CHAPTER 420: CHAPTER 420. CRINGE NAME?

In the royal palace, the crown prince chuckled.

He laughed so much that it echoed throughout the hallway leading to his large bedroom, the sound bouncing lazily off the walls.

He was extremely amused.

Kailen Darkhaven was really entertaining him.

This was the kind of excitement he craved.

"Ah, of course I’m enjoying this. As expected of the man I’ll have my final showdown with. You never disappoint."

*****

Kailen’s friends stared at him in silence.

Over and over again, they had been reminded of his ruthless nature—today included.

Today, they themselves had been ruthless toward the vimodial contractors. They slaughtered them without holding back.

Some cried.

Some bellowed for mercy.

Some claimed they had become vimodial contractors because they had no other choice, that they were at the bottom of the food chain.

Excuses no one blamed them for.

But actions had consequences.

And because of that, Kailen’s friends had killed them.

Even Arnold Kadmen, who had been streaming the event, had his fair share of killings.

To be concise—they did not hold back today.

They were ruthless because it was necessary.

They didn’t feel guilty about killing the vimodial contractors, but they didn’t revel in the act either.

They had simply done what was necessary.

But Kailen had gone beyond that.

He was someone who enjoyed torture—physical and psychological.

Being his enemy was the worst thing that could happen to anyone.

Their friend, Kailen Darkhaven, was a monster.

I mean, in a world where the law of the jungle was everything, did saints even exist?

Hell no.

Even those people from the Vatican Empire, who claimed to advocate goodness and hospitality, were two-faced bastards.

The strong made the rules.

The weak cowered and followed obediently.

That was the law of the universe.

But Kailen was on an entirely different level.

He was a borderline psychopath.

They knew that.

It was a relief, though, that this side of him was directed at his enemies—those he deemed threats—and not everyone else.

He minded his own business as long as you didn’t get in his way.

He was not a senseless, mindless killer roaming around without cause.

He was crazy.

But in a controlled way.

And people like him were needed in a world like this.

He didn’t care what others thought of him.

He did what aligned with his principles, not with public opinion.

Watching their friend calmly turn to look at them—utterly ignoring the gory carnage around them—Kailen sighed, then chuckled.

"Why are you all staring at me as if I’m some sort of model?"

The group didn’t even know what to say.

Was this guy really cracking a joke after acting like a harbinger of death?

After the terrifying shit he had just pulled?

"Dude, you are just... never mind."

"Yeah, forget it, man. You are just something else."

"Let’s just leave here, okay?"

"I pity your dad, Ethan. He doesn’t know what’s coming for him."

"Why did you have to say that out loud? The whole empire is watching. This is meant to be a secret."

"Don’t worry, I ended the stream before he said that."

"That’s a relief."

Kailen chuckled as they sped off.

However, he lingered a few steps behind, alongside Lian Yu.

They stared at the barren, destroyed land—the forests reduced to ruin, stretching as far as the eye could see. Corpses lay scattered. Blood flowed ceaselessly.

They stood there for a while.

Then Kailen broke the silence.

"How do you feel?"

Lian Yu was slightly startled.

He hadn’t expected that question.

He thought for a moment before answering honestly, his gaze distant.

"I miss them. I thought the pain of losing them—although I’ve moved on and accepted their deaths, and it’s not like it was at first—would completely go away if I killed the vimodial contractors, but..."

Kailen sighed quietly.

He knew exactly where Lian Yu was coming from.

He’d been there himself.

He spoke—not to comfort, but from experience.

"The pain of their loss won’t go away completely, bro.

Whenever you recall it, it’ll hurt. Your heart will feel like it’s falling apart. You might even cry. But that doesn’t mean you should let it make you miserable."

Kailen paused as Lian Yu listened, gaze somber, fixed on the distance.

"That doesn’t mean you haven’t accepted their deaths.

And it doesn’t mean you haven’t moved on.

You feel like the pain will swallow you... turn you into something you’re afraid of, right?"

Lian Yu nodded.

"I do, Kailen. Sometimes I even dream of the day it happened... all of it."

Kailen nodded.

"Do you know why those dreams keep coming? Why you’re still afraid?"

"Not really."

"You’re focusing on what you lost—

not on what you still have."

Before Lian Yu could respond, Kailen continued.

Not through emotional resonance—

but through experience.

"Now, I’m not saying forget what was done to them and move on like some ascetic monk or anything.

It is necessary to avenge them.

Vengeance is necessary.

But avenge them from a place of necessity—for what was done to them. Avenge them from respect for their deaths.

If you try to avenge them thinking it’ll make the pain disappear... I’m telling you from experience, bro—it won’t work.

What soothes your heart...

what makes those nightmares fade...

is cherishing the friends you still have.

Appreciating the love around you.

Knowing you have people to return to—people who believe in you and will stand by you.

The members of the sect. My father. The sect leader. And those you lost...

They wouldn’t want you living a life blaming yourself, drowning in guilt.

They’d want you to live well.

Avenge them.

And focus on becoming strong enough to protect the people you have now—

and the woman you love."

Lian Yu listened in silence.

Kailen’s words crashed into him like a broken dam finally giving way.

He chuckled softly... then turned to Kailen, eyes renewed with life.

Kailen could tell.

Something had clicked.

"For someone who just carried out one of the goriest massacres in the empire’s history... you really have a way with words. Truthful ones, too—Senior Brother."

"You—" Kailen chuckled, briefly at a loss for words.

Lian Yu found that expression amusing.

Kailen sighed.

Why did everyone think he was scary?

Hadn’t the vimodial contractors gotten exactly what they deserved?

Sigh.

Now he couldn’t even give advice in peace.

Still... he was glad Lian Yu was okay.

"Thanks, man."

"Don’t mention it, Sword Saber."

"Damn, bro, that name is cringe. I wonder who even gave it to me."

"Pfftt—hahaha."