Kakarim stared coldly at Ashu, rising slowly to his feet.
The oppressive aura he exuded, undisguised and overwhelming, felt as if it might devour Ashu whole.
"Parishioner, I don't wish to escalate this beyond repair. While there's still room to turn back, you'd best make the right choice."
His voice was laced with killing intent. Had it been anyone else, they wouldn't have heard a word—Kakarim would have struck them down instantly.
It was only out of consideration for Ashu's status as a Luminous Saint that Kakarim showed even a shred of courtesy.
A pity.
Even so, Ashu didn't yield in the slightest.
That mutt Kakayather, who'd come around looking for trouble again and again—forget simply killing him. Even dragging his soul into the depths of hell afterward to be ravaged by demons would have been fully justified.
Facing Cardinal Kakarim, Ashu replied calmly, "My choice was the right one from the start. If you have doubts, take it up with the Divine Mother Goddess."
