'I have to change the topic,' Nox thought.Hence, he said, "Just don't mind it. We have a great thing going on here, silly.""Did you just call me silly? You lost your memories. You don't even remember who you are." Queenie put her hands on her hips and puckered her lips.Nox laughed. "Fine, fine. I'm the silly guy. Happy?""That's more like it." Queenie held Nox's arm again. "If Dad has our back, I bet we'll be so happy together."Nox gently held Queenie's hand. "Of course we will."Queenie chuckled and rested her head on Nox's chest. "I want to bring you to the hospital in a few days, Nox.""What? Why?" Nox was curious."You lost your memories, remember?" Queenie replied.'I didn't lose my memories.' In the end, Nox didn't say that out loud.Queenie thought Nox was anxious about his condition. She quickly comforted, "I swear I'll stay with you even if you can't get your memories back. We'll get through this together until death do us part."Nox felt warm inside, and he loo
George came back a moment later with his prized alcohol. Seeing this, Queenie's eyes went wide with surprise. "Dad, that's the best booze you have.""Obviously. I'm drinking with Nox, you see." George poured a cup of wine each for Nox and himself. His hands were shaking, but he raised a toast. "To you."Nox picked up his cup. "Bottoms up."They finished their first cup, and the second followed quickly. Soon enough, the wine was finished. George took a couple more bottles from his collection.He treasured these dearly. They would fetch a handsome price if sold, but now he was sharing it with Nox without batting an eye.George was a decent drinker, but Nox was a much better drinker than he thought. Moments later, George was drunk, and he started apologizing again.The old man eventually started bawling like a baby. Queenie stepped in. "Dad, why are you crying? You're drunk.""No, I am not! And I have a lot of things to tell you! Queenie, I'm sorry. I failed you as a father. Please
Though she had questions, Yvette was ultimately happy with how things turned out. It had been forever since her family found peace. After dinner, Yvette cleared the table while Queenie stayed with Nox.The clock struck nine, and Nox was ready to go home. He wanted to go alone, but Queenie insisted on seeing him off. They held hands and walked down the path to the entrance.Jebediah was hiding in the shadows. "Commander Moon, the lord is in sight."Keith noticed Nox coming out with Queenie. "Master White, how long has the lord known this woman?""I'm not entirely sure, commander. All I know is the lord likes her a lot.""Is that so?" Keith stared at the leaving Queenie. "She's lucky the lord takes a liking to her. Can't say the same for the Mousse family's witch."Jebediah didn't make any comments as he had no idea what Keith was referring to. The air was chilly, and stars dotted the inky skies. Holding Nox's arm, Queenie walked down the path happily. She blurted, "Pinch me, N
"We'll never be apart." Queenie planted a kiss on Nox's cheek.Nox's heart melted. He wanted to tell her of his past glory, but she didn't care if he was a king or a beggar. Nox gazed at Queenie with love and pulled her into a tight embrace all of a sudden. "I love you, Queenie. Will you marry me?"Queenie was dumbfounded. She stared at Nox with widened eyes. "I-Is that a proposal?"Nox nodded. "Yes. Will you marry me?"Queenie had never thought about marriage, not even arranged ones, like the one with Silas. She was stunned that Nox would bring it up. Queenie stared at Nox dumbly. She was at a loss for words.Nox asked, "Is that a no?"Queenie shook her head quickly. "We're moving a bit too fast, don't you think? Marriage… it's… well…""What does it matter if we're in love? Besides, your father gave us his blessings," Nox said.Queenie fell silent again.Seeing that, Nox said, "It's okay, even if it's a no.""Wait." Queenie held Nox's hand. "Give me some time, Nono. This i
Queenie entered her house, still abuzz with excitement. The proposal came out of nowhere, but she was ecstatic about it. The man she loved wanted to marry her.She only asked for a night to think about it so she could calm her heart down. Her whole body was charged with happiness. She thought she could fly. For more than an hour, she paced around, and in the end, she sought her mother's opinion.Yvette was getting ready to sleep, but she draped a shirt over herself and came out when Queenie called. "It's late, Queenie. What is it?" She opened her door."It's big, Mom. I need to talk to you," Queenie gushed."How big are we talking?" Yvette was confused."Marriage level. My marriage, specifically.""What? But that's… sudden." Yvette froze."I know. Nono proposed to me all of a sudden just now. I want to know what you and Dad have to say about it," said Queenie.'He proposed?' Yvette's mind was blown. She dissuaded, "I'm not saying no, Queenie, but you haven't even known him for
A frown furrowed Queenie's forehead. 'Right, Dad. God knows what he's thinking. He never liked Nox until a couple of days ago. If he finds out we're getting married, he might go ballistic. Heck, he might not be friendly anymore.'George popped out all of a sudden. "You're going to marry him, Queenie. One way or another!"Queenie and Yvette swiveled their heads. George's appearance caught them by surprise. He still smelled like booze, but his eyes were gleaming with joy and excitement."George? I thought you got blackout drunk," said Yvette.George went to sleep early because of how much he drank, but he stirred when Queenie knocked on the door.At first, George was groggy, but he sobered up the moment Queenie mentioned Nox. And then she brought up the proposal. George almost flew with ecstasy. 'Gods. Queenie marrying Nox? It's an honor for the family!'Though he had no idea who Nox really was, the fact that Alexander, William, and the leaders of Riverton bowed to him meant Nox wa
