In just two days, the Wurhen Family lost their prison, two of their people, the Origins, and their eldest daughter, Laura von Wurhen, was taken hostage.

Never before had the Wurhen Family faced such a serious internal crisis that developed so quickly.

Rumors among the townspeople had already begun to spread. This was the worst thing that could happen to the Wurhen Family. If even their own people stopped believing in their power, they would lose their influence and allies.

Well, for a family with a long history, this was certainly not the first problem they had faced. All they had to do was regain control of the prison and kill the leaders of the uprising. Ardur would have done it right away, but he decided not to rush because Laura was there.

Now, his patience had come to an end.

Step. Step. Step.

A tall young man with short black hair and piercing green eyes opened the door and entered the dimly lit room.

Ardur was sitting at a table, clenching a cigar between his teeth as smoke enveloped his large frame.

"So... Fran, my son. Everything is as I thought, isn't it?"

Fran nodded deeply. "Yes, Father. Merina... she lost. I was at a safe distance, in the shadows, so I didn't see the fight. However, since she chose to fight rather than return, it means that Laura is being held hostage. Merina fell into a trap and proved too weak."

"Did they all attack her together?"

Fran shook his head. "Besides Merina's, I only sensed one other powerful aura. Their Origins... They're not as simple as we'd like them to be."

"I see..." Ardur exhaled a cloud of smoke. "In that case, it's time to act. Take Elvira and Liliane with you, they will help you free their older sister. The three of you should be enough."

There was no hint of fear in Fran's eyes. He had been ready for this from the beginning and was confident of victory.

"I'll leave at dawn. But what should we do about this, Kreyn, Father?"

Ardur waved his hand.

"Kill him and every one of his subordinates. If you manage to capture anyone alive, do so, and we will hold a public execution right in the town. This misunderstanding... has gone on too long."

With a deep bow, Fran left as his powerful stride quickened.

He was the only son of the Wurhen Family and also the second child. Only Laura was older than him, but that didn't bother him.

'She's weak. She'll never take the place of the next head of the family, but...' Fran narrowed his eyes. 'Does she even deserve a place in the family? Two servants have already died for her sake. Tsk, let Father decide that.'

...

Soon, dawn broke. At the same time, Kreyn, Groza, and Daren approached Boneveil Village.

Malin was supposed to meet them and lead them to the Crimson Crystal Cavern. He was not a fighter, but he had a lot of knowledge about the area.

But before that, Kreyn had one thing to do:

"Here, climb in here." Kreyn pointed to the rock ahead.

Daren already knew what was about to happen, but Groza was puzzled as she looked at them.

"Agh? What the hell are you doing?"

Kreyn grinned and tapped on the edge. "Come here. If I'm wrong, we'll see a beautiful sunrise, and if I'm right, something much better. Either way, it's worth spending a few minutes."

"Tsk, we're just wasting time!"

Groza grumbled, but when she saw the sunrise, her expression softened. She couldn't hide her amazement at the first rays of the sun rising over the hills in the distance.

Soon, her face paled.

A multitude of shadows appeared from behind the hill as several dozen guards ran forward, led by three black horses. In front was a young man, next to whom were two girls with hair as light as Laura's.

"WHAT?!" Groza jumped up in a slight panic. "Fuck! Kreyn, the Wurhen Family, they're attacking the prison! We have to get back immediately!"

However, neither Daren nor Kreyn panicked. They just smiled, even Daren couldn't help himself because he knew what was about to happen.

"You see, to get to the prison, they first need to cross the river via the eastern bridge. Otherwise, they'll have to spend a day going around the river."

"Yeah, I know this!" Groza waved her hand. "I've seen the maps too! They'll do it right now."

Kreyn narrowed his eyes, waiting for something.

"Well, I wouldn't be so sure about that."

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

Suddenly, a tremor ran through the ground, reaching even them, though they were already past the Cinder Swamps, approaching the Boneveil Village.

Then, Groza's eyes widened and her gaze filled with horror.

...

"Brother, let me deal with Kreyn, that dirty criminal!" Elvira, the middle daughter, turned to Fran. Her hair was short, and her eyes were a deep blue.

Fran nodded slightly. "We will destroy all enemies of the family. If the opportunity arises, I will not interfere. Liliane, get ready."

The girl to his right narrowed her eyes as she looked at the approaching bridge.

"Sure, it'll be quick. We should have done this yesterday. Those animals who started the riot think they're something."

Suddenly, the great river trembled, and water gushed over the edges as a tremor shook the ground.

Crack. Crack. Crack.

Cracks ran across the ground as a massive shadow emerged from the distant right bank.

Neither the guards nor Fran had time to react as the horses galloped forward, unaware of the many eyes of the Arakta Worm watching them.

"Is that...?" Elvira raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Why is there an Arakta Worm here? Brother, we must kill it, or it may interfere with us."

Liliane nodded. "Yes, I'm ready to begin."

However, Fran said nothing, he just gulped.

"This... This worm is too big. This... This is the Elder!!!"

One word was enough to sow fear in their ranks. It didn't matter that they were the Origins, they had no chance against Vaarh.

At the same moment, Vaarh opened its jaws as a green light burst from its throat, gathering into a dense orb in front of it.

Fran's pupils narrowed as the orb contracted, unleashing a laser of dense energy with a force as distant to them as the cruel sun.

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