Path of the Extra Chapter 407: Not Even Princes Are Safe

Pale faces. That was the appearance of the bloodied participants as they gazed at Azriel and Caleus in sheer terror, picturing the two of them on the verge of battle.

Caleus’s eyes were just as wide, though his shock stemmed from a vastly different source; he wasn’t angry.

He was stunned. Then, with a tone laced with disbelief, he demanded, "Jasmine has been kidnapped? Why the hell didn't you lead with that!? How could this happen!?"

Azriel’s lips curved slightly. "Celestina has also been taken."

"Who gives a damn about Celestina? She's useless! Just like you! How could you two let this happen when you were with Jasmine!?"

"Have you forgotten who is currently holding your spear?"

Caleus clicked his tongue, a mixture of fury and frustration evident on his face. "We need to get her back."

"No shit. What the hell do you think I’m doing? I already know their location. I just need Lioren."

"Why would you need him if you already know where Jasmine is? Just go retrieve her! Gods, do you require a babysitter, Azriel?!"

"Because a Master, clad in absurdly cool knight-like armor, appeared. They attempted to abduct Nol and a little girl I had temporarily taken, intending to drag them away. Meanwhile, Jasmine and Celestina vanished without a sound, and I have no clue about the number of Masters on their side. Therefore, it is logical that I would secure Lioren first and have him eliminate them all."

A look of utter bewilderment washed over Caleus’s features. "That... that is impossible. We accounted for every possibility. The only individual ranked as a Master who should still be within the kingdom is the Duchess, and she is meant to be guarding the palace."

"Well, your assessments are flawed. Now, divulge Lioren's whereabouts."

Caleus’s expression grew increasingly incensed as he clenched his teeth. "I don’t know! I’ve been searching for him myself, but he’s vanished! And sunrise is merely two hours away—that’s when we were scheduled to depart for the summit. We cannot proceed with the plan until Jasmine is recovered... and Celestina as well."

Azriel’s countenance darkened upon receiving the unwelcome news. "...What about those twins?" Azriel inquired.

Caleus gave a curt nod. "I was just about to search for them."

"Then let us proceed," Azriel declared instantly. Caleus offered another sharp nod. "Let’s go."

And with that, the heir of Nebula and the prince of Crimson departed the blood-soaked garden, turning their backs on the scattered corpses and the stunned observers—both the living and those with vacant eyes—who could only watch their exit.

*****

Standing before the chamber where the Dusk twins were rumored to be hiding, Caleus delivered a forceful kick, shattering the door inward.

Within, they were met by the ashen faces of the twins, both appearing utterly terrified by the intruder—only for relief to flood their features the instant they recognized Caleus.

"Ah, Prince Caleus! Thank the heavens! We thought you were one of those deranged participants attempting to murder us!"

"Yes, now that you are here, we are safe...!"

Vioren and Hioren simultaneously slumped back onto the bed, exhaling in profound relief.

Caleus, however, regarded them with blatant disdain. "Are you telling me these two managed to acquire green markers without exerting any effort whatsoever? Are the gods truly this capricious? No—why am I even posing such a ludicrous question? Of course, they are."

Their faces grew even paler at his pronouncement. "Prince Caleus, now is hardly the appropriate moment to insult the deities!"

"You should seek atonement! Quickly, before it is too late, Your Highness!"

Azriel moved to Caleus’s side, a look of disappointment etched on his face. "Well, I suppose they have officially become adherents of the Church," Azriel murmured, a statement that only seemed to amplify Caleus’s ire.

"Where is your brother?" Caleus demanded impatiently. But the moment the twins’ gazes fell upon Azriel, their visages contorted with bitterness, swiftly hardening into outright animosity.

"As if we would utter a word in front of that trash! Your Highness, this presents the perfect opportunity to end him! With the three of us combined, he doesn't—ahhk!"

Hioren’s outburst was abruptly silenced as Caleus suddenly lunged forward, seizing both brothers by their necks. "I have no time for your petty disputes. Where is your brother?"

"Wait, Caleus." Azriel’s voice compelled Caleus to turn towards him with evident irritation, though he did release Vioren, roughly shoving him aside. "Huh? Don’t get overconfident now, you worthless little brother. What transpired back in the garden is the sole concession I'm granting you."

But Azriel paid him no mind, instead walking with chilling intent towards Vioren. Vioren attempted to rise—but he was too sluggish.

Azriel seized his arm and violently snapped it. The sharp crack of bone breaking, akin to a dry branch rending, reverberated through the room and even into the hallway, followed by a silence so profound it felt suffocating.

For a suspended moment, all three stood frozen, struggling to comprehend the sudden turn of events. Then, Vioren’s scream pierced the stillness.

"A-AAAAAAAAAAAAAH! M-My arm! My arm! H-He broke my arm! B-Brother! Brother! Help! Aaaargh! Kkhh—! It hurts! Ahhgh!"

