74 Chapter 74 - Thalia's Dilemma
In the serene Liander Duchy, surrounded by rolling hills and ancient forests, stood a grand mansion of exquisite design.
Its intricate architecture featured lofty spires and intricately carved facades, a testament to the wealth and power of its noble residents.
The mansion was renowned in the region for its beauty, matched only by the charm of the duchess who called it home.
Within the mansion's vast halls, adorned with stunning tapestries and opulent decor, a servant moved with a sense of urgency.
Knock knock
The duchess, seated at her desk and engrossed in her documents, calmly acknowledged the knock. She turned her attention to the maid who had entered with a look of alarm.
"Madam, demons have attacked once again," the maid reported breathlessly before bowing leaving the room.
The duchess continued writing, unperturbed by the news, as she had right now Eight shadows at her disposal.
Her response was composed, "Go and support them." Her orders were to reinforce the four Shadows who had already engaged in battle.
In her mind, there were two potential explanations for the demons' renewed attack.
First, it could be their final desperate bid, a last-ditch effort to thwart the inevitable. In their dying breath, they sought to breach the defenses.
Second, the shadows from the Obsidian Order may have fallen, leaving a gap that the demons exploited.
For the duchess, the latter seemed unlikely. Shadows did not succumb easily, as they were not mortals with blood to spill. Their demise was nearly impossible, making the demons' resurgence all the more unsettling.
.
.
On the battlefield outside the Liander Duchy, a grim tableau unfolded, a stark contrast to the vibrant beauty the Duchy was known for.
The sun, now obscured by ominous storm clouds, cast an eerie gray light over the scene.
It was a battlefield shrouded in darkness, not just the absence of light but the embodiment of it, where even the air seemed to quiver with a malevolent presence.
Three figures, their attire as black as the abyss, lay lifeless upon the blood-soaked earth.
Their bodies exuded an otherworldly, dark, swirling aura, a manifestation of the malevolent force that had overtaken them.
Their eyes, wide with terror, were not mere corpses; they were empty vessels, their very souls seemingly ripped from them.
Amidst this unsettling scene, a figure held one of their brethren by the neck, lifting him into the air as if he were weightless.
A young man's amethyst eyes shining with an eerie brilliance that defied reason, with a single horn, twisted and sharp, jutted from one side of his head.
The horn seemed to absorb the very light around it, casting shadows and obscurity.
On the opposite side of his head, amethyst flames danced, their ethereal glow illuminating his cruel, angular features, he bent his hands bringing the shadow in his hands near before a cruel scene unfolded — The very essence that formed these shadows got sucked into that person's body as if soul left the body of shadow.
thud
With a thunderous crash, the man's body crumpled to the ground, mirroring the lifeless expressions of his fallen brethren, victims of the young man who now stood over them.
His eyes, like polished amethysts, bore into the lifeless bodies.
He vividly recalled the fateful day when monstrous assailants had ambushed their carriage, leading him to make the ultimate sacrifice.
First, he had lived in the Saint realm, then amongst humanity in the Human realm, and now he found himself in the daunting clutches of the Demon Realm.
It was the first day of our second year at the academy, and I couldn't help but wonder if things would be the same.
The previous year had been filled with moments of shared laughter, study sessions, and silent understanding.
Zeph and I had grown beyond being just close friends.
The thought of him distancing himself again was disheartening, even though we were engaged.
After spending time with him, I couldn't be sure if he would accept me.
As I closed the distance between us, my eyes welled up with tears.
However, I didn't need to hear the words to understand their meaning.
20:38
Her message was clear, a silent reminder of the promise I had made.
He smiled warmly at me, his gaze filled with care and affection, even though my instincts hadn't signaled anything amiss.
I knew he loved me.
"Zeph!! "
I cried out and threw myself into his arms.
His embrace was warm and felt like the safest place in the world.
Despite all the recent events and conversations with my father, having Zeph by my side made everything feel okay.
.....
Zeph's POV
As I felt the thalia hugging me tightly, I couldn't help but marvel at the effectiveness of Guinier. It had successfully blocked off any external influence on my mind, including Instincts.
Instincts were nothing more than predictions based on patterns of human behavior, and they usually relied on reading brainwaves and decisions being made in real time.
However, my artifact created an impenetrable barrier that rendered any form of prediction or influence futile.
I held the girl in my embrace, her presence comforting and familiar. I rested my chin on her head and closed my golden eyes, relishing the moment of peace.
However, I couldn't help but sense someone's presence nearby.
As I gazed into the distance, I spotted a young woman with shimmering pastel-pink hair that seemed to glow in the sunlight. Her ethereal beauty was captivating, and I recognized her instantly as Alisia.
A smile slowly formed on my face, mirroring the one she wore. It was as though we shared a secret, an unspoken understanding known only to us.
As I observed Alisia, I noticed her lips moving, forming words that were beyond the range of my hearing.
Thanks to my heightened mana control, I could sense the vibration of her voice, but her words remained inaudible to me.
However, I didn't need to hear the words to understand their meaning.
Her message was clear, a silent reminder of the promise I had made.
' I am waiting for you to fulfill your promise '
Reborn Heroines, OP Villain ????