What Cain began to search for within Aerion's soul were the principles behind the Power of Karma.
Normally, such an effort would have been pointless. Even if Cain obtained a complete and deeply comprehensive understanding of Aerion's karmic abilities, the knowledge alone would be useless. Without the Ancestor Drop of Aerion, the power itself could not be replicated.
It was like mastering the theory of fire while lacking oxygen, or achieving perfect understanding of swordsmanship while holding only a bow.
Even if Cain consud that drop, it would only strengthen his own lineage rather than grant him the unique properties of another.
And yet... there was always the possibility of a miracle.
"The chances of success aren't high," Cain muttered to himself. "But I lose nothing by trying."
Without rcy or hesitation, he began extracting the fragnts of Aerion's soul that contained the essence of his Ancestral Power. Those fragnts were carefully separated and drawn toward Cain's own spiritual core.
The damage grew rapidly.
Cracks spread deeper through Aerion's soul structure, and even the stabilizing influence of the Quietus Force began to tremble under the strain. It was clear that if Cain continued at the sa pace, the soul would not endure much longer.
Fortunately, Cain had already obtained what he needed-the underlying frawork and principles governing Aerion's ancestral ability. Rather than pushing forward recklessly, he stopped.
Instead, he shifted his attention to the vast reservoir of information
related to the Soul Eternal Realm. Military structures, internal hierarchies, power classifications, secret protocols-Cain absorbed it all thodically.
Only after gathering a sufficient amount did he withdraw his presence, allowing Aerion's soul a brief period of rest.
It was then that Cain finally turned his attention to the Dark Blood Ring.
He sent a strand of his consciousness into it.
"Scarlet King!"
The mont his mind connected, a furious voice exploded within the communication space. The authority and wrath carried within it left no doubt about its owner.
The Dark Blood King.
His voice continued, cold and rciless.
"Neglecting your duties and abandoning your responsibilities as a General of the Dark Blood Kingdom is a grave cri. Report to the capital imdiately, or you will be declared a traitor."
The transmission ended.
There were no additional threats. No attempts at persuasion. No further explanation.
The ssage was simple.
Return to the capital and face judgnt for disobeying General Fausto's orders.
Or refuse-and be hunted down like an animal.
The Dark Blood King was still a being Cain could not confront directly. Earning his wrath was dangerous... possibly fatal.
Yet instead of fear, a surge of excitent rose within Cain's heart.
Everything was unfolding exactly as planned.
He allowed the thrill to linger for a mont before suppressing it. His expression hardened, his gaze turning solemn and composed-the face of a man ready to answer for his cris.
Without hesitation, Cain shot into the sky.
His figure beca a streak of crimson light as he flew toward the capital of the Dark Blood Kingdom like a falling star.
He did not summon the Royal Guard. He traveled alone.
This was not because he feared they would beco targets.
Ironically, despite their cruelty and bloodlust, mbers of the Blutlinie race rarely hard the families or subordinates of their enemies. This restraint did not co from honor or morality. It was simply because such actions were considered inefficient.
Family bonds ant very little among the Blutlinie.
Brothers killed brothers. Children usurped their fathers. Entire
kingdoms had been forged through internal slaughter.
Personal attachnts were weaknesses most of their kind had long
since abandoned.
The real reason Cain traveled alone was much simpler.
Speed.
The underground cavern where he had hidden was not far from the capital. Less than six hours later, Cain crossed the outer defenses and
entered the city.
The mont he arrived, he felt it.
Powerful gazes locked onto him from multiple directions.
"They were all waiting for ," Cain thought.
Outwardly, his expression remained calm and serious. Inside,
however, the thrill only intensified.
He accelerated toward the massive castle at the heart of the capital
and entered without delay, heading straight for the great hall where
the War Council had previously gathered.
This ti, they were already assembled.
Waiting for him stood the Dark Blood King, General Fausto, General Averus, the Heartcram King, and the Evernight Queen.
The mont Cain stepped inside, an overwhelming aura flooded the chamber.
The Dark Blood King's presence pressed down on him like an endless abyss. Space seed to distort. Ti itself felt sluggish, as if Cain were being pulled into a vortex where existence might simply cease.
Cain frowned slightly as the pressure weighed against his body and
soul.
But his eyes remained sharp.
There was no fear in them.
The Dark Blood King's gaze narrowed when he noticed that.
After a mont, the oppressive aura receded, though the anger in his voice remained explosive.
"In the coming months and years, this kingdom will be engulfed in
war, conflict, and political struggle. Every General under my command must understand the responsibility that cos with their power and their title."
His eyes locked onto Cain.
"Those who ignore orders and break the chain of command are not
rely useless. They are liabilities. And I do not tolerate liabilities in
my realm."
When he finished, General Fausto stepped forward.
"Your strength is unquestionable," the dragon-like Royal Blutlinie said calmly. "But strength alone is not enough. We need commanders who follow orders, who coordinate, and who strengthen the unity of our
forces."
His gaze hardened.
"You are not such a commander."
He paused briefly before continuing in a colder tone.
"At present, the most practical course of action is to take everything
you possess your authority, your resources, your position, your blood-and grant it to soone else. That individual may not be as powerful as you, but at least he will fight as part of the army rather than apart from it."
Cain glanced around the hall.
General Averus showed no reaction at all, his expression distant and indifferent, as if Cain's fate did not concern him in the slightest. The Heartcram King, however, did not bother hiding his satisfaction.
A faint smile curved across his face.
As for the Evernight Queen, she looked bored, her gaze unfocused, clearly uninterested in whatever decision would be made. Cain could have spoken.
He could have argued, explained his actions, or tried to manipulate
the situation with careful words and layered sches.
Instead, he simply raised his hand.
With a flick of power, space distorted beside him. And Aerion's body appeared before the entire assembly.
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