CHAPTER 89: LET ME HAVE PEACE [3]

{A/N: I deeply apologize for the inconveniences I had caused you guys.)

Then, with the practiced ease, she reclined against the sofa’s armrest and placed her bare feet directly in his lap.

"Surely you can do this much for your dear aunt?" she murmured with mock fatigue, though her voice carried the honey-sweet tone.

Then she feigned a weary sigh and shifted slightly, her toes nudging lightly against his thigh.

"After all that walking, my feet are absolutely aching."

She watched him through half-lidded eyes, seeking the faintest flicker of reaction as her touch lingered deliberately against his leg.

But...

He gave nothing.

Alaric simply stared at her with an unreadable expression, then his lips curved into a matching smirk as he raised his hands toward her feet resting in his lap.

"What? Need your dear nephew’s assistance?" He amused as he pressed a precise point at the arch of her foot with practiced efficiency.

"Heeak!"

Her breath caught, whether from relief, pleasure, or something in between, she couldn’t tell.

Before she could pull away, his grip tightened around her ankle, thumb finding another sensitive point near her heel and pressing with calculated precision.

"Ah!"

This time she couldn’t suppress the soft gasp that followed.

Then she immediately yanked her feet back and straightened, her cheeks flushed with something between embarrassment and indignation. Her eyes narrowed to dangerous slits.

This insufferable bastard.

Alaric leaned sideways against the sofa, angling himself to face her fully, a lazy smirk playing on his lips.

"Feeling better, dear Au—"

"Just shut up." Her voice cut through his words like a blade, but the slight breathlessness undermined her attempt at authority.

Alaric’s amusement only deepened at her flustered expression, though a predatory satisfaction flickered behind his eyes.

This is what you get for disturbing my peace, woman.

Before he could voice another teasing comment, her voice cracked like a whip.

"Get out."

Her tone was sharp, as she aimed squarely at the door.

Alaric tilted his head, feigning innocence, as if genuinely puzzled by her sudden hostility.

"But I didn’t do anything wrong—"

"OUT. NOW!"

Her tone left no room for argument, her composure finally fractured. Red color flushed high in her cheeks, whether from embarrassment or fury, perhaps both.

Alaric raised his hands in mock surrender, rising from the sofa.

He understood the art of knowing when to advance and when to retreat, and this moment called for a strategic withdrawal while he still held the advantage.

He strolled to the door, hand resting on the handle. Then he paused, glancing back over his shoulder with that same infuriating smile.

"Take care, Aunt. I’ll see you soon."

Then without waiting for her reply, he shut the door behind him, leaving Selene alone with her fury.

[DP +100]

She sat rigid on the sofa, jaw clenched so tightly her teeth ached.

The bastard had won this round too.

*******

Tap! Tap! Tap!

Alaric’s footsteps echoed faintly as he made his way down the corridor.

Before long, he reached his assigned room, pushed the door open and stepped inside.

With a sigh of relief, he let himself fall onto the bed, sinking into the mattress.

A moment later, his eyes narrowed slightly.

Status.

A translucent blue interface materialized before him.

[STATUS WINDOW]

Name: Brandon (Past Life: Alaric Noir)

Race: Human

Age: 19

Title: Slave, Model Servant, (The Fallen King)

Essence Path: The Path of #$#&##@##

Sub-Path: Flame Essence

Rank: E+

EXP: 2950 / 3900

Stats:

STR: 65

AGI: 79

END: 66

WIL: 41

CHA: 49

INT: 60 (??)

Free stats points: 0

Domination Points: 750

Main Quest: Subjugate Selene Glimore (In Progress 86%)

System Level: 2 (Requires 3000 Domination Points to Upgrade)

Skill Tree: Intermediate Fire spell (F), Scorchblade Arts (S)

Intermediate Fire spell (F): Fire ball, Flame Arrow, Burst Step.

Scorchblade Arts (S): First Form- Flame Blade, Second Form- Flame Slash

Shop: Basic Tier Items

Obedience Meter: Target Not Found!

Loyalty Meter: Target not found!

Harem Tracker: 0

DP Exchange: Available

??? (Locked – Requires System Level 3)

His eyes immediately drawn to the skills section.

"Show me descriptions of Burst step and Flame slash."

[Burst Step: A short, explosive dash that condensed user’s Essence into a single heartbeat’s moment. Perfect for closing distance or evading at the last possible instant.]

[Warning: Excessive use may cause muscle strain and energy depletion.]

[Flame Slash: Infuse user’s weapon or bare hand with flame essence, creating a burning arc of energy when attacking.]

[It can cut through most standard materials and leaves lingering burn damage. Requires weapon or unarmed combat proficiency for use.]

