Chapter 30: Fate and Conspiracy
A dull pain lingered in her left eye. When she agreed to become the chosen one of the Lord of Metamorphosis, Jima made a request not to be branded with the mark of the Lord of Metamorphosis.
The price was that she would be cut off from the other gods, and she would not gain greater power.
The benefit was that she and the others had essentially gained the power of the Lord of Metamorphosis for free.
However, looking at it now, it was merely the great scheme of the Lord of Metamorphosis.
Jima suddenly remembered that in her recollection, many followers of the Lord of Metamorphosis were not devout worshippers but rather sought to exploit his power through cunning intellect.
They believed they were profiting from him but were actually falling into the trap set by the Lord of Metamorphosis.
Thinking back,
That gift of troops had turned into a mishap for the Lord of Metamorphosis himself. From beginning to end, he did not escape the schemes of the Lord of Metamorphosis and was tightly ensnared.
Was she any different?
Now, through his plans, through his schemes, the Lord of Metamorphosis left his mark on her left eye, just as he desired.
Why was he so sure that she wouldn’t extract it?
Jima felt rebellious, her fingers touching her eye, her red nails slightly sinking into her brow.
The Doomsday Knight standing on the floating disk asked, “Your Highness?”
Jima’s rebellious spirit flared up: “Call me King.”
“King,” the Doomsday Knight said:
“A unit of cavalry is at your command; what are your orders?”
The Doomsday Knights gathered around her, the firelight gleaming on their blue wings. Clad in armor, they exuded an imposing presence, being formidable warriors in their own right, amplified by the extraordinary mobility of the floating disk. Such troops were rare, yet here there were over a hundred.
This was exactly what Jima desired—she loved highly mobile forces.
In an instant, thousands of lustful followers were engaged in a bloody revelry.
Thousands of lives all resting within her thoughts.
Jima suddenly realized that if she gouged out her left eye, this Doomsday Knight would likely abandon her, along with another cavalry unit.
She quite liked the gift the Lord of Metamorphosis had given her.
However, after confirming her identity as the Demon Lord, she feared she would have to part ways with George afterward. It was impossible for her to simultaneously command the corrupt forces while being with George, saving the world, nor could she have him accompany her to command an army.
Because he was the hero, a paladin. He could compromise for love and helplessness, but he could not stand by and watch countless evil demons commit atrocities.
But, it would be good to gouge out her own eyes.
At this moment, the flames below began to shift, casting an unsettling aura around Jima.
In a moment of daze, she vaguely saw the figure of the Lord of Metamorphosis, and she heard the voice of promise:
“Do you want to return to Earth?”
Jima firmly refused: “No.”
“Is it because of love?”
Jima decided to confront this scheming master wholeheartedly: “No.”
The tone shifted to a gentle and wise female voice: “You want George, but if you accept my wedding, he will surely oppose your return to Earth.”
Jima began to doubt whether the one she was conversing with was the Lord of Metamorphosis or some demon’s cunning plot.
She continued to argue: “No.”
“I have a proposal,” it said, “if you can eliminate the Eternal Chosen One, not only can I send you back to Earth, but I can also corrupt and lead your husband astray.”
“Someone prayed to the evil god for eternal life, only to become a thinking statue.”
“I promise, your life on Earth will be just as it was, with the standards set by you.” Its voice was filled with temptation: “I assure you, your husband will fall into the state you desire.”
Jima’s heart raced, but she also became more vigilant.
The more enticing the conditions, the more likely they were traps.
I want George.
Jima said: “I love his appearance, love his character, love his strength, love him as a person, I respect his boundaries and do not wish to distort his character.”
“And what about me? Is he not trying to change your character?”
Jima began to suspect whether the one she was conversing with was her own inner demon. If such a thing existed.
She lied: “No, I am anti-human, he has not held me accountable for him, he has double standards, we clarified our issues.”
“Is it a compromise of justice caused by helplessness?” She seemed to hear the Lord of Metamorphosis’s laughter.
Jima’s mood began to tighten; her palms itched, and the pain in her body became inconsequential.
The other party seemed to know her inside out. Had he already infiltrated Earth, thus knowing everything that happened?
Thinking this, Jima couldn’t help but worry slightly for her homeland.
Though what happens to others is none of my business.
…It is still my homeland.
The Lord of Metamorphosis continued to ask: “…or do you want to sleep with the Code of Justice in your arms?”
This remark struck deep in Jima’s heart.
“What do you mean?”
“If he falls, he will still love you, but he will not become a slave to others.”
Jima asked: “Are you a god or my second personality? The second me?”