Queenie's head was spinning. If this was a week ago, her father would never let her date Nox, much less marry him. 'Did he really change?' she wondered, but she didn't care about the answer. As long as George was on her side, she was happy enough."So, you guys are giving me your blessings?"Yvette was about to speak, but George was faster. "Obviously. Isn't that right, honey?"Yvette said nothing.Queenie chuckled. "Thanks, Mom and Dad. I know what I'll tell Nono tomorrow." She hopped back to her room. She would tell Nox about the good news first thing in the morning.'He can worry about it a little for now,' she mused.Yvette and George saw Queenie off, and then Yvette looked at George suspiciously. "Are you alright, George?" she asked, putting her hand on his forehead. "No fever. Are you really fine with her marrying Nox?""Yep." George was pleased."It's still a big decision. I think she should take her time," Yvette argued."Time is not on our side, woman. You know nothin
Queenie continued, "Sorry, you'll have one more weight on your shoulder. A lovely lady just agreed to be your wife. You're going to love her, tolerate her, and bear with her antics."Nox froze."I bet you're all stunned now, Nono. Your heart's beating real fast right now, isn't it?" Queenie was on her bed, laughing mischievously.Nox did get scared for a moment. He had no idea what Queenie had in mind. "Is that… Is that a yes?""Of course, it's a yes, dummy. From now on, I'm your wife. Give me all your love, sweetie."Nox smiled blissfully. He had never smiled so contentedly. "Of course, Queenie. Forever," Nox declared, and his voice traveled across the estate.A couple of men were waiting for this moment: Keith and Jebediah. They, too, had not slept the whole night and were waiting for Queenie's answer.And when Nox's announcement made its way through the estate, Keith roared in laughter. "The lord has gotten his answer, and he is pleased. Congratulations to him and Ms. Sanders
Queenie did as she was told and flew into the mountain. She was met with a gigantic furnace, and Flame Emperor was trapped within, suffering the burn. His astral form was extremely weakened."Look closely. This is not your usual fire. It's making me into an elixir, slowly refining my providence and funneling it into the coffin. The coffin's connected to Celestial Domain, and that place transfers my providence to the witch. She wishes to use my providence to gain greater heights."The empress is now a Five-ring Minor Saint. One step, and she'll be a Great Saint," explained Flame Emperor."She's using Nox to become a Great Saint?" Queenie asked."Exactly. If Nox relents and sacrifices himself for her, she can absorb his providence and become a Great Saint. The moment she does, she will activate Celestial Burtial and absorb the providence of all civilizations around the world. She wants to sacrifice the whole world for her own success."Queenie had her answers, but what confused her
Dominic was fighting with his life, buying time for Queenie. Suddenly, the empress' eye power weakened, and it couldn't even fight Dominic's will-of-the-sword. "What is this? What's Nox doing?"Dominic's will-of-the-sword noticed the scent of death coming from Nox. This mustn't happen. Nothing must happen to Nox, or his sacrifice would've been for nothing. "Stand up, Nox! You're not giving up here!" Dominic called out to Nox with his will-of-the-sword. As a fellow swordsman, Nox noticed the call."I want you to live Nox. I don't want you to die with me. I know this is all fake, but I just want to confirm what my father told me before. If someone's dying here, it's me!" Nineve lunged at Nox and held him tightly."Very well, then we're killing our way out of here!"Nineve nodded. Nox used his eye power to break the formation by force. With will-of-the-sword, he carved a path out of the formation. At the same time Nox and Nineve ran for their lives, Queenie was making her way to the m
"Nineve, Queenie is at risk right now! If I don't stop the empress, she will use her spell to control the whole world! Faeast will be gone! We will never rise again!" Nox said solemnly. He was worried this might happen. He wasn't scared of any illusion, but the rules would change if Nineve was in the picture.Her wish would affect Nox. When Nox brought Queenie up, she cried. "So you care about her the most. Go to her, then! No one loves me! I deserve this! I did this to myself! I should've given up everything to save you! I don't care about anything now. I just want to stay right here and be with my father!"Nineve had given up, and Nox wanted to scream. He wasn't sure how he should explain it to Nineve. Love needed no explanation, however."What do I do, Your Majesty?? I can't give her up for Nineve, and I can't give up Nineve for her. I can't make a choice." Nox was in a dilemma. No matter the decision, he would regret it. From a big picture perspective, he should save Queenie. Ho
