Silver Hand cautiously knocked on the door, followed by a figure cloaked in a dark red cape. His face was obscured, revealing only a pair of dark red eyes - eyes that were not of any human origin.
"Enter," came the icy voice of Princess Helen from inside.
Silver Hand slowly pushed the door open. Following him was the figure, exuding a thick scent of blood, almost tangible, reminiscent of blood dried on a battlefield.
"Your Highness, everything is arranged," Silver Hand said, bowing respectfully, his voice deep. His reverence for this woman grew with every understanding of her actions. She was a madwoman, more fanatical than Jupiter.
Princess Helen slowly lifted her head. Her gaze swept over Silver Hand and then coldly landed on the man in the dark red cloak behind him. Her eyes were colder than those of a death knight. The Lost Enchanters’ sword, carrying countless curses and sins, hung at her waist, a sword of both glory and disaster for the Titans.
"Good. Recall the Golden Knight Order," she commanded. "The Curse Warlock must secretly enter the palace without anyone noticing." After speaking, Helen lowered her head again, sifting through the mountain of documents on her desk. The council's attempt to undermine her authority forced her to use military measures and handle these overwhelming documents herself.
"Your Highness," Silver Hand hesitated, then continued cautiously, "The Spear of Saturn is moving unusually. I'm concerned about the situation at the border, especially targeting Lady Elizabeth at this time."
"Are you questioning my decision?" Princess Helen raised her head, her sea-blue eyes flashing red, her tone icy with a sharp murderous intent that made Silver Hand swallow his words.
Silver Hand took a breath, then, gathering courage, added, "The recent traitor incident has already displeased the nobles in the council, I fear this time..."
Princess Helen narrowed her eyes, a playful smile suddenly appearing on her face. She stared at Silver Hand strangely and coldly asked, "Are you trying to teach me?"
Beneath the desk, the blood-red gem on the Lost Enchanters’ sword glowed faintly, the blade beginning to tremble mysteriously.
"Not at all!" Silver Hand broke out in a sweat, bowing to avoid her piercing gaze.
As Helen's strange expression faded and the red light in her eyes dimmed, she picked up her pen to resume reviewing the documents. After a brief silence, she slowly said, "This empire is too corrupt. The dwindling Titan bloodline has spawned countless conspirators in the shadows. Rather than waiting for them to emerge one by one, I'd rather force them out myself."
Princess Helen's face showed a hint of coldness as she picked up a piece of parchment, writing the name 'Elizabeth' and then striking it through!
"She is the perfect bait and the most formidable enemy," Princess Helen said, her gaze sweeping over the two men. "I don't like leaving the strongest enemy for last. Only by nipping her in the bud can I ensure that I will be the ultimate victor! The entangled relationships within the council have led to the empire's decline. What I must do is to redefine the rules, my rules!"
The Lost Enchanters’ sword quivered slightly.
...
Leaving the Marquess Elizabeth's mansion, Felix was weighed down with heavy emotions. In his hand, he held a dark red card, identical to the one in Princess Helen's possession - the most precious thing Lady Elizabeth had left him.
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"My little kitty, my beloved little cat," Lady Elizabeth's voice, as she embraced him tightly, still echoed in Felix's ears.
Her melancholic sigh made him clench his fists tightly, his sharp nails piercing his skin, blood trickling from his fingertips onto the dark red card and then dropping onto the muddy road.
Felix had never seen Lady Elizabeth so vulnerable or the usually confident woman appear so solemn.
"If I fail, take this to the City of Freedom. There, you'll find everything I've left for you. Use them to reclaim what I desire and avenge me."
Although Lady Elizabeth didn't say much, Felix knew that a long-brewing storm had begun. He suddenly resented his own helplessness, wishing he had more time. He despised himself for not being able to persuade her to abandon her ambition for the Titan throne.
He didn't understand why Lady Elizabeth was so determined to ascend to a throne steeped in blood and filth. That was the deepest secret of this woman, and he was not yet privy to it.
All he wanted now was to return to Felendia, before everything started, and use his own strength to give this woman he loved and hated a chance to survive in the impending storm.
The stubbornness in their bones was evident; Lady Elizabeth, even now, wouldn't let go of her obsession, and neither would Felix.
"I won't let you die before me, I swear it! In the name of the Shadow Queen Christie!" For the first time since arriving in this world, Felix made a vow to a woman in the name of the Shadow Queen Christie.
A knight's promise, an oath of the Gamma Master!
If all was indeed beyond saving, Felix would stand by Lady Elizabeth without hesitation. That was the answer from the bottom of his heart; no matter the outcome, he would have no regrets, never.
---
In the bedroom of the Marquess Elizabeth's mansion, Catherine stood silently at the door, her gaze calmly fixed on the woman curled up on the bed - Lady Elizabeth, the woman who gave her a new life, faith, and everything. "Catherine, did I do wrong?" Lady Elizabeth looked up, confusion in her eyes.
"No," Catherine shook her head gently, "You just gave him a choice. The real answer lies in his heart."
"But..."
Catherine walked slowly to Lady Elizabeth's side, embracing her tightly: "Whether in hell or heaven, I am your guardian knight, forever. In the name of Catherine Lucifer, I swear!"
Their embrace was so tight it almost made it difficult for Lady Elizabeth to breathe. The vulnerability on her beautiful face gradually faded, replaced by her usual elegance and composure.
"We haven't lost yet, not yet. Since she no longer cares about the empire's fate, why should I?" A playful, almost mad smile appeared on Lady Elizabeth's face as she picked up a pen and wrote a series of strange symbols on a piece of parchment.
"Take this to the military, make sure it reaches General Caesar's hands!"
Catherine nodded, taking the parchment. A smile finally appeared on her face; this was her Lady Elizabeth, her faith.
---
In the Felendia Laboratory, the half-undead ogre material screamed in soul-piercing agony. Felix stood quietly in front of it, observing the dramatic changes occurring in its body.
Sharp nails. Keratinized skin. Swollen muscles. Grey-white pupils, and a horn slowly emerging on its forehead.
Legend has it that ogres were originally a branch of demons, following their god to the prime material plane. Ancient ogres, much more powerful than today's, were fearsome beings that hunted dragons, possessing nearly demonic strength!
Over time, as their bloodline thinned, ogres gradually lost their power, forgetting the demonic strength in their blood.
Now, Felix's task was to help it reclaim the power from its bloodline!
The blood of demons reacted wildly within the half-undead ogre material, activated by Felix's magic. This demonic blood began to corrode and consume the flesh and blood of the ogre material, transforming and assimilating it into a new form of power!
Blood, a dark red stream, began to seep from the pores of the half-undead ogre material. The speed of the blood flow increased rapidly, and so did the intensity of the ogre's agonizing screams!
Felix poured a potion containing pure black liquid into the mouth of the half-undead ogre material. Then, he placed his right hand on its forehead. Wisps of deep gray shadow energy appeared around him and, driven by the surge of magic, started to infuse into the ogre's body.
The ogre's cries of pain grew more intense and gradually turned hoarse and aged, resembling the howls of evil spirits from the depths of hell.
A deep and vast chant began to echo over Felendia, with a surge of elemental energy sweeping across the entire imperial city in an instant!
"Great Shadow Queen Christie, your humble servant Felix seeks your power... I am willing to sacrifice half of my soul!"