He had a point. Throughout all of Seclela, not a soul would dare strip Kayden of his military power-not as long as he drew breath. If anyone had harbored such thoughts, they would have seized the opportunity during his three-year absence. A man who could guard the nation’s borders with nothing but a broken sword, whose very name struck terror into enemy ranks-such a figure rivaled the legendary war god White Demon himself. Who would dare end such a man? Who would risk letting him slip away?
The consequences would be unthinkable. Take his life or his power, and chaos would reign supreme.
Rage burned in Greedy Wolf’s eyes as he drew his twin blades, their edges gleaming. “You scum!” he roared. “Your crimes against Seclela deserve death!”
His next step shook the earth, raw power radiating from his movement. The stone slabs beneath his feet shattered like glass, spider-web cracks spreading in all directions-a sight that made blood run cold.
The display left the entire Vargas family, young and old alike, trembling. What terrifying strength could turn a single footstep into such a devastating force?
Boaz stood frozen, his throat bobbing as he unconsciously retreated. His usual confidence had crumbled in the face of these unexpected visitors, replaced by naked fear.
“Envoy, what’s happening?” Salvatore whispered from behind, unable to contain his anxiety.
Words failed Boaz as his mind raced frantically. He had followed the organization’s plan to the letter-so how had they found him?
“Die, you bastard!” Greedy Wolf’s voice thundered as he advanced, raw power emanating from his every move.
The display snapped Boaz back to reality, forcing another retreat. That overwhelming presence sent chills racing from his feet to his scalp, leaving him feeling hollow inside. Deep down, he knew-nothing could save him now.
“Hold!” Kayden’s command cut through the air as he stepped forward, stopping Greedy Wolf in his tracks.
Kayden raised his head with regal calm, his eyes boring into Boaz. “Was it you who killed Massimo?”
The question struck like a blade to the heart, piercing straight through Boaz’s carefully constructed facade. He had known this man would eventually connect him to Massimo’s death-but not this quickly.
Boaz’s eyes darted about as his thoughts scattered like autumn leaves, buying time with his silence.
But Kayden’s patience had run dry. His heart ached with guilt over Massimo’s family’s fate. Never had remorse cut so deep, especially when he thought of Massimo’s wife and their unborn child. The shame and regret threatened to overwhelm him.
Perhaps after completing this investigation, Massimo would have left it all behind-found peace with his wife and child. But now… Boaz had destroyed that future entirely.
Kayden’s eyes blazed crimson as he took another step forward. “Since you won’t speak,” he growled, “perhaps you’d like to experience a fate worse than death-where you’ll beg to live, yet cannot, and beg to die, yet may not.”
His words carried such weight that a cold wind seemed to pierce Boaz’s very soul, drawing an involuntary shudder.
He might not fear death itself, but this demonic threat broke his resolve.
“I-I’ll tell you!” he stammered. “I killed him! I killed Massimo!”
“But you don’t understand! Seven years ago, I was an IP specialist at a company. Massimo hacked our systems for fun. When they ordered me to restore everything, I couldn’t. I lost my job. Then my girlfriend left me-married my best friend, of all people!”
“One thoughtless act from Massimo destroyed everything I had. This scar? The company’s parting gift.”
“So,” Kayden cut in sharply, “you’re claiming this was pure revenge?”
Boaz nodded frantically. “Yes, yes! Just revenge!”
“Revenge?” Kayden’s voice turned to gravel. “Then why murder his wife? His unborn child?”
Boaz’s eyes flickered before he answered, “I was being merciful! If I’d only killed him, his wife would have remarried eventually. His woman in another man’s arms, his child bearing another’s name-that would have been true cruelty.”
“Scumbag!” Kayden’s fury exploded. He flung his arms wide, and a great wind answered his call. Fallen leaves rose from the ground, their tips suddenly sharp as needles, all pointing at Boaz.
Those simple leaves transformed into an army of blades, their killing intent palpable in the air.
The Vargas family watched in stunned silence.
This display of power-controlling leaves with a mere gesture, turning them into deadly weapons-it was like witnessing divine magic. They’d seen similar scenes in movies, but this was horrifyingly real.
Such power! Such terrifying power!
Cyrus’s earlier words suddenly carried new weight. Could any organization truly control someone like this? This was a hero who had commanded millions, who had stood guard over Seclela itself! If they hadn’t witnessed that organization’s might firsthand, their resolve would have crumbled right there.
They had hoped their fierce-looking envoy might stand a chance, might become their protector. Now they saw the truth-before Kayden, Boaz was less than nothing.
Watching Boaz’s back, they swallowed their bitter thoughts and unshed tears.
Before anyone could move, Kayden’s hand swept forward. The leaves shot forth like arrows, piercing Boaz’s chest and thighs with deadly precision. Each impact drew a scream as the leaves burrowed deep like frozen daggers, studding his chest, stomach, and legs with nature’s weapons.
Blood welled from each entry point, proving the leaves had struck true. Boaz crashed to the ground, pain blazing through his body like wildfire.
His screams echoed as his mind went blank. The attack had been devastating-he’d thought he stood a chance, but the moment those hands rose, he’d realized the truth: he never had a hope of fighting back.
Leaves. Mere leaves had pierced through cloth and flesh alike. Such power defied comprehension, shattered the boundaries of what should be possible. This was strength beyond mortal limits, beyond the natural order itself.