Rise of the Rejected Deity from Chaos

Chapter 61 - 60: The Bloodied Path to Freedom XIV

Ms. Onoya’s body stilled for a moment before collapsing to the ground, lifeless. Seiya pulled his staff from her fallen form and swung it in a fluid, whipping motion to shake off the blood that clung to it—though its stainless steel was already stained red from the battle. Releasing the staff, he allowed it to float beside him as he walked back the way he had come.

When Seiya reached the now ruined main hall where he had left everyone, he encountered Hayne, who was glancing around as if

Stepping forward, Hayne approached Mr. Sanio where he sat in quiet exhaustion. "As we prepare to leave, I trust you’ll honor your end of the bargain and ensure no one follows us," Hayne began, his gaze fixed on the weary man before him.

"We will remain silent about everything that’s occurred here and spare your life. In return, we expect you to allow the children to live the lives you’ve robbed from them."

"Just leave," Mr. Sanio replied weakly, his voice clouded with exhaustion. "You’ve always known me as a man of my word."

From a distance, Riena watched for a moment before stepping forward. Her footsteps were soft as she approached Hayne and Mr. Sanio.

Her gaze dropped to Mr. Sanio, her eyes clouded with quiet sorrow. "There was no need to kill Suhei."

"I know you only planted an elite among us, the third floors, for a time like this, and had him go for Suhei first because he possesses the ability to expose everything that’s happened here over the years. But…" Her voice trembled as tears began to well up, threatening to spill. "You didn’t have to kill him, because he would’ve been the first to suggest we keep everything that happened here a secret, so that the children could lead peaceful lives." Tears slipped down her cheeks, her head bowing as the grief overwhelmed her. "He was that kind, so…. there was no need," She whispered, barely audible through the tears.

Mr. Sanio fell silent, his gaze dropping to the ground in response to her sorrow.

The silence stretched on, the wind howling and brushing against their skin, the only sound in the stillness. Riena’s hair fluttered in the breeze as she wept quietly before the man responsible for Suhei’s death.

After a long moment of tension and sorrow, the air seemed to calm. Hayne woke the sleeping children, and the bulky senior from the third floor gently lifted Eiro. Another carried Seiya’s mother, while one more cradled Suhei’s lifeless body with tender care.

Without hesitation, they set forth, their footsteps carrying them away from the darkness of their past—like birds at last breaking free from their cages and venturing out to explore the outside world.