The raging, violent aura surrounding Laurence ebbed away like a receding tide.
In its place was a chilling calm that made one’s heart tremble.
He looked deeply at Aurelia, all warmth now extinguished, leaving only a knowing clarity that saw through everything, a suffocating disappointment, and… heartache.
He no longer gazed at Aurelia, instead casting his eyes into the void, as if seeking confirmation from some higher law or fate.
The sharp explosion of sword energy, the crash of shattered windows, and the chaos inside the room had already alarmed the entire outpost.
“What happened?!”
“What was that sound? It came from Liya’s room!”
Chaotic footsteps and anxious shouts grew closer.
Vera hadn’t even had time to throw on an outer robe; she rushed over with a dagger in hand, the first to reach the room’s doorway.
When she flung open the half-closed door, the scene that greeted her left her frozen on the spot—
The room was a wreck, a huge hole gaping in the window and wall.
Aurelia sat limply on the floor, face deathly pale, strange dark red patterns lingering on her right forearm, and a trace of blood at the corner of her mouth.
Her eyes, filled with terror and confusion, stared toward the bed—at the tall figure standing with his back to the door, sword in hand.
“Captain! Liya! What happened?!” Vera hurried inside, instinctively wanting to shield Aurelia with her own body.
The other team members followed right behind, crowding into the doorway. Each one’s face contorted with shock upon seeing the state of the room.
Laurence slowly turned to face the gathered group, his gaze icy, eyes brimming with resolve.
“Everyone, just now, I obtained conclusive evidence. A member of our squad, Aurelia, is directly linked to the Corrupted God’s Artifact—irrefutable proof.”
“I regret to say, and apologize. After today’s attack by the Corrupted God’s Artifact, it seems to have triggered a most ominous aura within her.”
He turned sideways, pointing his sword at Aurelia’s unblemished calf.
“In addition to the obvious dark red markings on her arm, that is also one of the indisputable pieces of evidence.”
Everyone’s eyes locked onto Aurelia’s leg—where once a gruesome wound had been, now perfectly healed—drawing sharp breaths all around.
Such recovery…was not something ordinary humans could possess.
Vera was equally stunned. She had bandaged that wound herself; she knew how severe it had been. Even if a Saint from the Church were here, they’d be at a loss for words at such miraculous healing.
“That’s not all. I still have to show you the most powerful… decisive evidence!” Laurence, amidst their horrified stares, suddenly shot forward.
Without warning, he raised his sword and struck again at the fearful, bewildered Aurelia.
As the gleaming blade was about to slice through the girl, Laurence’s relentless sword chopped down on her upraised right arm.
In an instant, a clash of metal rang out, far louder and harsher than before, filling the room with a shower of sparks.
『Hmph… still trying to resist? The Dragonblood in your veins… truly stubborn.』
In her mind, the voice of the Disaster Source resounded with indifferent surprise and a hint of mocking. But within it… there seemed to be a trace of defensiveness.
『Remember, it was I who bestowed upon you this supreme bloodline. At the crucial moment, it saved your pitiful body. You have but one power—the Calamity Aura that can annihilate all!』
The tremendous recoil numbed Laurence’s wrist, halting his assault. His pupils contracted, his face twisted in utter disbelief.
【Impossible! Where did that Calamity Aura go?! It’s vanished without a trace?!】
He focused his senses, but all he detected surrounding Aurelia was an incredibly pure Dragonkin aura.
That barely-perceptible, soul-piercing aura akin to his own—a Disaster’s aura—had completely vanished, as if it had never existed.
【A disguise? Impossible! Or…maybe not impossible…】
In his memory, the Disaster Source also displayed obvious draconic traits. Maybe she was simply suppressing her Disaster powers, leaving only pure Dragonkin presence behind.
The motive was clear—she was still struggling, still pretending innocence, seeking pity from those who didn’t know the truth.
But this scene stunned every team member at the door, including Vera, who stood at the front.
