Zaphery blinked under the crimson glow of the sword's flame, barely able to catch a glimpse of Selentia. Yet, from Sylvister's expression, he could tell she wasn't aligned with him.
"Hey, are you dead?" Selentia shook Dain, who groaned in pain.
"What do you want, Selentia? To kill me after destroying my aura core?" Even in his broken state, Dain's voice dripped with hatred—a hatred that mirrored Zaphery's own feelings toward Sylvister.
Zaphery frowned, unfamiliar with the name Selentia but trying to piece together the situation.
"Do you think you'd still be alive if I wanted you dead?" Selentia's voice was soft yet cruel. She lifted Dain's chin.
"What did I tell you, Dain? Nyxveil will be mine. You should've been more careful."
Zaphery's eyes widened. Sylvister's expression remained unreadable, while Edwin facepalmed, thinking, *You have no idea who's watching this, Foxy! But how does Zaphery not recognize her name? Has he forgotten his own child?*
"I'll kill you and rip you to pieces, Selentia," Dain gritted his teeth.
Selentia chuckled, her smile laced with cruelty—an unexpected trait for a mere 16-year-old.
"You'd need to walk out of here alive first. And just so you know," she leaned closer, her voice chilling, "I'm far too powerful for you to defeat, even if you sold your soul to a demon for revenge."
Edwin rubbed his neck, muttering, "Who did this Foxy take after to be so terrifying? She doesn't seem to take after Zaphery."
Selentia released Dain's jaw, leaving him visibly terrified. She clapped her hands, drawing his attention. "Let's get to the point."
"I have nothing to say to you," Dain scoffed.
"Do you think you have a choice?" Selentia circled him like a predator. "Those people will probably let you bleed out. It'll be painful, but," she placed a hand on his shoulder, whispering in his ear, "I'm not that kind."
With that, she infused her aura into his flesh. Dain's eyes widened as he screamed, "AHHHHHH—NOOOOO—STOPPP, UGHHH—AHHHHH—UGHHHH!"
The Crimson Abyss engulfed his body, its agonizing pain surpassing even the combined screams of elves.
Zaphery's legs trembled at the sight of the aura's color and the intensity of Dain's screams.
"Crimson Abyss," Zaphery muttered, his voice shaking. Even without a clear look at Selentia, he could sense her cruelty.
She stopped the infusion and stepped back. Dain panted heavily, his body unharmed but his spirit shattered. "You won't die from this, but isn't the pain unbearable?" Selentia spoke softly, her tone almost mocking.
Dain, now terrified, pleaded, "Tell me what you want to know! I'll tell you everything!"
Selentia stood before him, one hand resting on the hilt of Slayer, the sword hanging at her hip. "Now we're talking. Answer three questions, and I'll set you free." Dain nodded frantically. "Ask me anything. I'll tell the truth."
"First question—who taught you demonic sword arts?" Selentia's question stunned both Zaphery and Sylvister. Sylvister clenched his fists tightly.
"F-Father! It was Father who taught—AHHHHH!" Before Dain could finish, Selentia swung Shadow, severing his left arm. Blood splattered, the cut so smooth that even Zaphery, despite witnessing his son's arm being severed, was awed by her precision.
"How pathetic. Tell me the truth, Dain," she said coldly. Dain trembled in pain. "S-Sylvister… the Demon Commander!"
Zaphery was stunned. "He knows your identity!" he mumbled in shock.
"Sylvister?" Selentia didn't recognize the name but nodded. "Second question—how many people are involved with the demon cult? Give me an approximate number."
Dain panted through the pain. "I'm not sure… but there are ten key figures."
Selentia nodded. "Of course, a low-ranked warrior like you wouldn't know more. Now, the third question…" She paused, and Zaphery and Edwin unconsciously gulped, their hearts racing in anticipation.
"Why… why does everyone in Nyxveil hate me?" Selentia was a unafazed as if she wasn't questioning something so painful.
"I'm also a child of Zaphery Nyxveil and Althea Nyxveil, just like you and Alancia." Her voice colder than before.
Zaphery's eyes widened, his heart sinking at her words.
"Then why am I the one who's faced hatred, disgust, and curses from both inside and outside the family?" The weight in her question was palpable.
Dain laughed, lifting his head. "Because you simply deserve to be hated, Selentia Amaris Nyxveil."
Edwin's blood boiled at Dain's words. He had no empathy for Dain before, but now he felt an urge to kill him.
"Want to know a secret? One our parents never told you," Dain sneered, his voice dripping with hatred.
"You're the reason we live in Pyrexia. You're the reason Nyxveil has a weak spot today. You're not older than Alancia, as you and others believe."
Selentia's eyes widened. Edwin couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Alancia is a year older than you. Sixteen years ago, the Emperor ordered our family to stay in Pyrexia because of your birth," Dain said coldly. Selentia, Zaphery, and Edwin were all left in confusion.
"What is Dain talking about, Sylvister? Why did you never tell me I have a younger daughter? And why is she believed to be older than Alancia?" Zaphery asked, but Sylvister's expression remained dark.
A heavy silence fell, broken only by the sound of burning candles.
Selentia broke the silence. "Hmm, interesting. I'm younger than Alancia, and my birth is why we're stuck in Pyrexia."
Dain's eyes gleamed with madness. "That's right. You're the reason we've all suffered. Repent and let me go. I'll put in a good word for you. You'll be treated better—"
"Am I supposed to care?" Selentia's indifferent tone shocked Zaphery and Edwin.
"Huh?" Dain looked at her, confused. Selentia leaned over him.
"Am I supposed to care about what you or others went through when I've lived a life worse than a cursed beast, thanks to all of you?"
Dain's terror returned. "SELENTIA, YOU PROMISED YOU WOULDN'T HURT ME! DO YOU THINK MOM AND DAD WILL LET YOU GET AWAY WITH THIS?"
"You're delusional, Dain. I'm not someone even Mom and Dad would dare mess with. The most they'll do is hate me, and,"
Selentia paused, covering her fist with aura. She slammed Dain's head into the floor, crushing it.
"I don't care if they hate me or curse me."
The three men were stunned. Selentia's hand was drenched in blood as she stood. "I kept my promise to set you free after my three questions. I kept my promise."
Sunlight streamed through the broken door, illuminating the room.
For the first time, Selentia was clearly visible to Zaphery. Her silver hair flowed in a messy bun, her sharp green eyes stormy, her small nose and chubby cheeks contrasting with her sharp jawline.
Her black robe and hands were stained with blood as she looked down at Dain's lifeless body.
"Enjoy your stay in hell, Dain Nyxveil."
Zaphery's lips parted, but no words came out.
The girl in the mirror-like vision was indeed a teenager—his daughter, whom he hadn't known existed. Yet, her expression and brutality made her seem like a seasoned warrior, her blade and mind sharpened through countless battles and life-and-death situations.
But how could a 16-year-old possess such an aura? Zaphery wanted to ask Sylvister, but no words came. He was confused, shocked, terrified, and amazed.
Sylvister snapped his fingers, and the mirror vanished. His expression was unreadable.
Edwin watched as Sylvister stepped down, his body transforming with each step until he looked exactly like Zaphery.
As he stepped out of the chamber, the resemblance was uncanny.