Chapter 76: Chapter 76: Plan of Dominance

Aengus stared at the seductress with cold, indifferent eyes, even as she stood mere centimeters away, her presence overwhelming in its seductive power. Her crimson red lips, perfectly shaped, enticingly plump and juicy, were undeniably tempting. They looked soft and smooth, the kind of lips that could draw any man in like a moth to a flame.

A normal man, faced with such proximity to her beauty, would likely have been unable to resist, driven by primal instincts to close the distance and claim those lips as his own.

But Aengus was no ordinary man, not after the catastrophe at least.

Though he could acknowledge her beauty, his face remained impassive, his expression betraying no hint of desire or emotion.

It wasn't that he lacked the ability to feel--he had not become impotent or numb in any physical sense. It was simply that her allure had no hold over him, his heart hardened like stone by the Heart of Darkness within him. This powerful ability made him immune to the kind of small, superficial temptations that might have ensnared someone else, leaving him unmoved by her efforts.

He understood that Bella was trying to seduce him for a reason, attempting to bend him to her will with her charms. Yet, even as he saw through her intentions, Aengus felt no anger toward her.

In fact, there was a sense of understanding--almost gratitude--beneath his icy exterior. She had been his savior, after all. Without her intervention, there would be no Aengus Degaro, nor would Ethan Smith exist to carry the hope of reviving his lost loved ones.

After what felt like an eternity of silence, Aengus finally spoke, his voice calm but edged with a grave seriousness.

"I would need some materials for myself, Lady Bella," he began, his tone measured and deliberate. "There are residual dark energies corrupting my body. If I can't gather the necessary resources, I might not survive," he added, feigning a frailness as if he could collapse at any moment.

Bella's seductive smile vanished, replaced by a furrowed brow as concern flickered across her alluring features.

The thought of losing Aengus was not one she could take lightly. She had invested too much in him, not merely out of a whim, but with a clear purpose. If he died now, all her efforts to save him would have been for nothing.

Bella's mind stirred, recalling the events that had brought them to this point. She had seen with her own eyes the moment when Aengus had been imbued with the bloodline of Beelzebub, one of the most powerful Demon Lords among the seven deadly demon lords.

The memory was vivid--an astonishing, almost miraculous moment.

Aengus didn't miss a second. His lips curved into hidden sly smirk as he leaned in slightly, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "What do you desire, Mistress? My whole being is yours," he replied with exaggerated sincerity, his voice dripping with charm. Not a trace of shame colored his expression; instead, there was only confidence and a hint of something more daring.

Bella's eyes narrowed slightly as she studied him, her curiosity piqued. With a slow, deliberate motion, she licked her lips, the gesture both seductive and thoughtful. Her gaze never left his, the intensity of her stare growing.

"Sweetheart, are you being serious?" she asked, her voice low and tinged with a mix of suspicion and intrigue. She looked deep into his eyes, as if trying to decipher the truth hidden behind his words.

"Yes, Mistress," Aengus responded without hesitation, his tone unwavering. "I'll do whatever you command." His shameless confidence radiated from him, leaving no doubt about his commitment.

He just wanted to achieve his goal, for that whatever needs to be done, he would do it within a heartbeat.

"Hehehe..." Bella's lips curved into a smile, her earlier shock melting away into amusement. She let out a melodious giggle, the sound light and airy, like a breeze through wind chimes.

The hall seemed to brighten with her laughter, filling the space with a sound that was almost otherworldly, as if the very walls resonated with the joy she exuded.

She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a provocative whisper. "What if I told you that you must sleep with me? How would you respond?" Her eyes glinted with a mixture of curiosity and challenge, testing the limits of his sincerity.

Aengus hesitated for a moment. For a fleeting instant, Aria's face flashed before his eyes, a brief, poignant memory that quickly dissolved. Replacing it was a steely resolve, hardened by the relentless effects of the Heart of Darkness.

After a pause, his expression remained unwavering. "If that is your desire, Mistress, I will comply. I will sleep with you as you wish," he replied with a calm determination, his voice betraying no hint of hesitation.

This was the moment to fake his loyalty to gain her trust and get what he wanted. Whether she would sleep with him or not, it didn't matter either way. Even if she did, she wouldn't be able to use her charm to make him her puppet.

As for any other malicious intentions if she had, she would have revealed then already. He was powerless in front of her.

He was truly puny and insignificant compared to her vast power. Not only did she possess charm and life-draining abilities, but she was also much, much more powerful. He could feel it.