Chapter 621 The Blue-Eyed Monster

Chapter 621 The Blue-Eyed Monster

"Who are you really? Do you have the Corrupted Prince's bloodline?" Alice demanded, her voice carrying a blend of suspicion and scrutiny.

Amelia's heart raced as Alice's piercing question cut through the air, the tension palpable among the assembled group. She watched anxiously, her mind racing with the implications of Alice's inquiry. Could the Evangelion matriarch suspect something? Or did she already know something they didn't?

Edward stood by, his face a mask of solemnity, observing the exchange with a calculated silence that only added weight to the moment. Arthur, meanwhile, looked on with blinking eyes and a complicated expression. He had harbored similar questions about his combat advisor's origins but had never voiced them, restrained by a mixture of respect and his own personal uncertainties.

Emiko and Yui exchanged quick glances, their expressions a mixture of concern and confusion. They knew their Master could never be related to the Golden Prince, but was the Evangelion matriarch still feeling resentful towards the Golden Prince for asking such a question?

Rebecca watched the humans with a mixture of amusement and curiosity. Why are they so obsessed with comparing him to the Golden Prince? Just because of his golden eyes? she thought derisively, finding the situation absurd yet intriguing. But thinking about it again, she only found it even more annoying to see this common trait the two shared.

Asher's reaction was measured; a brief, cold curve of his lips gave way to a neutral expression. He turned to face Alice, his voice calm and detached, "All I know is I am an orphan," he stated simply, his demeanor unflinching under Alice's scrutinizing gaze.

Arthur's reaction was immediate—his eyes widened in surprise. The revelation that his combat advisor was an orphan sparked a flurry of thoughts.

Why did his parents leave him in an orphanage? Did they have some reason like his mother did?

Alice, not satisfied with Asher's response, pressed on, her brows knitting together, "We know that. But there are ways to trace your ancestry. And yet you never did so?"

Asher's response was a shrug, his tone nonchalant, "Is there any point? I am living fine without them. So why should I care about finding out who they are when it doesn't change the past?"

This response resonated with Arthur, stirring a mix of agreement and personal reflection. While Ash seemed content with his situation, Arthur felt an increasing void about his own missing maternal connection.

Alice's expression hardened further, her instincts telling her there was more to this man than met the eye. His calmness, even in the face of her probing, was unnerving. It was clear he had been a powerful S Ranker, but his obscure origins only deepened her curiosity.

"Alice, let's leave and give them some rest. They worked hard to save the city, and they deserve it," Edward intervened, his voice smooth but firm, breaking the tense atmosphere.

Asher allowed himself a subtle smile as he turned to leave, but Alice remained momentarily stationary, her gaze lingering on this young man's retreating figure. Amelia quickly caught up to Asher and said in a hushed voice, "Haa...that was close. Do you think she suspects you or anything?"

Asher casually shook his head and said with confidence, "She is simply poking around to know who I really am. We already saw people mistaking me for my past self for a moment. But nobody can ever guess that I was once that man. As far as the world is concerned, Cedric is dead and long gone."

Amelia nodded and said, "That I am confident of. Who can ever guess that you would be reborn or...i don't know...make a return in a demon's body? But..." Amelia's eyes narrowed in contemplation as she looked up at him and asked, "Did you see how Arthur healed? He shouldn't have recovered from that, but he did. And it happened right when the rays of the sun touched him. When you were Cedric, you also healed and got empowered whenever the sun graced you with its light."

"It must be a coincidence. There is no way an Evangelion can heal like that. Maybe there was some lingering trace of mana left in his body," Asher said in a dismissive tone. Neew updates at novel/bin(.)com

"You might not have been able to sense it properly in your avatar, but I clearly sensed that his mana circuit was this close to dying and he had no mana left. It was only when the sun's light touched him did his mana suddenly surge. Don't you feel that this is strange and shocking?" Amelia asked with a bewildered look.

