A Man Like None Other

As Catalina and Fraser entered the palace, the sight before them was imposing. Dorian stood smugly by their father, Corrado Lantz, his posture radiating self-satisfaction.

Beside the emperor sat an elderly man clad in flowing robes, a cane in hand-it was none other than Infinides.

“Master…” Catalina’s eyes lit up with hope as she saw the Abbot. She stepped forward, ready to plead her case, but the weight of her father’s glare quickly silenced her.

“Lina,” Corrado began, his voice heavy with anger, “you ventured into the Ethereal Realm on your own, and now I hear you’ve been consorting with some small-time cultivator? Do you want to drive me to my grave with your antics?”

Fraser stepped in hastily, his tone conciliatory. “Father, Catalina has always been adventurous. It’s natural for her to want to explore Ethereal Realm. And she wasn’t unprotected-she had guards with her. Please, don’t punish her too harshly.”

“Silence!” Corrado’s sharp rebuke froze Fraser mid-sentence.

Seeing her brother cowed, Catalina took a step forward, her head held high. “Fraser, don’t waste your breath defending me. I admit it. I went to Ethereal Realm for fun, and yes, I got

involved with a Tribulator. We even spent several nights together.”

Her brazen admission left Corrado momentarily speechless, his face flushing with barely contained rage. “You…” he sputtered.

pressed on. “If you’re angry, direct it at Master. It was his idea! He’s the one who sent me to the Celestial Battlefield.

disciple,” he said evenly, “don’t put words in my mouth. When did I ever send you to Ethereal Realm? And when did I ever suggest such an absurd thing? You

faltered as disbelief flashed across her

one responsible for everything, yet now he’s

just leaving me out to dry!”

voice thundered through the hall. “How dare you accuse Abbot Infinides of such deceit? A man of his standing would never

business with the Demon Seal Alliance-you’ve stirred up trouble and caused the deaths of several guards. Don’t

head. “No, Father. But those people deserved it!

are you? You clearly have no sense of accountability. If that’s the case, then I have no

retreat to the

her teeth, she hissed, “Fine. Even if it’s

waiting for a response, she turned and stormed out of

called after her,

dramatic exit, Dorian couldn’t

here!”