Vol. 6 Ch. 133

If the crystal core could truly be extracted while keeping Leon’s body intact...

Well, Leon had no way of knowing if this so-called “mystic altar” of theirs actually had such miraculous capabilities.

But if he really wanted to exonerate Hera as part of his plan, he had to pretend to go along with Dimo—for now. He had to continue feeding the old fox’s trust and arrogance.

So, to make his agreement feel more “believable” and in line with Dimo’s carefully spun narrative, Leon feigned a thoughtful pause, then slowly spoke in a tone full of conviction:

“I actually came across an ancient tree in another land. It also contained records about the Thunder Spirit Crystal Core. The writings said the truth lies in the beginning—that the Core was always destined to return to its fate. That traitor Hera… she never understood that. Even if she stole the core and tried to monopolize its power, she was doomed to fail. Because, as you said, High Priest… maybe this is fate.”

He exhaled, his expression twisted with seeming inner turmoil, then broke into a faint smile of acceptance.

“Let’s do it, then. Let’s use your clan’s altar to extract the core from within me.”

Sure enough, Dimo’s expression eased into one of smug satisfaction.

“As expected of Leon—such clarity of thought. Then we mustn’t waste time. We’ll begin the extraction immediately.”

“Right now?”

“Yes.”

Dimo nodded, theatrically raising his voice with fabricated urgency:

“I can already sense that immense power drawing ever closer to our world. Time is running out.”

The fox wasn’t just showing his tail—he was practically waving it in Leon’s face.

And Leon had helped him do it, ever since he arrived, setting up every line of dialogue like bait, coaxing Dimo step by step into thinking he had Leon fully under control.

That was exactly what Leon wanted.

“Very well. I’ll leave everything in your hands, High Priest.”

“Then follow me, Leon.”

Dimo led Leon outside. Together, they made their way to the Golden Thunder Clan’s sacred altar.

It was already deep into the night. The streets were deserted.

Leon figured Dimo had planned it this way to keep prying eyes away. If the ceremony failed publicly, it would spiral into a political disaster. A lie like this required absolute secrecy.

Too many lies stacked on top of each other always risked collapse.

So yes—better to do it in private.

They reached the altar. Dimo raised an arm behind his back and gestured grandly with the other.

“Just step onto the platform. Leave the rest to me.”

Leon’s lips quirked. Both hands tucked in his pockets, one quietly holding something. But in the dim lighting, Dimo didn’t notice the subtle movement.

“Alright, I leave it to you.”

Leon stepped up the altar, ascending slowly toward its center.

The night air was cool. Leon shivered slightly.

He turned to look back at Dimo.

“I’m ready, High Priest.”

“Then—let us begin.”

As Dimo raised a hand, a magic glyph flared beneath Leon’s feet. A circle of runes ignited in bluish light.

They resembled the ancient “weathered” inscriptions Leon had seen within the tree—clearly another unique magic of the Golden Thunder Clan.

The magic flared. Wind surged. Leon’s bangs were blown back.

“Do you feel anything, Leon?”

“A little dizzy.”

“That’s normal. You’re having a part of your power extracted, after all. It’ll pass shortly.”

“Understood, High Priest.”

The light from the circle grew more intense.

Leon really did feel dizzy—his footing became unsteady, body sluggish.

Looking down, he saw it clearly:

From his feet, glowing blue currents began to flow outward through the runes carved into the altar.

And those flows all led to a single destination—the center of the five-elemental altar.

The place where the Thunder Spirit Crystal Core had once rested.

The sensation grew stronger.

Leon squinted. He knew his own power—his own body—better than anyone.

“Just as I thought… Dimo, you lying bastard.”

Brilliant azure light pulsed at the altar’s core. The wind howled around them. Magic surged outward in waves.

The glowing streams spiraling from Leon’s body condensed, converging.

“How are you feeling now, Leon?”

Silence.

Only the wind responded.

Dimo’s smile deepened. Still, he asked again—carefully:

“Leon? Can you hear me?”

Still no response.

“Hmph. So much for all that bravado.”

In the center of the altar, a blue crystal began to form.

Dimo ascended the stairs, walking slowly toward Leon.

There he knelt—gasping for breath, his body unmoving, mouth unable even to form words.

Dimo crouched beside him.

“Still dizzy, Leon?”

He repeated the same words—this time laced with sarcasm and triumph.

“You really thought you could extract the core without paying a price? Naive fool.”

He stood, hands behind his back, towering over the withering figure below.

“Then return—alongside your naïveté—to the Thunder Spirit Crystal Core.”

As his voice fell, Leon’s afterimage disintegrated completely.

And in the center of the altar—the blue crystal gently floated into Dimo’s hand.

Crackling with thunderous energy.

Dimo’s eyes gleamed with greed.

“Thirty years… I’ve waited thirty years for this day.”

Clutching the crystal, he looked to the distance and sneered.

“Hera… in the end, you still lost. What use was your loyalty to Zeus? Even giving your life to protect the Thunder Core—what did it amount to? It still returned to me. Let the title ‘traitor’ follow you into the grave.”

As he basked in his own delusion, footsteps echoed from the nearby alley.

Dimo turned, instantly bowing with exaggerated reverence.

“Lord Karl.”

The cloaked figure approached. Dimo stepped forward, head lowered.

“I’ve retrieved the Thunder Spirit Crystal Core. Leon Kasmode is no more.”

Karl grunted softly.

“Another obstacle removed. With him gone, the Void’s descent upon Samael is no longer a fantasy.”

“You’ve done well, Dimo. When our Master arrives on this continent, your reward will be substantial.”

“Thank you, Lord Karl.”

Dimo bowed again.

Then he added quickly:

“About our agreement… I need to ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) use the Core to consolidate my position among the clan—just as we discussed.”

Karl waved a hand.

“Fine.”

Dimo’s eyes lit up with greed.

“Thank you once again, Lord Karl.”

He cradled the glowing crystal, grinning like a man possessed.

At the forest’s edge outside the Golden Thunder Clan’s territory, a portal shimmered into being.

A figure stepped out slowly.

“Dad!”

Noa ran toward him, holding the teleportation stone from Twilight Tower Master Dimothy.

“Are you okay?”

Leon looked tired—but intact. He smiled faintly and patted her head.

“I’m fine. Sorry for worrying you.”

Rosvisser and Xiaoxue walked over, relieved.

After checking him over, Rosvisser finally asked,

“How did it go?”

Leon nodded.

Then turned to face the distant lights of the Golden Thunder Clan.

“Let’s finish this web of lies—once and for all.”