**Chapter 6466**

Venerable Starwick leaned back against the black throne and closed his eyes. His fingers kept tapping lightly on the armrest.

One tap. Then another. Flat. Stubborn. Like an ancient clock ticking down to something no one had named.

Again and again, that violet soul flashed through his mind—the golden codex, that unbreakable golden radiance.

The chance had been right there in front of him, close enough to seize. And he had watched it slip away with his own eyes.

That ending would not stand.

He stood and began pacing back and forth across the great hall. The hem of his golden robe trailed along the floor, scraping softly with every step.