V2 Chapter 180

“Death is the only ending for one that had angered a God…and I am his executioner. Laugh and celebrate, the moment of freedom has come…!”

Those were the words of that masked fellow had said when she confronted her.

God…what kind of presumptuous fellow would claim himself as God?

She had wondered and thought they are some shady, and crazy people. However, suddenly, she saw the strange symbol on that masked girl’s engraved on her back and chest and instantly thought it being extremely familiar.

She wondered about it for a couple of days, when she was suddenly made to remember by Sayrash on the charming, roguish fellow who had left her alone once again by going to someplace she didn’t know.

And that’s where she had recalled it, the image branded on the coin he likes flipping around.

That was how she was able to connect her beloved secret lover to this assassination.

But then here comes the reason…why?

Why would he do this?

Why would he send someone to kill him?

Despite the issues at hand, Lorent Vortan, her husband was still a nobleman, and a servant under the Ice Princess.

However, she didn’t think for long when she finally made her conclusion—it was simple and easy, and it made her excited beyond anything in this world.

Why would he try to risk everything and assassinate a fool of a husband?

Simple.

That’s because he wanted to claim her!

He wanted her to be all for him…and that no one would be able to touch her aside from him!

And this realization made her heart throbbed so wildly and the longing and missing she had for him intensified. She didn’t even try to think of other reasons that would drove Aanuel to want to kill Loren Vortan. She was already ascertained of her guess, and that must be the truth. Not like she would accept anything different.

At this moment, her revealing everything, confessing of her feelings and emotions, would give her a better position in front of the infamous Ice Princess. Although it might cause severe doubt and wariness, at the very least, she would reveal herself.

After this, whether the Demon Princess would choose to believe in her, or not, is not a matter of concern for her anymore. She was not the one Marelys wanted to give her loyalty to. But she could only give it to her because she didn’t want to trouble Aanuel. It would only birth misunderstanding if she would offer herself to him.

“It seems like you have some knowledge about your husband’s early demise?” the Demon Princess muttered with a cold voice.

“…something I cannot say so easily, your highness. However, truth be told, I don’t want to pursue the one who is responsible for my foolish husband’s death. Fate has dictated its judgment, and the Gods bare witness of his sins. Hence, he was punished. I choose wrong before, and I wouldn’t want to choose mistakenly again…my family gives their utmost loyalty to you, your highness. And so shall I, if possible.”

Marelys declared with clear determination and will.

“I want to present my victory to you, with all my heart and soul!”

The Ice Princess of the Demon Empire stared at her with doubt in her ice-cold gaze.

When she looked at her, it's as if everything she has hidden deep within her heart was laid bare. Even still, Marelys didn't cower and stared right back, with confidence, pride, and sincerity.

“I know neither your sources nor what you know of…but take my advice and keep what you know to yourself.”

The Demon Princess cold voice echoed.

It seems like she also knows who had done it… Marelys mused inwardly. Or perhaps, still a suspicion?

Nevertheless, Marelys was certain that the Demon Princess knows more than she lets on.

“I shall hear and obey,”

“You are indeed a smart one, Lady Avidhorn. And I appreciate your ability—tell me honestly, what you so desire? I came upon and heard of your neutrality, and even after the betrayal of your husband, you didn’t do anything. Why is it, now, you represent yourself and came out of your little cage? And just after the death, of your, supposed to be loved and adored husband,”

“I just realized a lesson I had, been ignoring in my entire life—making a ridiculous mistake.”

Marelys started with a wry smile.

The demon princess arched a brow.

“Lesson, was it?”

“… …” Marelys stared back at the Demon Princess. Her gaze is unwavering and full of unconcealed determination. But behind it as well, was an emotion that the Demon Princess knows fully, for she also sees this kind of emotion in her eyes whenever she looks at a certain someone.

“Lesson about love, I presume?"

The Demon Princess smirked with amusement.

The curvaceous body of the Marquis quivered upon hearing those words.

"I’ve seen this happen too many times now. They choose love over loyalty, over family…forgive me for being blunt, but last time I saw you, you are acting just as sick as the others did,” The Demon Princess continued.

The Demon Princess seemed to have seen something through her expression. As expected of her highness, hailed by her incredible intelligence.

Marelys looked at the Demon Princess with a gentle look in her eyes.

“Your Highness, I beg to differ. Love isn’t sick. Love is the most powerful and positive force in the world.”

Love.

She’d always believe in true love, but she’d always been unlucky in it. Loving Loren was an example. However, now, she had found her real, true love. And she’s prepared to stake it all once more—this time, all of what she had and could.

Just considering the possibility of losing him was causing her chest to clench painfully. Hence, she now stood up; prepare to take the center stage she always hated to get involved. All just to protect him! To help him. Support him from the shadows.

Marelys continued with a smile. “Every decision can make a change in the world. And the decision to love was among them. And now, I had opened my eyes and see the brighter future. Blazing and bright, one ahead of us. Your glory your highness...” ...and so is his...!

“… …So be it,” the Demon Princess leaned back against her throne and stared at Marelys; “Your family had been my loyal attendants for so many years, and their loyalty and devotion is not something I would doubt. Therefore, I would not think of you ill, and shower you with prejudice and doubt, which you deserve by the way for what you have done in the past, and since... but fear now. I shall accept you once more and I hope you wouldn’t make me regret it,” her lips curved upwards, but the smile on her face didn't seem to reach her eyes as she stared down at her, with a warning for the future.