They watched, eyes wide, as Aurelia’s arm was instantly sheathed in fine black Dragon Scales, forcibly blocking the Captain’s murderous sword.
That mighty Dragon’s might flashed just for a moment, but it sent shudders down everyone’s spine.
“Liya… she’s Dragonkin?!”
“Heavens… Our squad has a Dragonkin? And it’s the little angel?!”
Their exclamations brimmed with shock—and even a hint of excitement.
Dragonkin were symbols of strength and mystery; having one as a comrade would be a tremendous boon for the squad.
After blocking the sword, Aurelia’s scales quickly faded. Clutching her aching arm, she gasped for breath.
“Captain… I…”
【This is bad, this is bad! I’m doomed! How am I supposed to explain this? No matter how you look at it… it’s a dead end!?】
Vera snapped back to her senses, immediately stepping in front of Aurelia, her tone tinged with anger and lingering fear.
“Captain! You saw it! Liya is Dragonkin! That’s a good thing! How could you—”
“A good thing?” Laurence’s cold voice cut her off. “You think this is a good thing?”
He looked around at the faces of the team, lit with joy and confusion, his tone heavy.
“Tell me—has anyone here ever seen, or even heard of, a Dragonkin who needed to awaken their bloodline by coming into contact with, or absorbing the power of, a Corrupted God’s Artifact?”
His words sobered everyone instantly, freezing the previously happy atmosphere.
***
A Dragonkin’s awakening usually came from the elevation of their own bloodline or a special opportunity, but awakening through absorbing Calamity Aura…that was unheard of.
Such an unbelievable method—almost as if from legend—was the power of those fallen gods who could destroy the world: the Disaster Source.
“The timing and means of this awakening are entirely uncontrollable, and utterly bizarre!” Laurence stepped forward, a formless pressure spreading through the room.
“Who can guarantee her suddenly awakened power is stable? Who can guarantee that, in the process of awakening, it wasn’t tainted or threatened by the Corrupted God’s Artifact?”
His powerful words, combined with the damning evidence, stirred unease in every heart.
“And who can guarantee that next time her powers run wild, she won’t hurt the innocent?!”
He gripped his sword tighter, pointing it at the tear-stained girl with a voice as cold as ice.
“Even if she truly is Dragonkin, an awakening polluted by the Corrupted God’s Artifact is bound to turn her into one of them in the future!”
Laurence’s eyes finally returned to Aurelia’s pale, terrified face, his gaze unwavering—only the resolve a Captain must have.
“Liya was once our ally…but from this moment on…no longer!” Laurence’s tone was so calm it felt abnormal, but his logic was painfully clear.
“Think, all of you. A girl who wandered for so long yet kept a gentle heart, understood everyone’s likes and dislikes, maintained order and warmth in the outpost at any cost…
All of these, in an ordinary person, might be called virtue or care. But in someone highly suspected of being a Disaster… isn’t it the ultimate disguise?”
“Maybe she’s innocent. But as one of this continent’s people, I will never let my guard down against anything or anyone tainted by Disaster!”
With every sentence, Aurelia’s face turned a shade paler.
All those actions into which she’d poured her heart—all that gave her a sense of belonging in this other world—were so easily denied and trampled.
She shook her head desperately, trying to defend herself: “No! It’s not like that! I can control it! I—”
But as soon as she spoke, she realized she knew nothing about this power. She couldn’t offer any guarantee. All she had were empty promises.
It all stemmed from that unknown Disaster in her mind; everything was an unknown.
Just as she’d come to this world inexplicably, just as that old thing possessed her out of nowhere—it was all, as Laurence said, uncontrollable.
『Control? Hmph, had I not taken over in time, you’d have lost your head by now. That Braveblood has sensed your abnormality for a long while.』
Laurence no longer looked at her, instead turning to the rest of the team, his voice unyielding: “Now, I give her two choices.”
He raised a finger: “First—eliminate the threat completely. I will execute her here and now, with my own hands. To prevent future disaster!”
