All the remaining enemy denizens in the chamber were killed instantly. Galahad, feeling my intentions turned around, and his armoured hand squeezed the enemy Core causing deep cracks in its cylindrical amethyst surface.

"No... Please..." The Core begged. "Mercy..."

"Mercy?" I asked coldly and with disbelief. "Do you even know the meaning of that word, you murderer?"

"Yes! Please-"

"Shut the fuck up," I said calmly through Galahad. His body was now an extension of my furious mind. "Evacuate everyone."

"Yes, my Lord!" Morrigan answered with a salute and left the Sanctum, leaving the terrified woman behind.

"Will you really save us, Master?" She asked quietly, fearing to look at me.

"I know it's hard to believe, but yes. This nightmare, this hell, this endless torment ends today. From now on, you are all in my care." I said as softly as I could. "I will take you to Arcadia, my Kingdom, and I swear to protect you. You won't have to suffer anymore. You all will live."

She slowly raised her head and looked at me with reddened eyes. Only my last two sentences seemed to have reached her. It was hard to look at People being reduced to cattle. What kind of sin had they committed or what kind of bad luck must have plagued those people to be born in Vestargo's slavery? No... It was solely Vestargo's fault and he would pay for everything. Just how many people had died in this place alone? How many innocent girls were violated and killed? And for what?! I couldn't comprehend Vestargo's goals. She clenched her fists as she looked at me as her face alternated between fear and hope. I couldn't tell if she believed me or not. Perhaps, she was already broken enough that it hardly mattered to her.

"I will save everyone who can be saved," I said quietly and she nodded with uncertainty. "I will avenge the death of those who were murdered. I will make their murderers pay."

"But Vu'kaar is a God..." She whispered with fear.

"He's not a God." Galahad's body, guided by my mind, turned around, and I realised that I was holding the Dungeon's Core in my grip. "I want you to see his punishment."

"N-no... I beg you..." The Core moaned pleadingly.

I focused on the enemy Core. I didn't want to hear his begging. I didn't want to hear his excuses. I severed the connection with Vestargo. Above us, the battle still raged on, with Vestargo's forces bleeding out in a desperate attempt to save his vassal or, perhaps, steal some of the slaves. But his forces suffered greatly trying to even get close. There was no hiding; nothing to cover them except for the darkness to hide in. But even darkness wasn't spared the wrath of my Arcadians. The ancient forest burned for kilometers around the Dungeon and the flames illuminated the night. I felt his desperation.

"I will show you as much mercy as you have given the Mortals you tormented," I said as I clashed once again with Vestargo, who continued to try to keep control of the Chasm Dungeon. "You can be proud, Vu'kaar. You will be the test subject with which I determine whether I can even punish your sick bastard of a master as I see fit... But no spoilers for you, Vestargo. Fuck off."

I violently but very surgically shattered the connection between Vestargo and Vu'kaar. I was very careful not to accidentally hurt the Chasm Dungeon. Not before he received the punishment I intended for him. I ignored his requests to serve me. I didn't expect Vestargo to ever surrender even if I beat him fair and square. That's why I needed to know if I could, somehow, rip the soul out of a Dungeon and bury it in my unconsecrated graveyard. I had never done this before and I wasn't even sure if it was possible. Previously, I simply demanded the Dungeons serve me as my Vassals. However, this time, I simply willed the System to tell me if anything that could satisfy me was even possible. After all, Dungeons were unable to leave the domains they controlled. I focused and nearly begged the System to allow me to punish these monsters. I prayed for a way to do what I wanted to do, to exist...

To my delight it was.

<<Soul Domination>>

It's a process of wrestling control between the Dungeons when one doesn't simply want to kill their opponent. It allows one to take absolute control over the enemy and force them into total obedience. The dominated party will remain nothing more than an observer devoid of any power or rights.

WARNING:

The process allows for defence. If the willpower of the defendant will overwhelm the attacker, the attacker will be subdued.

