Book 5: Chapter 24: Late-Night Talk

Book 5: Chapter 24: Late-Night Talk

“People are iron, rice is steel, one will feel like crap without a meal. Additionally, food is most important for nourishment. Denying someone a meal is equivalent to causing harm to their parents, taking away their spouse and children, or robbing them of their wealth. Furthermore, I was summoned by my 800,000-year-old mother to have dinner at home. Not doing so would cause me great distress, thus affecting my sleep and appetite. This is a crucial matter.”

The golden giant’s face was grim as he looked at the fiery red figure in front of him and continued to say indignantly, “And my lady, you have crossed the line by standing in my way.”

“Is that so? Then what do you think I should do?”

The fiery-red figure gave him a smile that did not reach her eyes.

The golden giant put one hand behind him. A golden pattern, more intricate than the one from Nine’s cane, bloomed from his palm discreetly. The pattern flowed slowly, pulsing with a subtle energy.

“As the old adage goes, don’t burn bridges as you’ll be surprised by how many times you need to cross the same river. Why don’t we take our separate paths and tend to our own affairs from here on out?”

“That’s a sound suggestion.”

The fiery red figure took a step forward, creating visible ripples under her foot that spread in all directions like the waves of water.

With a pop, the arcane patterns on the giant’s palms and his back burst like bubbles.

Cold sweat clung to the giant’s forehead, he forced a smile and let his arm fall to his side.

“So in that case, my lady, you will...”

“Well, of course, but...”

The fiery-red figure approached him in a relaxed manner. The golden giant turned pale with each step she took, as if he was a mortal witnessing the approach of a ravenous tiger.

Since she was of average human height, she appeared petite when standing next to the towering giant.

“But what...?”

The golden giant gulped nervously. Despite his strong self-control, he could barely suppress the temptation to flee and escape.

The fiery-red figure chuckled lightly then said, “But... I think your death is perhaps the best way to make sure we take our separate paths and tend to our own affairs from here on out.”

Without saying another word, the golden giant spun on his heels and attempted to make a break for it. However, the fiery-red figure had already positioned herself in front of him, blocking his escape.

“Fortunately for you, I am not a heartless person. Even if you nearly hurt my most lovely, beautiful, kind, remarkable and flawless daughter, I am willing to extend mercy and grant you the luxury of choice.”

The golden giant was now shaking like a leaf in the wind. “W-What... choice?” he stammered.

The fiery-red figure offered, “You have three options: do it yourself, allow me to assist, or defend your life. Since we are both reduced to the demigod level now, why not take a chance? Perhaps you might come out victorious...”

She then shrugged and added, “Although your chances are quite slim.”

The golden giant finally erupted and started cursing, “Get lost, you crazy daughter-obsessed old woman. Rather than challenging me to a battle, you might as well seal all my power and send me to battle one of those monsters floating in the void!”

“Hmmm... monsters in the void, huh...?”

The fiery-red figure nodded. She swiftly moved to stand in front of the golden giant and placed the tip of her finger between his eyebrows on his ashen face, then chuckled.

“That might be a good idea too.”

The door slowly closed and then vanished into thin air. The onlookers were left gaping at the sky in awe, unable to react for a moment.

The golden giant, who was majestic like a god, simply turned around and walked away, which was unimaginable to all who witnessed it happen.

Was he really a mama’s boy who would obey the instructions of his mother? Did he really return just because he was told to?

No one had any answer, but everyone knew that his decision brought joy to many except for one.

And that one person was Nine.

“What!!! Why do you have to leave me behind, my lord!!!”

Nine pounded his chest in frustration, the white paper stuck to his face rustled noisily and his tone was full of disbelief.

“My lord, didn’t you claim to be a deity born from the light? Why do you suddenly have a mother now?!”

“You also said you rely on the essence of the sunlight, moonlight, heaven and land to survive! Why do you need to eat now? Have you been deceiving us, my lord?!”

“And most importantly...Even if you wanted to leave, could you not at least rid me of this poison before leaving? Your most devout believer is going to die here!”

The intense movement and outpouring of emotion caused Nine to cough up a mouthful of foul-smelling black blood.

His condition was visibly deteriorating, like a nearly extinguished oil lamp. His exposed skin was an unhealthy black hue.

Anyone with a discerning eye could tell that he was on his last legs.

Lilith approached him with a smile and asked, “Mr. Nine, do you have any last thoughts or wishes you want to share? You may speak your mind.”

Just as Nine was about to speak, he coughed up more black blood.

Lilith shook her head sadly. Nine’s internal organs were damaged beyond repair at this point. Even if Greenie was here, it would be difficult to save him.

She could only try to gather as much information as possible while she still could.



She stared at Lilith intently for a long time before she suddenly clenched her hand into a fist and struck Lilith’s forehead.

“Owww... That hurts...”

“...Owww...”

Two painful groans sounded at the same time.

Lesiah puffed up her cheeks while rubbing her sore knuckles with tears in her eyes.

“Don’t you understand what happened today, Lilith?” she grumbled.

Lilith rubbed her forehead, which did not really hurt much at all, and quietly said, “The ascension ceremony nearly went wrong, an enemy came out of nowhere, you and Leniah almost got hurt.”

“That’s not true!”

Lesiah was about to strike Lilith, but abruptly withdrew her hand when she remembered that her knuckles nearly shattered from the impact earlier.

“The ascension ceremony was still a success in the end, and Leniah was able to gain the public’s favor, the three toxic dukes who have long plagued this empire have been eliminated, and we also got a glimpse of the mysterious enemy that was previously unknown to us!”

Lesiah placed her hands on her hips and declared, “That’s all good news, isn’t it!”

“.......”

Lilith was taken aback for a moment before suddenly doubling over with laughter.

“What so funny, Lilith?”

“Nothing,” Lilith replied as she wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

“I just didn’t expect you to have such a childish side.”

Lesiah’s cheeks reddened slightly. “W-Who... are you calling a child!”

“Well, you’re acting like one now.”

“That’s really mean of you, I only said all that to cheer you up!”

“I know.”

The smile on Lilith’s face suddenly faded. She looked straight into Lesiah’s eyes and said seriously, “But being with me will continue to put you in harm’s way.”

“I’m aware of that.”

“And I can’t predict what kind of danger will come to you either.”

“I’m aware of that.”

“Like what happened today, I may not be able to protect you.”

“Well, I’m aware of that too,” Lesiah replied with a smile.

Her smile was prettier than the moon and the stars in the sky.

“But I have no qualms about entrusting my safety to someone who will sacrifice everything to protect me.”

Lilith was struck dumb by her words.

Lesiah waved her hand in front of Lilith’s eyes, and then came closer.

“Lilith?”

She was close enough to tickle Lilith’s face with the strands of her hair.

The sweet scent of her perfume wafted over to Lilith, surprisingly causing her to blush and take a few steps back.

“It’s just Lesiah, what am I nervous about!”

Lesiah raised her eyebrows. The corners of her mouth lifted into a smile. “Did I say something?”

“Dang it!”

Lilith stomped her foot and viciously said, “How dare you try to throw me off guard! Lesiah, you sure have gotten bolder now!”

Lesiah finally could not keep a straight face as confusion took over her face. “What are you doing, Lilith?”

“Hehe... What do you think I’m doing? I thought you would know this better than anyone?”

Lilith wiggled her fingers like crazy, smiling sinisterly like a big bad wolf creeping closer to a little sheep.

“Stay back!”

“Hehe, scream all you want. No one will come even if you scream at the top of your lungs.”

“Noooo~”