"Intent doesn't matter." Zeus cut him off. "What matters is the outcome. My subordinates gave the orders, and my decisions caused the harm. Whether they were controlled or acted willingly, the sins have already been committed."
"All I can do is spend the rest of my life making amends."
His words silenced everyone.
They saw sincerity in Zeus's eyes, resolve, and endless guilt. It was not an act, but pain carved into the depths of his soul.
The mood within the team began to change.
Their initial suspicion and distance gradually turned into understanding and acceptance. They realized Zeus was not running from responsibility; he was shouldering it in the most direct way possible.
At last, the team reached the underground chamber of the Eternal Light Temple.
A massive black crystal floated in the air, continuously releasing Nothingness Energy. Its surface was covered in complex Runes, which pulsed like living veins.
This was the Void Anchor.
Zeus stepped forward and began analyzing the crystal's structure. The Power of Order peeled away the outer defenses layer by layer, reaching the conceptual framework at its core.
Then he froze.
"Consciousness Seed Technology..." Zeus's voice trembled. "The core of this anchor uses the Consciousness Seed Technology I developed. The Lord of the Void turned it into a Void Transmitter..."
He stared at the familiar structure and the twisted conceptual connections, and an even stronger wave of guilt surged through him.
"So it really was... all my fault..."
"My lord!" Axis shouted. "This is not the time for self-blame! Destroy it, now!"
Zeus snapped back to his senses and took a deep breath.
"Everyone, fall back. I'll handle this."
He pressed both hands against the black crystal and summoned the Power of Order with all his strength. Golden light flooded into the crystal like