Excellent...

My eyes read the description a few times before I began the process of Soul Domination. The process itself was fairly simple, nearly game-like. My forces needed to capture as much of the enemy Dungeon as possible, kill as many enemy denizens as possible, and I needed to crush the will of the enemy Core. It wasn't a competition at this point. My forces had already nearly cleared the Chasm Dungeon; its spawners were destroyed a while ago and his will was shattered long before I finished talking with Vestargo. Ruby light covered the large amethyst as it was shattered, reduced to a shard no bigger than what could be hidden in Galahad's fist. However, the enemy Core was alive. Immediately, I obtained absolute control of the Merciless Chasm Dungeon. I smiled victoriously and wanted to jump to Avalon to execute the Core.

But I stopped.

"You will wait now, worm," I said to the remnants of the once magnificent amethyst in Galahad's hand. "Guard it well, my Loyal General."

"I will, my Lord!" Galahad was once again himself and his body was his to command.

I appeared in my battlegear next to my Scion and looked around. One million people... There was no other option. I couldn't have all of them in Avalon. They needed care, protection, aid, food, and shelter. This would be the greatest challenge that my people and I would face, but by my God, we will save them all.

"Illona and Bob!" I shouted and, immediately, the Arcadian Cores appeared in front of me.

Bob, the Goblin Dungeon, the only place in the entire Arcadia where people could find Goblins, looked like a typical Chinese old master. He patted his signature long but thin beard and put his left hand behind his back. His black, gold, and white robes gave him an appearance of a wise man, which Bob actually embraced. Illona was still a crystal figurine but she was now able to move. She appeared as a young Rabbitkin woman and was relatively new among my Vassals.

"I want you to help Illona, Bob. She will take one-fourth of the people from here to her Dungeon. Her Serene Plains Dungeon is nearly ready to become another Dungeon City but she isn't ready for this scale. No one is, to be honest..." I slowly shook my head. "However, I want you to take the most distressed people with you. I believe that Serene Plains will help them heal and recover."

"It will be as you say, my Lord." The woman bowed nervously.

"I have already requested the help of the Health Department, Your Majesty. I don't believe we have enough Healers in the entire Arcadia to avert this crisis." Bob said with a slightly shaking voice and shook his head. "I can't believe that I once accepted such cruelty..."

"Believe me or not but, even back then, you were more merciful and, as you proved, redeemable. But they..." I shook my head and looked at the sheepish Rabbitkin-shaped core. "Illona, I know that you are gentle and as timid as Dungeons can be, that's why, I assigned Bob to help you. Don't hesitate to ask him anything. I don't think we have time to carefully organise an evacuation. We will worry about split families later."

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Bob slightly nodded and they disappeared with the most emotionally disturbed former slaves. I repeated the process with Filo of the Glittering Caves who would be guided by Ceallach of the Wild Beasts Dungeon. Then the time came for Narthwick of the Ruins of Palnír Dungeon and his guide, Demesne. Lastly, the only Dungeon that didn't need a helper arrived and she, sadly, looked at the woman who was sitting frozen on the ground. Twilight gently helped her rise and keep her hand.

"I'm ready, my Lord." She said with a deep sadness in her voice. "Lady Rose and Lord Leonard are mustering every single person in their command to help."

"Thank you. Take them from this hell, Twilight." I said with a sigh. I didn't want to burden Rose and Leonard with so many refugees, but on the other hand, I really had no choice. Once Twilight and the girl disappeared, I looked above. "Report, Janet..."

My voice echoed in a strangely quiet sanctum.

"According to our Captains, their forces are returning to their respective ships. However, this battle was more than just exhausting. We will need time to recover and rearm, my Lord. We fired our complete inventory of missiles and nearly ninety percent in the entirety of Arcadia. The remaining ships with big warheads are HMS Paladin, HMS Victory, and HMS Sabre who, herself, only fired what she had in launchers. Basically, every ship that participated in the battle sustained some degree of damage and, this time, it was far worse than the last. We have lost some people, my Lord, but the full lists are not ready. We evacuated all the fallen and sent most of our Marines and medical personnel in the first and second groups, so we would appreciate a lift to the Crystal Forest, My Lord."

