Path of the Extra

Chapter 143: Horrors of Hell [11]

Hearing her words, Azrielʼs demeanor calmed slightly, though the atmosphere around him remained tense. Lumine and Yelena exchanged worried glances as they stepped back cautiously.

ʼWait—Nol isnʼt here, which means he hasnʼt found a solution yet…ʼ

This was an opportunity Azriel couldnʼt afford to miss.

Coleʼs soul echo had already dissipated, and he bowed, avoiding Joaquinʼs gaze. The soldiers stood by, torn between fear and morbid curiosity at what Joaquin might do next.

”Y-Your Majesty… I know the crime I committed last year, and I sincerely apologize. Iʼve paid for my actions… for trying to approach Her Highness.”

Gasps rippled through the crowd as they grasped the weight of Coleʼs confession. Lumine and Yelena looked to Jasmine and Azriel, now understanding his reaction.

”I have regretted it every day since then, I swear! I even risked my life to ensure the princeʼs safety!”

But Joaquinʼs cold, unyielding stare showed no hint of forgiveness. Coleʼs heart pounded as dread settled in, spurring him to desperate pleas.

”Wait, thatʼs not—”

”Yelena, itʼs fine,” Azriel interrupted before she could speak further. She cast him a confused look but obeyed, falling silent.

Joaquin tilted his head slightly at Cole, a soft hum escaping him.

”So, you claim that saving my sonʼs life should absolve you?”

His voice was low, detached.

Cole froze, his throat tightening.

”Y-yes?”

Joaquin nodded slowly.

”I suppose itʼs only fair to grant forgiveness for saving my sonʼs life. But… I made a promise to myself: if I ever saw you again, Iʼd rip your head off.”

The next moment was a blur. Joaquin appeared in front of Cole so quickly that no one had time to react. Coleʼs face turned ashen, his body trembling.

”W-WAIT! PLEASE, HAVE MERCY!”

Joaquinʼs silence was colder than ice as his hand extended, moving closer to Coleʼs face. Coleʼs body refused to move, as if every muscle recognized that dodging would mean something far worse.

Just as Joaquinʼs hand was about to make contact, a voice cut through the tension.

”Wait, Father.”

Every breath caught in the crowdʼs throats. Eyes widened, turning toward Azriel in shock.

It felt as if time had stopped, like the climax of a grand performance abruptly interrupted, leaving the audience breathless and frustrated. Some even dared to glare openly at the prince, their discontent clear.

Joaquinʼs hand halted mid-air, and he shifted his gaze to Azriel. But Azriel, unaffected by the eyes on him, pointed at Cole.

”I need him.”

Confusion swept across the onlookers as they processed Azrielʼs words. Joaquin stared at his son for a few tense moments before, as if understanding, he exhaled and stepped back.

Cole, who had been holding his breath, crumpled to the ground unconscious. The collective sigh that followed was palpable. Disappointment lingered in the air as Azriel moved toward Cole.

”Thank you, Father,” he said softly.

Joaquin nodded, then turned to the soldiers.

”Malcolm, lead them back to the castle. I will join you with my son shortly.”

Malcolm hesitated but ultimately nodded.

”As you wish, Your Majesty.”

Without further objections, he led the group down one of the corridors, with the rest trailing in silence. Jasmine, Amaya, Lumine, and Yelena cast lingering glances at Azriel before disappearing from sight.

Alone at last with Coleʼs lifeless body, Joaquinʼs expression shifted, curiosity sparking in his eyes.

”Thereʼs much I wish to say to you… but I have a feeling youʼre about to do something intriguing.”

A smirk played on Azrielʼs lips as he let out a soft chuckle.

”You have no idea.”

*****

”I had a feeling you were up to something, but I never expected it to be on such a scale. Impressive,” Joaquin said as he walked side by side with Azriel through the labyrinthine corridors.

”Though your mother is definitely going to kill you for this one when we get back. Staying in the void realm might actually be safer than going home.”

Azriel chuckled dryly, ignoring the last part. He had just finished recounting everything that had transpired in the void dungeon, including how he had derailed the enemyʼs plans in Asia and taken down one of their leaders.

ʼWait...ʼ

”You knew I was planning something?”

Azrielʼs eyes widened slightly, caught off guard.

ʼHe wasnʼt supposed to know…ʼ

Joaquinʼs lips curved into a subtle smile as they turned into another corridor.

”Donʼt underestimate your father. I am not like that little girl who was made head of the Hero Academy. We may both be saints, but we are leagues apart.”

Azriel stayed silent, pondering the true extent of the power gap between saints. How strong was one saint compared to another? He had no idea. The factors seemed too complex to measure, making it clear that sheer grade didnʼt always determine dominance. It almost made him respect his father. Almost.

