Chapter 2: New Century (Epilogue)
Chapter 576: The Elven Empress’s Demise
Driven by the desire to flawlessly obtain the quest item, Xi Wei presented this request to Lewenstein. After all, he had no prior acquaintance with three of the four great figures in the heavens. As for Gabriel, their relationship was merely that of nodding acquaintances.
Lewenstein readily conveyed Xi Wei’s intentions to the four Archangels. They set aside the Holy Light Cage and descended before everyone. The immense pressure exuded by the Archangels, even when naturally dispelled, made Alice’s complexion even paler.
*Is this the backing of the King of Winter?* the Elven Empress mused inwardly with a bitter smile. *Since Xi Wei could summon four Archangels for help, why did he borrow a Sacred Artifact from me back then? Was he just playing games with me?*
“You are the Elven Empress?” Gabriel’s gaze swept over Alice, and after a moment, he frowned, asking, “Did you suffer the Demise Death Ray from the God of Death’s Eye?”
They had not been present during the Elven Empress’s previous battle with the Undead Emperor, so they were completely unaware of Alice’s experience. Alice lowered her head and nodded slightly, a look of pain appearing on her pale, pretty face. Her spine was formed from a main branch of the World Tree, and her heart was a part of the World Tree’s core. The World Tree nurtured her, enabling her birth. Generations of legitimate Elven Emperors were born this way, rather than through the bloodline of male and female elves. As for her sister, Ashilia, she was formed from a slightly smaller branch.
The God of Death’s power was relentlessly gnawing at her soul, the pain akin to ten thousand ants biting and tearing at her soul. Intense agony constantly tormented her nerves. Her life force had already reached its end. However, the World Tree’s core protected her soul, and its branches kept her body incorruptible. Combined with the influence of the God of Death’s curse, the superposition of these three divine natures allowed her to survive temporarily in this demi-elf, half-undead state. But even this couldn’t last long. The God of Death’s power and the World Tree’s core were locked in a tug-of-war. If she hadn’t depleted her life force, she could have banished the curse with the World Tree’s help. But now, she was like a carriage without a horse adrift in quicksand, unable to move forward and destined to die. When her soul was completely eroded, she would become a subordinate of the God of Death, an undead.
“What a pity,” Gabriel’s brow nearly furrowed into a knot. He shook his head and said to Xi Wei, “If it were our true bodies, we could indeed resolve the issues plaguing her. The God of Death’s Eye is a Semi-Artifact, and the divine nature of death it unleashes is not complete; there’s a chance it could be purged. But unfortunately, we have descended as avatars, and due to the barriers of the Divine Realm, our true bodies cannot come down.”
“Is that so…” Xi Wei glanced at Alice’s pale and sorrowful appearance, feeling helpless. Saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda, and it would allow him to openly ask for the Venus Holy Garment. But if even the Archangels couldn’t help, he obviously couldn’t save the Empress Alice either.
“Thank you for your help, but I am aware of my own situation.” Alice bowed her head, thanking Xi Wei and Gabriel. “I will now find a quiet place to spend my remaining time. When the time comes, I will have Adenasi kill me after I turn into an undead.”
“I’m afraid that’s not possible,” Gabriel said, placing his hand on the hilt of his sword and stepping forward. “You carry the World Tree’s core and branches. After being transformed into an undead, the World Tree’s core and branches will greatly enhance your power. At that point, Adenasi will not be able to kill you, so you must die now!” With a clang, the Archangel drew his Holy Sword. One moment he was a gentle and warm man, and the next he had turned hostile.
Xi Wei’s mouth twitched. Loli, scared, hid behind him. How could these words come from Gabriel’s fervent mouth? And delivered with such a gentle tone, as if he were saving her. In his past life, a man like Gabriel would have remained single forever. Alice sadly lowered her eyes. She bowed slightly, her snow-white hair sliding down her shoulders, revealing her smooth neck. She was asking Gabriel to kill her, to prevent her from becoming a powerful undead and harming the mortal world.
“Your Majesty, you…” Adenasi tugged at the Empress twice, but couldn’t move her. Ice had already formed at Alice’s feet, firmly pinning her in place. She was determined not to live. In desperation, Adenasi stood in front of Alice and knelt before Gabriel.
“Angel Lord, please spare Her Majesty. She has served the World Tree in the Elven Royal Court her entire life, managing the chaotic elves. She has never had freedom. Please let her live her final days in peace…” Adenasi was on the verge of tears, burying her head in the dust. Large teardrops rolled down her cheeks onto the ground.
“Adenasi, stand up,” Alice’s voice was soft but carried an undeniable authority. “I have lived long enough; I am tired.” Her voice finally turned into a helpless sigh. Who would choose death if they could live? As Adenasi said, she had never left the Emerald Forest. Every day was filled with scheming elders and the same old fruits and vegetables. She had never tasted wine, or sweet pastries. She had not witnessed the vastness of the world, nor experienced the taste of love. She had not run under the sunset with the evening breeze, nor danced in the torrential rain amidst splashing water droplets. She had lived for a long time, but only within the massive cage constructed by the elves. Duty and her identity were her chains, binding her tightly, preventing her escape.
“Blossoming in the Sacred Fire, your soul shall find peace.” Gabriel raised his Holy Sword above Alice’s head. His blessing was his final act of tenderness. He was the Archangel of Judgment; he would not be soft-hearted.
Adenasi wanted to resist but was pushed away by an immense force. Just as the gleaming Holy Sword was about to strike, a finger lightly blocked it. “Oh dear, little Gabby, you’re still as impatient as ever.” Michael flicked the sword’s blade with his finger, and with a ‘clang,’ the Holy Sword returned to its original height. Gabriel pursed his lips and obediently sheathed his sword.
“Michael, letting her live will only result in her experiencing increasingly painful torment. Killing her now is a form of salvation, and moreover, she does indeed have the risk of transforming into a high-level undead.”
“Your redemption theory is long outdated. Go chat with the old man of Light more, watch a play with him, and stop being so grim all day like a coffin lid.” Michael waved his hand casually. The ice that Alice had conjured beneath her feet instantly melted, and in its place, a clump of foxtails sprouted. “She can still be saved; don’t make a premature judgment.” Michael bent down, picked a foxtail, and placed it in his mouth, a playful smile curving his lips.
Alice
Alice
