In the past, during the Middle Ages, there was no television, let alone the internet and advanced technology that filled Kreyn's world and completely transformed it with technological and capitalist development.

When all wars ended, and utopia was achieved, it was easy to forget how dark and cruel the world used to be. In fact, neither the world nor people ever changed, just the circumstances and priorities became different.

In the Middle Ages, especially in the Dark Ages, people entertained themselves in various ways, but the main ones were definitely executions, hangings, and burning at the stake.

Now, Kreyn was recreating what had always been in human nature and in the Great Lands.

"W-What...?" Fran muttered as his face turned as pale as a sheet of paper.

Elvira gulped, she couldn't believe the things the little girl with the happy face was saying.

Kreyn smirked.

"Hmm? Didn't you hear little Mia? In that case, I'll repeat it so that everyone can hear." Kreyn pointed his sword at them. "Burn them!"

In a heartbeat, the people responded to his call as they raised their fists, chanting the same thing:

"Burn them!"

"Burn them!"

"Burn them!"

Now, their fate was sealed, and Fran and Elvira realized it only now.

"No... You can't do this!" Elvira exclaimed, addressing the people. "We are your lords! You should be grateful to us for everything we have given you! If it weren't for us, you would have been devoured by monsters long ago!"

However, her words did not help; on the contrary, the people looked at the bloodstains and destroyed houses. The monsters attacked them either way, and they could only blame the Wurhen Family for it.

"Ha! How are you going to do that?" Fran roared angrily at the crowd. "Just try to come near me! I'll rip your throats out!"

His threat was real; after all, he was an Origin, but Kreyn wasn't going to let them get any leverage.

"Well, I'm afraid you still don't understand the situation you're in. Forward, my people, it's time to punish the cause of all our suffering and restore justice!"

At the same moment, several men stepped forward and threw chains at Fran and Elvira. Naturally, they tried to free themselves. They were strong enough to break the chains, but when Grender and Judith grabbed the other ends of the chains, they had no chance.

Splash!

The pot of oil was poured over Fran and Elvira as everyone stepped aside, except for the girl with crimson hair and piercing blue eyes.

Azura and Kreyn exchanged glances as he nodded his permission.

A tattoo covered Azura's right arm as a stream of flame swirled in front of her open palm.

Fran and Elvira froze, unable to believe that this was really happening. Just a few days ago, they had been at the top, able to do whatever they wanted, and now they were about to be burned alive for the amusement of the crowd?

"That's life," Kreyn smirked as the raging flames surged forward, engulfing the two nobles. "No matter how high you climb, you can always fall if you're not careful. And as we all know, you fall from a mountain much faster than you climb it, especially if you were born at the top!"

AAAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!

A painful scream erupted across the square as Fran and Elvira writhed in agony while the fire burned their flesh and blood alive.

If it had been ordinary flames, they might have had a chance to survive and suffer only minor burns, but this was Azura's ability, another Origin. Her fire was full of energy and much stronger than ordinary flames.

In the eyes of the residents, there was no pity, no hope for salvation. They clenched their fists tightly, gritting their teeth, because deep down they enjoyed Fran and Elvira's suffering, and all they wanted was for the two arrogant nobles to turn into piles of ashes.

In just a few minutes, all that remained of Fran and Elvira were two charred corpses, nothing more than charred flesh.

Kreyn nodded deeply as he turned and approached a mother.

"I'm sorry for taking her away for a while, but now she will always be with you." Kreyn fell to one knee, handing Mia back to her mother.

"Mommy!" Mia exclaimed, pointing at Kreyn. "That boy, he saved me! He's a hero, just like in fairy tales! He's so cool!"

The woman hugged Mia close as tears streamed from her eyes. Unlike Mia, who was still very young, she understood that they had been saved by a miracle.

"Thank... Thank you for saving my daughter! Thank you for driving away the monsters and freeing us from these tyrants!"

Kreyn smiled and stood up, all eyes still on him.

"Please, return to your homes and stay in the surviving part of town! The Wurhen Family will return soon, they will try to take revenge, but we will protect you and liberate your town! Let us do our job!"

The people nodded and did as Kreyn said. They needed to recover from everything that had happened, and... looking at the destroyed houses, they had a lot of work to do as well.

Step. Step. Step.

Daren approached Kreyn as he leaned toward his ear.

"Valyra said they took the second path. I take it that's good news, right?"

Kreyn grinned widely, unable to hide his joy.

"Of course. As always, their desire to achieve more will lead to their downfall!"

...

At the same time, Ardur, Ozdor, and Liliane were making their way through the Worm Mines, unaware of what had happened at Varthon. They were walking through dangerous, abandoned mines to return home as quickly as possible.

Strangely enough, they were already too late, and it was the worst decision they could have made, but they didn't know that yet.

"Brother..." Ozdor frowned as he followed Ardur. "I have a bad feeling. My chest hurts, and that only happens when something terrible has happened..."

Ardur frowned.

"Tsk, they must have already attacked Fran and Elvira. We must hurry!"

He sped up, but at that moment, the mines shook.

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

The walls collapsed, revealing the free caves in the distance, where a giant Arakta Worm—Vaarh himself—was watching them.

"Agh?"

Ardur's eyes widened as a bright light blinded them, following the dense, green ray that struck them right in Vaarh's domain.

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