"Very well, Janet," I said and the Navy ships disappeared as I used Dungeon Movement. "Ares?"

"They will burn, my Lord." The titanic voice, full of anger and pain tore through the air. "We will deny the enemy taking even a step closer. Now, when Vestargo forces are in disarray, he can't overwhelm us."

"We will support the Titans and the Legions, my Lord!"

"All right. I will leave it to you then. However, don't leave the boundaries of the Dungeon because, if you do, I won't be able to recall you, Brigadier General Severin Hall."

"Sir, yes, Sir!" The Commander of the Arcadian Artillery Battalion laughed through the comms and I heard the melodic hum of the resumed firing of spells.

I looked at my Scions, who slightly bowed and left the Sanctum so quickly that one would think they teleported, leaving only Galahad behind. They were ordered to support the remaining forces in the area, and they were very eager to kill as many enemies as they could before I recalled them home. The Marshall of the Immortal Legions straightened with his clenched fist slightly raised. With a single thought, we were standing hundreds of kilometres away, in Avalon, surrounded by my wives. We were standing in the middle of the unconsecrated graveyard, illuminated by magic lamps that were put here just for today.

"If something happens and you can't bring our boys back home, just do something to let me know. I will recall them." Freya said with a voice full of anger.

"Thank you, my Dear." I nodded, approached Galahad, and took Vu'kaar from his hands.

The purple amethyst shone with an internal light that gently played between my fingers. Thousands of holographic screens opened across Arcadia for everyone to see. For everyone to witness this trial.

"Today, we have found yet another reason to despise Vestargo and his minions. Today we found a giant prison, worse than anything you could imagine, a hell on the surface of Nilmerthis." My voice was amplified and was carried by the wind for everyone to hear. "A cursed place where a million innocent souls waited to be butchered by Vespids. A million people. An unimaginable amount of living, breathing, feeling people who were reduced to nothing more than cattle. They lived there, waiting for the day they would be taken, raped, and locked in the darkness where they would die. I don't know if there are other places like this, but I fear the worst..."

I paused to let it sink in. There wasn't a single emotion in my voice but my eyes shone coldly with wrath that spared nothing.

"The brave Soldiers of Arcadia willingly descended into this hell to kill monsters. To save lives. Some of them won't return see their homes. They will never see the green plains of Arcadia again. They won't rest in the shadow of the great mountains and hills of Hilgvar. They won't hear the waves reaching the shores of Everlight ever again. While they fell, we left no one behind. We brought them home along with everyone they saved! Their sacrifice wasn't in vain. They will rest in Avalon. They will be forever remembered!" My voice was firm and I felt an immeasurable pride for my soldiers... No. They weren't just soldiers... I raised my voice for the Heavens to hear me. "Glory to the Heroes!"

"Honour their memory!" I heard the bellowing roar of the hundreds of thousands of citizens of Avalon replaying in unison. The whole Empire raised its voice at that moment.

After a following minute of absolute silence that seemed to devour every sound, as millions of Arcadians offered their prayers for all who died, I raised my hand for everyone to see the purple amethyst.

"This is the Dungeon Core of the Merciless Chasm Dungeon. His name is Vu'kaar. I want you to witness as I pass judgment upon his twisted and dark soul." I announced with the same emotionless voice as previously. "You are accused of torturing people on an industrial scale. You are accused of genocide. You are accused of conspiring against the Empire of Arcadia, its allies, and all people of the world and, as the conclusion of your despicable schemes, starting an unprovoked war against Arcadia. Because of you, hundreds of Arcadians have died during this war. Because of you, untold millions of people have perished in one of the most cruel ways imaginable. How do you plead?"

"I followed orders!" The absolutely terrified voice answered. "I didn't do anything wrong!"

