"You're right, Queenie. You are the Mousses' only hope at victory. If I were you, I'd take my own life, and Nox would be invincible, but there's one flaw in that plan. Nox cultivates the path of humanity. He doesn't care how the world sees him. He can live if you die, but he might turn to the path of darkness."There's too much at stake here, and I cannot risk you. Like Nox, you cultivate the path of humanity as well. You can decide your fate."Queenie was stunned. She had no idea she was so important to Nox. If she were to die, he would go mad with grief."It won't be long until they're here. A few days, give and take. They've planned for this from the moment Fiery Ignis went back to Mystia. Aphrodite used what remained of her lifespan and turned the skies into her chessboard, and the stars her pieces. We're all pawns in her game. This is her last ploy. She will do anything to win."If she sees no hope for victory, she might kill you to crush Nox's heart, but she cultivates the H
"That is the kind of person you are. This is the fate you share with him. Fate arranged this meeting. Aphrodite and Nox shared a bond. Part of his achievement is thanks to her. They broke up not because fate wanted them to, but because she wanted too much."Greed blinded her. She turned what was supposed to be a perfect match into a disaster. The moment she turned her back on Nox, she lost the right to be a Sovereign's woman, but your fate says otherwise, and that's because you acted. You now have the power to carry that fate. You have changed your own destiny."It is time for your trial. Pass, and you can stay with Nox for life."Queenie didn't understand anything, save for the last part. 'Okay, okay. I need to pass this. I got to!' She had her own desire as well. She wanted to be Nox's woman. She wanted to live the rest of his life with him."Tell me what I should do, Mr. Edge," said Queenie solemnly. She knew a battle might be waiting for her, so she was nervous."Run. Run as f
Mystia was up to something again. "All Twelve Halls? No, the path of the martial is forcing them to." Nox didn't make his move right away. Half of the Twelve Halls were on his side. Mystia was making this move to get his attention."My word, Aphrodite. This again? You've really lost your touch, haven't you?" Nox mused over it a little and came up with a plan. "Send a message to Mount Prison. Summon Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise. They, along with White Tiger, will go to Eropa. Azure Dragon and the Nox army will remain in Imperia. The city is part of their goal," said Nox.Azure Dragon came to the mourning hall, confused. If they were staying in Faeast, where would Nox go?""Don't tell me you're doing this alone again. This might be a trap," Azure Dragon said."Doesn't matter. This is just a hail mary attempt from Aphrodite. I'll handle anything that comes my way. Nineve, stay with Quilo. I'll deal with whatever comes our way. Don't go anywhere," Nox told Nineve.Nineve held bac
Every time she had to make a choice, she would be hit with agony, but not this time. "I will die soon. You are mine, Nox. While we live, I cannot be with you. I must think for my family, and you only think about the country. But if we both die, then our problems will be solved. Only death can free us from our suffering."If we cannot be together when we live, then we shall die together. Nothing can separate us anymore." Aphrodite set up her final ploy with what remained of her life. She wanted to kill Nox.Aphrodite stared at an island far, far away. Compared to the Mousses' island, this one was undeveloped. Natural energy was abundant there, and it was a perfect spot for cultivation. It was dawn, and the power of light should be at its thickest. Life was about to wake up, but a sea of dark clouds came flying in, and a thunderstorm roared.The seas churned, and the waves ate up the island. "Mr. Edge!" Queenie had changed into the armor Fiery Ignis made for her. She approached Domini
Queenie was their target. She could've tried to run as fast as she could, and Dominic would try to hold everyone back. However, Queenie cast divine sense right away. That was stupid.Queenie was stunned, and her aura went awry. She fell into the seas, but Dominic quickly flew over and fished a drenched Queenie out of the waters. "Run and don't turn back. Don't use your divine sense either!" Dominic pushed Queenie away again. She had learnt her lesson, so she quickly flew toward the mainland.Dominic saw her off and turned around, and his enemy was already in front of him. He wore green robes and had twin swords on his back. He hovered over the sea, and his aura was powerful."Ah, the Western Sea's Saintly Swordsman." Dominic narrowed his eyes.Saintly Swordsmen were all Saints. This man became a Saint with his body intact. He was one of the pinnacle warriors in the world. The man nodded. "Dominic Edge, Master of Swords. You are a Saintly Swordsman as well, but you're not free from
The nation of Faeast was in mourning, lamenting the death of Lord Nox.Queenie Sanders sat on the beach of Riverton. She was in a bikini, revealing all her perfect curves, but her brows were furrowed as she stared at her phone."Mourning? In the morning? And the whole Internet does it? Who's the deceased? Why's everyone going so far for him?"Queenie stared at the screen for five minutes before she clicked on the headlines. She was met with a big title in red, but all of them talked of the same thing across different news outlets."Today, we mourn the death of a god of war. The day before, our Lord fell into the ambush of ten nations' warriors, and he was felled in the Ocean of Death."So great was the battle it drenched the ocean crimson. So terrible was the battle that corpses decorated the ocean's surface."Even though Lord Nox has fallen, he took down a million soldiers from the enemies' nations all by himself."Queenie's jaw dropped, her eyes still glued to the headlines.