"Mira...Cila...," Anna mumbled softly and wanted to say more but felt a lump in her throat that stopped her from saying more.

"An-nna! I wa-as just dreaming about seeing you! I can't believe it ca-ame true!" Mira's voice chimed through her collar which flashed a red light as she spoke, the mechanical sharpness doing little to hide her joy while her mouth remained closed, her lips arched into an excited smile.

Cila stood up more slowly, her dark red eyes scrutinizing Anna for any signs of distress before allowing her own smile to surface, "Today must be a really good day," she said, her voice soft and warm, "We were beginning to think the worst after not seeing you for a year. But you look so healthy and well, that makes us feel so relieved and happy."

"Hn, hn. We were s-so worr-rried," Mira nodded as her collar device crackled with a high-pitched voice, albeit in a glitchy way.

Anna smiled softly, shaking her head as she placed her hand against the transparent door, "You two shouldn't waste time worrying about me. I will be fine over there. And look..." Anna ruffled through her bag as she added, "I brought something for both of you." From her bag, she pulled out a compact toolkit and a digital tablet before placing them on a tray that extended from the door.

She pushed the tray inward and it popped out on the other side where the two demonesses could access.

Cila's eyes lit up at the sight of the toolkit, "Oh, Anna, perfect timing. I've been itching to fix the power regulator on Mira's collar. It's been glitchy," she said, her mechanical fingers already reaching out as if she could work on it through the barrier.

"And, Mira, I've downloaded the latest fantasy series you've been dying to read," Anna said, gesturing at the tablet as Mira took it with a delighted squeal.

Mira clutched the tablet to her chest, then held it up proudly, "T-This will kee—-ep us entertained for at least a w-week! T-Thank you, A-Anna!" she beamed, her electronic tone buzzing with joy.

Cila was already busy with her mini screwdriver, the tool glowing faintly as she adjusted Mira's collar, "Mira, stop speaking with such excitement. You might break your collar before I can fix it," she chided gently, her voice tinged with affection. After a moment, she clicked the tool off and smiled, "Now you can talk as excitedly as you want," she said with a soft giggle, easing the atmosphere.

Mira's smile widened, her eyes twinkling as she turned to Anna, "Anna, please stay with us for at least a day. We haven't had fun together in years."

Anna's smile softened, her eyes glazing over with memories of the time they spent together in less grim circumstances, "I wish I could stay longer, you know," she replied, her voice thick with emotion, "But I'm working on getting you all free. So just be patient for a little longer, okay? Then we all can have as much fun as we want."

Cila's expression grew serious, her protective instincts kicking in as she leaned closer, "Is the blue-eyed monster making you do anything bad because of us? We know he didn't let you out only because you were a 'success' in his 'tests'. He also lets you bring so many good things for us when he wouldn't even reward us with a good meal unless we perform well in his 'tests'. You will tell us if something like that is happening, right?"

Mira's smile faltered, turning into a look of concern, "Anna...is everything alright? You seem a bit ...sad."

The weight of their concern pressed heavily on Anna's shoulders, making it difficult to maintain her composed facade. She was about to say something when one of the guards stepped forward, his voice cutting through the tender moment like a cold blade, "Time's up. He wants to see you now," he announced sternly.

Anna startled slightly at the interruption, her face straining into a forced smile as she looked back at her friends, "I will be back soon. Wait for me," she promised, her voice a whisper of determination and sorrow.

"Anna, wait!" Cila called out, concern etching her features, but her plea was cut short. The guard pressed a red button, and shutters clanged down over the transparent doors, sealing Mira and Cila away from Anna's view.

The sound of the shutters echoed ominously as Anna's expression contorted with a mix of pain and resolve, her last glimpse of her friends obscured by cold metal.

Escorted by the guards, Anna walked away, each step heavy with the burden of unfinished promises and unspoken fears, leaving behind the young demons in their isolated world, holding onto hope in the shadow of uncertainty.