”We already knew of their influence in Africa, but it seems we underestimated them. Seven Heptarchs? And one of them a saint? Does that mean each one is another saint who wants us dead? And this ʼSupreme Archonʼ is their revered leader?”

Azrielʼs expression turned thoughtful, debating whether to share more. Finally, he sighed.

”Being a Heptarch doesnʼt necessarily mean being a saint. Iʼm not sure what the exact criteria are, but itʼs not just about your mana core.”

He hesitated before continuing, his voice quieter, ”After I defeated them, the Supreme Archon offered me a position as one of the Heptarchs.”

Joaquinʼs eyes narrowed, halting their steps. Azriel felt a spike of tension as his fatherʼs gaze bore into him, scrutinizing.

”So, the mastermind of a major terrorist organization wants you as one of their leaders? Just because you won? Thereʼs more to this, isnʼt there? What arenʼt you telling me?”

The air thickened as Joaquinʼs presence shifted, the formidable aura of the Crimson King radiating outwards. Azriel felt the weight of it but knew his father wouldnʼt harm him. Concern flickered in Joaquinʼs dark eyes, making the tension all the more palpable.

Azriel swallowed, breaking eye contact.

”I canʼt tell you. Sorry.”

”Why?”

”Itʼs personal.”

Joaquinʼs eyes widened briefly, surprise softening his expression. He exhaled slowly, the pressure receding.

”Personal, is it? Very well. Tell me when youʼre ready.”

His tone shifted, adopting a rare fatherly concern.

”I prefer not to interfere with you or your sisterʼs choices. You wonʼt grow otherwise. But if I find out youʼre risking your life in such a reckless way again, I will intervene.”

A hint of guilt gnawed at Azriel, but he managed a smile.

”Donʼt worry. Iʼm not planning anything like this again anytime soon.”

Joaquin raised an eyebrow.

”Meaning you will one day?”

Azriel looked away, not answering. Joaquin sighed, resigned.

”I wonʼt make the same mistake a third time. Next time, Iʼll step in.”

Azrielʼs smile grew a fraction as they resumed walking. They turned into another corridor, stopping when they found themselves facing an imposing white door. Relief washed over Azriel as he realized what he had found.

ʼNo need to swim after all...ʼ

The door was cold and foreboding, making a shiver run down his spine.

”Should I ask how you knew of this door?”

Joaquinʼs eyes narrowed as he observed the ornate structure.

”Itʼs as if youʼve been here before.”

Azrielʼs voice steadied, confidence anchoring him.

”Because I have.”

Joaquinʼs eyes widened in disbelief.

”What?”

”I came here once,” Azriel admitted, his voice low.

”I didnʼt go all the way—I wasnʼt looking to die—but yes, Iʼve been here before.”

Joaquinʼs expression shifted, unreadable.

”I see.”

Without another word, they pressed on. Joaquin placed his hand on the smooth, cold surface, and the door groaned as it opened, revealing what lay beyond.

A blast of icy wind hit Azrielʼs face, making him shudder. Even with his affinity for ice, the cold felt unnatural.

ʼDamn!ʼ

He stepped onto grass as white as snow, eyes lifting to a colossal tree with bone-white leaves and sprawling roots. Its sheer, haunting beauty made his skin prickle.

Joaquinʼs voice, low and tense, cut through the silence.

”...A Leviathan.”

Azrielʼs heart thudded painfully, his breath catching. The treeʼs presence now felt more sinister, its stillness oppressive.

”But itʼs sleeping... under some sort of spell,” Joaquin mused, breaking Azrielʼs daze.

Relief flooded Azrielʼs veins. He had known of this place, but not that the tree itself was a Leviathan.

His view of it changed entirely.

ʼItʼs asleep... Good. It wonʼt wake up, right?ʼ

He forced himself to look calm, nodding as Joaquin met his gaze. His fatherʼs expression softened slightly, and with a wave of his hand, a shadowy circle appeared before them, stark against the pale surroundings. The portal shimmered briefly before depositing Coleʼs unconscious body on the ground.

Coleʼs eyes fluttered open, disoriented.

”W-what happened...?”

With a groan, Cole rose, his face twisting in pain as he winced at the sight of his surroundings: a forest draped in white and a colossal tree that sent a shudder down his spine. He took a few unsteady steps back, trying to steady his breathing, before turning around.

And there they stood.

Two figures.

Both with jet-black hair—one with eyes as dark as obsidian, the other with eyes the color of blood.

And both wore crooked smiles aimed right at him, smiles that made his face darken.

”...Fuck.”