Another bout of laughter ensued.
Jima said: “Alright, you just keep laughing; I need to go wash my feet.”
“I won’t force you to do anything.”
Everyone you have harmed has certainly heard you say this at least once.
All you need to do is accept this blessing and eliminate the Eternal Chosen One; that is my will, and afterward, it will also be the will of the other three gods.
Why?
The current Eternal Chosen One is too powerful; he is ambitious and wishes to slay the gods and become the new Chosen One.
Jima continued to argue: Really? I don’t believe it.
You will understand in the future.
You will understand in the future.
The Eternal Chosen One, Marus, held a completely transparent longsword, pointing it at the starry night sky; the gods above and all beings below were but puppets, engaging in mutual slaughter and conspiracy merely to please the gods.
To be honest, great, esteemed, and invincible Eternal Chosen One, you speak philosophically, but unfortunately, our blood dragon lineage inherently cannot grasp philosophy… Nearby, the blood dragon knight Duncan droned on about a long string of nonsense.
…Have I told you about a member of our blood dragon family? Because he read many philosophical books, he developed multiple personality disorder, with more than twenty personalities yelling in his head…
The Eternal Chosen One, Marus, interrupted:
I say—
…So philosophy is truly terrifying; my life is simple and long enough that I do not need such complexities to torment my mind. I just need to hone my martial skills as my honored ancestors did.
The Eternal Chosen One, Marus’s three-eyed steel helmet clattered with a series of roars: Duncan, if you don’t shut your mouth, I’ll chop off your lips!
Great, esteemed, and invincible Eternal Chosen One, if you want me to be silent, all you need to say is ‘be quiet’; there’s no need for all that lengthy chatter, it’s such a waste of time and tedious, wouldn’t you agree?
The sword of the Eternal Chosen One, Marus, trembled slightly; his tone turned frosty:
You will lose the opportunity to battle against the son of Sigma—the Emperor of the Empire.
Why? This pale-haired, rugged-faced blood dragon knight continued to ask: Now that our situation is prosperous, so many beasts have gathered; even if they are led by a pig, as long as it oinks twice, the entire army will charge and turn the Empire’s fearsome army into dust.
The Eternal Chosen One, Marus, simply said: My sword will be faster than yours.
Let’s not go there, the blood dragon knight said: I enlisted just to kill the Emperor of the Empire and obliterate the Empire.
If you keep quiet and honestly listen to what I have to say.
Unprecedentedly, the blood dragon knight Duncan let out a single word: Good.
Why are you so determined to kill the Emperor of the Empire?
The curse of the knight.
The blood dragon knight Duncan said: My fate should not be this way.
I believe you can break free from your fate, to be someone who can change their destiny.
The Eternal Chosen One, Marus, said: And then what?
What comes after?
After that, I will break the chains of fate imposed by the gods on all beings. The Eternal Chosen One, Marus, said: Would you be willing to join me?
Alright. The blood dragon knight Duncan shrugged: As long as you let me kill the Emperor of the Empire.
The blood dragon knight Duncan looked around; the night sky showed no anomalies, and the endless apocalyptic army below appeared unremarkable. In any case, everything felt too mundane, lacking any sense of ceremony.
He couldn’t help but ask: You’re being too cryptic; what exactly do you plan to do?
In the worst-case scenario. The Eternal Chosen One, Marus, said: I would rather destroy the world, shatter the game board, than let the gods manipulate our destinies.
The blood dragon knight Duncan said: Then before the world ends, I will follow you as long as you fulfill your promise. By the way, did you know? There is a prophecy mentioning that in the south a demon king has appeared, and many say that the crown you wear is fake.
Since you know, then likely half of the army that can understand words knows by now.
Why? The blood dragon knight Duncan asked: Did I miss the news?
No, it’s that your mouth runs too much. The Eternal Chosen One, Marus said: It’s nothing to worry about. I know her; this powerless, fake demon king is merely a pathetic pawn supported by the gods to target me. Should she awaken, I would overlook our past grievances and accept her as an ally.
But with her pitiful willpower and determination, she lacks the courage to break free from the gods’ control.
How do you know?
I have fought against her.
The Eternal Chosen One, Marus said: I understand all who battle against me.
I mean. The blood dragon knight Duncan said: Since the gods support her, why aren’t you worried about her?
She is too weak. The Eternal Chosen One, Marus spoke plainly: Had I not possessed my current strength, I would have died long ago in the schemes of the Lord of Metamorphosis. But I have transcended; He has added miracles to my fate.
Jima came back to her senses and said: Order them not to act rashly.
Fate of death, crash.
