Chapter 161: Leave a Mark Belonging Only to Me in Your Heart (Two-in-one)
Blackflame flowed.
The moment those light golden characters solidified in mid-air, the expression of the old man in the black robe froze.
?
As a Legendary Expert of the Freista Empire, although he hadn’t had much interaction with the cults before, he still possessed the discernment of a legend.
What was the Ash Cult?
They were a bunch of pure, dog-like scum, obsessed with burning and incinerating everything, a universally despised group.
And at this very moment, what the Ash Cult was secretly arranging for him was the preparation for a Divine Descent ritual.
Based on his original estimation, a Divine Descent ritual for the Lord of Ashes would likely require the sacrifice of hundreds or even thousands of people.
It might even necessitate the lives of an entire street block, or even a substantial part of the city.
He had even made preparations in advance, mobilizing his trusted subordinates and gathering a group of prisoners and slaves from various black markets and hidden bazaars to meet the needs of the Divine Descent ritual.
But at this moment, the light golden characters in mid-air were incredibly clear and distinct, leaving no room for misinterpretation.
Buzz—
The sound of the magic crystal vibrating echoed in the spacious room.
On the old man’s finger, a ring emitted a clear magical radiance, which diffused throughout the entire room.
This was a top-tier alchemical artifact, inscribed with formations designed to dispel illusions and deceptions.
However, even after ten seconds passed and the magical radiance dispelled, the text appearing on the Giant King’s skull remained unchanged.
“That’s right—”
The old man in the black robe took a deep breath and fell into thought.
“After all, it’s such an important matter as Divine Descent—”
“This directly involves the fate of the entire Empire, and even the redistribution of faith among the people of the entire Western Continent after the Great Change.”
“The Lord of Ashes is, after all, a True God. He doesn’t usually restrain his followers, letting them go mad with their obsession for burning is one thing.”
“But faced with such a crucial event, he must have become serious, to facilitate the secrecy of the ritual as much as possible, to prevent outsiders from noticing or affecting the plan.”
“And these ritual preparation requirements—”
“Although they seem quite simple, they are indeed related to the authority of incineration.”
After all, the power to receive Divine Descent primarily came from that sacred skull artifact.
The so-called ritual served mainly as a catalyst, as long as the intent was conveyed.
The Ash Cult had sacrificed countless souls over millennia; perhaps they truly didn’t lack the few hundred or thousand he had prepared.
Thinking this, the old man in the black robe seized upon a flash of inspiration.
“My Lord…”
Seeing the old man lost in thought, his confidant, standing beside him, leaned in and spoke with hesitation.
But the old man in the black robe waved his hand—
“What are you still standing around for? Aren’t you going to act according to the Lord of Ashes’ instructions?”
“According to the Lord of Ashes’ instructions… we’re really going to buy beef and cut it into mince?”
The confidant hesitated and confirmed.
“Otherwise?”
“This is a divine oracle from the supreme sacred artifact of the Ash Cult. Could it be false?”
The old man in the black robe shot a cold glance at his confidant.
In his heart, he had indeed harbored doubts due to the unexpectedly simple preparation requirements.
However, both the method of the sacred artifact transaction and the terrifying aura emanating from the bone-white skull confirmed its status and authenticity.
“Activate our network throughout the Empire to perfectly fulfill the ritual requirements.”
“Especially the cooking temperature. Remember to hire professional fire element Beast Tamers to control it. The final product must be just right, especially the degree of doneness. There must be no mistakes.”
“Also, everything must be done in secret. We absolutely cannot let the hounds from the military and the Directorate discover any trace.”
“You know very well what the consequences would be if even the slightest error occurred in this process.”
“Naturally.”
The confidant nodded in agreement.
Both he and the old man in the black robe knew that this was a matter of life and death.
He raised his head and memorized the ritual requirements written in light golden characters in mid-air one by one.
Before leaving, the confidant’s steps paused briefly at the doorway, and he spoke hesitantly.
“My Lord, what about the live sacrifices we’ve collected through various covert channels, the ones prepared for the fire sacrifice…”
“Handle their memories and send them back to where they came from.”
The old man in the black robe thought for a moment and replied.
The Empire was vast, but the sudden disappearance of hundreds or thousands of people could still arouse the vigilance of the Directorate, the military, and the newly established Sword Holder organization.
Since the live sacrifices were no longer needed, it was best to return them as they were.
“Remember, buy the best quality beef and hire the best chefs…”
“Yes.”
…
Thus.
A few days later.
Renowned chefs from various parts of the Western Continent, as well as several fifth and sixth-ring Beast Tamers specializing in the fire element, were invited to the Imperial Capital under various pretexts such as “Chef Seminar” and “Fire Attribute Pet Communication Forum.”
The official reason was to hold a cooking competition and discuss culinary techniques.
The actual work being done in secret was indeed cooking beef.
Remnants of the Imaginary Belt, Eden.
“Wow, they’re making such a fuss.”