As for what it is... Marelys didn't know, nor she didn't care.

"Septi, Sepharizona Ark von ti press, Sophwarte Marelys, Groksyja Manphis, lept orta"

(Brace yourself, Marquise Marelys, for the war that is waiting for you, is not one that you have known of.)

The Demon Princess muttered with a solemn expression, even speaking in the original tongue of the Demons.

"Now, it is the new state of play, a board game where everyone is but a single piece that moves. Me, you and anyone else, for that matter. What awaits you, now is but a constant, unavoidable Game you cannot refuse, Sowesti Night, graphtha, (The Night watches you,) do your worst, in my name...!"

“Thank you, your highness! Futarte, El shimra (Your trust will be repaid)! I will serve with all my power!”

Marelys gently placed her fist on top of her left chest and thump it, lowering her head in respect.

… …

Black Lands.

And they finally arrived at the village of Harpies—well, even if Cian calls it a village, actually, it hardly looks like one as the harpies live among giant trees, with barely any structures or shelters.

They look like typical birds that only created giant nests above trees. Though, it seems like Harpies are not the only ones living here as below the giant trees, not so far from the Harpies Lair, were werebeasts, living…quite an impoverished life.

When Cian and the three Harpies arrived in the Lair, he immediately took notice of being surrounded.

The numbers that appeared in sight were over ten, but using his [Night’s Eye] the true number was around fifteen to seventeen, while there were some beastmen among them who were using some kind of crude bows and arrows, aiming at the vital parts of both him and Leona. However, all of them look so weak, thin, and even most were young boys and girls.

If fight truly occurs, Cian wondered if they even know how to fight.

Even still, weak and harmless as they may be, it’s kinda annoying being eyed like a hunting prey. Irritated, with a sneer, Cian let out his demonic aura, causing a gust of wind to rustle the tree and suppress the hiding people that they panic and trembled in fear. Even Leona roared threateningly while standing in front of him protectively. Just the sight of a Manticore rattled many people in fear.

Woosh.

Someone let loose an arrow; perhaps it was unintentional due to the sudden shock by the Manticore’s aura as it stabbed the ground in front of the Manticore.

By reflex, Leona was about to slaughter the people around them in anger, with her new abilities, slaughtering this village was easy. However, at this moment, the three bird brains, one was still unconscious, finally snapped out from their daze and immediately tried to pacify the situation.

After a few minutes of discussion, they were finally able to talk down the surrounding people.

“What can we call sir?”

Several figures landed in front of Cian. However, they just stop a few meters distance from him due to Leona standing in between, growling menacingly. The earlier intent of aggression made them an enemy in the eyes of the Manticore and she would not let anyone get close to her master.

On the other hand, Cian remained unperturbed as he looks at the people who descended.

The one who called Cian was a middle-aged Harpy with short dark blue-hair and feathers. She looks quite different from normal Harpies as she exuded some kind of authority or unusual intellectual aura for her race.

“Cian, my name is Cian Cahlo, a pleasure to meet you,”

Cian introduced himself while bowing like a proper noble,

And immediately after, his tail and fox ears appeared, startling the others. Cian didn’t display his demonic features as he was not certain if his demon identity would be welcome in this place. And since there were also werebeasts among them, he judged that dawning a beastman identity would be much safer than a human or a demon.

“You’re a beast-man!?”

The dark-blue haired harpy asked in surprise.

“I never said I am not, did I?”

Cian smiled faintly at the shock harpies and beastmen.

Still, Harpies huh… why are they always naked…?

Is there no concept of clothes in here?

He looks at the middle-aged Harpy and saw her breast displayed in all of its glory. They are quite big, with beautiful brown areolas and hardened nipples. As for her pussy, perhaps it was covered by feathers as it could hardly be seen.

Even still, what made Cian somewhat curious was that other than several, less than five Harpies that were quite big, including the one in front of her, most harpies have a slender and small build, revealing a very pretty little set of titties, with very hard nipples and dark areolas.

They look like they are full of younger females but judging from the set other Harpies with wrinkled faces that should not be the case. Still, many women revealing their bare bodies—this spectacle gives out surreal feeling for him.

Fortunately, he was now able to control his sexual urges and Aanuel’s annoying antics inside his mind from time to time, especially after staying inside that holy place where he found Lamia. If not, he feared he might lose himself on this kind of obscene scenery and attacks these harpies like what Aanuel would do, not caring about the consequences.

The three Harpies Cian saved and the other people led by the middle-aged Harpy start to talk to the others about their circumstances. Then, after listening to the younger ones, the elderly led by the dark blue-haired harpy held their own proper discussion, listening to what had transpired before. After ensuring that they are safe, they look at Cian and the Manticore.

“Is it alright for us to address you as Sir Cian?” the Middle-aged Harpy started after learning the true situation.

She was the one talking, so perhaps she has better diplomatic skills than the others?

In fact, even her wordings and attitude, though clumsy, was somewhat polite.

And here I thought they would act like barbarians or at least, act like idiots…

Not knowing about Cian’s rude thoughts, the middle-aged Harpy continued; “… I am Cornelia, the current acting chief of the Sordan Tribe. I can’t thank you enough for helping Roma and her friends out of the predicament… As a mother and the chief of my tribe, I wish to express my gratitude,”

She said with a gentle, breeze voice that seemed to envelop him as she bowed her head.

… … …