Chapter 164 164: Flower [6/7]



Renji looked down at Bal, who had returned to his "High Priest" appearance, and after placing him on the ground, Bal coughed violently. His body, corroded by the black mire, seemed like a last flicker of vitality as he slowly opened his eyes.

He could have continued to resurrect himself using the black mire within his body, just like he did during his fight with Nova but this time, Bal chose not to. He chose to give up.

For Nova, Bal harbored only endless jealousy, which he could vent through repeated battles.

But with his Master Ashen, Bal couldn't do it. He couldn't fight Renji over and over again as an enemy. Or perhaps, his original intention was to be defeated by Ashen's own hands. That, for him, would be the best ending...

'After all, at least during the recent battle, Lord Ashen belonged only to me. Lord Ashen's entire attention was on me, watching me closely, even though I was disfigured and ugly...'

'This time...'

'It should be considered that I had won the "affection" from That woman, right?'

Thinking this, Bal couldn't help but use his last bit of strength to ask Renji, "So. Lord Ashen, did you come to the Southern Territory with Nova for... for me?"

Bal believed that, according to the Old Alliance's plan, if Ashen truly returned, the most straightforward and effective method to reform the Dragon Nation would involve leveraging Nova's "Empress" status. This strategy would aim to overhaul the corrupt higher ranks of the Dragon Nation and implement a range of new policies.

Instead of using the "Empress" power and having her disguised as a common guard in the Southern Territory of the demi-humans, seemingly starting from the grassroots revolutionary army.

The only reason Bal could think of for his master's actions was that Ashen wanted to bring Nova to see him, that his master had come to persuade him.

Unfortunately, the answer Renji gave next left Bal a bit stunned.

Because it was the most unbelievable answer.

The young man sighed, shrugged helplessly, and after being comforted by Miyuki, Renji, who was less burdened by his "idol baggage," spoke the truth:

"No, actually, it's because I don't have the political ability, nor do I have any experience in governing a country. Even if you let me reform the Dragon Nation drastically, it would probably only become more chaotic."

Bal widened his eyes, trying to see a hint of jokes on Renji's face, but to his disappointment, Renji was very serious. When Bal realized that his master was not mocking him, he was first shocked because, in his impression, Emperor Ashen was omnipotent, and nothing could stump him.

But soon, his shocked expression turned into a smile. It was not mockery - he had no right to mock. It was more like a sense of relief.

Bal gazed at the sky.

'So, Master Ashen wasn't perfect after all, there were things even he couldn't do...'

'Haha I understand now...'

'That's why Master Ashen needed them, right?'

Thinking this, when Bal's gaze returned to the Crimson Wings behind Renji, his jealousy was gone, replaced by a pure longing.

'But why is there no reaction for me?'

'Is it because the object of my "materialization" is too ugly, so Master Ashen was reluctant to bring it forth?'

'No, that couldn't be it...'

'Master is not that kind of person.'

'Then... am I the problem,,,'

'Could it be that I am not powerful enough...'

Just as Bal was about to grasp a truth that seemed both despairing and unacceptable, a sudden bright light emerged from Renji's previously dim palm, engulfing Bal's entire field of vision. When Bal regained his senses,

He saw a small flower in Renji's hand, as if it had just been extracted from him.

The flower was unremarkable, like a wildflower one might see by the roadside.

"This... what is this?"

"It seems you are very special, Bal."

"So this is... my heart?"

"Yes."

"It, is it beautiful?"

"Very beautiful."

"I see."

Actually, Bal's consciousness was already fading, or else he might have noticed the simplest flaw. If this flower truly was his "materialization," his body should have already disappeared.

But because he didn't realize this 'lie', Bal used the last bit of his strength to focus intently on the flower in Renji's hand. Even as his body began to collapse, turning into black mire and evaporating into the air, Bal's blurry vision never left the flower – the flower that even his master admired.

Because it undoubtedly proved that, even though he might have been led astray and appeared ugly on the outside, at least at his core, his heart was still beautiful.

Just like this flower.

"Thank you,"

"Master..."

With these final words, Bal closed his eyes. His decayed body, which had been surviving on the Miasma for centuries, finally found peace at this moment, dissipating into dust with the wind.Continue reading on N0 VêLbIn