JUST LIKE THAT

[Awakening Platform] [Inside Void Paradise]

The fight between Lucas and Butcher ended. Bloodstains covered the ground inside the barrier.

Butcher was bleeding from his severed hand. He clenched his left hand over his wound to stop the bleeding. But, Lucas still has two more things to do before canceling the barrier.

Lucas went up to the piece of the cursed seal lying on the ground and picked it up.

A glint of green sparkle came out from the cursed piece as it came in contact with Lucas.

"So much power," Lucas took the piece of the seal and went to the Butcher, "Power so great comes at a great cost."

"What are you talking about?" Butcher spoke in pain and agony.

"The seal corrupts the mind of humans," Lucas sat beside Butcher, "The power of the seal isn't made for humans to wield."

Lucas used [LESSER HEAL] to close Butcher's wound, "You, healing me?" Butcher was surprised to see Lucas's mercy even when he wanted to kill Lucas.

"Haaah," Lucas sighed, "I was the one who destroyed the seal."

"You...," Butcher paused for a moment, "Reincarnation Skill."

"Don't know," Lucas spoke in a calm voice, "But, what I know is what lies beyond that portal."

While trying to clean the blood from his hands, Lucas spoke, "The Dragonic Realm."

Butcher, somewhat relieved from his pain, kept on listening to Lucas's story.

"The seal absorbed all the Demons that day," Lucas continued, "Well, that's what we thought at first."

"What happened next?" Butcher asked Lucas out of curiosity.

"Next? hahaha," Lucas laughed, "Those bastards played us all, damn, we were so naive."

"The Heavenly Palace," Lucas clenched his fists, "A damned giant Dragon was waiting behind that cursed portal and, it gobbled up all the demons, even the Demon King."

"Don't tell me.." Butcher's words got interrupted by Lucas's nod.

"You all are lucky to be still alive and happy," Lucas spoke in anger, "I somehow managed to destroy the seal before the Dragon has any chance to step in this realm."

"If what you say is true, then our history is all fabricated," a cold sweat trickled down Butcher's neck.

"Someone desperately wants to rejoin and awake the cursed seal," Lucas got up and stretched his hands, "Believe it or not, this world will end once that starving Dragon steps its foot on this world."

"Oh, by the way, you might be wondering why I am telling you the story," Lucas looked at the Butcher.

"You are going to kill me now, aren't you?" Butcher closed his eyes, accepting his fate, "At least I get to know the truth."

"Kill you, oh no, that will be a waste," Lucas gave a sinister smile.

Butcher opened his eyes and looked at Lucas's grin. He understood what Lucas was planning, "Kill me now," Butcher begged, "My fate will be worse than death if they find out."

"Kill you and lose such a good bait," Lucas scoffed, "I won't allow it."

Lucas gathered his essence on his fingertips and used the skill [VOID HEART].

Two little flickering ball violet flames appeared on Lucas's finger. He pointed the little ball of void flames towards the Butcher.

The flames disappeared inside Butcher's body, "What did you do to me?"

"Nothing much," Lucas continued, "If you ever mention the event that occurred inside this barrier, the flame inside you will burn you to ash in an instant."

"But...," Butcher got interrupted by Lucas again.

"Never even think about removing the flames," Lucas spoke in a serious tone, "Well, unless you want to burn to a crisp and, I doubt anyone will eat a roasted Butcher, damn, that will be nasty." Lucas laughed.

"The Cult of Salvation," Lucas glared at Butcher, "Keep me informed," Butcher nodded his head in fear.

"So, shall we go," Lucas began to remove the barrier.

"Wait, what about the piece of the seal," Butcher interrupted Lucas.

"Oh this," Lucas took the piece between his fingers and crushed it like a piece of mud ball, "It's gone."

"Just like that," Butcher's mouth remained open as he saw the situation.

"Yes, just like that," Lucas spoke with a grin, "Truth be told, it was just the smallest and weakest piece of all and, other ones will be a bit difficult."

"Oops, I forgot," Lucas picked up Butcher's severed hand, "Time to fix this, thank me later."

Lucas put Butcher's severed right hand on his shoulder and used his skill, [HIGHER HEAL].

A warm green hue of essence covered Butcher's right shoulder. And, within a few seconds, his hand was as good as new.

"Incredible, but how can you use so many skills?" Butcher questioned Lucas.

"How? you say," Lucas grinned, "I am a Weapon Master so, I can use anything as long as I see it as a weapon."

Butcher spoke in shock after hearing Lucas, "Essence?"

"Yes, any essence and skills," Lucas spoke in a calm voice, "Enough talk, time to get out."

Lucas began to absorb all the void essence and, within a few minutes, the barrier disappeared.

The conflict finally ended. The blood from the battle remained on the ground.

Butcher lived and got a chance to learn some truth behind the cursed seal.

Lucas gained an unlikely bait to flush out the mastermind behind his assassination attempt and the one who wants to awaken the seal.

[Awakening Platform]

The giant jade statue of the Hero of Protection was in ruins. But, the shield remained standing without any damage or scratch.

Lord Rosewarth and Lady Evylin rushed towards Lucas as they saw him emerging from the barrier, "Lucas, you okay? you are not hurt, are you?" Both of them hugged Lucas seeing him unharmed.

"The succession ceremony," Lady Patricia spoke in a wavering voice.

"Yes, as I said before," Lucas stood in front of Lady Patricia, "I will take back what belongs to me."

Lady Patricia sighed a relief seeing Butcher unharmed and began to walk away, "I will see you in the inner city next week and, I will give you time to recover."

"Hahaha, recover," Lucas laughed at Lady Patricia, "Or more like traps and preparations."

Lady Patricia continued to walk without looking behind.

"Bring out everything you have," Lucas shouted, "I will crush you with everything I have."

"And, now the debt of the Scarlet Family," a wave of bloodlust came from Lucas. It was intense and more suffocating than before. Lucas was still in his full potential form.

Butcher gave a signal to surrender to the Scarlet Maiden. She saw a glint of fear in Butcher's eyes and face.

"I will fight you," Scarlet maiden declared, "But, after you recovered, in two days right here, I will fight you."

"Two days," Lucas grinned, "Very well."

The situation settled. The guards began to clear up the aftermath of the battle.

Lucas and his parents began to walk towards their home.

[Abandoned Temple] [Mid Night]

Some unknown people gathered in darkness.

"There was no sign of him, not even a single drop of his blood," spoke the first one.

"He wasn't an Elemental," spoke the second one.

"Doesn't matter," the voice of an old woman came from the darkness, "Butcher interrupted, Denzel must have escaped."

"Give this to the Scarlet Maiden," the old woman took a vile of blood to someone in the darkness.

"Order received," the first one vanished in the darkness.

"Grandma...," spoke the second one.

"Don't worry," the old woman spoke, "You will inherit the throne and, grandma will take care of this little rat."