Cain preserved the heart inside an orb of white flas before proceeding to consu Aerion's body, devouring every remaining fragnt of the spy from the Soul Eternal Realm.
After that scene, silence fell over the hall.
The atmosphere beca extrely awkward for the Dark Blood King and the assembled Generals.
They had originally intended to make an example out of Cain, to demonstrate the consequences of disobeying the command structure of the Dark Blood Kingdom. Although losing such a powerful warrior would have been a significant blow, the display would have reinforced discipline and unity among the rest of the army-sothing of great value with a prolonged war approaching.
But the situation had completely changed.
Not only had Cain erased any suspicion directed toward him, but he had also captured and eliminated a spy none of them had even detected. Furthermore, through Aerion's mories, the Dark Blood Kingdom had gained a vast amount of intelligence regarding the Soul Eternal Realm-information that would prove invaluable once the invasion of the Eighth Realm of Paradise began.
For the first ti in a long while, the Dark Blood King found himself uncertain about how to proceed.
Fortunately for him, Cain already had an answer.
"I no longer feel comfortable working side by side with the other Generals of the Dark Blood Kingdom," Cain said calmly. "I request a different assignnt."
Under normal circumstances, such words would have sounded arrogant or even disrespectful. But given that the sa group had
been discussing his execution just monts earlier, the request was not unreasonable.
The Dark Blood King frowned slightly before turning his gaze toward General Fausto.
The dragon-like Royal Blutlinie released a quiet sigh before giving a small nod.
"What task do you want?" Fausto asked.
Cain's eyes glowed with cold confidence as he replied.
"The sa mission as the man I killed. I want to enter the Eighth Realm and operate against the Soul Eternal Kingdom."
Imdiately, the expressions of the Dark Blood King and the Generals sharpened.
Sending a spy into another realm was an extrely delicate and dangerous decision.
The risk was not only for the one being sent, but also for the one who sent them. There was always the possibility that the agent would defect and begin working for the enemy instead.
Aerion had been allowed to infiltrate the Dark Blood Realm because he was the perfect candidate-and because he had proven his absolute loyalty to Shakra and the Soul Eternal Kingdom ti and ti again.
Cain, on the other hand, had never demonstrated true loyalty to the Dark Blood Kingdom. In fact, from the Dark Blood King's perspective, the Scarlet King was loyal only to himself.
Nor did Cain possess any special talent for locating fragnts of the Sacred Treasures, which had been one of Aerion's primary
advantages.
Under normal circumstances, approving such a request would have been unthinkable.
However, the situation was different when it ca to the Soul Eternal Realm.
The Dark Blood King knew Shakra well.
After everything they had just witnessed, there was no realistic possibility of Cain switching sides. If the Scarlet King appeared within the territory of the Soul Eternal Kingdom, they would attempt to kill him imdiately.
There was no path for betrayal.
The Dark Blood King glanced toward General Fausto again. The latter t his gaze and gave a solemn nod.
Working alongside the Scarlet King was not a viable option. Forcing cooperation would only increase tension and instability within the command structure.
As for executing him, that option was now even worse. Cain had just rendered a great service to the kingdom by capturing Aerion and providing access to critical intelligence. Killing him imdiately afterward would send a terrible ssage to the troops.
Given all that, sending him into the Soul Eternal Realm was the most practical solution.
Even if the Scarlet King failed to recover any Sacred Treasure fragnts, he was undeniably capable of causing destruction.
It would be like releasing a tiger into a pack of wolves.
The tiger might die.
But it would certainly take several wolves down with it.
After a mont of consideration, the Dark Blood King nodded.
"That is acceptable. You will enter the Soul Eternal Realm. Your mission is to locate Sacred Treasures if possible and eliminate as many enemies as you can."
He paused, then closed his eyes, extending his perception outward as
his mind attuned to the shifting laws and barriers of Paradise.
A few seconds later, he continued.
"I will open a portal for you in three months and fourteen days."
A small smile appeared on Cain's face as he nodded.
He was genuinely pleased. Leaving the Dark Blood Realm had always been part of his larger plan.
As for the delay, it was completely understandable. The barriers between realms in Paradise were extraordinarily resilient. Even beings capable of unleashing Fourth Realm power could not cross them freely. It was far safer to wait for a period when the inter-realm boundaries naturally weakened.
The eting should have ended at that point.
But Cain was not soone who wasted opportunities. Before the Dark Blood King could dismiss the assembly, he spoke
again.
"What about the credits for this operation?" Cain asked calmly. "I don't recall the reward amount for discovering a spy and capturing
him alive for interrogation."
The Dark Blood King stared at him for a mont before sighing.
There was no such entry in the reward system. He had never expected anyone to accomplish sothing like this-especially not so early in the conflict.
"What do you want?" the king asked.
Cain's smile widened slightly, and this ti he did not bother hiding
his satisfaction.
"Since I'll be operating in enemy territory where everyone will want
dead, I need to stay one step ahead," he said. "That ans I need
speed."
The Dark Blood King did not need any further explanation.
He already knew what Cain was asking for.
The reward was expensive. Extrely expensive.
But considering the strategic value of the intelligence Cain had
provided-and the dangerous mission he was about to undertake-it was a fair exchange.
After a brief mont of thought, the Dark Blood King nodded.
"The Half-Step Fourth Realm Body Refinent Technique-Apollo's Speed-will be delivered to you."
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