Dominic's energy formed a barrier, and his sword merged with his astral form. This was a true fusion between man and sword."Do you want to die that much, old man? It's not too late to back out. I can set up an exit, and your astral form can leave. Refuse, and I will snuff you out." The empress' face contorted. She was a demoness, and not an ounce of her beauty was left on her face.Dominic laughed. "Death does not scare me. It is not the end. Glory is what I seek. Generations to come will know me as a saintly swordsman, but none will remember even your name. You failed even after seventy thousand years. You will not get what you want! Give up on your delusions and accept reality!"There was a hint of death wish in Dominic's will-of-the-sword. Should he die in this battle, his name would be known throughout Faeast. He wasn't scared at all."Damn you. I will kill you! None of your faction will live!" The empress' third eye was bloodshot, and then the crimson strings came crawling ou
Aphrodite didn't react much. She said, "If she kills you, it's a good thing. Proves that you're a capable person. It's easy to kill someone. Not so much when it comes to controlling the heart. She doesn't have the power to control your soul just yet.""What the hell are you talking about? Same difference. Just tell me what I should do now. My sacred beasts are running out of energy. I can't ask them to put their lives on the line. They're practically an endangered species! They mustn't die!" Kirin had no choice but to call back the sacred beasts that'd exhausted their energy and dispel them.The Generals weren't sacred beasts, but they were Kirin's friends. He couldn't watch them die here."Oh, pipe down. There's nothing to worry about." Aphrodite snorted."So you have a plan?" Kirin thought they had hope, seeing that Aphrodite was so calm."No. I did everything I could. Everything is in fate's hands now," said Aphrodite."Dammit! What do you mean you did everything you could? I
"We're out." Dominic and Queenie were back in the real world. He saw the demonic mountain and the desolate world around him, and he wondered if this was another formation."We're out, master. This is the real world. Nono said Flame Emperor's trapped under the mountain," said Queenie solemnly."No, it's not the mountain that has him trapped; it's the empress." Dominic gasped. "No, that's not right. She doesn't have the right or authority to do that." He frowned. "And where's Nox?" he asked curiously. He only got out thanks to Nox's guidance, but the guy was nowhere to be found.Nox and Nineve fell into another illusion formation, and this time, they were transported back to Imperia. The formation carved out the whole city, and Nox was surprised it managed that. Nineve's head was spinning. She grabbed Nox's arm and wouldn't stop talking."Are we back in Imperia? You killed that bitch, Nox?"Nox was speechless. "No, we're in another illusion. Dammit, this can't trap me, but figuring
"What is he doing? Is he going to put everything on the line? No, he's trying to take the domain's control from me. How dare he! No, the golden kirin is something much more ancient than I am. If he activates some sort of secret spell, he might actually pull this off!"The empress would not leave this battle to chance. One mistake, and she would lose everything. She had no choice but to do everything she could to stop Kirin. However, using her eye power meant she would be distracted.And an opening was created.Nox was in the mist, but he suddenly stopped in his tracks. "Weird. The mist is growing thin. The empress' eye power is weakening?" This might be a trap, but Nox didn't care."Eight Saintly Techniques, Blazing Holy Eyes." Nox's golden eyes appeared and dispelled most of the mist. Right away, he found an opening. "Heaven's Demise! Shatter this thing!"He cast a Forbidden Art, and flames burned everything. A talisman sprang forth and burned into a crisp. The moment its ashes w
Nox, Nineve, Queenie, and Dominic were in the mist, all worried about one another. Back in Celestial Domain, the spirits' attack was growing fiercer. Some were even close to devouring the sacred beasts. Kirin had to call back the sacred beasts and send them away to keep the bloodline going."There are too many people who have died in this place over the last seventy millennia. We can't hope to kill them all. We can't last much longer at this rate." Kirin himself was bearing too much weight. He couldn't join the fray."I think it's time," Aphrodite suddenly said."What? Is it the final moment?" Kirin asked solemnly."No. I mean the empress is backed into a corner. You might think she's still relentless, but I think she's at her wit's end. Time to give her the final push. She's too tense, and one little distraction is enough to create an opening," answered Aphrodite seriously.Kirin had no idea what she had in mind, but he knew she wasn't lying. She was doing this for a reason. "Wha
Queenie was a little shocked. 'Next time? Please, no.'"I knew something was wrong. Nono wasn't sure if Nineve was Flame Emperor's descendant, but the one in the illusion was certain. I knew it was fake, but I couldn't help myself." Queenie sighed. She still couldn't get over herself.Dominic laughed. "You need some confidence. Be arrogant if you have to. It's better than to be craven. If Nineve is a Sovereign's descendant, then there must be a reason for your being here. Let's see if we can uncover the mystery."Dominic was about to take Queenie into a search for the truth, but Queenie stopped him. "Tell me the truth. Since you're an astral form, does that mean you're a sacrifice too?" she asked solemnly."No, not exactly. I can't break the formation, but I can enter it, though that comes with a price. It can't hurt me, but going out won't be easy." It was pointless to lie now, after all."So the empress can't hurt you for now, but if she wants to drag everyone down with her and