Read Novel Full Chapter 1451 Reminded
Chapter 1451 Reminded
"Were you responsible for the attack on my mother?"
The three apexes glanced at each other with narrowed, confused eyes.
"A-Atticus… what is this? Attack? What are you talking about?"
Lirae struggled to stand, but the weight on her was too intense.
Atticus observed each of them silently. Ae'ark wore normal attire, compared to Lirae and Maera who donned battle gear.
A deep frown appeared on Atticus' face.
'I can't sense any lie.'
He couldn't directly read people's minds, but he could sense a lie when told. Lirae's confusion, Maera's shock, and Ae'ark's caution… they were all true.
'Was I wrong?'
He had been so sure of it earlier. The apexes had the motive to come after him. After all, they each still felt like killing him.
'They're the only ones whose power I don't completely understand.'
They each possessed a life weapon. Even Atticus, a god, had no idea of the extent of a life weapon's powers. The power to slow down time and trap spirits wasn't the sort of thing he could fathom yet.
'Or is it someone from Nerrot's world?'
Atticus doubted it. He'd already concluded it had to be someone close. The apexes fit that bill the best.
'It could be fake.'
"Seconds ago," Atticus started coldly, "my mother was attacked by the leaders of the other worlds."
The apexes' brows rose in shock. Who would be so stupid?
"I was able to get to her in time and stop them. When I interrogated them and searched their memories, I found out that it was all orchestrated by people known as the three."
They exchanged a tense glance.
"…and you think it's us?" Lirae carefully asked.
Now that they understood the severity of the situation, caution was necessary.
"I do."
"No." Maera shook her head with a serious expression. "Not us."
"Prove it."
They exchanged another tense look.
"…how?" Ae'ark asked.
"I want to go through your memories."
"O-our memories?" Lirae's eyes widened. "Is there another way?"
"I wasn't asking."
Under Atticus' heavy gaze, the apexes could only gulp and nod. They each knew Atticus to be cold blooded. When he wanted something, anyone who stood in his way would be cut down.
"This will only be a second." Atticus stretched out his arms. "Close your eyes and free your mind."
The apexes did as they were told and shut their eyes. As Atticus' will engulfed them, they instantly felt something probing through their minds. They didn't resist and allowed everything to unfold.
Seconds later, Atticus retracted his will and frowned.
"…well?" Lirae asked. 'It's… not them?'
Atticus had gone through each of their memories, even going as far back as their past lives. He'd even checked the memory of their fourth trial, but hadn't found anything that would point them to what occurred today.
'It's not them…'
The weight on the apexes lifted, and they slowly stood.
"I assume we've been cleared of suspicion?" Lirae said, and Atticus didn't miss the coldness in her tone.
'I can't blame her.'
He had been so sure of their guilt and had treated them like criminals from the start. No innocent person would take that kindly.
As Atticus gradually nodded, Lirae offered a forced smile.
"Now, can you kindly excuse us so we can continue our training?"
Maera and Ae'ark also stared at Atticus with tense expressions.
"…okay."
Though he said that, Atticus didn't move. He stood rooted in place, staring at them silently.
"Oh for the love of… we didn't attack your mother, okay?" Lirae flared. "I'm sure someone did, but it's not us. So why don't you go find them?"
Atticus didn't say anything, only staring until they each began to feel uncomfortable.
"I want you to sign a new contract."
The apexes frowned.
"But we've already signed one already," Ae'ark said.
"What could be greater than a slave contract?" Lirae added.
"My will."
Atticus' will engulfed them the next moment, and they felt something scorching pressing against their minds.
"W-what is this!"
"Don't resist. I'm branding my will onto yours. It won't hurt if you allow it." Atticus explained calmly. "Think of it as a higher form of mana contract."
As the apexes dropped and writhed in pain, Atticus sighed.
"Your existence is unfortunately too risky to be left unaccounted for. It's this, or death."
Their eyes widened in shock, and with gritted teeth, they slowly nodded and shut their eyes. Moments later, when the brand had been made and the apexes slowly gasped for breath, Atticus gave them a nod.
"If you three are truly innocent, then I apologize for putting you through this. But…"
The room grew heavy.
"If you're responsible, then I'll make sure you regret ever crossing me."
He vanished from the training room, leaving the apexes with icy expressions.
…
After leaving the training room, Atticus performed an action he'd decided seconds ago.
With the mana contract now being obsolete, there was a need for a replacement, his will.
Atticus visited every part of the world and branded anyone in a position of power. Everyone with at least paragon level power was branded.
'That should be enough precaution for now.'
Atticus was enraged that he couldn't identify the true culprits. Though he suspected the apexes, their memories revealed nothing. Killing them without proof would be senseless. He had chosen to brand them only as a precaution.
'Now I can keep track of their every movement.'
His will allowed him to sense anyone he branded, even if his will wasn't active in that region.
Soon, he appeared on his hill.
'Everyone's here.'
He'd sent a telepathic message to Avalon and Magnus earlier. Now, the area was filled with Eldorians and paragons, all working to restore the damage.
"Supreme ruler!"
Oberon appeared in front of him with a panicked expression.
"I apologize for th—"
"It's not your fault, Oberon."
"But—"
"It's not your fault."
Under Atticus' gaze, Oberon gulped and nodded. The other Eldorians, now aware of his presence, grew tense.
Lyanna had given them a brief rundown of what occurred, especially the destruction of the Surnix Hold continent in retaliation.
They were reminded today how cold blooded their god was.