He paused, raising a second finger, his gaze sweeping over every pale face, the decisiveness and severity in his words making Aurelia’s heart tremble.
“Second—effective immediately, she is permanently expelled from the Sword of Saint Radiance outpost, stripped of her squad membership. At the same time, I will personally report to the Church, and she—an extremely likely Disaster Source—will face trial!”
He turned to look at the stunned, vacant-eyed girl.
The affection he’d once felt for her, in the instant she revealed her powers, was buried deep, never to waver again.
“She’s tainted by Disaster—she may even be Disaster itself! She deserves death! I will never allow her to remain in this world!”
Laurence’s words, like the final judgment, echoed through the deathly quiet room.
Two choices—either one was a dead end for Aurelia.
A trial? The so-called Church trial sounded to her like a direct death sentence!
【How could this happen…I’d just started to look forward to the future, and now… it’s become like this…?】
“No… it’s not like that!” Aurelia staggered to her feet, her voice full of pleading.
“Vera! Everyone! Please believe me! I really don’t know how this happened! But I can learn, I can control it!” She tried to step forward, but Laurence’s blade forced her back.
“Please… give me a chance, let me prove myself! I… I’m really not a Disaster!”
Her gaze landed on Vera, still trying to plead her case.
“Vera… I swear! I’ll never hurt anyone! Let me stay… I promise I can prove my innocence!”
Her desperate cries echoed in the silent night, helpless and alone.
A few soft-hearted team members turned away, unable to watch. Vera’s lips trembled, her eyes filled with pain and conflict.
She subconsciously stepped forward, as if wanting to say something.
“Captain, maybe—”
As soon as she spoke, Laurence’s eyes swept over her, warning and exhaustion hidden within.
He shook his head ever so slightly—like an invisible wall, instantly silencing anything Vera wanted to plead.
“The kindness, care, and self-sacrifice you all see in her… The moment she became connected to Disaster, those virtues became poison.”
“I have no intention of judging her heart. But now, an objective fact stands before us, Vera.” He paused, sighing.
“She integrated with us at an astonishing speed, gaining our trust with ease. That, in itself, is a terrifying ability.”
“As Captain of this squad—no, as a person—I can no longer see her, tainted by Disaster, as a comrade.”
Vera looked at the Captain’s unwavering resolve—and, buried deeper, something he could not entirely hide…
In the end, she shut her eyes in pain, swallowed all her words, and silently stepped back.
Even Vera, who had defended her most, had given up.
***
『Heh, begging? Proving yourself? Utter foolishness.』 The voice in her mind rang out, laced with harsh ridicule.
『See? The family you cherished so much crumbles in the face of absolute threat and reason. Human emotion is always this cheap and fragile.』
『Shut up! Shut up! It’s all your fault! You old bastard!』 Aurelia cursed it viciously in her heart, but reality’s despair drowned her like icy water.
Even Vera wouldn’t speak for her anymore… who would believe her now?
Seeing even Vera step back in silence, Aurelia’s heart sank to the depths.
【Even Vera won’t help me… It’s over… I’m really done for this time…】
Just as she was about to give up all hope, resigning herself to this cruel fate, her eyes, without meaning to, sought out the man holding her life and death in his hands.
He stood there, golden eyes apparently devoid of warmth, nothing but uncompromising resolve.
But the moment Aurelia’s gaze met his, just when she thought she’d see nothing but determination and severity, she caught a flicker of something else.
Beneath all that surface emotion, deep in those golden eyes, there flashed—so fast she almost thought she’d imagined it—a trace of indescribable complexity.
It vanished in a heartbeat, so quickly that Aurelia almost doubted it was real.
But it had been there, sending faint ripples across her ocean of despair.
【His eyes… just now… was he…】 That ice-cold despair was pried open by this unexpected discovery.
【Was he… not wanting to do this either? Does he… have his reasons?】
That thought blazed like wildfire in her heart.