"There is no shred of sorrow about what you have done. You are also lying. You can't lie to me, you worm! I gave you the chance to excuse yourself and try to repent. You failed." I shook my head and raised my voice slightly in the most official tone I could muster. "After witnessing the evidence personally and considering everything, I find you guilty of all charges. I, Emperor Theon Avalon, The Righteous Dungeon, The Champion of Eriar, The Chosen of the Archangel, The Bringer of Equilibrium, The Husband of Hestia, The Unforgiving Storm of Zephyr, The Starchaser of Hera, The Brother to Zeus, The Prophet of Tisiphone, The Wrath of Vali, The Herald of Verka, The Protector of the Weak, The Bane of Void's Servants, The God Slayer, The Vengeful One, and The Conqueror, sentence you to death. Your execution will take place immediately."

There was a moment of stillness interrupted only by a desperate plea and begging. A silence broken by a voice that no one wanted to hear. A small crack in the ground appeared under my feet as if a portal to hell had opened but, instead of raging flames, only an impenetrable darkness lurked, defying light to chase it away.

"In your life, you were a despicable creature of darkness, Vu'kaar. It's only appropriate, and just, to return you to darkness for the rest of eternity. You will never see the sun or stars. You won't enjoy warm rain or the touch of the gentle wind." My voice muffled Vu'kaar's desperate begging for his life. Suddenly, I remembered something and looked at my wives. "Before I execute the beast, there is one last thing we must do."

In a flash, I teleported myself and my wives to the one specific place within the Merciless Chasm Dungeon. The place wasn't big, but it carried such an unimaginable amount of pain and suffering that caused Cahrona to drop to her knees and start crying. Mia, Tia, and Luna immediately tried to console her but I knew why she reacted like that. We were in Vu'kaar's graveyard, where millions, if not billions, of souls were cursed to suffer for eternity. I always wondered how Cahrona could partake in the mass murder that the previous Demon Lord ordered. According to her, she wasn't as emphatic before our wedding. Normally, she could protect herself from being overwhelmed by the surrounding emotions, but this was anything but normal. Around us stood five thousand Legionnaires of Legio Aeigs and ten thousand Praetorians while, somewhere above our heads, the battle still raged on. I looked at Irene.

"Merciful Saintess of Avalon..." I started but I instantly knew it wasn't necessary.

She was already focused in prayer, her appearance had changed as she donned her halo and golden robes. The entire place began shaking as radiant light covered the entire area. Her eyes were closed for a few heartbeats but, as she opened them, a blinding column of gold light connected the Heavens and Nilmerthis. She set them all free. All souls that were trapped in the Merciless Chasm were released simultaneously. The ground cracked and slightly collapsed as I felt an unimaginable influx of mana. Untold millions of voices sent us their departing gratitude before the display ended and the last golden lights faded away. Only then did Cahrona manage to calm down and stand up with help from Luna and Mia, who supported her on both sides. The fight above us ceased for a moment but I knew the pause wasn't going to last. I wasn't waiting for any changes and we returned to Avalon where we were standing previously.

"Now, we can proceed..." I said to the purple amethyst as it was staring at me with terrified shock. I slightly tilted my hand and he slipped into the previously prepared hole.

I closed my eyes and willed to seal him in the same manner I buried Jukk'nala. His screams were abruptly cut when the ground rapidly snapped closed.

<<Warning>>

You are attempting the soul burial of a Dungeon Core. Everything that belongs to them will be destroyed without any possibility of plundering their resources. The intended target will be used to produce mana until its soul is released. Additional punishment might be applied later to increase mana production. Do you want to proceed?

Yes/No

Still looking at the text burning before my closed eyes, I recalled both Titans and the Artillery Battalion to Avalon. I plundered everything I could before Galahad returned to the front line which was reinforced by Praetorians and Legio Aegis and they left the Dungeon premise. I took a deep breath and read the description for one last time.

Yes

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