Chapter 426 Everything is decided
Asher Eli didn't just lie down to enjoy his loved ones getting hurt while he watched. He had a purpose, a reason that drove him forward, compelling him to act amidst the chaos.
Amidst the flurry of battle and the focused attention on Adriana, Eli's keen eyes caught something moving faster than anything he had witnessed before. It was a precise strike, a swift penetration of Cambion's chest, targeting his heart with unwavering accuracy.
It was at that moment that Eli had been chasing down that entity with all his might,
'Spark, Spark'
His eyes glittered with golden sparks as he left behind golden trails.
Finally, the bat landed on the hand of a hooded figure standing before the falls.
"Hmm..." The hooded figure expressed surprise and remarked, "You must have run quite swiftly to keep up with my darling," as it affectionately stroked the bat's neck.
"Why are you doing this?" Eli asked calmly, his gaze sweeping over their surroundings; they appeared to be standing on the cliff.
"Oh? Me?"
"Who else could it be?"
"Haha... Indeed. What should I say... I am a little bored, you know," the hooded figure answered as the bat vanished, and took Cambion's soul crystal.
"Bored?"
"Yes, indeed. It's been thousands of years since the world was calm... no wars, no problems... everything fine, and it's kind of vexing," the hooded figure replied.
"..." Eli furrowed his brow.
Observing Eli's expression, the hooded figure chuckled, "hehe... You cannot comprehend me, human... No one can comprehend me... I want to break free from this illusion, unlike you and others who choose to believe this is the real world."
".... Pardon?" Eli was now perplexed.
"Hahaha... There is no need to be so perplexed. Once I finish the preparations, you and your loved ones will understand... The true world will reveal itself, and time is drawing near, Human and also yours... hehe," the hooded figure chuckled with an eerie smile.
".... I see.... You can see the future... ah," Eli nodded in understanding.
"!!" The hooded figure flinched momentarily before saying, "The future? What are you talking about?"
"So, you didn't see this coming.... more exactly, you seemed too surprised when I appeared here?" Eli inquired instead of answering.
"Tsk, You infuriating man, Don't tell me that reincarnator was able to recognize me at that time?" The hooded figure expressed surprise and contemplation, 'I guess, she must have already regained her memories at that time and might have known what was happening around her... Tsk, Tsk... To think he would find this, but....'
"What makes you think I can see the future?" The hooded figure asked with a curious tone, leaning slightly forward.
"Hmm, So you acknowledge that you can see the future," Eli nodded in understanding, his eyes narrowing slightly as he observed the figure.
The hooded figure almost tripped hearing that, a mix of surprise and annoyance crossing their hidden face, "Don't tell me you just pulled my tongue out?!"
"Who knows..." Eli smirked with a haughty smile, a glint of mischief in his eyes.
"'Snort', smile all you want, but no one can avoid destiny.... Everything has been decided," the hooded figure said with a wise tone, their voice carrying an air of inevitability.
"Then why didn't you know I would follow your 'Darling'?" Eli asked curiously, his tone challenging yet genuinely curious as he continued to manipulate the land around him.
"Tsk, that's what even I couldn't discern clearly.... Something about you makes it hard for me to predict," the hooded figure admitted, their expression hidden but the tone hinting at frustration.
"...." Eli took a deliberate step forward, his gaze never leaving the figure. "Are you fine answering those?" he asked, his voice calm yet holding an undercurrent of determination.
"Hmm... Heh.. Don't get me wrong, Human. You or even I cannot avoid what is destined to happen... I am just merely playing my part as a character," the hooded figure said cryptically, their form starting to shimmer slightly.
'Crack'
The golden particles flowed out from its hooded figure's mouth, a strange and mesmerizing sight.
"Tsk," Eli clicked his tongue, a mixture of curiosity and impatience in his demeanour, and within a second, the ground itself slapped at the hooded figure.... but the hooded figure had already disappeared, leaving behind those parting words,
"Prisania will die at the fated time..... just like Zera, who will die due to Adriana's Mistake."
Eli frowned upon hearing the ominous prediction but quickly calmed his emotions, sighing as he looked out over the cliff. He knew he needed to handle those golden beads; otherwise, it would be hard to fight an enemy that might escape at any moment.
Soon, he returned to the place where the fight occurred, finding the others waiting for him patiently.
Before anyone could make a move, Adriana appeared before him and hugged him tightly. Following her lead, the rest of the group gathered around for a moment of solidarity. However, Evelina maintained her respectful distance, not wanting to show any disrespect before her Queen.
