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Chapter 117: Choices and Awakening

With Nia’s departure, Roy felt a noticeable lightness in his body, the hostility from the Withering Son vanished in an instant.

Just as the evil god declared, unless he chose to become His path, He had no interest in opposing the False King bloodline.

Facing the offspring of the Fallen Mother Goddess, the two had no hope of survival.

Sacrificing one could at least ensure the other lived.

That might be the most reasonable solution.

But Roy couldn’t accept it.

The mere thought of sacrificing Nia was something he absolutely couldn’t stomach.

As long as there was a glimmer of hope, he would never give up.

In the moment Nia fell, the young boy also released his grip on the sword, kicked off from the tree trunk, and plunged downwards, stretching out his hand towards that emerald silhouette in mid-air—

Heavy miasma and rotten wooden spears came rushing from all directions, like savage prehistoric beasts ready to swallow them whole.

However, time seemed to freeze at that instant.

<Confirming the consumption of 1 Reverse Fate Point, beginning projection of the path to kingship!>

Time flowed, memories blurred, and in this critical moment, Roy wagered everything, returning to the distant First Era to witness the bond between the true ancestor and the Adventurers, seeking his own answer.

As he expected, Liliya did not give up.

Upon learning that Laya had left without a word, Liliya rushed back to the ancient castle without hesitation.

That was the fate-tinged place where they first met and the starting point of their adventure, and now, it was also an opportunity for them to reunite.

The castle had collapsed, the earth fractured, and within the once tranquil night, thick, inescapable blood energy and the stench of rotting plants permeated the air.

In the center of the picturesque ruins, the golden-haired Vampire Lady sat regally amidst the debris.

Even though she bore severe injuries from a fierce battle, staining her flawless skin with grime, she maintained her usual grace, embodying the majesty and pride of the true bloodline.

Until Laya appeared before her.

The once composed expression finally showed a hint of wavering.

“Why…”

“What do you mean why? What do you mean by leaving?!”

“No, I said it in the letter, All Things Wither and the Blood Clan have an unending feud…”

“That kind of thing is completely unimportant!”

The young adventurer’s shout echoed deafeningly in the night.

This was his first time expressing such intense emotion, to the point where even the dignified half-god, the true ancestor of the blood clan, was taken aback.

“Whether it’s All Things Wither or the true ancestor of the blood clan, none of that matters! Didn’t we agree to embark on this adventure together? You can’t just leave me behind!”

With determination, the young boy stepped into the ancient castle, using his relatively weak power, grabbing Liliya’s hand tightly.

“Even if it means death, I will never let you escape!”

The Vampire Lady showed a tearful expression yet seemed inexplicably happy as she smiled.

“Really at a loss with you…”

“You don’t want to be separated even if it means death? Do you know what you’re saying?”

“…Stop talking nonsense. Of course, I know what that means.”

A hint of shame crossed the young man’s face, but he didn’t retreat an inch.

“Are you really certain? Being with me forever means forsaking your human identity, becoming one of my kin. As a mortal, you shouldn’t have to bear the sins belonging to the blood clan.” Liliya gently caressed Laya’s face, looking either hopeful or with reluctance.

Laya responded to her expectation: “As long as I can be with you, I don’t care.”

Liliya smiled.

“I, True Ancestor Liliya, shall bind our blood contract here with you, mortal Laya!”

“Do you accept to bear the sins and powers of my clan, forever carrying my blessings?”

Laya looked back at the Vampire Lady, declaring firmly: “I do!”

“By the blood oath! *2”

And so, the moonlight faded, and the long night descended.

The golden-haired Vampire Lady, tightly embracing her beloved, opened her lips, revealing fangs, offering him the most genuine love of the blood clan and the heaviest curse.

This was the first embrace from the last blood clan member.

Overwhelming supernatural power violently surged into Laya’s veins through the fangs, and as the blood of the False King also intertwined, Roy felt the pain of being invaded by this half-divine power.

Every drop of blood felt like it was boiling, every bone felt like it was shattering, and the overpowering vitality at this moment felt like molten lead gnawing at his very bones, bringing forth tremendous agony.

But Roy also strongly felt the boy’s determination to move forward with Liliya.

And his own resolve to journey alongside Nia would not pale in comparison!

The raging crimson light bloomed like roses, celebrating the rebirth of a blood clan member.

Laya’s long hair shone like moonlight, her skin became as white as snow, forsaking her mortal body and becoming a member of the noble bloodline.

And Roy’s left eye finally turned a deep crimson.

The mottled light and shadow gradually softened, and the traces of the ancient castle slowly faded away.

When everything settled, Roy found himself before the familiar tomb of kings.

An old man with a long beard, draped in a dark golden robe, sat quietly nearby, his eyes closed in meditation.

Behind him, the originally hollow tomb room lit up with an enchanting crimson light.

The Vampire Lady, in a trailing dark red gown, knelt before the tomb room, casting a playful glance with her blood-red, enchanting eyes.

Just locking eyes with her sent a chilling wave through Roy’s very soul, like prey being targeted by a high-ranking predator.

But Roy gazed back without fear.

The last true ancestor, of the bloodline, sharing origin with the Forest Elf, wielding half-divine mastery over life energy.

This was the power he needed.

Liliya raised Roy’s chin with her fingertips, a hint of amusement glimmering in her eyes: “Laya made his choice, what about you, little brother of the False King blood?”

“It’s tough for someone destined for an arduous path to bear additional burdens. You could easily abandon her, and All Things Wither wouldn’t trouble you anymore.”

From a rational standpoint, it was indeed unwise.

At first, Roy thought this way, wanting to distance himself from Nia to avoid being ensnared by her fate, seeking to protect himself.

However—

“I don’t care.” Roy replied to Liliya with a faint smile.

He wished to stroll down bustling streets with her, talk in the serene woods, drink honey wine, and gaze once more at the infinite night sky.

Having shared so many ordinary yet precious daily moments, Roy could no longer part from the elven girl with the floral smile.

“Fate or All Things Wither, I don’t care. All I care about is Nia, and nothing else.”

Liliya’s eyes quivered slightly, then she showed a nostalgic expression.

“Come on. The thing you desire is right ahead.”

Roy followed Liliya’s steps, stepping into the crimson tomb room.

At the very center of the tomb room, surrounded by thorns and roses, lay a scarlet giant scythe. The blade of the scythe shimmered brilliantly, brimming with bloodlight, strikingly sharp, while the shaft was smooth and delicate, appearing as if carved from agate—elegant and beautiful.

It was noble and graceful like a work of art, yet it was undeniably a lethal weapon that radiated a bloody aura. It was terrifying, yet impossible to resist, exuding an enchanting charm.

“This was crafted by my ancestors during the First Era, to vanquish the Fallen Ones of All Things Wither, a shackling weapon to commemorate the sins of the true ancestor, Blood Blade: Scarlet Original Sin.” Gazing at that scarlet weapon, Liliya’s gaze grew complex.

“I really liked your earlier answer, but it sounded like a direct mimicry of Laya, as though you were deliberately trying to please me.”

Liliya’s smile faded, her eyes narrowing, emanating a bloodthirsty pressure.

“My power comes at a steep cost, far beyond what a mortal can bear. At the same time you inherit my power, you will also take on the fate of opposing All Things Wither.”

“Are you sure you’re ready for that?”

 

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