Chapter 205 [Final Event] [Closing Ceremony] [5] Zeus' Threat

205  [Final Event] [Closing Ceremony] [5] Zeus' Threat

[Milleia Sophren or Layla Adriana Tarmias?]

"What the hell is happening?!" I exclaimed, looking around in disbelief. We were inside the Academy, but somehow these intruders had managed to breach the security. It was a puzzling and alarming situation.

Instinctively, I gripped my staff tightly, narrowing my eyes to assess the situation. Layla, on the other hand, seemed strangely passive, almost as if she didn't care about what was going on around her.

As I weighed my options, a difficult choice presented itself – Milleia or Layla? I knew the consequences of my decision could be dire, but I couldn't stand back and do nothing.

"Anna, help me a little," I called to Annabelle, who appeared with a smile and hugged me affectionately.

I ruffled her hair and pointed towards Layla. "Stop them."

Annabelle stretched out her hand, and her brown-haired doll, Peggy, grew in size before unleashing a powerful shockwave that froze the intruders in their tracks.

"Get out of here, Layla!" I shouted, trying to protect her.

Without hesitation, I leaped onto my staff, activating my abilities with "Septem Treina, Extend!" I reached Milleia and the others within seconds, effortlessly sweeping away the attackers.

As I focused on rescuing Milleia, I noticed that Jayden and Alfred were having a hard time getting close to her. It appeared as though the attackers were stronger than they seemed from the outside, draining the energy of those who approached.

"Milleia!" Jayden and Alfred shouted, concern etched on their faces.

Ignoring their pleas, I turned my attention back to Milleia, who was struggling and seemed utterly terrified. Something didn't feel right, and Layla's behavior added to my unease.

"Dad!" Annabelle called out, catching my attention.

Turning around, I saw that she had dealt with the other intruders around Layla, except for one hooded man standing before her.

"Layla?! What the hell are you doing?!" I demanded, but she remained silent, her eyes locked on us.

This whole situation felt off, and I couldn't shake the sensation of déjà vu, as if I'd experienced something similar before – though it wasn't from the game.

The hooded man grabbed Layla's arm, and a mana circle formed beneath them, intensifying my sense of dread.

"No! Layla, what are you doing?!" I cried out, trying to reason with her.

She didn't respond, and before I could say more, Layla and the hooded man vanished into thin air.

At the same time, the other intruders on the ground disappeared as well, leaving us bewildered.

"Milleia!" Jayden and Alfred rushed to her side to check on her well-being. The situation had taken an unexpected turn, leaving us all shaken and uncertain of what was to come.

The weight of the situation pressed heavily on my mind as I observed Milleia, who appeared visibly uneasy. I couldn't help but feel that she knew something important about what had just happened. It troubled me even more when I recalled Layla's expression before she disappeared with those mysterious individuals. It was the same look she had before joining Ante-Eden in the Game, and it filled me with a mix of anger and concern.

"Choose between Layla and Milleia?" I muttered to myself, frustrated by the absurdity of the situation. It was clear that Layla was their primary target, and they knew she wouldn't put up a fight. Even when I freed her, she didn't attempt to escape. It was all too suspicious.

They knew Layla would be here and the same is for Milleia.

My mind raced with questions. How did these people manage to infiltrate the Academy? It couldn't be the work of someone like Walter Celesta, as this seemed far more intricate and planned from within. The sudden appearance of the mysterious message added to the puzzle, coercing me to make a decision between Layla and Milleia….

Huh?

"..."

I put on a smile hiding my bubbling anger and walked away.

"Are you okay, Milleia?"

But when I heard Alfred's voice I spun on my heels and walked toward him, grabbing his shirt strongly.

"Hey! What are you doing?" Alfred grabbed my hand and glared at me.

The atmosphere became tense as I confronted Alfred, my anger boiling beneath the surface. Milleia watched nervously, unsure of what was happening, while Jayden stood back, seemingly at a loss for words.

"Who are you?" I demanded, gripping Alfred's shirt tightly. He looked taken aback, trying to comprehend my sudden aggression.

"W-What-"

"Who are you?!"

