Chapter 535: Nature Of A Human Being

Damian’s eyes tracked across the kneeling figures beside Brian’s unconscious form.

Marcus Feng, the business-minded who’d survived two months in a Giant portal with him.

Ming, the man who’d lost his wife and daughter to Shadow Council bombs.

Others he recognized, faces bloodied, bodies bearing marks of interrogation and torture.

’How?’

The question burned through his mind, cutting deeper than any physical wound could.

’How did they get caught? Gia had hidden their information...’

His gaze found Brian’s face again, saw the bruises forming under the eyes, the split lip, the way his breathing came shallow and pained.

’What... did they do to you?’

Kinsley Patriarch’s voice cut through the silence, drawing every eye back to him.

"Do you know these people, young man?"

Damian said nothing, his jaw clenched so tight his teeth ached.

Kinsley’s smile widened, something predatory bleeding through the pleasant expression.

"Well, whether you know them or not doesn’t change what comes next, I’m afraid."

He gestured toward the kneeling figures with casual dismissal.

"They can’t be left unpunished. All of them have the blood of hundreds of innocent people on their hands."

The words landed like hammer blows.

Marcus’s head lifted, his bloodied face twisting with something between rage and bitterness.

"I-innocent people?"

A laugh emerged from his throat, wet and broken.

"We... We have only killed those who belonged to the Shadow Council!"

The statement rang across the field, carrying through the cameras broadcasting to billions of watching citizens.

Whispers exploded through the assembled crowd.

"Did he just say Shadow Council?"

"The terrorist organization?"

"These are the people hunting them?"

"But I thought the SFD was handling–"

Kinsley’s head tilted slightly, the movement birdlike and curious.

"Shadow Council?"

His voice carried confusion so perfectly crafted it could have been genuine.

"But a few months back, who was the one who raided a police detention center in Norrington City and killed everyone inside?"

His blue eyes locked onto Marcus, smile never wavering.

"Don’t tell me they were all part of the Shadow Council? Every single officer? Every civilian worker? Every–"

Marcus’s mouth opened, his face contorting with rage despite the restraints and injuries.

"You don’t under–"

But he never finished.

One moment Marcus was kneeling there, starting to speak.

The next, he simply exploded.

BOOM

His body detonated from the inside out, blood and bone and viscera spraying outward in a perfect sphere.

The pieces hit the snow around where he’d been kneeling, steaming in the cold air.

Nothing remained but red mist and scattered meat.

Silence crashed across the entire field like someone had cut all sound from the world.

Kinsley looked down at his hand, like he’d just discovered an unexpected stain.

Then he sighed, the sound carrying genuine regret.

"Looks like I couldn’t contain my righteous anger."

He looked around at the assembled crowd, at the cameras broadcasting to billions.

"After all, I’m a hero who sacrificed a lot for this Federation. Hearing someone try to justify murdering innocent people, it just... touched something."

His hand pressed against his chest, over his heart.

"Sometimes the passion for justice burns too hot to control completely."

Nobody moved or spoke, the assembled thousands frozen in place.

Damian sat exactly where he’d been, his crimson eyes locked on the scattered remains of Marcus Feng.

The man who’d questioned joining the Mafia at first, who’d worried about morality and consequences, who’d ultimately chosen to fight anyway...

Now reduced to pieces painting white snow red.

Damian’s hands remained on his thighs, perfectly still, showing nothing.

But something behind his eyes was beginning to crack.

Kinsley’s voice continued, drawing attention back to him as he began walking slowly across the field.

"Speaking of heroes, the Bloodworth family was filled with them."

His tone shifted, becoming almost wistful, like someone recounting fond memories.

"I’m sure all of you have heard their legends. The stories passed down through generations about their incredible strength, their unwavering courage, their absolute dedication to protecting humanity."

He stopped walking, his gaze sweeping across the assembled crowd.

"And you know what’s common in all those legends?"

His blue eyes found Damian’s face, locking onto crimson with predatory focus.

"A special skill that activated the moment their protective instincts arose. An innate ability that made them nearly unstoppable when defending the people they cared about."

He paused, letting the tension build.

"Blood Sovereign."

The two words rang across the field like a death sentence.

Understanding rippled through the watching crowd, pieces clicking together with terrible clarity.

Royce Patriarch’s voice cut through the murmurs, sharp with disapproval.

"Even after Brother Murdock confirmed he wasn’t a Bloodworth, you still doubt him?"

His orange eyes tracked between Kinsley and the Sage.

"What has happened to you, Brother Kinsley? Have you lost your faith even in him?"

Kinsley’s gaze shifted to the masked figure standing silent among them.

"It’s not that I don’t trust him."

His voice was quieter now, but carrying weight that made every word land like a stone.

"But maybe he himself can’t see the truth?"

Ashford Patriarch leaned forward slightly, his grey eyes narrowing.

"What are you talking about?"

Kinsley turned to face the Sage directly, his expression becoming serious.

"Recently a change has happened in the laws of the universe." His voice dropped lower. "Fate has weakened considerably, hasn’t it, Brother Murdock?"

The Sage remained completely still, his masked face showing nothing.

But the silence stretched too long, and became its own answer.

The other Patriarchs went quiet, their expressions shifting as implications settled with weight.

Even Royce’s skeptical look faded, replaced by something approaching troubled understanding.

And all of them turned toward Damian, their gazes carrying new intensity.

Kinsley’s voice continued, addressing the crowd now, ensuring everyone heard what came next.

"Truth can be hidden using many ways. Lying, soul manipulation, memory alteration, identity fabrication..."

He gestured broadly, encompassing the possibilities.

"But what can’t be hidden, no matter what methods are used, is the fundamental nature of a human being."

His blue eyes gleamed.

"A Bloodworth will always protect their people. It’s not a choice they make. It’s who they are at the deepest level. You can seal their power, hide their identity, bury them under false names and fabricated histories..."

He looked directly at Damian.

"But you cannot change what happens when their people are threatened."

Lysander’s voice cut across the field, his Aura starting to rise.

"Patriarchs, please. Everyone is watching. This spectacle is–"

Kinsley’s eyes found him, his gaze settling with weight that made reality feel thin.

And Lysander’s mouth closed, his next words dying before they could form.