【Yes! Redhead… no, Captain… Even if he’s been cold lately, he’s never been one to kill the innocent! He’s good to his team! He used to be so gentle to me!】
【He took care of me before… How could he possibly kill me just over a possible threat?】
『Ignorant. The more you hope, the more it hurts when you fall. Better to leave now, and let the world witness your rebirth after despair.』
『Shut up!』 Aurelia shot back in her mind.
【Maybe… maybe there’s still a chance!】 A fierce survival instinct, mixed with this sliver of hope, surged up inside her.
【That look in his eyes… He definitely doesn’t want this either! He needs an excuse, he needs proof, he needs someone to give him a reason not to kill me!】
“Captain!” Aurelia suddenly looked up, a faint light rekindling in her lifeless eyes.
She lurched forward and grabbed the hem of Laurence’s clothes, falling to her knees just like when she’d clung to him while wounded—but this time, her plea was desperate.
“Captain! Please! Just look at me one more time!”
Her action startled everyone—even Laurence frowned slightly, clearly not expecting the Disaster to still beg after such irrefutable evidence and inescapable odds.
“I know it’s all strange and suspicious! But I swear, I’m still me! I’m not a Disaster! I’m just your Liya!”
“Please give me a chance to prove it, please? I’ll do anything—submit to surveillance, testing, anything! I swear on my life, on my soul! Just please… don’t abandon me…”
Everyone held their breath.
Vera turned away, unable to watch. The others looked conflicted, a storm of feelings churning within—but their avoidance and retreat only deepened Aurelia’s pain.
“Please… don’t leave me… I’m really not… I don’t even know what’s going on… I… I just wanted a home in this world…”
Her tearful, heartfelt plea—combined with her helpless, pitiful state—would move anyone’s heart.
Laurence fell silent. Her sobs battered the wall of emotion he’d tried to freeze, stirring memories of better days.
In that moment of silence, Aurelia’s heart nearly leapt from her chest.
【He’s hesitating! He’s softening! There must be hope!】
But the flame of hope lasted only a moment.
Laurence raised his other hand—gently, almost tenderly.
Just as Aurelia thought he’d wipe her tears or take her hand—
He suddenly clamped his hand around her neck, hurling her aside with force, smashing her into the broken window, abruptly silencing her pleas and cries.
The impact split the cracks in her heart even wider, and struck everyone in the room just as hard.
Sharp shards of glass tore her pale skin, dark blood trickling down, splattering onto the wood and brick-strewn floor.
Blood ran from her lips; her exposed skin was pierced by glass and splinters, causing Vera to step forward—only to be blocked by Laurence’s sword.
His gaze swept over the red marks on her neck and her fresh wounds, his eyes still cold as ever.
The Disaster was hurt, but to Laurence it was normal. She was acting—a show from start to finish!
【The perfect victim’s act… deliberately hiding her Disaster powers, playing the part of an innocent girl… you’re as skilled at deceiving as you were in your past life!】
“Proof?”
He repeated the word, killing intent nearly overflowing from his eyes.
“Proof that these mysterious, inexplicable powers are under control? You’ll heal these wounds in less than three breaths, won’t you? Just like before.”
“Or are you trying to prove you have nothing to do with those things? Save your act, Disaster. The moment you revealed your true powers, the word ‘trust’ ceased to apply to you.”
His harsh rebuke left no room for argument; he swiftly stepped back, pulling away from her completely.
Laurence then looked around, his voice returning to its usual calm, as he pronounced the final judgment.
“My decision stands, Aurelia! No… Disaster!” He caught himself, correcting the name with a pause.
That sudden change made Aurelia feel strangely distant, as if he were passing judgment on a stranger.
All sounds around her grew faint and far away… This home would never again be hers.
“Either you die by my hand today! Or you face the Church’s judgment!”
【Then by my own hand—this world’s unawakened Braveblood, deceived in my past life—I’ll pay any price to end your life myself! This is mine alone… my sin and my punishment!】