Alaric leaned back against his pillows, a slow smile spreading across his face.

Then with a mental flick, he dismissed the translucent interface.

Sigh!

A deep exhale escaped his lips as he finally allowed his shoulders to sink into the plush mattress.

Then with deliberate slowness, he unlaced his shoes, pushed them aside, and turned to his side on the bed.

The weight of the day finally pressed in, and he let his eyes drift shut, welcoming the slow pull of sleep.

Then—

Knock! Knock!

Two sharp raps at the door shattered the silence.

"You have been summoned, Young Master."

The muffled, polite voice of a maid came from outside.

""Urgh..."

Alaric groaned, dragging both hands down his face until they covered his eyes.

Can’t they let me live in peace for even an hour?

********

Tip... tap... tip... tap...

Rain began to fall in steady drops, each one striking the cobblestones.

The gentle patter quickly intensified into a proper downpour, water cascading from rooftops and gutters in silver streams.

CRACKLE!

A jagged spear of lightning tore across the cloud-choked sky, followed by the deep rumble of thunder.

For a fleeting moment, the desolate silhouette of a broken cathedral stood illuminated.

Its once-proud spires now crooked and fractured.

Shattered stained glass windows gaped like hollow eyes, and ivy crawled up walls.

Its Gothic arches reaching toward heaven like the ribs of some great, fallen beast.

Through the driving rain, two figures moved with purpose along the muddy path leading to the cathedral’s entrance.

Their black cloaks whipped in the wind, hoods pulled low to shield their faces from both the storm and any prying eyes.

Their footsteps echoed faintly in the hollow air as they approached the looming doors.

One raised a gloved hand and gave three deliberate knocks.

Knock... Knock... Knock...

After a moment, a voice came from behind the doors.

"Who seeks sanctuary in the abandoned house of the divine?"

The taller of the two hooded figures spoke,

"Vegar."

Creeek!

After a moment, the door swung open, revealing an elderly man drapped in ceremonial robes of deepest black.

The fabric was ornate yet somber, embroidered with symbols that seemed to shift and writhe in the flickering candlelight.

His skin pale, eyes sharp and sunken, as though sleep had long abandoned him.

Then wthout a word, he turned and started walking deeper into the cathedral.

The two cloaked figures stepped inside, water dripping from their garments onto stone floors.

Without a word, they began following the old man deeper into the cathedral’s shadowed heart.

They followed him through a narrow, dimly lit corridor where guttering candles clung stubbornly to life in wall sconces.

Shadows stretched and warped across the stone, crawling over weathered statues.

Lining the hallway stood statues carved from pale marble.

The figures bore wings, yet their faces held expressions of anguish rather than grace.

Their hands reached skyward in gestures that could have been supplication or despair, and their eyes seemed to follow the procession with hollow, knowing gazes.

The old man led them through winding passages until they emerged into a vast hall.

At the far end, on an elevated dais ringed by crooked pillars, a girl knelt with her wrists and ankles bound in blackened chains. Her sobs were choked behind a filthy strip of cloth tied across her mouth, her small frame trembling.

Figures draped in the same ink-black cloaks stood in a semicircle before her.

Their heads remained bowed, faces hidden beneath heavy hoods, but the faint glimmer of eyes burned from within.

Bones littered the dais.

Long, short, some still bearing the dark stains of flesh.

A cracked jawbone rested near the girl’s knees.

The old man joined the others. As one, they raised their arms, their low murmurs winding together into a single chant.

The sound slithered up the walls.

The candles guttered. The air pressed in. The girl’s sobs turned to muffled, panicked whines.

The shadows deepened.

Then something shifted in the atmosphere—a presence that had not been there before.

A sudden wave of force rippled through the hall.

The girl’s muffled scream pierced through the chanting, raw and high, echoing off the stone.

Her body arched against the chains, trembling violently, bones cracking, reforming, flesh tearnig, mending.

Until, with a sharp crack, the links snapped like brittle twigs.

Then, her scream died.

Slowly, she sat upright, the gag slipping from her mouth.

Her eyes opened, no longer the dull, terrified ones from moments before, but sharp, glinting with an inhuman light.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The hooded figures dropped to one knee in unison, foreheads nearly touching the cold floor.

From the shadows came a single whispered phrase from all their lips,hoarse, trembling, reverent:

"...By the goddess Lilith."

-------------------

Chapter End...

[A/N]

Yo guys, sorry for the trouble.

Though I’m not back yet, so there will be bit inconsistent updates for a day or two, with only single Chapter a day.

Then I’ll be back to 2 Chapters a day.

Till then, please bear with it. Bye, bye.

Take care.

And thanks for reading.