Chapter 428 Doors will Open
While Eli having his wonderful night, somewhere,
The resounding thud of impact echoed through the chamber followed by a pained cry.
"Thud!"
"Arrrhhh!!"
"I told you to proceed with caution, you fool!" Dracula Asgarez's voice thundered, filled with anger as he hurled Cambion against the stone wall.
Cambion coughed, struggling to regain his composure as he faced Dracula's wrath, "M-My Lord, please forgive me. I truly believed that individual was my daughter," he pleaded, his voice trembling with fear.
"The audacity!" Dracula sneered, his grip tightening around Cambion's neck as he repeatedly slammed him against the unforgiving wall.
"Boom!"
"Boom!"
"Boom!"
"BOOM!"
A figure in armor and a helmet, Brynhildr with honey-colored hair, observed Dracula's furious outburst with an indifferent expression, her eyes reflecting a deep understanding of his temperament.
After Dracula ended Cambion's life once more, he sighed heavily, the fire of his rage slowly dissipating.
Brynhildr, curious about Dracula's intense anger, inquired, "What provoked such fury? Dracula?"
"Sigh, It's simply that I was infuriated to find a human tailing my familiar," Dracula responded with lingering annoyance.
"Didn't you check the Book beforehand?" Brynhildr queried, her curiosity piqued wondering why the book of changes didn't inform him about this.
"The Book of Changes merely glimpses the present moment's future; it doesn't focus on specific individuals. Moreover, predicting that man's actions is akin to grasping at shadows....he is a nexus of uncertainty, changing with every passing second. He is really something else" Dracula explained, frustration evident in his voice.
"I understand," Brynhildr nodded in acknowledgment.
Dracula retrieved Cambion's soul crystal and revived him once more. Cambion bowed deeply, his fear palpable as he begged for forgiveness.
"P-Please Forgive me, my Lord"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Though Dracula's anger calmed down but something else made him again angry, "Why did you reveal your disguise to them?" Dracula's voice was cold as he scrutinized Cambion.
Hearing the question, Cambion flinched, his face contorting with regret as tears welled up. "I-I acted impulsively... I-I wanted to see their shocking face... P-Please forgive me!" he pleaded, pounding his head against the ground in penance.
"Tsk, as I've told you before, the Book of Changes fails to foresee such intricate events," Dracula remarked, his gaze directed at Brynhildr, conveying his lack of control over a future that constantly shifts... all he know Cambion would be target in Dawn Kingdom and he didn't know Cambion showed his disguise until Cambion said.
Brynhildr nodded, acknowledging the complexity of predicting the future, even for beings as powerful as the gods within their realm, let alone the ever-changing moments.
"Your impulsive revelation has forced the old man to heighten his vigilance... I am pretty sure that old man now personally inspecting every professor to check whether there were other spies, which is quite troublesome," Dracula continued with disdain, realizing he now needed to recall the other spies he had planted in the Nex.
"I-I deeply apologize!" Cambion pleaded once more, tears welling up in his eyes.
"Nevertheless, we have managed to gather the students' list and their research topics, so we should still be able to proceed. But your mistake has complicated matters significantly... You really messed up my future plans...," Dracula added, frustration evident in his voice. He grabbed Cambion's hair once more, his expression turning menacing.
Cambion's face twisted in horror as he begged for mercy, realizing the severity of his error.
"Thu," Dracula spat, his disgust apparent as he released Cambion's hair. "You are fortunate to be alive solely due to the contract you forged with him. Otherwise, you and your kin would have met a gruesome fate by now.... I suppose you left with three orders, right?"
"Y-Yezzz," Cambion stammered.
"I don't care what you did with the other three orders, but the these you hold must not be wasted under any circumstance. Do you comprehend the importance of this?.... You filthy incubus?" Dracula's crimson eyes glowed with intensity as he tightened his grip on Cambion's neck.
"H-Hyesss....." Cambion managed to gasp out.
"Good," Dracula nodded, a reminder of the contract he orchestrated with Eli. The contract, allowing a maximum of six orders by mutual consent, was a delicate tool that required careful handling. Dracula knew for future plans he needed only one order to control Eli however he was not sure what might transpire so prepared 6 orders just in case.
"Why did you disclose information about Zera to him? Now, he and others will be on high alert," Brynhildr interjected abruptly.
"I mentioned it to gauge any alterations in the book of changes," Dracula replied as he released his hold on Cambion.
"And were there any changes?" Brynhildr inquired further.
