Chapter 267 - Substitute to a Sacrifice

Important announcement:

I'm going to stream STKL art (painting live) some characters or scenes! Here's the discord link for joining:  discord.gg/8U3nRGxuDu

Reminder: head to attendance to get the [Reader Role]. This way, I can mention you guys for an announcement when I draw a character!

267: Substitute to a Sacrifice

The forsaken knew that the royals from the first continent will now gather and try to fight him once more.

He sat on his throne, and then smiled.

"Would you want this country to be reduced into nothing?" He asked.

The king and queens of the five countries of Zweite, all gathered to him, armed and are all brimming with hostility.

However, the forsaken new that the answer is clear.

"What brings you here, the children of my long, dead friends?"

The royals bowed slightly down to him, acknowledging his power over all of them.

"We are here to aid your battle," they said in chorus. "In exchange, Zweite will be left untouched."

The forsaken smiled.

"Of course." He exclaimed. "I will not soil my motherland… the home of my kin. Rest assured, for all of you are safe with me."

The forsaken was now in Assiah, the country that was detached from the continent, where a large magician tower stands.

Assiah, the home of the warlocks.

Zweite had five countries.

Kabbalah, which was a large oasis that harbored almost 50% of the Zweitians.

Atziluth, the country of the blacksmiths and matriarchy where weapons are formed from the large active volcanoes, and where the strongest of all female warriors are born.

Beriah, the tropical archipelago that is the home of magical researches and magical institutions of the country.

Yetrizah, the land that contributes to the large landmass of Zweite where monsters, modified dungeons, and the hybrid Agins exist.

And lastly,

Assiah; a country that only a few reside in. It is located in the south, which is closest to the dark ocean and the continental cliff.

The forsaken knew that this was the best place to cast all of his magic.

Assiah—

His home.

"Gluttony."

"Father," 

"Get me the child." The forsaken said.

"Most certainly."

**

Owen embraced Rosemary tightly as he watched her sleep. It was daytime, but Rosemary had a fever thus was confined in her bed.

"Lord Owen."

Owen turned to the source of the voice. The door opened silently, revealing the duchess and three maids following her.

"I'm not a lord, duchess." Owen exclaimed, which made Adalia smile in response.

"Can I talk to you?"

Owen then stared at Rosemary. 

"The ducal house is protected with magical barriers and we have guards patrolling every nook and cranny. Even clairvoyants are here to help us." The duchess assured. 

"If I may request Owen Lopez for his time," the duchess gave her sweet smile. "Will he grant it to me?"

--

Owen and Adalia were now in the greenhouse that was not too far from the main house. The greenhouse was facing Rosemary's room, making Owen calm down a bit.

"That girl," the duchess then sipped her tea before she continued her sentence—"she's Rose's daughter, isn't she?"

Owen nodded.

"That girl, Rose, died suddenly. Her w.o.m.b looked as if it had burst open." Adalia exclaimed, "judging from her age, that girl precisely was the age where Rose had died."

Owen stared at Adalia. He remembered her fondly. She was still beautiful, with signs of age—and her age made her more beautiful.

"How is that possible?"

"I believe," Owen started. "It was cause Rosey made a deal with someone who promised her to deliver Rosemary immediately."

"A deal that defies all laws of nature, huh?"

Adalia stared at Owen. 

"Do you believe it?"

"I witnessed it with my own eyes," Owen simply answered.

"Do you think the Forsaken is behind this?"

Owen stared down to his untouched tea.

"Maybe."

There was no other explanation whereas to why such things have occurred. It was as if they were planned all along.

Even Rosemary's birth.

It was as if they danced into someone's palm as intended.

"Owen, why don't you taste the tea?" Adalia said. "I brew it myself."

Owen stared at the tea. It did smell fragrant, and it reminded him of the duchess.

"Duchess, don't hate Rosemary." Owen exclaimed. "She's just a kid who got caught in this mess."

"Worry not, I do not hate her." Adalia smiled. "She is very much needed here."

Owen then lifted the teacup into his lips, taking a sip. The first thing that he noticed was the aroma. The taste was peculiar, something that he has never tasted before.

"What brew…is…" Owen blinked.

Wait.

Hold on.

Owen stared at the duchess as his gaze slowly clouded.

What was happening?

But… what did the duchess mean when she said that Rosemary was needed here?

"Y-you… you're not the duchess."

"Are you okay, Lord Owen?" The duchess said in worry. "Maids, go fetch someone to bring the lord into his chambers."

The maids then left the greenhouse in a hurry, while Adalia stayed.

"Who are you…?"

The duchess smiled.

"It has been long." The duchess then c.a.r.e.s.sed the cheek of Owen. "But maybe it's not too late for introduction."

The duchess stood up and picked one of the flowers.

"I am a girl who was born from the essence of different women. Can you believe that I devoured all of them?" The duchess smiled. "But it wouldn't hurt to say that I'm not the duchess."

She leaned into him. 

"What sin was it again that devours nonstop but the hunger cannot be satiated."

Owen was slowly losing his consciousness.

"I know that I need to get the girl, but I need to get rid of your first." She smiled sweetly.

"A suitable substitute, just in case things will go awry."

Owen parted his lips, now realizing who she was.

"Gluttony…."

"Sweet nightmares," she said. "Owen Lopez."