The man was unconscious, buffeted by the waves. The kind Queenie went straight to saving the stranger. Fortunately, she was a decent swimmer. With one hand, she dragged the man, and with the other, she swam toward the shore.Her strength was all but expended, but Queenie finally got the man to the shore. A long sigh escaped her lips, and Queenie checked for breathing. He was breathing, but barely. He's alive?Queenie looked at the stranger once more. He was lying on his belly, his clothes drenched and soggy. Queenie flipped the man over, and she was stunned by his looks.The man's face was the color of clouds, possibly because of his soaking in the sea for a long time. His lines were sharp, his features handsome. "He's hot." Queenie felt her heart race, but she wasn't one to fawn over every handsome man she came across. She took a deep breath and quickly did CPR for the man.A few dozen repetitions later, the man's breathing felt stronger. Queenie had saved him. "Finally."She heaved
"Dad? Uncle George? Why are you here?" Queenie was stumped. She couldn't believe it was her dad and uncle here."What are you doing, Queenie? And who is this man?" George roared. He almost had a stroke seeing his daughter together with a naked man in bed.Queenie finally realized why her father was reacting hugely. She quickly stood up and said, "Don't take this the wrong way, Dad. I don't know this man.""What? You don't know this man? And you slept with him? Are you mad?" George roared."Listen to me, Dad. I don't know him. He's—"Queenie was about to explain herself, but Hogs sneered. "Well, well, well, George. Your daughter slept with a total stranger, and on the cusp of her wedding with Centersea's heir. Now tell me, how should we deal with her?"George was shivering in rage, his eyes crimson. "What did I do to deserve this? You insolent child. What have you done? How dare you?"George raised his hand against his child, but just before the slap could land, someone grabbed George's
Queenie was their target. She could've tried to run as fast as she could, and Dominic would try to hold everyone back. However, Queenie cast divine sense right away. That was stupid.Queenie was stunned, and her aura went awry. She fell into the seas, but Dominic quickly flew over and fished a drenched Queenie out of the waters. "Run and don't turn back. Don't use your divine sense either!" Dominic pushed Queenie away again. She had learnt her lesson, so she quickly flew toward the mainland.Dominic saw her off and turned around, and his enemy was already in front of him. He wore green robes and had twin swords on his back. He hovered over the sea, and his aura was powerful."Ah, the Western Sea's Saintly Swordsman." Dominic narrowed his eyes.Saintly Swordsmen were all Saints. This man became a Saint with his body intact. He was one of the pinnacle warriors in the world. The man nodded. "Dominic Edge, Master of Swords. You are a Saintly Swordsman as well, but you're not free from
Every time she had to make a choice, she would be hit with agony, but not this time. "I will die soon. You are mine, Nox. While we live, I cannot be with you. I must think for my family, and you only think about the country. But if we both die, then our problems will be solved. Only death can free us from our suffering."If we cannot be together when we live, then we shall die together. Nothing can separate us anymore." Aphrodite set up her final ploy with what remained of her life. She wanted to kill Nox.Aphrodite stared at an island far, far away. Compared to the Mousses' island, this one was undeveloped. Natural energy was abundant there, and it was a perfect spot for cultivation. It was dawn, and the power of light should be at its thickest. Life was about to wake up, but a sea of dark clouds came flying in, and a thunderstorm roared.The seas churned, and the waves ate up the island. "Mr. Edge!" Queenie had changed into the armor Fiery Ignis made for her. She approached Domini
Mystia was up to something again. "All Twelve Halls? No, the path of the martial is forcing them to." Nox didn't make his move right away. Half of the Twelve Halls were on his side. Mystia was making this move to get his attention."My word, Aphrodite. This again? You've really lost your touch, haven't you?" Nox mused over it a little and came up with a plan. "Send a message to Mount Prison. Summon Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise. They, along with White Tiger, will go to Eropa. Azure Dragon and the Nox army will remain in Imperia. The city is part of their goal," said Nox.Azure Dragon came to the mourning hall, confused. If they were staying in Faeast, where would Nox go?""Don't tell me you're doing this alone again. This might be a trap," Azure Dragon said."Doesn't matter. This is just a hail mary attempt from Aphrodite. I'll handle anything that comes my way. Nineve, stay with Quilo. I'll deal with whatever comes our way. Don't go anywhere," Nox told Nineve.Nineve held bac
