Damned Healer-Chapter 119: The Clan’s Future?

The courtroom went quiet for a few seconds.

Everyone from the Azure Haven clan was completely shocked and in disbelief.

Meanwhile, Darian noticed something through his power. He felt her karma and soul move to a single place—one of the needles in her body.

The Supreme Judge spoke calmly:

"The punishment has been carried out. Further investigations will take place, but for now, the Empire is focused on something far more important. Free all the people who were part of this clan."

At his words, the soldiers nodded and moved in, removing the chains from those who were imprisoned.

Even after being freed, no one moved. Everyone stared at Rhea’s lifeless body, which Harper—the only one remotely composed—was holding.

"Darian," the judge’s voice came again, making him turn around.

"We won’t force you to reveal how you discovered everything. Everyone has the right to develop their powers and blessings however they want. Keeping that secret is, in fact, a matter of personal survival. But, if what you used is something unique to you, and you’re willing to share it, the Empire is prepared to offer you an extremely important position because of your abilities. Interested?"

Everyone in the courtroom forgot to breathe.

Hearing "extremely important position" was shocking—it had to be a rank close to the Supreme Judge himself. Whoever held it would have to be treated with the utmost respect...

Everyone there understood Darian had put himself in a dangerous position. That offer could give him security and stability. But against all expectations...

"Not interested." Darian’s voice came out dry and strained. He was barely holding his emotions in check.

Revealing his powers would be suicide. His master Meru had made it very clear—he had to act from the shadows, in total silence.

"That’s fine. You’re still very young, and freedom is a good thing. That position will remain open to you in the future." The judge nodded. "Since you’re not accepting, the Empire still owes you a debt. Your contribution was huge, and we properly repay our High Humans."

As soon as he said that, Darian’s expression shifted. He pointed at Rhea and asked quickly:

"That black needle in her body... her soul was sealed inside it?"

"That’s right. She and Damon were originally sentenced to death and soul refinement, so we used that artifact. But the sentence was revoked. I’ll release them properly later," the judge explained calmly.

"That needle loses its purpose after that, right? Once you release them, it’s useless to the Empire." Darian asked, thinking.

The judge nodded. "Yes. Normally, once a soul is sealed, the next step is to refine it into the material to gain great power. But since that won’t be allowed, the artifact will basically be trash."

"I want those needles. With her soul and her son’s," Darian stated firmly, turning heads across the room.

"The Empire owes me, right? I’m not gonna refine them—I just want to release them properly, together with Leander." Darian added a believable reason.

The judge nodded: "Alright. But they’re not worth much..."

"You said the clan lost its right to exist, right?" Darian asked quickly. The judge confirmed with a nod. "Can I have that back?"

Everyone in the clan turned to him, stunned. The clan leader and the person who brought them all into it were now dead. Why keep the clan going?

"Hmm... your contribution does justify something like that. If that’s what you want, I can also return everything valuable that was confiscated from the clan. But the original territory was destroyed during a deep investigation..."

The judge paused to think.

"I’ll also give you a credit with the Empire. You’ll get a 60% discount, for ten years, on everything you need. With the valuable items the clan already had, you’ll be able to rebuild the basics. Over time, using that discount, you could bring everything back to how it was. Maybe even build the clan into something greater than it ever was."

Eyes widened all over the courtroom.

Valuable stuff, like artifacts and rare materials, could only be bought on the black market or directly from the Empire. Even the top-ranked clan only got a 30% discount—and only on selected items. Getting 60% off everything, for ten whole years? That was insane—people would kill for that.

Darian nodded. "I want all of it."

After speaking, he turned toward the freed clan members who were staring at him.

He took a deep breath, then spoke seriously: "I plan to rebuild the clan with Leander, and with anyone who wants to help. You’re all free now. This clan is starting from zero. But if you believe in me and Leander, we can honor Rhea’s name."

Everyone listened in silence.

One minute went by, and none of them said a word.

Darian sighed. That kind of reaction was obvious, but he had to try.

Who was Darian? In everyone’s eyes, just some young guy with a ring and a lot of potential. But that’s all it was—potential. And potential didn’t mean a thing. People with "potential" died on almost every mission.

Now, he’d probably end up with a target on his back. In a world this brutal, when too many people wanted just one guy dead... he wouldn’t last long.

Even if he did survive. With him and Leander leading the clan—two young guys without real power—what kind of future would that clan even have? Was that supposed to be a joke?

Nobody mocked him or said anything like that—they were good people, respectful. But clearly, the whole thing looked foolish. And besides, Rhea was the reason they were all together in the first place. With her gone, most just wanted to live as mercenaries for now.

The Supreme Judge broke the silence. "Hand over the other needle."

One of the soldiers nodded and removed the black needle that held Damon’s sealed soul. The judge gestured again, and both needles floated slowly toward Darian.

"My orders have already been sent and registered. People will be assigned to deliver the clan emblem and everything else that was promised. Also, the rewards for the mission your group completed—everything will be settled within seven days."

He nodded firmly and then turned to face everyone in the court.

"I declare this trial over. Everyone return to your duties. The Empire will now be fully focused on hunting down and capturing everyone involved in the betrayal of our entire land!"

***

It was noon in the capital.

At home, Lucy and Lucius were sparring on the balcony when suddenly they heard the doorbell ring.

Their eyes widened as they instantly felt who had arrived. Lucy shot to the door like lightning.

When she opened it—

"!"

She saw Darian.

But right behind him was Matteo, holding an unconscious Leander, with Harper and Veyle by his side.

The look on everyone’s face was heavy—overwhelmingly sad.

She swallowed all her emotions the moment she realized something terrible had happened. Darian sighed and stepped forward, gently pulling her into a hug.

He knew his little sister well. She always had this habit of bottling up what she felt for others. He was sure the news of his "death" had reached them quickly, and it was obvious both of them were heartbroken.

As soon as he hugged her, she buried her face in his chest, and without making a sound, he felt his shirt getting wet.

"It’s okay... You could’ve trusted your brother a little, huh?" he said softly, running a hand through her hair.

After a few minutes, he turned and motioned for everyone to come inside.

The three of them smiled faintly and walked in.

Darian looked at Lucius, who also seemed shaken by his return. "They’re gonna be staying here for a while. We’re all starving."

"Yeah, I’ll go make some food," Lucius said with a cheerful nod.

At the same time, Lucy pulled away from him, her face all messy from crying. "I’ll help," she said, a wide smile finally breaking through.

Darian nodded lightly.

As the two ran off to the kitchen, that’s when Leander started waking up.

Everyone turned to look at him—then at Darian.

"Good timing," Darian said, pulling out the two needles. "We need to have a serious talk."