"No," Dracula stated with a smirk, "The outcome remains unaltered... It means even if that human knows everything he cannot avoid what needs to be celestial destiny.... The Keys will meet their demise." He couldn't help but chide himself for inadvertently revealing his plans.
His curiosity about Eli's potential to alter destiny was met with disappointment as the future, though showing minor fluctuations, ultimately stayed fixed... The Keys would perish.
"Regardless, Adriana has intensified her pursuit since your revelation. She may even extend her investigation to other noble houses. Therefore, I need you to return to the orphanage," Dracula instructed Brynhildr.
"Again?" Brynhildr's expression soured at the thought of dealing with the troublesome children once more.
"We have no alternative, Brynhildr. Since the Nex Heart was taken by someone... You need to find who has it. I really need that! " Dracula stated firmly, his gaze shifting to Cambion, "And you... You must seek refuge in the Chola Kingdom for the time being. It appears that the human will not be venturing there anytime soon."
"I-I understand!" Cambion affirmed loudly, his determination evident. He would comply with his master's orders without fail, determined not to disappoint him again.
While Dracula planning for his future things, In the shadowed depths of the Fallen Continent, Lilith casted a scrutinizing gaze upon Prisania as the topic of reincarnation and Key unfolded.
"A reincarnator, you say... quite intriguing," Lilith mused, her eyes narrowing slightly as she delved deeper into her keen perceptions, seeking clues and insights.
"Yes" Adriana confirmed
"But... I sense no overt signs of extraordinary essence within her... she may not hold the key we seek," Lilith replied, her expression one of contemplation as she weighed the implications of Prisania's presence.
"But then, why does that Fiend show such interest in her?" Adriana probed further.
Lilith let out a soft sigh and said, "Adriana, you must grasp that while I possess knowledge and insights, my omniscience has its limits. The intricacies of destiny and the true nature of beings such as the Key.... I don't know. Not only me but even other sentinels knew nothing about who might have the key to open the doors"
Adriana's brow furrowed deeper.
Shifting her attention, Lilith's piercing gaze settled upon Prisania, causing the younger being to involuntarily flinch under the weight of Lilith's scrutiny, "I detect the unmistakable essence of my husband upon you... why is that?" Lilith demanded, her tone carrying an undertone of authority and curiosity.
Prisania felt a creeping dread, seeking refuge in Adriana's presence for support. However, Adriana appeared lost in her own thoughts, leaving Prisania to confront Lilith's probing inquiry alone.
Prisania's heart pounded as memories of her Prince's comforting words flooded her mind: 'I will protect you!' With resolve hardening her heart, she faced Lilith with a determined expression.
"B-Because he is my husband also," Prisania declared firmly, her tone steady despite the pressure bearing down upon her. Her features darkened with a mix of defiance and determination, refusing to yield under the weight of Lilith's scrutiny.
Suddenly, immense pressure descended upon Prisania, a test of her resilience and willpower. Despite the overwhelming force, Prisania clenched her jaw, refusing to kneel or surrender. Her lips pressed together in determination as she locked eyes with Lilith, her resolve unbroken.
Lilith observed Prisania's steadfast defiance with interest, a faint smile playing on her lips. After a moment, she lifted the oppressive pressure, acknowledging Prisania's resilience. Enjoy new stories from empire
"I suppose you have shown great strength," Lilith remarked, her voice carrying a tone of respect, "Forgive my test. I had doubted whether being a reincarnator would alter your perception of love, but you have proven otherwise."
Prisania's admiration for Lilith was palpable as she gazed at her with profound awe, her heart filled with a desire to emulate Lilith's strength and protectiveness. She longed to become a figure of power and wisdom like Lilith.... Wanted to protect her prince... just like he had done for her.
"Hmm?" Lilith noticed the gleam of admiration in Prisania's eyes and tilted her head in curiosity, 'Did I raise something...?' She wondered but shrugged and looked at Adriana who was last in thought.
"Adriana?" Lilith prompted, drawing her focus back to the present moment.
"H-Huh? Yes, I'm sorry... I was lost in thought," Adriana replied, her voice slightly distracted.
"You mentioned the door to him, didn't you?" Lilith inquired, her expression tinged with concern.
Adriana nodded reluctantly. "Yes, I did mention it... briefly."
Lilith let out a heavy sigh, her features clouded with sadness, "It seems inevitable," she murmured, her gaze distant.
"Now what?" Adriana asked.
"I don't know... Since he became the Ruler of the Water Element, other Rulers might be attracted to him, and... We cannot be sure what will happen, but..."
"But?"
"The doors will open," Lilith replied gravely, her voice echoing with a sense of foreboding that sent shivers down Adriana's spine.