Chapter 496: We’re Just Passing Through

Carmela didn’t fully grasp what he meant by erasing a place from existence, but the sheer gravity in Cassius’s tone was enough to make her hand recoil instantly.

Even he—who had ripped a man’s head off like it was made of clay, handled those strange gray-wrapped bricks as though they were delicate glass.

The way his fingers moved, the care he took in placing each one down with perfect precision, told her everything she needed to know: whatever this was, it wasn’t something to trifle with.

She watched in silence as he continued arranging them one after another—on the floor, the shelves, under the desk—carefully spacing them out, layering them almost methodically.

One by one. One by one. One by one. It looked absurdly calm, almost like he was building a castle, not setting up instruments of destruction.

And as the faint clinks of metal echoed through the quiet chamber, Carmela found her curiosity growing stronger.

That, in itself, unsettled her.

She wasn’t supposed to care. She never did. Not about anyone—not kings, not warlords, not nobles, not anyone.

But watching him work, watching the way he moved—cold, focused, and yet somehow…gentle, made her want to ask questions she had no business asking.

Finally, she broke the silence and asked, “Why?”

Cassius didn’t glance up. He simply adjusted one of the devices and murmured, “Why what?”

“Why are you doing all this?” She asked, her voice quiet but firm.

He paused for a moment, his hand hovering over the next brick before setting it down.

“Well…” He said casually. “It’s just like I told you earlier. I want to kill them. Every single one of them. In one go. Imploding an entire mountain seems like the most effective way to make sure none crawl back out.”

She frowned. “That’s not what I mean.”

He stopped mid-motion, looking up slightly, one brow raised beneath the hood.

“I’m not asking how you’re doing it.” She clarified. “I’m asking why.”

When he didn’t respond, she stepped a little closer, her tone sharp but curious.

“You’re a noble and not just any noble. You’re from one of the most powerful families on the continent. You could be sitting in a castle right now, drinking fine wine, toying with servants, living a life of comfort while pretending this rot doesn’t exist. No one would question it.”

“But instead you’re here—crawling through tunnels, saving children, fighting cultists. This isn’t even your territory. So why?”

Cassius exhaled softly through his nose, the faintest smile tugging at his lips. He crouched to adjust another device, then finally looked up at her.

“I could tell you that it’s because my noble heart couldn’t bear the thought of all these innocents suffering. That hearing about kidnapped children and murdered villagers moved me deeply.”

“Or maybe because Julie, Skadi, and Aisha were in danger, and I just had to come save them. You know—the whole heroic nonsense.”

His grin widened, smug and self-aware.

“And while all that sounds nice…they’re probably just minor reasons.”

Carmela blinked, slightly thrown by his casual tone.

“Then what’s the main one?”

“Honestly?” He tossed the brick in his hand, smirking before saying, “Because it was a perfect chance for a little bonding trip.”

“…What?” She blinked in confusion.

“You see, I’ve known those three for a while.” He chuckled lightly. “Skadi and I, well—things were progressing nicely between us. Julie and Aisha though…” He waved a hand vaguely. “It was a stalemate. I wasn’t even sure they liked me.”

“But when the chance came up for an expedition—dangerous mission, close quarters, high stakes—I thought, ’Well, there’s no better way to get closer to a woman than by risking death together.’ So naturally, I jumped at the opportunity.”

Carmela just stared at him, completely unsure if he was joking or insane.

“So, of course, I volunteered first.” He went on, still utterly casual. “I mean, who wouldn’t want to spend days with three gorgeous women who rely on you for food and beds? It’s practically destiny.”

He looked up with a grin.

“And besides, I’m a Cassius Vindictus Holyfield and you should’ve heard the rumours about me. It’s in my nature to chase beauty and charm and do whatever it takes to make a girl I like fall for me.”

Carmela was speechless, whileCassius continued nonchalantly.

“But you know what? It all worked out. The mission’s nearly over, the kids are safe, and those three? They’re outside right now, probably realizing how much they love me. Honestly, I think all that’s left is for me to pick out engagement rings.”

He smirked to himself.

“So, yes, you could say I’m a man driven by noble duty—or maybe just by beautiful women.”

For a moment, Carmela could only stare at him in disbelief.

This man had gouged out his eyes for her trust, faced horrors without flinching and now he was claiming his reason for being here was…women?

It was absurd. It was ridiculous. And yet…she could tell he wasn’t lying.

There was a strange sincerity in the way he said it, as if he truly saw no contradiction in his motives—saving lives and flirting all at once.

He was honest in a way that no noble ever was.

Bluntly, almost foolishly honest.

Carmela then exhaled softly, before murmuring, “You’re utterly foolish.”

Cassius grinned, picking up another gray-wrapped brick. “That’s what they all say.”

She watched him a little longer—his steady movements, the faint smile still lingering on his face and somewhere deep down, she realized that maybe, just maybe, honesty like his was more dangerous than deceit.

Because deceit you could guard against.

But a man who said exactly what he thought?

That was a man who could never be predicted.

