Saruto froze, his mind refusing to believe what his eyes were seeing. Niraval blade was embedded in his father's body, mercilessly piercing his chest, blood gushing out and spilling onto the floor of the Time Chamber. Saruto eyes widened, and his voice broke into a piercing cry: "What have I done?!"
Niraval smiled coldly, a smile of someone who knew no remorse. In an instant, Saruto charged at his father, raising his sword to finish him off, but at the last second, Niraval vanished, teleporting and easily dodging the blow.
Saruto fell to his knees, scooping his father into his arms, feeling a weight he had never known before. His voice breaking, he blamed himself for everything that had happened. "It's me… it's my fault…"
He quickly summoned the Time Chamber's system screen and activated the AutoHealing feature with full power. But nothing happened. No healing. No response. Then a faint laugh broke the silence. Niraval laughed. "It won't work," he said with deadly sarcasm.
Saruto raised his head in shock. "What have you done?"
Niraval held up his hand, revealing a dark, glowing tattoo on his palm. Saruto froze. "You have it too… don't you?" Niraval said.
He continued confidently, "This tattoo grants access to the secret chamber beneath the Time Chamber, where the First Founder's servant and right-hand man resides. It also grants you full control over the Time Chamber's system, and with it, you were able to sabotage the chamber."
He smiled mockingly. "It seems you didn't know."
"How did you get this tattoo?!" Saruto exclaimed in disbelief. "Only the original founder possessed it!"
Niraval laughed a short, dark laugh. "I created it."
The answer struck Saruto mind like a thunderbolt. Before he could process the shock, his father coughed violently. His body jerked in Saruto arms. Saruto tried to pull him up, attempting to leave the room, but a weak hand grasped his robe and stopped him. His father couldn't speak, so he resorted to telepathy. His voice reached Saruto mind: "There's no need for this…"
"What do you mean?!" Saruto cried, collapsing.
"You won't be able to save me… It's… over," his father replied, his voice heavy with pain.
"No! I won't let you die!" Saruto shook his head violently.
"Even if you save me… I won't live long," his father said.
Saruto breath caught in his throat. "Why?"
"You have the same illness that afflicted your mother," his father answered.
Saruto broke down. Tears streamed down his face as he clutched his father tightly. His father raised his trembling hand and stroked his son's head. "Don't be sad, Saruto… This was my destiny from the beginning."
"I have no one left but you… Will you leave me too?" Saruto sobbed.
His father smiled warmly. "Don't say that. You have Ethan, your fiancées, your friends… And don't forget Void."
In his waking state, Void watched the scene, and, unusually, he couldn't hold back his tears. The king said weakly, "Saruto… Don't let Niraval take the throne. I don't have time left… Kill me… and take the throne instead."
Saruto trembled. "How can you ask your own son to kill you?! Even the worst fathers don't do that!"
His father smiled and pointed to his chest. "Niraval didn't strike my heart directly… That's why I didn't die instantly."
He looked into his eyes. "Do it… Saruto."
Saruto wiped away his tears and drew his swords. At that moment, Niraval noticed what was happening and sped off, thinking, "No… does he really mean it?!"
But it was too late. Saruto raised his sword and plunged it into his father's heart, screaming, "I hate you! How could you force me to do this?!"
His father smiled in his final moments and said in a soft, loving voice, "And I… love you, Saruto."
The blade pierced his heart. Saruto scream tore through the air. The king was dead. At the same instant, a massive burst of dark energy erupted from the king's body and rose to Saruto head, forming a dark crown. Then he vanished. Proof that Saruto was now the king of the Dark House. Niraval screamed in fury, "Damn you, Saruto!"
But his voice was lost in Saruto scream—a scream of pain, hatred, and loss. A ball of darkness formed around him, growing, shrinking, and exploding. A dark aura engulfed the entire kingdom. Everyone felt it. At that moment, Saruto strength level rose from 55% to 70% due to the psychological trauma and his father's death.
Saruto slowly raised his head, recalling his moments with his father, who had told him, "Saruto, whatever happens to me, remember your mother's last wish: that you would be the pride of the Dark Family. Now, this is my wish for you as well."
He looked at Niraval, his eyes brimming with murderous intent. His voice was cold and indifferent. "I will never forgive you," he said.