Chapter 259: It’s A Father’s Duty To Carry The Sins of Their Child.

The explosion was so bright that it blinded everyone in the chamber. The floor cracked, the walls shattered; the ground itself collapsed for miles.

When the light finally faded from the place, the Golden Dragon was gone.

Its body had been torn apart by Garuda’s wind blade, its scales scattered across the chamber like golden confetti, deadder than dead.

The Clan Leader stood in the centre of the destruction, his robes torn, his face pale, his eyes wide with disbelief.

"No," he whispered. "No, no, no. This can’t be happening. My boy, where is my boy..."

Tobias descended slowly, Garuda landing beside him with a soft thud.

"It’s over," he said quietly. "You lost."

The Clan Leader’s face twisted with rage. "I won’t accept this," he screamed. "I won’t!! Goldy, I know you are playing with me!! Come out and help!!"

He raised his hand, but nothing happened. His power was gone, his Terra Beast was gone, and his authority was gone too.

He was just a man standing in the ruins of his own ambition.

Tobias looked at him with something that might have been pity.

"It’s a father’s duty to carry the sins of their child. It’s my fault that I put you on the throne when you were never fit to lead," he said quietly. "You were never fit to be a father. You were never fit to be anything at all."

The Clan Leader’s face went white.

"You... you can’t do this to me," he stammered. "I am the Clan Leader!! I am—"

"You are nothing," Tobias interrupted. "And you will be stripped of everything."

He raised his hand.

Guards emerged from the shadows, their faces grim.

"Take him away," Tobias said quietly. "Lock him up. He will face judgment for his crimes."

The Clan Leader screamed as the guards grabbed his arms, dragging him away.

"No!! You can’t do this!! I am the Clan Leader!! I am—"

His voice faded as he was dragged out of the chamber.

Tobias watched him go, his expression unreadable as he let out a sigh full of sorrow. In the next moment, he turned around to look at Raiden and others.

For a long moment, nobody spoke. Then Tobias smiled.

It was a tired smile, but a genuine smile.

"Thank you," he said quietly. "Especially you, boy."

Raiden blinked.

"Me?"

"Yes, you." Tobias walked over, his steps slow and measured. "You protected my granddaughter when I could not. You fought against my son when everyone else was too afraid. You gave Aria the chance and, more importantly, confidence to reclaim her bloodline."

He looked at Woolie, who was still standing in the centre of the chamber with his chest puffed out.

"Woolie Woo!!" This Emperor accepts your gratitude.

Tobias chuckled.

"Indeed. Thank you, Emperor Woolie."

Woolie’s chest puffed out even further.

"Woolie Woo!!" Of course!! This Emperor is always happy to help!!

Raiden watched the exchange with a small smile.

This whole trip felt like it lasted way more than the days gone by, but finally it was over, and he couldn’t wait to get home and unwind.

Aria stepped forward, the egg still cradled carefully in her hands.

"Grandfather," she said quietly. "What happens now?"

Tobias looked at her, then at the ruins of the chamber, then at the unconscious bodies scattered across the floor.

"Now," he said quietly, "we rebuild."

He turned to face the remaining members of the clan, who had slowly begun to filter back into the chamber.

"The Clan Leader is gone," he announced, his voice carrying clearly through the ruins. "His crimes have been exposed. Along with him, the previous elder council has been banished for supporting his crimes as well. Their authority has been revoked. From this day forward, the Stormwind family will be led by a new council, one that values protection over power, and responsibility over ambition."

The crowd burst into murmurs. Suddenly, having all their leaders gone created a big, massive power vacuum. This caused a lot of people to look uncertain, while others felt relieved, and a small part of them also felt excited.

A new council meant a chance to grab power. This caused a lot of people in the crowd to swell with ambition and start scheming secretly, but all of this had nothing to do with Raiden. His job was done here.

"Aria," Tobias said, turning to her. "You will be part of that council."

Aria’s eyes widened.

"Me?"

"Yes, you." Tobias smiled. "You have proven yourself. You have the bloodline, the knowledge, and the heart to lead. The clan needs someone like you."

Aria looked down at the egg in her hands. She really didn’t want to do something like that. She wanted to be free and enjoy her life, but reality had taught her that the only people who can afford absolute freedom are the strongest ones.

"I... I don’t know if I’m ready, but I’ll do my best!" she whispered.

Tobias’s smile softened.

"Nobody ever is," he said. "But you will learn. And you will have help. I’ll personally help you forge the rest of your way ahead."

He looked at Raiden.

"And you," he said quietly. "You will always have a place here. Whatever you need, whatever you want, the Stormwind family will provide it. Think of it as the whole family owing you a favour."

Raiden blinked.

"That’s not the original deal we made."

Tobias chuckled.

"You’ve earned it."

Raiden looked at Woolie, who was still puffing out his chest.

Then at Rose and Neva, who were still recovering from their injuries.

Then at Aria, who was holding the egg like it was the most precious thing in the world, before finally looking at Theodore, who was standing beside his sister with a small smile on his face.

"Thank you. I won’t refuse this favour," he said, stretching his arms. "But it’s time for me to go home."

Woolie’s eyes lit up.

"Woolie Woo!!" Finally!! I’m starving!!

Rose hissed in agreement.

Neva bounced excitedly on Raiden’s shoulder.

They were equally excited as him.

"Yes...let’s go home."