Arthur's mouth opened slightly, as an expression of surprise marred his face.
".... Divine Tannhauser Empire?", he muttered.
The Divine Tannhauser Empire was founded by a single Immortal Clan a few thousand years ago. They were one of the strongest Fae Immortal organizations within the Azure Envy Continent, and within the Western Regions of the Continent, the areas closest to the Azure Sea, they reigned supreme.
Any organization with Fae Immortals were worthy of being feared, but the Divine Tannhauser Empire was something different. Arthur knew, that at the very least, the possessed numerous Rank 7 Fae Immortals! The sheer number of Rank 5 Fae Masters that they possessed were insane as well! They would have at least a couple hundred Rank 5 Fae Masters!
A couple hundred!
A single one could wipe out Parachenko Village, and yet the Divine Tannhauser Empire possessed hundreds of these Fae Masters!
Arthur had no idea that the Kovacs Clan, or Niklos specifically would have a relationship to someone from one of their numerous Academia. Someone who possessed the blood of the Kovacs Clan as well....
This changed.... a couple things in Arthur's mind.
'If I destroy the Kovacs Clan.... will someone from the Divine Tannhauser Empire come and check for any remnants? But since Niklos has never spoken about this connection, shouldn't it be just to his half-brother? And would they even suspect me if once I have left Parachenko Village?....'.
Arthur narrowed his eyes for a moment, before lifting them, feeling a hand gently lay on his shoulder. The seventeen year old turned his head slightly, looking at his older brother, who had an expression of regret on his face.
"Arthur. The stability of the Kovacs Clan and Parachenko Village right now is at the lowest it could possibly be. The beast tides have taken away the vast majority of our forces, and with the appearance of that strange beast and this strange Hatred-Fae poison, there is no doubt that some of the other Villages have either heard about this, or instigated such things. The Marina Clan have the backing of the Azure Ocean Sect and have no doubt formed deep relations with them as a result of the Overflowing Ocean Depths Sovereign Boundary Physique.
"I can't say that in terms of innate talent, you match a Sovereign Boundary Physique, however, your perception and comprehension on matters relating to Fae, Laws and even combat all exceed everyone else within the Village. You've created your own Attribute Control Skills and have even started to nurture ghosts.... Your ability to lead is also quite strong, if Henrik and the others are any indication of that talent....".
"And in order to protect the future of the Kovacs Clan.... we need talented seeds to spread out, and take root in other places. You need to take root somewhere else other than the Village Arthur....".
Arthur opened his mouth to speak, but just paused and smiled, letting out a sigh and shaking his head slightly.
From both Niklos' and Dominic's point of view Arthur had just accepted his Father and older brother's suggestion, and they shared a glance, both breathing out sighs of relief.
So long as Arthur could make it to Southern Night City and join one of the Academia belonging to the Divine Tannhauser Empire, his future, and by extension the future of the Kovacs Clan would be secure. Even if they were all eliminated, so long as a single tiny spark still existed, the future of the Kovacs Clan rebirth was still possible.
Arthur just showed a wry smile, before turning towards his Father and shaking his head.
The young man just embraced his Father, causing Niklos' eyes to widened slightly as he showed a fragile looking smile.
Even though Arthur was usually cold, and aloof in front of others and those outside of the Kovacs Clan, he had displayed traits that would make his ancestors proud. Familial affection, righteousness, protecting the weak, defending the Clan.... even going to far as to try and sacrifice his hand in order to kill enemies stronger than him.
Even though Dominic was Niklos' successor, and the future Leader of the Kovacs Clan, Arthur was by no means any lesser than his older brother. In fact, because he hadn't received as many of Niklos' teachings and still ended up this way, it would probably be more accurate to say that Arthur would be a better successor of the Kovacs Clan than-.
Niklos smiled slightly, before going wide eyed, opening his mouth a fraction of an inch, his head and neck shaking slightly as he gazed down at the young man embracing his larger figure.
Dominic, smiling at the familial affection that Arthur was giving off, saw the expression on his Father's face before noticing a faint red line seep out of his mouth. He could see Niklos' expression stiffening, before Arthur let go of the man who contributed to his conception, watching in growing horror as the Rank 4 Fae Master collapsed to the ground, his expression horrified as the light in his eyes slowly faded.
Just like before, with Alina and Ratimir, Dominic felt his body stiffen as he saw Arthur turn around slowly. His hair a dark green and his eyes the same colour as moss.
The fear in Dominic's heart slowly transformed into anger. And the anger in his heart instantly transformed itself into hatred. Dominic activated several Fae within his origin essence sea, but noticing the floor of the room turn a bright shade of green, taking a half-breath before feeling something pierce his throat.
The twenty four year old man instantly raised his hands towards his throat clutching it as if it was a life raft. The hate filled expression on his face instantly landed on Arthur, who just raised his leafsword towards his older brothers throat.
Dominic opened his mouth to speak, but nothing, but a raspy blood splatter seeped out of his lips.
Arthur raised an eyebrow.
"You're probably asking why right?".
Dominic nodding his head, summoning a Rank 3 Thorn Fae beneath Arthur, but only felt the pain in his body intensify as Arthur severed his arms from the elbow down.
Blood soaked the grass coloured floors beneath Dominic, tickling his face and neck as he rolled around painfully, trying to put distance between Arthur and himself.
The feeling of cold metallic, grass pressed up against his throat.
"You should know, that I don't hate any of you. But all of you were in the way of my getting what I want. So you all have to die".
Arthur didn't waste anymore time, slashing at Dominic's neck, severing his brain stem and watching on silently as his older brothers head collided with the normal floorboards. Arthur flicked out his arm once more, spraying the ground with the blood of his brother and father.
The seventeen year old paused for a moment, raising a hand towards his heart.
Not even the faintest traces of emotion could be felt.
Not even when he took the Boundless Forest Yearning, and after he killed Andrea.
And now, in this new life of his, he had committed a new crime, one of the few that he hadn't done in his previous life.
And yet....
".... Carrying more about Sovereign Boundary Physiques than the deaths of my brother and father....", Arthur smiled, "I really am demon wearing the skin of a Man....".
On the other side of the Village, Elder Vova and Elder Sagan found the remnant traces of Elder Zarek's residence. The entirety of the compound had been covered in blood, and the bodies of Elder Velika and Elder Zarek could be seen mutilated and desecrated by those corrupted by the Hatred Imperfection Powder.
A look of realization washed over Elder Vova, as he turned around toward the Clan Leaders residence.