After a long silence, the system noticed that Alec’s emotions had begun to calm down and spoke within his mind.
’Host, can you ask that white-haired man what the ’End’ he mentioned earlier is?’
Alec sighed upon hearing it. The system viewed everything through an analytical perspective. After all, it was created with the purpose of providing its host with the most optimal decisions for his growth. It couldn’t change that aspect of its nature.
Ultimately, Alec asked Ares about the End.
Ares chuckled at his question.
"It’s something no one in this realm has ever reached. Not even all those Rulers standing at the peak of Celestial Rank."
"Finding the End means obtaining the true Crown of a Ruler, given by nature itself. It is the final threshold, the last point where an existence transcends everything they once were and steps into a realm that countless Celestials have pursued but never touched."
"So no one knows what comes after it."
Clan Leader Ares’ lips curved further.
"But both Kyle and Azazeal, the two crazy men, achieved what no one else could."
"They reached the End."
Then, his smile abruptly faded.
"Only to disappear after accomplishing what no one—not even the Rulers—could."
Silence filled the prison for a moment.
Then, Alec and the others exchanged bitter smiles.
Years ago, when they had finally stepped into the Celestial Rank, they had believed they had caught up to Kyle. Some had even looked forward to challenging him, hoping to finally defeat the man they had spent so long chasing. Only now did they realize how foolish that had been. While they had been celebrating becoming Celestials, Kyle had already reached a place so high that not even the strongest Celestials could attain it. A place far beyond their reach.
Finally, Nine commented.
"...That really is just like Kyle."
James and Susan nodded in agreement.
"Yes... that lucky brat."
Suddenly, Asher turned to Ares.
"By the way... was that guy still alive when Kyle and Azazeal came here?"
He frowned, trying to recall the name.
"And did they kill him? What was his name again...?"
After a brief pause, he remembered.
"Right, Nathaniel!"
Asher’s expression darkened.
"That piece of garbage was the one who started this entire tragedy in our universe. He was the main reason Azazeal lost his mind and turned into a Dark Celestial."
Clan Leader Ares paused after hearing Asher’s words. At last, some of the things that had never made sense to him finally clicked into place. So that was the reason why Azazeal was so hell-bent on entering the Layer of Ancients, even after being relentlessly attacked by so many Rulers.
Ares slowly nodded.
"Nathaniel was the strongest Ruler in this realm before Kyle and Azazeal arrived. He was renowned for his saintly personality and was revered by many Celestials."
A mocking scoff escaped his lips when he said the word ’saintly’ before he continued.
"Azazeal killed him and all his followers. But what I still don’t understand is this..."
"Even after taking his revenge, why did Azazeal still attempt to erase everything around him along with himself?"
Nine responded to this.
"Because revenge doesn’t always bring peace. Some wounds run so deep that, by the time revenge is within reach, the person who wanted it has walked so far into the darkness that they forgot themselves."
"Azazeal was one of those people."
Just as he finished speaking, a faint commotion echoed from outside the prison. The sounds of chaos drifted through the corridors, accompanied by angry shouts, clashing weapons, and the rumble of a sudden, fierce battle.
Everyone instantly became alert, their expressions hardening as they assumed the winged warriors and armored giants had returned. But what emerged from the darkness was someone else entirely.
A powerful Celestial stepped into the dim light with calm, unhurried footsteps.
His long legs carried him forward until his features gradually came into view.
The first thing everyone noticed was a pair of indifferent blood-red eyes.
Then came his long, dark hair, neatly tied behind his back, swaying gently with each step. His face was strikingly handsome, yet completely expressionless, carrying a cold indifference that made him seem distant.
The man wore nothing extravagant—only a simple shirt and a pair of dark trousers—but they fit him perfectly. A sword stained with fresh blood rested in his hand, which he casually sheathed as he walked forward.
The prison fell silent.
Everyone stared at the newcomer with wary eyes as he stopped in the center of the prison.
Suddenly, Ares chuckled and mused.
"Not an enemy."
Hearing him, Alec and the others finally released the breath they had been holding.
Ares looked directly at the newcomer.
"So... you managed to find this place."
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
"Have you finally come to save me? ...No, that doesn’t sound right. Not at all. If you truly intended to rescue me from here, you would have done so long ago."
Cassian’s eyes shifted toward Ares. His words were measured as he spoke.
"Guardian Zami contacted me after your clan deciphered something the Elders had sent to Yizhe. She is outside with your people, fighting the guards. I heard..."
His gaze swept across everyone else.
"They’re all related to Kyle?"
Clan Leader Ares clicked his tongue.
"Obviously, they are. I already confirmed it myself while pretending to be invisible. But your favoritism stings. You never came to save me. Zami didn’t come looking for me either. Yet the moment these people were captured, all of you came rushing here."
Cassian’s eyebrow twitched, but he didn’t respond. Instead, he calmly walked to the cold doors of the prison cells and began breaking the symbols locking the doors.
Jian suddenly leaned closer to Ares and asked in a low voice,
"Who’s this cold-looking Celestial?"
Ares raised an eyebrow.
He had only spent a short time with Jian and the others, but he had already realized they were all a bit naïve. Even so, they were all united. It wasn’t bad. On the contrary, it showed that every one of them possessed good character and was willing to stand by their companions no matter what.
Finally, Ares introduced himself.
"Leave him. My name is Ares. Although I said I was irrelevant earlier, I actually lead a clan of my own. Look—my people came to save you all. Would you like to join it?"
He smiled with a hint of pride.
"Kyle joined my Golden Guardians Clan too. And this cold-looking guy as well. Tsk, he’s an old friend—he joined my clan with Kyle."
Jian was left speechless by Clan Leader Ares’ enthusiasm. He and his friends hadn’t even escaped this place yet, and Ares was already trying to recruit them into his clan.
Just then, Cassian looked back at Jian.
His voice was low and calm, yet everyone in the prison heard it clearly.
"Cassian."
He paused briefly.
"My name is Cassian."