Chapter 277: Holy war 15

'She's not making any moves....'

As Adrian surveyed the aftermath of the battle, a mixture of frustration and intrigue simmered within him. Being tested by the goddess had indeed angered him, but beneath that frustration lay a growing curiosity. What was the goddess truly after? What did she hope to gain by pitting him against her angels?

Despite his annoyance, Adrian couldn't deny the tactical advantage of this encounter. As he scavenged the battlefield, his keen eyes analyzed the fallen angels, searching for any hints of weakness in their divine essence. Each kill provided valuable insights into the workings of the goddess's power, allowing him to better understand her strengths and vulnerabilities.

But it wasn't just knowledge that Adrian gained from this battle. With each soul he devoured, he could feel his own power growing, his demonic essence pulsating with newfound strength. It was a satisfying sensation, knowing that he had bested the goddess's servants and emerged even more formidable than before.

Yet, even as Adrian reveled in his victory, he couldn't shake the feeling of being a pawn in a larger game. The goddess's motives remained shrouded in mystery, her intentions unclear.

Was she testing him for her own amusement, or did she have a more sinister purpose in mind?

As Adrian pondered these questions, a sense of unease settled over him.

'Well, what did I expect?'

He knew that he couldn't afford to underestimate the goddess, not when the fate of the heavens hung in the balance.

Whatever her plans may be, he would need to tread carefully if he hoped to outmaneuver her.

Although being tested infuriated Adrian, there was little he could do about it. Much like the goddess was attempting to assess his capabilities and weaknesses, Adrian also scrutinized her divine essence through the angels he vanquished.

Surveying the aftermath, both sides reaped benefits from the skirmish. The goddess gained an initial evaluation of Adrian, while managing to diminish approximately half of the demonic forces stationed there. Although the angels merely unleashed spears of light, their sheer numbers in the surprise attack proved devastating. The demons couldn't fully defend against such energies, their demonic energy being their sole weakness.

For Adrian, consuming the angels and testing his strength proved advantageous. Not only did he bolster his power slightly, but he also gleaned valuable insights into combating the goddess. Thus, everyone involved experienced both gains and losses in the encounter.

Adrian's mind churned with strategies and observations as he reflected on the battle. Despite his irritation, he recognized the tactical importance of the engagement. Each fallen angel provided him with crucial information about the goddess's vulnerabilities, allowing him to refine his approach in future encounters.

'Her supposed allies as well weren't making any moves.... Even though I made sure to remain open throughout the whole fight....'

Yet, beneath the surface, Adrian couldn't shake a sense of foreboding. The goddess's motives remained elusive; her intentions veiled in mystery. Was she testing him out of genuine curiosity, or did she harbor darker intentions?

"My lord..." With tattered, tentacle-like wings, the demonic lady approached Adrian with a slight bow.

"How many of them did you kill?" Adrian's voice held a hint of curiosity as he regarded the demon by his side. Observing her battered state, it was evident she had fought fiercely; she even seemed to be missing an arm.

Nervously, she met Adrian's formless gaze, a flicker of fear and apprehension dancing in her eyes before she responded, "Around 12 of them, my lord."

With such vast resources at his disposal, Adrian saw an opportunity to exert pressure on their adversaries. If he were to mobilize these forces, surely the goddess would be compelled to respond.

Descending down the ground approaching Lilliana in the distance carrying her in his arms

With Lillaina cradled gently in his arms, Adrian cast a final glance at the ominous black cocoon before him.

The transformation within was nearing its completion, a harbinger of the power that would soon be unleashed upon the world.

With a sense of satisfaction, he turned away, his attention shifting to the unconscious form of the girl in his embrace.

Opening a portal to the chamber where the other girls rested, Adrian paused to survey the demons gathered around him.

Their eyes gleamed with anticipation, their loyalty unwavering in the face of impending conflict.

Though he spoke no words, his intentions were clear.

Death.

The empire still thrived, its forces poised to oppose their dark ambitions. Yet, with the emergence of a new ally, fresh sustenance was required to fuel their insatiable hunger for power. Adrian's silent command hung heavy in the air, a directive to unleash their wrath upon their enemies and claim the lives needed to sustain their burgeoning might.

With a nod of assurance, Adrian stepped through the portal, disappearing into the shadows with Lillaina held securely in his arms.

....

In the midst of a tranquil garden, bathed in the gentle hues of twilight, a woman of ethereal beauty sat across from her opponent, her eyes fixed intently on the chessboard before her. With each move of her adversary's hand, she felt the weight of impending defeat settle upon her shoulders once more.

"Checkmate," the man declared, his voice soft yet tinged with amusement as he observed the defeat reflected in her eyes. Despite sharing similar features with the woman, there was an air of serene confidence about him, a testament to his prowess on the chessboard.

"Again," Elena murmured, her voice tinged with determination as she refused to accept defeat so easily.

"I don't think playing again would result in a different outcome," her opponent remarked, his tone laced with gentle amusement.

"Again!" Elena insisted, her resolve unyielding as she prepared to face her opponent once more.

With a resigned sigh, the man acquiesced, clearing the board of its pieces before setting them up for another round. As the game resumed, Elena's eyes blazed with determination, her every move calculated with precision as she sought to outmaneuver her opponent.

This time surely she would win.