Chapter 1294: Guilt

Chapter 1294: Guilt

Atticus stared calmly as the Enigmalnk man landed a few meters away from him.

Oberon could be considered what most rulers would call an advisor. Not necessarily the most trusted, Atticus never truly trusted anyone, despite the restrictions and precautions he placed on them.

Since the day he found a way to bypass the absoluteness of a mana contract, Atticus had resolved to never rely fully on any restriction. Betrayal could come from anywhere… at any moment… from anyone.

This was why, like always, even with Whisker, Atticus observed Oberon closely as the man began speaking.

“Supreme Ruler… I have brought—”

As a god, very little, if anything, escaped Atticus’ notice. He could feel everything the Eldorian felt, right down to his intent.

Awe. Respect. Caution.

Of all the human paragons, Oberon had proven to be the most useful by far. He followed Atticus’ orders to the letter and executed them without hesitation. Atticus valued his mind. True to his title, he was the smartest human in the domain.

Atticus had witnessed it firsthand. Which was why, despite his paranoia, there was no one he valued more than Oberon.

What Oberon had suggested was simple, but effective. And it was, without a doubt, the fastest way to restore order.

Even with the restrictions in place, relying on the leaders of the new worlds to govern efficiently was a gamble.

They had no choice but to obey the mana contracts, yes, but Oberon had pointed out how much of a hassle it would become.

Every little detail would need to be clarified. A simple order like “bring your people under control” could be interpreted in countless ways.

And while the contract prevented them from harming the world, it was dangerous when a ruler didn’t have a firm grip on their subordinates, especially in a world as vast as Eldoralth.

Naturally, Oberon offered solutions. Several, in fact. And after filtering through them, Atticus eventually settled on one.

An Eldorian, accompanied by a council of paragons, would be sent to each new region. They would assume full control.

Atticus also instructed that the local cultures and traditions be preserved, so long as they didn’t interfere with the running of the region.

The councils would ensure all orders were followed efficiently and that Eldoralth’s best interests remained a priority.

Oberon had eventually left after Atticus tasked him with ensuring the selected Eldorians and paragon councils were trustworthy, placing even stricter restrictions on them just in case.

Atticus began to reflect as Oberon left to carry out his orders.

‘With this, everything should be ready for the ascension.’

The world needed to be united before that day.

Speaking with Whisker earlier, Atticus had gotten a strange feeling. One he couldn’t quite place.

‘He’s hiding something…’ Atticus frowned at the thought. Whisker had no real reason to hide anything.

If anything, doing so would work against him. Whisker loved being free, loved acting like a wild card, but he wasn’t stupid.

Still, something was off.

‘The ascension…’

He had brought up the topic multiple times, yet Whisker always avoided it. What exactly was the ascension? What was supposed to happen? Would there be challenges along the way?

These were the questions Atticus kept asking. But Whisker only ever spoke about what came after, what to expect in the Midplanes. Never the journey itself.

‘Maybe there’s nothing to expect…’ he thought. But then again…

‘Quiet Flame did the same.’

Atticus had never been one to ignore his instincts, especially when something felt off.

Just as his mind started to spin through the possibilities, another presence approached.

Atticus turned and rose to his feet, a small smile appearing on his lips.

“Grandpa…”

He gazed at the man whose aura still felt vast and comforting, despite the clear power gap between them.

“Atticus,” Magnus said, stepping closer. He stopped a few feet away and just stared.

“What’s wrong?” Atticus frowned. He could feel the hesitation and guilt radiating from Magnus.

“How… how are you?”

Magnus’ voice was careful, and that only deepened Atticus’ confusion.

“I’m fine, Grandpa,” he replied plainly.

‘What’s going on?’

It was strange. Magnus was never hesitant. In battle or conversation, he always made his intent clear.

But it was the guilt Atticus noticed most.

‘Did he do something?’ He couldn’t imagine Magnus wronging anyone in the Ravenstein bloodline, especially not him.

Still, he cleared his thoughts and waited. Magnus eventually spoke.

“…I’m sorry.”

The words came with averted eyes.

“Sorry for what?”

Atticus sensed more hesitation, but then Magnus finally explained.

“For making you go through all that,” he said, finally meeting Atticus’ gaze. “It should be my job as head of house.”

Atticus blinked. “Go through what?”

“Today. With the new worlds…”

Atticus recalled asserting dominance by killing the leaders of the various armies. He glanced at Magnus again and nearly laughed.

‘So that’s what this is about.’

He understood now. In asserting dominance, he had painted himself as a villain, possibly even a tyrant. He ruled through power and fear, after all.

‘I am a tyrant.’

The thought almost made him chuckle. He didn’t care about labels, as long as it got shit done.

“Grandpa…” Atticus placed a hand on Magnus’ shoulder. He stood taller now, his presence more commanding.

Magnus looked up at the grandson who had come so far. He felt no envy at Atticus’ strength, only pride.

“I know the path I walk. It’s one I chose, after all. Everything I do, I do with full intention. My conscience is clear. I carry no burden. This is my choice.”

Magnus let out a long breath and nodded, though the guilt still lingered.

“I’m sorry,” he repeated, turning as if to leave.

“Wait…”

As Magnus paused and turned back, Atticus sighed. He could tell that no amount of words would ease the man’s guilt, he was just too stubborn.

So, he changed the topic. He began to tell him about the new powers of the different worlds.

To truly make them Eldorians, he’d need to infuse them with more mana signatures.

Eventually, Magnus had advised Atticus against it. In his words: “It’ll make us weaker.”