Timeless Assassin Chapter 1167: Never Again

(A Few Hours Later, The Eternal Garden, Leo’s POV)

*Slow Walk*

*Giggles*

The sound of Amanda giggling echoed through the empty plains of the Eternal Garden, as she walked hand in hand with Leo, as though the two of them were a newly wed couple on their honeymoon.

Lately, the duo enjoyed such walks quite frequently, as ever since Leo had taken over this divine realm, the two enjoyed quite a lot of quality time together.

However, while most of their walks went uninterrupted, today was not one such fortunate day, as midway through the walk, Leo sensed shadow number one’s presence on his back.

*Sigh*

Sighing deeply, Leo turned and said—

"Cough it out..... what is it this time?"

He asked, as Shadow Number One immediately bowed deeply in apology.

"My apologies, my Lord," he replied respectfully.

"It was never my intention to disturb your time with my lady, however something important has just happened."

Amanda’s expression shifted immediately hearing those words, while Leo’s relaxed demeanor disappeared almost entirely.

"Speak," Leo ordered calmly.

"My Lord, the Demi God Clarence recently approached Mairon personally upon Planet Bennett.....

And reports suggest that he restrained Mairon briefly before delivering a message on behalf of the Deceiver Mauriss."

Shadow Number One said, as the moment Leo heard the name ’Mauriss’, his expression changed instantly.

"Oh?"

He muttered, as the calm on his face was replaced by a murderous fury, as Shadow Number One took in a deep gulp and continued.

"Apparently, Clarence informed Mairon that Mauriss wishes to meet him personally in two days’ time, and that he can decide the time and place himself.

He also advised Mairon to keep the interaction hidden from you."

Leo’s eyes narrowed sharply hearing that statement.

"And Mairon? What did he do?"

Leo asked, as Shadow Number One nodded in acknowledgement and said—

"Lord Mairon informed the shadows almost immediately after Clarence departed about everything that transpired.

He looked ashamed at being manhandled more than anything else.

But he’s clean...."

Shadow Number One answered promptly, as hearing that, Leo’s expression softened slightly.

"Was Mairon hurt?"

Leo asked next, as despite everything else, that was what he cared about the most.

"No, my Lord.

Mairon stated that Clarence pletely overpowered him physically and restrained him without difficulty, however there were no signs of injury....."

Shadow Number One began, before pausing to think.

"..... I personally believe that the Demi God must be operating under strict orders not to harm him."

He added, as only then did Leo finally release a long breath.

Because had there been even a single scratch on Mairon’s body, this situation would already have escalated far beyond negotiations or caution.

Amanda looked toward him silently for a few moments before eventually speaking.

"You were seriously considering going to war over this, weren’t you?"

She asked softly, as Leo let out a quiet chuckle hearing that.

"Of course I was," he admitted openly.

"If Mauriss thinks he can threaten my children without consequences, then he’s pletely out of his damn mind."

His gaze shifted toward the distant ocean afterward while his eyes gradually grew colder.

"He waited until the soul contract expired before making his move..."

Leo muttered quietly.

"As expected from that lunatic."

Amanda frowned slightly hearing that.

"Do you think he’s trying to use Mairon against you?" she questioned.

Leo remained silent briefly before shaking his head slowly.

"No," he replied calmly.

"Mairon is smarter than that."

A faint smirk appeared across Leo’s face afterward.

"However, Mauriss isn’t the type of man who approaches someone without purpose."

"He enjoys creating pressure, curiosity, doubt, temptation..."

"And unfortunately, he’s very good at it."

Shadow Number One remained kneeling silently while waiting for further instructions.

Eventually, Leo looked toward him once more.

"Double Mairon’s shadow protection detail quietly," Leo ordered.

"Do not interfere openly unless absolutely necessary.....

And, tell the boy to pay me a damn visit at once.

I haven’t seen him in three years, but I guess, it’s time I finally forgive him...."

Leo said, as "Yes, my Lord," Shadow Number One replied immediately, before dispersing to carry out the orders.

—--------

(Meanwhile, On Planet Bennett Prime, Mairon’s POV)

Meanwhile, upon Planet Bennett Prime, Mairon sat isolated inside his private chamber with his head lowered between his arms, as ever since Clarence left earlier that day, he had not been able to calm the storm raging within his mind.

Because what haunted him most was not the threat itself.

Nor Mauriss.

Nor even the possibility that he was being targeted by enemies far beyond his current level.

No.

What truly ate away at him was the humiliation.

The crushing realization that Clarence walked directly onto his planet, restrained him effortlessly, spoke to him entirely on his own terms, and then casually left afterward while Mairon could do absolutely nothing about it.

Not a single thing.

"Bloody hell..."

Mairon muttered bitterly while staring toward the floor beneath him.

"Just how damn weak am I...?"

His fingers slowly clenched into fists afterward.

"I couldn’t even put up half a decent fight."

The memory replayed endlessly inside his mind.

The speed.

The grip strength.

The overwhelming aura.

The plete helplessness he felt while standing before Clarence.

And the worst part was...

Clarence did not even treat him like a threat.

That was what truly shattered his pride.

"I’m Mairon Skyshard, damn it..."

He muttered quietly, as his voice gradually grew heavier.

"My father made that same man tremble in his boots while still being a Monarch..."

His words slowly trailed off there while he looked down toward his palms silently.

And for perhaps the very first time in his entire life...

Mairon genuinely felt worthless.

Because until today, some arrogant part of him always believed that he was already strong.

A Monarch.

A planetary conqueror.

The founder of the Fundamentalists.

A rising figure within the Cult.

Someone feared across countless worlds.

And yet today, reality smashed those illusions apart effortlessly.

Because pared to true monsters like Clarence...

He was still weak.

Painfully weak.

A long silence filled the chamber afterward while Mairon continued staring toward his own trembling hands.

Then eventually, he let out a quiet laugh.

A bitter one.

"So this is what father saw all along, huh...?"

He muttered softly.

"The universe beyond the Monarch rank..."

For years now, he spent most of his time building influence, managing organizations, controlling territories, securing wealth, and expanding the Fundamentalists across multiple worlds.

And while he did continue training consistently throughout all those years...

Deep down, strength itself slowly stopped being his main obsession.

Until today.

Because now, after standing helplessly before Clarence...

Mairon finally understood something clearly.

None of it mattered.

Not the Fundamentalists. Not his authority. Not the money.

None of it meant a damn thing if someone stronger could simply walk onto his world and impose their will over him whenever they pleased.

"Never again..."

Mairon muttered quietly, as his eyes slowly darkened.

"Never again, damn it."

A dangerous pressure slowly began leaking from his body while mana around the chamber started fluctuating violently.

"The Fundamentalists..."

"The Cult..."

"All of it bees meaningless if I don’t possess enough strength to enforce my own will."

His gaze gradually sharpened afterward while Clarence’s face resurfaced inside his thoughts once more.

"Clarence, you bastard..."

Mairon muttered coldly.

"You got the better of me today..."

His fingers tightened harder.

"But I swear on my life..."

"The next time I see you..."

"I’ll kill you with my own dagger."

The promise escaped his mouth slowly, yet the killing intent behind those words felt terrifyingly genuine.

"That’s the promise of a Skyshard."