Blackgate

"What a peculiar child. Your talent is truly immeasurable, so much so that I find it hard to believe you're human. It's being wasted here. How about it? Join us, and I'll let you kill her."

The gazes of Kazimir and the other branch heads flickered with shock. Even Avalon and Anastasia, who instinctively wanted to fly up to their son, were momentarily frozen in disbelief.

Avalon grabbed Anastasia's arm, stopping her, though the tension in the air was intense.

Before anyone could react, Blackgate raised his arm, and in an instant, Elysia materialized in front of him, trembling.

Her once-confident demeanor had crumbled entirely, her face now marred with fear, her body old and withered. She began speaking fast, stuttering.

"My lord, I-I mean Paragon… I've been loyal to the Order. I-I would never betray—"

Her voice, once cold and assured, was now trembling and frail, matching her aged appearance. But mid-sentence, her words were cut off.