The room fell silent as they stared at Whisker. Eventually, Anorah turned toward Atticus.

"...Everyone’s waiting in the dining hall. My fa—..." Anorah paused briefly before looking away. "...Zenon said he’ll answer your questions."

Atticus caught the hesitation, but chose not to dwell on it. Right now, he had far too many questions that needed answers. He needed to know what this place truly was, and whether remaining here was even an option. But...

His gaze drifted back toward Whisker, a complicated look passing through his eyes.

"It’s fine, bond," Ozeroth said seriously. "Go. I’ll stay with the lazy man."

Atticus looked at him briefly, gratitude in his eyes. Leaving Whisker alone was currently his greatest concern. If Ozeroth was remaining behind, then...

"I’ll be back soon," Atticus said. "Don’t let him out of your sight."

With that, he left alongside Anorah.

As they walked through the grand halls, Atticus silently erected a barrier around them before glancing toward her.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

"...I’m fine."

"You’re a terrible liar."

"...Excuse me?"

"You hesitated back there. And your eyes gave you away." Atticus glanced at her calmly. "You’re definitely not fine."

Anorah fell silent. She lowered her head, her fists curling at her sides. Several moments passed before she finally exhaled.

"...I’m not sure how I’m supposed to feel."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean..." Anorah exhaled softly. "I know he’s my father. Before meeting him, I imagined all sorts of things. What I’d say. How I’d react. Whether I’d cry dramatically or slap him first..."

"But when I actually saw him..." she said quietly. "...I didn’t feel any of that. I was just angry."

She slowly raised her clenched fist.

"...I know he left to find a way to bring mom back. But he still left me behind. Left me alone." Her voice lowered. "Am I supposed to just pretend that doesn’t hurt?"

Seeing the storm of emotions flickering through her eyes, Atticus quietly reached out and held her hand.

"You don’t have to pretend anything," he said softly. "Feel whatever you want. I’m on your side either way."

"Atticus..."

Anorah smiled as her clenched fist slowly loosened.

"...Though maybe don’t actually slap him yet. Let’s survive dinner first."

A laugh escaped Anorah before she could stop it. The sound was gentle and melodic, easing Atticus’ mind almost instantly.

"...Thank you," she whispered.

Soon, they entered a massive hall. A long table stretched across the room, covered with countless aromatic dishes. Everyone else, from Anastasia and Freya to the Pride Queen, was already seated.

Zenon sat at the head of the table, the same benevolent smile resting on his face. His eyes lit up the moment they landed on Anorah, but she immediately looked away before quietly gesturing for Atticus to sit.

The seat ended up directly opposite Zenon.

As Atticus lowered himself into the chair, his gaze met Zenon’s calm eyes across the table.

Munch. Munch. Munch.

While everyone else remained tense and silent, the Pride Queen ate without the slightest care in the world. Strange glances were thrown her way repeatedly, yet she ignored all of them entirely as she continued eating leisurely.

Eventually, Zenon broke the silence.

"Please..." Zenon said gently. "Everything here was prepared for you all. Eat as much as you like."

Eyes gradually turned toward Atticus.

Yet Atticus never reached for his spoon. His gaze remained fixed squarely on Zenon.

He had imagined several times how he would interact with Anorah’s father when they finally met. After all, this was the father of his woman. In such a situation, he should have been trying to gain some form of approval.

Yet Atticus felt none of that.

Of all the people Zenon could have been... he just had to be the fucking leader of the fragment bearer alliance.

From the moment they entered the city, Atticus had already noticed the awe and reverence the people regarded Zenon with.

Even more, from the priest-like attire many wore alongside their almost holy aura, a clear picture had gradually begun forming in Atticus’ mind regarding the true nature of this place.

Zenon might be Anorah’s father... but Atticus couldn’t bring himself to trust him.

The silence lingered for several more moments before Atticus finally spoke.

"...What is the goal of this place?"

"Straight to the point." Zenon smiled faintly. "Very well. I’ll begin from the start."

His expression gradually turned calmer.

"You see... for millennia, fragment bearers have been hunted like dogs by the Willguard simply because of what we carry. The Origin of Origins. The first Primordial Star. Lord Solvath."

A faint sigh escaped him.

"It became difficult for fragment bearers to even survive. Let alone dream of ascending. That was why the Usurpers were formed. To free fragment bearers from such unfairness."

"And this... is where the Usurpers first began. The purpose of this place is to create a home fragment bearers can truly call their own. A utopia. A place where everyone can finally be liberated."

His smile deepened slightly.

"And it is all thanks to our Lord Solvath."

"Thanks to Solvath..." Thora snorted. "You mean the same Solvath responsible for turning all our lives upside down in the first place?" She casually leaned back in her chair. "I mean, without this fragment thing, I’d probably be married somewhere right now. Maybe with children. Disgusting thought, honestly."

The Pride Queen nearly choked on her food laughing.

Thora shrugged. "Still... current life’s way more entertaining. Continue."

"...I suppose you’re not entirely wrong," Zenon admitted calmly, his tone turning slightly heavier. "Our Lord Solvath deeply regrets what happened. Which is why he seeks redemption."

"And how exactly does he plan on doing that?" Atticus frowned. "Being a fragment bearer is permanent. There’s no freedom from it."

Zenon smiled.

"That’s where you’re mistaken."

"What?"

"Through our Lord Solvath," Zenon said, "we’ve discovered a way to separate ourselves from the fragments."

Atticus’ eyes narrowed immediately. Around the table, several brows furrowed as well. He exchanged a silent glance with Anorah.

They had both witnessed firsthand the immortal nature of the fragments. Atticus could cut her down endlessly, yet so long as her fragment remained intact, she would always return.

Unfortunately, absorption also meant having one’s soul trapped alongside countless others. Even now, Atticus could still feel Raziel and the other souls struggling within his mind.

But a way to separate someone from their fragment...

It was the first time Atticus had ever heard of such a thing.

He glanced toward Azeron. The man subtly shook his head, clearly indicating this was his first time hearing of it as well.

Seeing the hesitation and disbelief spreading across everyone’s expressions, Zenon merely smiled.

"I’ll show you," he said calmly as he rose from his seat. "Please... follow me."