"I'm the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Celesta," he stammered.

My grip tightened, and I pressed further, "And who are you to Layla?"

Alfred's expression contorted, struggling to find an answer. "S-She's my friend."

"Childhood friend!" I snapped. "You've known her longer than me. Are you blind, Alfred?"

He remained silent, unable to meet my intense gaze.

"She just disappeared right in front of you! Kidnapped by those people, and your first instinct is to play the cringe Prince for a girl you've known for less than a year?" I lashed out, my frustration evident.

Alfred's eyes darted between Milleia and me, annoying me further. Milleia, sensing the tension, stepped forward.

"E-Edward, please, let him go," she pleaded, her voice trembling.

With Alfred pushed aside, I marched forward, fueled by a mix of determination and worry.

But Milleia grabbed my arm, her voice quivering, and asked, "Where are you going, Edward?"

"To find Layla. Don't tell anyone what happened here. I'll bring her back," I replied, attempting to break free from her grip, but she held on tightly.

"It's dangerous, Edward... Maybe we should call-" Milleia began to suggest, concern etched on her face. ?ℯ

"No," I interrupted firmly. "I'll bring her back. Just wait and don't tell anyone anything."

Everything had become utterly unpredictable, and the last thing I wanted was to cause more chaos by revealing the situation to others. I feared what might happen if the Closing Ceremony were canceled now.

"Edward..." Jayden stepped in front of me, extending his hand with a sense of urgency.

I glanced at his hand curiously, only to hear Cleenah's voice, [<Amae-!>] warning me.

"He wants to speak to you..." Jayden abruptly grabbed my hand, and in an instant, I found myself transported to a blindingly white place – Zeus' dimension.

"You are starting to become quite bothersome, kid," Zeus remarked coldly as I faced him, feeling the immense pressure he exuded.

I dropped to my knees, utterly overpowered by his presence. He seemed far beyond anything I could comprehend or withstand.

Zeus approached, his void blue eyes piercing through me. "That Leon who resembled you isn't you, but he bore enough similarities to make me want to get rid of you before you become a true threat to Jayden."

He pressed down on my back with even more force, rendering me helpless. "From now on, you will obey me, Edward Falkrona."

"Ugh...!" I groaned in pain as Zeus intensified the pressure.

"First, you will cut off any relation you had with the three Saintesses Candidates. They all belong to Jayden, and as his 'belongings,' you have nothing to do with them."

"..."

"Secondly, you will not approach Layla Adriana Tarmias anymore."

-Bam!

The ground cracked beneath me as Zeus issued his command, causing me to wince in pain, but the ground quickly restored itself.

"I will take care of her as my wife, so you needn't worry about her anymore."

What?

"Based on your earlier reaction, you are aware of Milleia Sophren's peculiarity, I suppose? She is a Daughter of Raphiel, in any case," Zeus continued, his gaze intensifying on the back of my head. "You are delving into a dangerous and unknown world. You know little to nothing about this world and Eden. Remain ignorant for your own good. Stick to your role as the Apostle's friend. If you don't like it, get out of my sight and stay hidden like the coward you are, Edward."

-Bam!

"Agh!" Zeus forcibly expelled me from his dimension, and I collapsed to my knees.

"Edward? Are you okay?" Jayden asked with concern.

I rose to my feet, dismissing his worry with a wave of my hand, and walked away.

[<What did he say?>]

'As expected, he threatened me.'

[<He must be wary of you.>]

'Yeah, but he doesn't see me as a significant threat. He advised me to hide.'

[<That's just like him.>]

He was right. I was nothing compared to a God like him.

That bastard…

I wiped the blood dripping down from my lips.

He wants Layla, huh?

"System – no. Nihil."

"...."

"I know you can hear me, and I know you know where Layla is."

I was certain that the bastard was partially responsible for what had happened here and I won't let myself be controlled by him. I don't care about what he wants. I will do only what I want.

"Bring me to Layla."

"..."

I smiled angrily at the absence of any answers. "Bring me to her; otherwise, Leon will be the least of your worries when I'm around."

-Ding!

[Do you want to travel?]