Just when Carmela was wondering what kind of ’rumors’ people actually whispered about Cassius, as she hadn’t heard any firsthand, he finally stood upright, brushing the dust off his gloves with a clap.

He surveyed the towers of gray-wrapped bricks stacked neatly around the chamber—dozens upon dozens, probably over a hundred.

“That should be enough.” Cassius murmured, satisfied. “Honestly, I’ve probably added more than I should have. It might even be dangerous to stand outside when this goes off…but I’d rather see these idiots crushed and burned alive properly. So…” He turned to her with a grin. “…this will do.”

He nodded once toward the corridor.

“Let’s move. We need to get outside before things get interesting.”

Carmela blinked, still staring at the maze of strange devices.

“Wait…just like that? We’re leaving these things here?”

“Of course.” Cassius said, already heading for the door.

“Don’t they need to be activated or…something?” She asked, baffled. “You’re not even touching them anymore.”

“If I tried activating them now…” He glanced back at her as he walked, his voice low and dry. “…we wouldn’t have time to scream before we were vaporized. The detonator’s set to trigger from outside.”

“Trust me, staying here would be the stupidest thing we could possibly do.”

That certain ttone made her hesitate only a second before she followed. Both of them pulled their robes back on, their movements quick but controlled, blending into the echoing corridors.

The faint hum of ritual chanting in the distance grew louder as they ascended the stairs, closer to the main chamber again.

When they emerged, the ritual was nearing its climax.

Hundreds of cultists stood in concentric circles, their hands raised toward the altar in the center.

From the carved stone basin, a great mass of blood rose into the air—thick and luminous, forming an orb that pulsed as if alive.

Crimson light bathed the hall, casting every figure in shades of red.

Cassius and Carmela exchanged a glance but didn’t stop; they moved silently along the outer edge of the chamber, heading for the exit.

If they could reach the corridor that led to the surface, the rest would be over soon.

But just then—the blood began to pulse.

It shivered, expanded, and contracted like a living heart. A wet, rhythmic thump-thump echoed faintly through the air.

The cult leader’s voice then rose above the chanting, chanting madly.

“Rise! Rise, my god! Descend upon this world and claim it anew!”

And the moment this sentence was said—something unexpected happened.

Carmela had actually froze mid-step.

Her face twisted in pain, and she clutched at her chest. Her nails dug into the fabric of her robe as she staggered, leaning against the cold stone wall.

Her breath came sharp and ragged, like each heartbeat was a hammer blow inside her chest.

“Carmela?” Cassius stopped immediately, turning toward her. “What’s wrong?”

But she didn’t answer. Her lips parted, but only a gasp came out as she winced, trembling. Sweat beaded down her temple.

“Hey—talk to me!” He said, grabbing her shoulders. “Did you get hit with something? Is it the air? A curse?”

Still no words—just a strangled cry as she pressed harder against her heart, like she could stop it from bursting out of her chest.

Then the cult leader—Xerath—shouted from the altar, his voice wild with zeal.

“Open the skylight! Let the moon’s blessing shine upon us!”

With a heavy grind of metal, a circular aperture opened in the domed ceiling far above them, revealing the night sky.

A single ray of crimson moonlight streamed down like a spear of fire—piercing the floating mass of blood.

The moment it touched, the blood ignited. It burned without flame, glowing brighter and brighter until it filled the hall with a blinding red haze.

And at that same instant, Carmela screamed.

“AHHHHHHHHH!”

A howl tore from her throat, raw and agonized, echoing like a beast’s cry in the stone hall. Her eyes also flared—blood-red, radiant, almost glowing. Her knees buckled, and she collapsed, clawing at the floor as her body shook violently.

Cassius knelt beside her instantly, panic flickering in his voice.

“Carmela! Talk to me! What’s happening to you?”

She tried—she really did—but all that came out were broken gasps between the screams.

Her heart felt like it was on fire, like molten iron coursing through her veins.

Then Cassius heard a new voice—one that he didn’t want to hear at all.

“Ancestor?”

The word came from behind him, filled with disbelief before saying in a flurry,

“How is she out!? Why isn’t she restrained?! Why is she here?!”

Cassius stiffened before slowly turning his head to see a sight that made him falter.

Every single cultist in the hall had stopped chanting. A hundred pairs of eyes were locked on him and Carmela. And at the front, near the blood altar, stood Xerath himself, his face contorted in rage and horror.

Cassius blinked once, then gave a sheepish grin.

“Oh…uh, hi there. Don’t mind us, just…passing through. You all look very busy, so we’ll just—”

“GET THEM!” Xerath’s scream split the air. “CUT THAT BOY TO RIBBONS AND CAPTURE THE ANCESTOR ALIVE! NOW!”

The cultists roared in unison, dozens of them surging forward, hands glowing with dark magic. Runes ignited on the ground, filling the chamber with yellow light.

“…Well, this wasn’t in the plan.”

Cassius muttered with a wry smile, currently looking like a juicy peace of meat that was surrounded by a bunch of starving wolves.

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