Shaya sat on the sofa in the spacious living room of his villa in Eden, casually eating skewers while observing everything in the Imperial Capital through the mark he had left on the Giant King’s skull.
He hadn’t expected that the few instructions he casually issued through his mental imprint would be carried out so earnestly and attentively by that Legendary Double Agent in the Imperial Capital.
To further conceal their tracks and prevent others from discerning the true purpose, he even orchestrated public events like a culinary skills and chef exchange conference in the Imperial Capital.
Even the theme of the seminar was chosen to be “Beef.”
It was as if they were about to stage several culinary battles centered around beef.
“With this, I’ve probably contributed to this culinary desert of an Empire, haven’t I?”
“I hope Her Royal Highness remembers my good intentions and rewards me generously when the time comes.”
Shaya muttered to himself, taking a few sizzling skewers from the dissipating blackflame under the resentful gaze of the little mink.
In recent days, as the currents of the river of history gradually stabilized, not only Silver, but Sparkle and Crimson had also gradually awakened from the distorted space-time.
As a result, Eden, which had become somewhat quiet with Little Ai in closed-door cultivation, had once again become lively.
The news of Silver’s successful advancement to the Legendary tier and the creation of a new Legend Species, “Boundary Snow Mink,” made both Sparkle and Crimson envious.
They had all been sleeping for the past ten years, so why had only the eldest sister broken through to Legendary?
They also wanted to become “Boundary Sealed Stone Monkey” and “Boundary Silver Spirit”!
Under the threat of their Master’s favorite pillow spot being completely occupied by the eldest sister, both Sparkle and Crimson were now full of determination and began to train with renewed vigor.
However, the Legendary tier was precisely called a chasm for a reason, and it was not so easy to break through.
An opportunity like Silver absorbing a supreme sacred artifact of a cult was rare. Relying solely on training, breaking through to the Legendary tier would require the accumulation of a long period of time.
Ten years was certainly not a short time, but for Legendary beasts with lifespans that could easily span a thousand years, it was hardly anything.
While all of Shaya’s pets were eagerly anticipating breaking through to the Legendary tier, fearing being left behind, only Yui could remain seated and composed.
After all, as the last pet to join the team, she was currently enjoying the benefits of being a newcomer, and with the advantages of the Black Knight mech and the Solar Furnace, she had no worries about her position being shaken.
Thus, while Silver was being used by Shaya as a barbecue tool mink and the other two were busy training diligently, only Yui condensed a miniature fairy form with liquid metal and landed lightly on Shaya’s shoulder, idly swinging her legs.
“Master, Master… the chaos in the river of time and space has basically subsided. Although there are still minor turbulent fluctuations, your current status is safe enough for passage.”
Shaya stared at the sizzling skewers in the blackflame, “Finally, this time has come.”
“In that case, once Little Ai emerges from seclusion, we can return to the Prime Material Plane.”
“Returning to the Prime Material Plane, does that mean I can see Mom?”
Yui, in the form of a tiny fairy, blinked her eyes on Shaya’s shoulder, her mercury-formed wings fluttering slightly.
The “Mom” Yui mentioned naturally referred to Saintess of Dawn, Solun.
After all, her birth was partly attributed to Shaya, and the other half relied on Solun’s talent as a Mechanist.
Shaya himself had only proposed the concept and provided the blueprints; he was not specialized in the field of Mechanists. Without the help of that Saintess, many of his ideas could not have been realized.
“Mm… but Solun’s situation there is a bit complicated.”
“She’s become involved with the Golden Dawn… but it seems she wasn’t forced; rather, Solun actively chose to do so. I don’t know for what purpose or consideration.”
“Surely she’s not here to fleece this secret organization like me?”
Shaya took a bite of the skewer grilled by Silver using Amaterasu, lost in thought.
Although they were good friends, Solun, unlike Little Ai, had always possessed her own wisdom and independence.
For instance, when Shaya parted ways with her in Lokiia, even Shaya didn’t know she would eventually choose to go to the Freista in the Holy Divine Kingdom and eventually pass all the trials of the church to become the Saintess of Dawn.
In this regard, Solun’s personality was quite similar to Shaya’s… which resulted in this Saintess of Dawn appearing like Shaya’s reflection in a mirror, always shrouded in a hazy mist, making it difficult for him to see clearly.
“However, regardless, she herself, as the Saintess of Dawn, has absolute protection within the Holy Court.”
“As for the Golden Dawn’s secret gatherings above the Black Mist, I’ll be watching, so safety shouldn’t be an issue.”
Shaya finished the skewer in his hand and frowned slightly, “A bit burnt.”
“Understood. According to your taste, Master, reduce the cooking time recorded in the recipe by five to ten seconds.”
Yui’s clear response echoed in Shaya’s ears.
“You’re so sensible, truly my thoughtful little cotton-padded jacket.”
Shaya patted the head of the fairy-like Yui.
It couldn’t be helped. From his perspective as a Transmigrator, not only the Empire but the entire Western Continent could be considered a complete culinary desert.
