your questions later."
As they reluctantly nodded, Atticus fixed his eyes on Anastasia. Though she smiled at him, Atticus could feel the strain.
'She's in pain. Grieving.'
He looked around and noticed Arya's absence.
'Of course.'
"I'll be back."
"Wher—"
Atticus vanished the next mont and appeared at the edge of a high cliff. Winds howled, threatening to toss him off. The bottom was lost in clouds.
He fixed his gaze on the lone figure by the edge.
'Arya.'
She looked so fragile it seed the wind might carry her away.
"Hey."
Arya flinched. She looked back and froze the mont she saw Atticus.
"W-what are you doing here, y-young master?"
"I ca here for you, clearly," he said. "So what's your plan? Jump?"
Arya clenched her fists and faced her front. Tears stread down her eyes.
"You're a grandmaster. You know this fall won't kill you, right?"
"…"
"I can help you."
Arya narrowed her eyes.
"I-it's not a joke…"
"Who said I'm joking?" His voice turned cold and his killing intent filled the air.
"I'm god. A single thought is all it'll take. Just give the word, and I'll make it painless."
"I—"
"Well, you should at least say goodbye to Mom first," Atticus sighed. "She's grieving that Yotad sacrificed himself for her. She'll be devastated to learn you killed yourself."
"Y-you'll tell her?"
"Of course." Atticus nodded. "She needs to know you died because of her."
"I-it's not!" Arya turned sharply.
"It's not?"
She wiped her tears.
"It's because… because I couldn't protect her! If you hadn't arrived, she would have died, young master! Died! How am I supposed to live with myself?"
"I don't know." Atticus shrugged. "You're an assassin, so act like it. You said it's not her fault, but you're the only one who knows that. What do you think she'll believe when you die? You think she won't bla herself? You care about her, yet you'd make her carry that guilt?"
Arya wiped her tears but said nothing. Atticus shook his head.
"Then maybe you really don't deserve to protect her," Atticus said coldly. "Jump if you want."
He vanished, leaving the sobbing assassin behind.
Afterward, Atticus went back to the hill to spend so ti with Anastasia.
"Hey baby, have you seen Arya? I've been looking for her."
"…no."
It hurt that he lied to her face, but it wasn't like he could tell her that her guard was trying to kill herself…
'Let's hope she cos back.'
Fortunately, his words worked and Arya returned thirty minutes later.
"M-my lady…"
"Arya! Where have you been? I've been searching for you since—"
"…I was just—"
"I sent her to do sothing for , Mom."
"Huh? But you just said—"
"I must have forgotten."
Though Anastasia found it strange that a god could forget anything, she let it go.
With the Eldorians' help, the hill was cleared and an even bigger mansion was built. Ozeroth and Whisker had personally seen that their personal… tastes were t.
Afterward, they discussed briefly before leaving. When the hill turned silent again, Atticus stood outside, staring at the silver moon.
"What will you do now, bond?"
Ozeroth appeared by his side, eyes cold.
"Maintain caution. Get more powerful."
"Wrong answer."
Atticus glanced at him. "What do you an?"
"He's right, my star actor. That's the wrong answer."
Whisker appeared on the other side. Though there was a smile on his face, his eyes were equally icy.
"There's a powerful force acting against you. I've lived for centuries, and this is the first ti I've seen a god so clueless about what's happening in his own world."
"Then what do you suggest I do?"
"They just declared war on you," Whisker said, his smile vanishing.
"Declare it back."
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