To use his own hands to slay someone he had taught and created a personal relationship with.
How cruel can reality be.
If Sura was telling the truth, then it'd really mean that Ulzred is indeed a puppet created to hold the core of the rift's guardian.
He wasn't a real being.
He wasn't even a human to begin with, yet Northern had bonded with him, had compassion for him and one of the reasons he wanted to defeat this rift was to free the boy king from whatever may be suffering him.
However, now he has to come to terms with the reality that Ulzred is not real and just a puppet.
It was truly unfair to him who was already falling into a dark and empty depth.
Whose game was it? Fate? Was he destined to go this path the moment he consumed Chaos and Void?
Northern didn't believe in things like fate and destiny; things happen because we do them.
In every situation we find ourselves, we always have a choice.
Of course, being in this new world had also taught him that some things can't just be coincidence.
But even that lesson was one that he didn't stereotypically hold on to, that is, it was subjective to any change of ideas along the way.
And so he wouldn't blame this cruelty on fate; he blamed it on himself.
For going to form unnecessary bonds with a creature of the rift.
For developing compassion and pity for a boy that would end with this arduous trial.
It was his own fault. He had a choice and that was what he chose; now look what suffering it has caused him.
The thought of killing Ulzred with his own hands anguished Northern.
But he also was not ready to spend the rest of his life in a rift.
He had a family to return to, he had a sister coming... he had a life to build and he had a man to kill.
All those things weighed more than the compassion he felt for this boy king.
So Northern once again had to make a decision.
Sura clapped his hands together and smiled after observing Northern's face for a while and seeing the subtle changes that reflected as Northern resolved himself to do the needful.
"I am impressed that you have control over your emotions. You are not fickle like other humans, who get unnecessarily attached and would do anything to save a soul rather than take it."
The compliment sounded like he was just telling Northern in a veil of words, "You are a vicious existence."
And that was exactly how Northern was perceiving himself right now.
And sadly, he didn't mind. He didn't care. He was just a little hurt; the pain shall pass and he shall be more careful in his future endeavors.
Northern clicked his tongue in irritation at Sura and turned away, then he jumped down to the barren ground, already riddled by the black flame.
Just as he landed, Raven was coming with a young blue-skinned girl holding her hands.
Corpse Eater was carrying Ulzred on its shoulder.
Sura slowly floated down and watched in slight surprise as the monster placed Ulzred down, bowed down to Northern and stepped back a little.
He stared at Northern from behind.
'Am I sure this guy does not have the seed of tyranny in him... how can he control a monster?'
It made no sense to Sura but his thoughts were also far-fetched, which caused him to shake his head and say further—inwardly.
'It can't be... the seed of tyranny was destroyed by Ghost blade. No, he can't have it.'
Sura's gaze still rested on Northern's back who was conversing with his partner.
"Why is he still alive? I figured you'd have ended it ages ago?"
"I would have but he begged for his life."
Hearing that, Sura immediately shouted, "Hey!!"
Northern looked back with a strained stare.
Seeing his expression, Sura withdrew a little and said silently.
"You don't have to portray me as such in front of a beautiful lady. Give me some dignity at least."
Northern ignored him and turned to Raven. He looked at the young girl holding her hands.
Alana was just like Ulzred, except that her tresses were longer; she had sharp eyes that seemed insightful even.
She looked at Northern and turned away with no emotion in her eyes.
Raven glanced at her and said to Northern,
"I tried communicating with her; she wouldn't say anything. And I caught her hiding beneath a rock."
Northern frowned a little,
"Hiding? What was she hiding from?"
"I don't know, I tried to question her about it but she didn't make a sound."
"Well, given the commotion, she could have wanted to safeguard herself. She's a much more fragile child after all," Sura intercepted.
He looked at Raven and turned his eyes to the girl, washing away a subtle furrow on his brows before saying to Northern.
"Will you do it now?"
Northern's countenance winced with confusion.
Noticing the look on his face, Raven immediately asked:
Northern looked at her and exhaled. Then he said to her,
"Come, let's step away a little."
He directed Raven away from Sura where they stood and talked.
Northern explained everything Sura had said to him and then awaited her reply.
Even for Raven—whom he had presumed would react coldly towards it—that seemed like a cruel thing to do.
He could tell by how conflicted her demeanor was.
She raised her head up to him however and said:
"We can't really predict the ways of the gate; I'd say we kill Sura first then kill both of them if we find out that indeed the rift core did not show after killing him. Because he could be telling lies just to protect himself."
Northern thought about what she said, but somehow, he felt like killing Sura is a waste. His eyes were focused on the ground for a while before he looked up and replied to Raven.
"Here's what I think, I don't think Sura would have been lying about the involvement of these two. Of course, I also do not think he is saying the complete truth too. In fact, I don't even know which one to filter out as truth but I sincerely feel like killing him would be a waste."
"Because of the underworld?"
"What exactly are you planning?"
Northern breathed in and said:
"The only way to know if Sura is indeed saying right about the underworld would be killing these two. If he indeed returns, then that will mean all I have heard from him is truth; if he does not, and has tricked me..."
"Well, there's nothing there, I can just kill him whenever I like... easily."