Tears streamed down his face.

Azriel did not cease his assault.

He rolled Vioren over, planted a foot firmly on his back, and cast a cold glance at Hioren, who remained ensnared by Caleus. However, the twin brother seemed far more distressed by Azriel's actions and the current predicament than by Caleus's firm grip on his throat.

"If you do not reveal Lioren's whereabouts by the time I conclude my interrogation of your brother, you shall be next," Azriel declared.

His expression was so unnerving that Hioren visibly recoiled.

Then, Azriel intensified the pressure of his foot.

A fresh series of horrifying cracks began to emanate from Vioren's body.

"A-arghh! S-stop! Please, stop! B-Brother! Hio-Hioren! Hic—hic—help! Please!"

Caleus's hold loosened as he observed Azriel with a look of astonishment.

"What you are hearing," Azriel stated, "are the smaller bones in his back fracturing one by one. It will not be long before his spine snaps. Should he lose consciousness before then, I will revive him purely to inflict pain upon his other arm before moving on to his skull."

Hioren stumbled backward, collapsing onto the bed, his entire frame quivering as he met Azriel’s unyielding gaze.

"S-stop..." Hioren choked out, his voice barely a whisper.

"P-Please... stop... D-Do-Azriel... I-I’m sorry... we-we’re sorry for all the torment we've inflicted upon you... just please... spare my brother... I beg you..."

The most chilling aspect was Azriel's complete lack of any softening.

Vioren's agonized screams persisted without abatement.

"I am indifferent to your apologies. Reveal Lioren's location, or this torment will not cease until he is dead."

Hioren stared at him, his expression utterly shattered, and finally succumbed.

"W-we don’t know... I swear upon the heavens... A-All he imparted to us was that... that a matter of concern had arisen, and he intended to resolve it before dawn... p-please... let him live, Azriel, I implore you! You cannot extinguish his life! He is a prince! Should you end him, it will ignite a war between the Dusk and Crimson clans! Y-you do not desire such an outcome, do you?"

"..."

Azriel remained silent.

Growing increasingly frantic as Vioren’s whimpers and shrieks echoed through the chamber, Hioren turned in desperation towards Caleus.

"P-Prince Caleus... please... intervene..."

Caleus flickered his gaze towards Hioren, then back to Azriel.

"You truly possess no qualm about eliminating anyone necessary, do you?" Caleus inquired, observing Azriel's relentless pressure upon Vioren’s back.

The oppressive atmosphere became unbearable for Hioren. Tears began to flow freely.

He was gripped by fear.

Azriel instilled terror within him.

Azriel... even instilled fear in Caleus.

"I do not," Azriel responded with chilling calm.

"Your actions sicken me, Azriel. Was this malevolence always within you? Did you conceal your true nature? Or did the Void Realm corrupt you?"

Azriel met Caleus's gaze and offered a smirk.

"I shall not impart this knowledge to you. Thus, for the remainder of your existence, you will be left to speculate."

Finally, Azriel lifted his foot from Vioren’s injured back.

Hioren squeezed his eyes shut, exhaling a ragged breath of relief.

...Then, a sickening crunching sound tore through the room.

Hioren's eyes snapped open wide.

Azriel's foot had returned to his brother's back.

Except now, the back was irrevocably broken.

Azriel had annihilated his spine.

"Oh..." Hioren uttered, his voice hollow and devoid of hope.

At last, Azriel withdrew and began to advance toward Hioren.

Vioren was either rendered unconscious—

or deceased.

"What purpose remains in tormenting him now?" Caleus questioned, his expression inscrutable, as Hioren no longer showed any inclination to move.

"Lioren must have imbued them with something via his [Unique Skill]," Azriel explained. "Should they merely be wounded—or even perish—he shall be alerted that they require his assistance."

"...Then further harm is pointless, is it not? You have already neutralized a valuable asset. While I share your frustration, you must cease this."

"My cessation will occur when I deem it appropriate. Furthermore, perhaps by terminating one brother and incapacitating the other, Lioren will comprehend the gravity of the situation."

Caleus offered no further remarks.

He merely continued to observe Azriel with that same penetrating stare.

Hioren, too, remained silent.

His eyes vacant, he simply looked up at Azriel, who in turn gazed down upon him with an equally frigid expression.

"I suspect..." Azriel murmured softly, "that my capacity for pettiness exceeds my own estimations."

Hioren bit his lip, lowering his gaze.

Azriel raised a hand towards his neck.

He was poised to snap it as well—

when a thunderous impact reverberated from the entrance.

The already ajar door was violently flung open further, and Lumine stood there, bracing himself against the frame, breathing heavily as he implored Azriel with a desperate look.

"S-stop, please... s-spare them, Azriel... I-I can assist you... I can help you rescue Jasmine without Prince Lioren's involvement..."