After a minute or so, everyone separated.
"You are doing something really dangerous, you know," Adriana said with a dissatisfied face. She had only recently learned about the extent of Eli's actions from Scylla.
"Well, I just don't want to trouble my wife," Eli said with a smile, trying to ease the tension. But Adriana was not easily swayed.
"Your Majesty, he not only did this but also..." Evelina began to recount everything, laying out the full scope of Eli's actions. Adriana's expression turned from dissatisfaction to sternness as she processed the information.
'Sneak, Sneak' Eli attempted to sneak away with Mariel and Scylla, hoping to avoid further confrontation, but Adriana was quick to stop him.
"Mr. Asher Eli!"
Eli paused, turning to face Adriana, who fixed him with an intense stare. She was dead serious now, having heard about Eli's actions, including signing a contract that somewhat not working.
"If you don't tell everything, I will bring Lilith here and now.... you know what will happen, right?" Adriana's tone brooked no argument.
Eli sighed audibly, feeling the weight of Adriana's threat. He glanced at Evelina, who cowered behind Adriana as if frightened of Eli.
'I will have to deal with her later,' he resolved silently. With that, everyone made their way to Mariel's mansion, which surprisingly appeared to be cleaned up.
Then Eli disclosed everything about Prisania, except for her perverted tendencies, and shared his suspicions about the individual who seemed to possess knowledge of the future and other matters.
"I see..." Adriana began, her gaze shifting to Prisania, who fidgeted nervously in front of them, resembling a child facing their parent's scrutiny, 'Is she another key?' Adriana wondered silently.
"I've told you everything, Adriana. Now it's your turn... isn't it?" Eli inquired, his expression earnest. He had divulged what she sought to know, and now it was her turn to reciprocate.
Adriana sighed wearily. "Eli, as much as I wish I could reveal everything, I cannot do so without Lilit—"
"I'm not inquiring about those doors... I'm asking about Zera, your daughter. You're aware she's been behaving oddly, and there have been instances where a skull tattoo appears on her body," Eli interjected. While he harboured a curiosity about the doors and keys, his primary concern now lay with the child who held a deep affection for him.
He needed to understand everything about Zera's peculiar behaviour and handle the situation delicately; one misstep could fracture the bond between Zera and Adriana irreparably and even more that hooded person's words still ringing in his mind.
Adriana regarded Eli, noting the gravity of his inquiry. With a sigh, she glanced at Scylla and the others, silently signalling for them to give her and Eli some privacy.
Once alone, Adriana began her narrative. "It all began when I reached the Perfect Emperor Rank Cultivation and desired to start a family like others. However, I found no interest in any man, even when I attempted to conceive for the sake of having a child. My other side refused to accept any weak man, and so I confided in Lilith..."n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
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Lilith's indifferent gaze rested on Adriana as she sat upon her throne, exuding an air of authority. "I can assist you in creating a life, but you won't experience motherhood like others. Are you fine with that?" she asked, her tone devoid of emotion.
Adriana, kneeling before Lilith, struggled to comprehend. "Forgive me, My King, but I am having difficulty understanding your words."
Lilith clarified, "What I mean is that you won't be able to carry the child in your womb."
"I understand... As long as I have a child, I am content," Adriana replied, her smile reflecting her happiness.
Lilith sighed before proceeding to request Adriana's Origin Blood, which also carried her Virgin Blood, slightly breaking her hymen. Adriana complied, offering her blood to Lilith, who then whispered something, enveloping the blood in her Dark mana. In moments, an embryo formed, and within seconds, a small child appeared before Adriana's eyes.
"Thank you, My King!" Adriana's eyes welled with tears of joy as she beheld her child.
"Waaa,aaww..." The child cried.
"Oh, cutie, cutie, cutie~"
"She is essentially our child," Lilith remarked with a faint smile. However, her expression quickly turned serious when she saw the child's shoulder, "and... she must die when the time comes."
"My King?" Adriana's shock and horror were palpable.
"I apologize, Adriana, but... this was unforeseen. The child is now deemed the Key by Mana itself," Lilith explained, pointing to a small skull symbol that appeared on the child's shoulder.
"A Key? I-I don't understand," Adriana said, her voice trembling with dread. Continue your journey on empire
"The keys to the doors... They must die to open the door," Lilith revealed solemnly and added, "And doors will eventually open no matter what!"