"That is the kind of person you are. This is the fate you share with him. Fate arranged this meeting. Aphrodite and Nox shared a bond. Part of his achievement is thanks to her. They broke up not because fate wanted them to, but because she wanted too much."Greed blinded her. She turned what was supposed to be a perfect match into a disaster. The moment she turned her back on Nox, she lost the right to be a Sovereign's woman, but your fate says otherwise, and that's because you acted. You now have the power to carry that fate. You have changed your own destiny."It is time for your trial. Pass, and you can stay with Nox for life."Queenie didn't understand anything, save for the last part. 'Okay, okay. I need to pass this. I got to!' She had her own desire as well. She wanted to be Nox's woman. She wanted to live the rest of his life with him."Tell me what I should do, Mr. Edge," said Queenie solemnly. She knew a battle might be waiting for her, so she was nervous."Run. Run as f
"You're right, Queenie. You are the Mousses' only hope at victory. If I were you, I'd take my own life, and Nox would be invincible, but there's one flaw in that plan. Nox cultivates the path of humanity. He doesn't care how the world sees him. He can live if you die, but he might turn to the path of darkness."There's too much at stake here, and I cannot risk you. Like Nox, you cultivate the path of humanity as well. You can decide your fate."Queenie was stunned. She had no idea she was so important to Nox. If she were to die, he would go mad with grief."It won't be long until they're here. A few days, give and take. They've planned for this from the moment Fiery Ignis went back to Mystia. Aphrodite used what remained of her lifespan and turned the skies into her chessboard, and the stars her pieces. We're all pawns in her game. This is her last ploy. She will do anything to win."If she sees no hope for victory, she might kill you to crush Nox's heart, but she cultivates the H
Choice could be a luxury sometimes. The Mousses betrayed Faeast because they had to survive. Not everyone could pick loyalty in the face of death. Dominic and Nox could do it, but that didn't mean everyone else could."Even saints commit errors sometimes, let alone mortals." Dominic sighed. Sadness filled him up, and he took a big swig, then he lit up a cigarette.Queenie had no idea what Aphrodite had gone through, but she would never leave Nox. "I am just a regular girl, Mr. Edge. I'm not as smart as Aphrodite. I can't predict the future. I care about the present. I'll fight by his side." Queenie had made up her mind. She had the courage to see her love through, even to the bitter end."Really? If Nox is gone, so will you. If you're gone, he will still have to live on, even if it means unending agony. He must press on until he finds someone who can take his place, that is the price of being a Sovereign. It's not easy finding a successor. No one like him will be born in this genera
The people occupied the royal path, tears welling in their eyes. Their emperor had lived his whole life working for the nation, and now Faeast was about to rise, yet he was gone. The people walked with Quilo on his final journey, and all media outlets were airing this live. The people watching this prayed for their emperor.The procession went on until they arrived at the palace. The Limerents were already waiting on their knees, welcoming Quilo back home. The Forbidden Army was wearing white armor. Their leader, Atlas, took the casket from Nox and proceeded into the main chamber.Nineve knelt beside her father's casket and cried until her voice was hoarse. Nox had to pick her up and let the procession go on. The usually solemn palace had an air of sorrow around it. All the flags were pulled down half mast, and Magic Mountain rang a bell for Quilo's death. A sorrowful bell.The snow came all of a sudden, and half of Faeast's temperature dipped, yet it failed to douse the fire in the
Nox rolled his eyes and glared at Azure Dragon. "We have a lot of work to do here. The dead are not our business. If you're that curious, I can send you over."Azure Dragon sweated buckets and shut up. He told the scout about the news, and it was sent back to Imperia. The alliance was destroyed. Relief washed over Douglas, and he crumpled. He was worried sick about Nox. Quilo was dead. If Nox was taken out, Faeast was done for.Fortunately, the heavens did not forsake them, but they needed to come up with a story for the people. The alliance and the cultivators' power was beyond the understanding of the secret department. They couldn't tell the people that demons were real, after all.Nox escorted the emperor and his beloved back to Imperia. That very night, Faeast's government made an announcement. Quilo was assassinated during border patrol. Nox had avenged him, and he would return with Quilo's remains.The news about Quilo's death was released by the Mousses. Douglas then said t
Only when Nox had grown up to be a good heir could Quilo set aside his work and fulfill his own wish for once. "I'm happy that Faeast has you, but I'm sorry for hoisting this responsibility on your shoulders." That was why Quilo felt for Nox.Back when he was a crown prince, he lived happily and in luxury for a while. He managed to be himself for a while, but Nox had to live for the nation, and his life was a mess. It was a pity. "You're great at helping the nation but not yourself."Nox laughed. "You flatter me. This is who I am. I don't want those who come after me to shoulder this kind of thing, after all. Even if I can't handle it, I can find someone to take up the mantle. All I need is a good successor. You're gone now, and you didn't ask me to hold down the fort." Nox smiled.Quilo was speechless. "Very well. Do as you please. First time I've seen someone refusing the throne. Everyone else would've tried their best to take the throne even if history would be unkind to them.