Void Evolution System
chapter-1767

The Holy Clans were eventually released from the void, but that happened much later. As Arulion first needed to reach a state where they could be brought out and people would trust that they were truly under control, they were left behind for the time being.

August was given access to the void so that he could connect with them until then and figure out what he wanted to do.

Though, that wasn't the only reason why Damien gave him access to that realm. He would be needing it for a long time in the future.

After all, the Liqua Clan would be stuck there, and rather than letting them rot and releasing them later, he thought it would be more fun to let August fight them whenever he wanted.

From now on, that entire clan was fated to be his training targets. They'd slowly be picked off or killed at once as he pleased, and the entire time, they'd be suffering the repercussions of betraying the Azure Dragon.

It would be even more fun when their Holy Dragon Ancestor himself ended up in that realm as well, but that was also a story unrelated to what was happening now in the kingdom.

August chose to follow Damien's method in dealing with the forsaken dragons. Obviously, he couldn't create the kind of slave contract that his father had access to, but he had Raul by his side.

With the Bastille genius' help, he was able to dispel the remaining madness in the forsaken dragons' blood lineage.

At that point, he had a heart-to-heart with Hendricks.

He didn't want to kill them, but he wanted them to atone for their sins. The best way to plead forgiveness from their victims was to stay in the kingdom and aid it, becoming its loyal protectors once again.

It wasn't a bad deal for the forsaken dragons. They would be able to return to the light and live the lives they sought from the beginning, only, they'd be under the complete control of August Void through the pact he was proposing they sign.

If they were able to change the people's perception of them and reform, they'd be granted freedom.

Even before he fought Alcharist, Hendricks was already regretting his decisions. It didn't take long for him to agree to August's terms.

One by one, the members of the forsaken dragon clan were taken into the main palace at the center of Arulion, which was no longer separated into a secret realm, and made to take the oath in front of notaries to verify their identities.

In that way, August was able to gain another considerable force to support Arulion.

The forsaken dragons who attacked the kingdom were only those physically able. They started with millions, but there were only a few hundred thousand left.

The rest, another few million people, were the brains behind their clan. The innovators, the architects, the potion makers. Those people also exited their cave once the agreement was made and joined the ranks of August's forces.

The people from Bastille were properly organized and finally given time to adapt to the world they'd barely come to know. The Wood Dragon Clan and Sea Tribes were given proper status in the kingdom to celebrate their achievements.

Those straggling geniuses from the Holy Clans…they also ended up with statutes in their souls, but they were never transported to the void.

Instead, the group of them arrived at the palace to confront August about it.

He was very busy with the kingdom, but he definitely needed to inform them.

That conversation was not a smooth one, but, in the end, he got them to agree to staying in the palace for the time being.

A lot of things were sorting themselves out. The new population of True Dragons promoted from dragonkin integrated themselves into society, and within the first few weeks, Arulion was already showing a great change.

Their new society would bear almost no resemblance to the one of old. There was plenty for the citizens to get used to and plenty for them to cope with, but they were prepared for this.

Now, unlike ever before, the common populace also wanted to be part of the change they wanted to see.

This was all accomplished under August's sole control with his elders and masters acting only as guides to show him the way.

However, Damien wasn't present to witness it.

After all, he left just a few days after he gained control over Existence.

To everyone else, it was a sudden disappearance that came out of nowhere. August was seemingly left behind.

It was strange to see that he was the least confused out of all of them.

But, looking back at it, it wasn't a surprise.

The only person who knew Damien was leaving was him.

And naturally, Damien wasn't going to leave without saying goodbye to his son.

They met again while others were busy dealing with their affairs.

Unlike their last conversation, this one proceeded without tension in the slightest.

It started casually as August told Damien about everything he'd been through. They spoke about Arulion, about August's dreams, and about the future. Damien gave August a few life lessons while mainly acting as a listener to the son who wanted to be praised by his father.

The topic of Damien's departure was kept tucked away for many hours, but it had to come at some point.

"Dad, you've never told me about the outside world," August said.

They sat on the palace roof, staring into the stars as they spoke.

Damien often told stories of the Heavenly World and Grand Heavens Boundary, but he always refrained when it came to certain matters.

August caught onto it early, but only after seeing the chaos in Arulion did he begin to understand why his father was doing it.

"There's something you have to do, isn't there?"

Damien smiled wryly.

"Something like that."

Damien definitely got the urge to rant, but the kid didn't need to know that the fate of everything in existence as he knew it was in the hands of his father.

If Damien couldn't kill the enemy in front of him, he would be giving up everything. It was a battle he could not lose by any means.

"I have to get back there. Just like you, I'm a person who is responsible for a lot of lives," he said.

Leaving it at that was enough.

"Have I never mentioned it? You may be the future Dragon Emperor, but as it stands, you are also a direct descendant of Void Palace, the strongest clan in the Heavenly World."

"Void Palace?" August repeated.

"You've told stories about it. It's the clan Grandpa created, right?"

"That's right. It's the place where your family is. I know you can't leave Arulion at the moment, but as soon as you have an opportunity, I want you to visit so you can finally meet everyone else."

It was August's turn to smile wryly.

"If you're saying that, then you must be leaving soon."

"It has to be that way. If I could stay longer and see how you improve this place, I would love to. Unfortunately, now isn't the best time."

Damien stood up. It was a difficult parting for sure, but it was never meant to be permanent. The realms that separated them could be easily traversed. If they wanted to see each other, then the only thing stopping them was their individual obligations.

"One of these days, I'll need your help," Damien said, turning back to look at his son.

"My help?" August echoed.

"Correct," Damien replied with a grin.

"I don't know when it will be, but I will eventually have to call on you and the people of Arulion for help. Will you come to my aid?"

He extended his hand. August only looked at it for a moment before grabbing it and standing up.

The chance to help his dad…

It was an offer laced with danger. Anything that Damien needed help with could not be simple.

However, it was also an opportunity that August had been looking forward to ever since he was a child.

He grinned and looked his father in the eye with an unwavering expression.

"Call us at any time. We'll be ready."

No matter what it was, no matter who they were facing, the people of Arulion would always stand by Damien's side.

That was August's promise to him as his son.