Therefore, to satisfy his discerning palate, Shaya had to take matters into his own hands.
Whether it was cooking himself, promoting some of his hometown’s dishes and recipes in the Imperial Capital, or having Little Ai learn to cook, it was all a matter of necessity.
However, Shaya immediately regretted his praise for Yui.
Because the very next moment, he heard the faint footsteps behind him, descending from the second floor, growing closer.
And the faint scent of sandalwood that had accompanied him day and night for the past ten years, deeply etched into Shaya’s soul, wafted into his nostrils.
“When you saved me in Ceylon… you said you wanted me to be your beautiful girl, your little cotton-padded jacket.”
“But now, it seems you have quite a few little cotton-padded jackets, Shaya.”
A pleasant voice sounded in Shaya’s ear.
Immediately after, he felt a soft, warm body sit down beside him on the sofa.
Aerora leaned her head on Shaya’s shoulder, her light golden hair with a sandalwood scent falling from her forehead onto Shaya’s neck, tickling him slightly.
Shaya felt two soft hands on his temples, gently massaging him.
“We’ve been together for so many years, Little Ai, why are you still like this… jealous even of a mechanical pet.”
Shaya playfully pinched the golden-haired girl’s soft cheek. The texture was still as good as ever, just like when they were in Ceylon.
Although ten years had passed, Shaya found that Little Ai’s personality hadn’t changed at all, except that she had become more open.
The golden-haired girl’s cute face blushed slightly as Shaya pinched her cheek.
However, she did not resist, but instead actively snuggled closer into Shaya’s embrace.
Feeling the soft, fragrant body in his arms, Shaya also felt a heat rising within him.
His fingers twitched slightly, about to do something.
But then, Shaya saw Silver and Yui, who had stopped their work and were eagerly peeking over the back of the sofa.
“This is adult business, what are you children doing here.”
He waved his hand, and Yui obediently reverted to her undead metal form, returning to the Soul Pact Space with Silver.
Even so, within the Soul Pact Space, the chirping of the two pets did not cease.
The stock market, which had been frozen for ten years, reopened with the awakening of the pets.
And at this moment, Silver was undoubtedly at an advantage.
It was unavoidable. In the stock market simulated by Yui’s immense computational power.
If the stocks of Sylvia, the Second Princess, his Master, and his mother Solun showed fluctuations, with either side potentially gaining an advantage, a chaotic trend.
Then, the “stock” represented by Aerora, since she entered Remnants of the Imaginary Belt with Shaya and began living in Eden, had been in a bull market for ten consecutive years.
Today, it had already opened up an immense gap with all other stocks.
“Mom, you have to keep trying.”
In the Soul Pact Space.
Looking at the little mink opposite her, wagging its tail smugly in the Soul Pact Space, Yui couldn’t help but whisper to herself.
It couldn’t be helped. As a holder who had fully invested in the “Solun stock,” she could only be subordinate, no, inferior, to Silver, the leading fan of the “Shaya-Aerora” party.
But, since they were not yet married, there was still hope.
The Solun Party never gives up!
…
As the pets returned to the Soul Pact Space,
Shaya’s hand restlessly caressed the golden-haired girl’s waist, moving upwards.
Yes, still as flat and rigid as ever, unchanged for a decade.
“Is this the legendary deeply rooted, steel-plate gene that is harder to erase than dragon bloodline?”
Shaya sighed inwardly.
Aerora did not resist Shaya’s small movements, merely snuggling closer into his embrace.
“I’m jealous, not because of Yui…”
“But because of Solun.”
She nestled in Shaya’s arms and spoke softly.
Her breath was warm, with a moist touch.
“When we return to the Prime Material Plane, you will go find them, won’t you.”
“Not just Solun, but Sylvia, Her Royal Highness, and the others…”
“Are you planning to interfere in the conspiracy plotted by the cults to overthrow the Empire, and use that opportunity to return?”
Shaya nodded.
“When will those cults begin their actions?”
He thought for a moment: “Tomorrow evening, Prime Material Plane time. Converting to the current stable time flow of Eden, it’s about a week from now.”
Shaya did not deny it, for it was something he was bound to do.
After ten years of separation, it would be disingenuous to say that Shaya did not miss Sylvia, Solun, and Isadorella.
Nor did he choose to lie, because lies were meaningless in front of this golden-haired girl who knew him inside and out.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have crossed millennia of history to come to Remnants of the Imaginary Belt and spend these ten years with him in Eden.
“I knew it.”
Aerora sighed softly.
“In fact, the more I get to know you, Shaya, the more I understand.”
“How difficult it is to have you all to myself.”
“But…”
Her words paused slightly.
“At least at this moment, at least now—”
“We haven’t returned to the Prime Material Plane yet, and we are still in Eden.”
She gazed at Shaya at extremely close range with her beautiful sky-blue eyes and said, word by word.
“So, Shaya.”
“In this last month.”
“I want to leave a mark in your heart that belongs only to me.”
