Nether, depending on how used, had various effects on people.

‘But it usually leads to death, right? I don’t understand…’

The Netherlore had conducting experiments on Nether for something similar—harnessing the power for themselves.

The fact that Stefan also manifested the power made it plausible that certain people were clinging onto the forbidden abilities offered by Nether.

‘But I didn’t sense anything like that from Vaizer!’

He had been using Mana throughout, and even Maro’s testimony tallied with that. If he could utilize Nether, he would have done so already.

That made it all the more confusing.

A reasonable explanation would be that the Nether Cult found a way to make Nether manifest from Vaizer remotely. In that case, he was never safe from them.

‘Even though I set up the perfect stage… damnit.’

“I’m sorry, Maro, Asa. Even though you went out of your way to capture a specimen for me… I let him slip away.”

‘No. This isn’t the time to let this drag me down.’

I just had to focus on the more important matters… things I could control.

‘Apologies, Vaizer. I couldn’t fulfil my end of the deal.’

His soul had also been corrupted and destroyed, so there was no retrieving him. I didn’t have enough time to establish a Soul Brand too, so I couldn’t have preserved a portion of it.

‘Though that was probably for the best.’

The mere thought of having Nether invade my Soul using the connection I had with another made me shiver.𝚘𝚟𝐿xt.𝐜𝗈𝑀

If I had home ahead with the Soul Brand, the likelihood of getting corrupted myself was high. In a way, things could have gone a lot worse.

The fact that I didn’t make good on my word left a bad taste in my mouth, though. I didn’t plan on just letting it slide just like that.

‘This is on me. I might as well have justice for you…’

I stepped out of the room to share the news to everyone, once again ensuring I had my Arcanas close in hand.

‘… That’ll be my penance.’

***************

In the darkness of a strange abode sat a young man.

He looked nothing more than a teenager, having dark hair and equally pitch black eyes. His expression was cold, and his pale skin made him seem almost like a corpse.

He wore a dark cloak, shrouded in dense power that would make anyone crumble under the pressure.

This was the Cult Leader, as his subordinates would like to call him.

“Vaizer is dead.” He spoke, almost as if telling someone in particular.

However, no one was in the vast hall where he sat. A table was set before him, and numerous books—pile after pile—remained for him to attend to.

In this office-like hall, he was all alone.

Well, not really.

A lovely young woman appeared from behind him. She was doused in white—her attire, and her hair color. Everything about her was clear and beautiful.

Her light skin had a bright tone too, perfectly matching her choice in fashion.

The only thing different about her was the gleaming hues in her eyes. They seemed to flash a different color per moment.

She approached the young man, who was busy with seeing through the ancient texts. Her gaze was constantly on him.

He was the Cult Leader, after all. The object of fervent devotion and immense authority.

If only the subordinates could see just who he was beneath the child-like appearance he had… perhaps they would even begin worshipping him.

He was that glorious.

“Deep in thoughts?” His voice echoed as he glanced in the direction of the woman behind him.

“Yes, forgive me. I was just in awe of your greatness, as usual.”

The young man returned his gaze to the work he had to do, narrowing his vision as he have a sigh.

The white maiden was always like this. She wouldn’t shut up about his greatness, especially when they were alone.

When they were in front of the others, she simply kept her composure and remained silent. However… in private…

“I didn’t expect Vaizer to betray us. He had no reason to.” The Cult Leader whispered.

It sounded like he made a statement, but it raised a question for the woman to answer.

“Perhaps. Fortunately, you silenced him before he said any more.” She smiled in response.

“Were you able to locate them? They have something that belongs to us, after all.”

“I did. Unfortunately, his Magic distorts my vision of the place.”

The Cult Leader sighed.

Things had gotten more complicated than he expected. If it hadn’t been for the interference of one person, they could have steadily achieved their goals.

“We should have eliminated the Singularity back then… when he was still a child.” He added, staring coldly at the woman behind him.

“Perhaps. But, we had to operate under the radar and use less impressive means to achieve those goals.”

The young man had no choice but to accept her words. She wasn’t wrong, after all.

Singularities were the beloved of the world. They had access to Aether, and somehow things functioned in ways that prevented disasters from occuring to them.

However, if it was on a smaller scale, something beyond the control of nature… they could have achieved their goals.

“Ever since I got the Vision, it’s been one issue after the other. Who would have expected the child to take out not just one, but two assassins. When we used the Shadow Demon, he was saved by Neron.”

One thing or the other always had to happen.

“We could have just eliminated Neron.” The Cult Leader grumbled a little.

His gaze was on the book, but his mind travelled far behind.

“Ah, perhaps… but you know we can’t do that.”

“Haa… still waiting for the right time, huh? I see…”

Neron Kaelid was perhaps a greater nuisance than Jared—always had been.

The only reason he was still alive was due to the Vision that made him valuable to the plan.

Taking him out would severely affect the causality of their goals.

“We live in Aether’s world, after all… and a mother cares for her own.” The lady in white smiled.

The Cult Leader ignored her words and continued reading. Certainly she wasn’t implying what it seemed to be.

No, she probably meant the other thing.

“To think we would have more than one Singularity this time…”