Novel's Extra: I Awakened The Strongest Physique From The Start-Chapter 226 - 227 - Beatrice Again.

The soft glow of moonlight seeped through the gaps in the curtains, casting silver streaks over the two figures tangled together on the grand bed. The warmth of their bodies lingered even as exhaustion slowly settled in.

Zahara lay nestled against Alex’s chest, her fingers tracing idle patterns over his skin. Her breath was steady, her heartbeat a soft rhythm against his side.

Alex exhaled with a smile, his hand running through Zahara’s hair as he gazed at the ceiling.

In their time filled with passion, neither of them had held back. They didn’t even know how long they had been in the room; all they knew was that it was already night.

At first, it was just Alex who did everything, but slowly, Zahara started actively participating.

Before they could realize it, they had already done the deed so much that the room was filled with the smell of their sweat and hard work.

Yet now, in the aftermath, a sense of peace settled between them, unspoken but understood.

"Why’re you sighing?" Zahara murmured with a smirk, tilting her head to look at him. A faint smirk touched her lips. "Are you tired?"

Alex scoffed, his fingers lightly flicking her forehead. "I should be asking you that."

She chuckled, the sound vibrating against his skin as she pressed closer. "As if. I said I was going to take what I deserved."

His lips curled upward. "And you did."

Zahara hummed in satisfaction, her arms tightening around him as if she were afraid he’d vanish if she let go.

Alex didn’t mind. He let her cling to him, allowing her to bask in the moment just as he did.

The silence stretched, warm and comforting before Zahara spoke again. "Hey," she called out, making Alex raise a brow.

"Is it supposed to feel this good?" She asked, staring right into his eyes, not embarrassed anymore.

Her words had left Alex at a loss of words momentarily before he chuckled. "Yes—at least with me."

Zahara, hearing his question, just nodded her head, snuggling closer to him as she closed her eyes.

She was trying not to look obvious, but she was tired, and Alex knew that as well, so as she snuggled closer, he started caressing her head, helping her reach the world of dreams faster.

For all the chaos that surrounded them, this was a fleeting solace neither wanted to end.

But as always, reality never stayed away for long, and when they woke up, they would have to return to the same busy schedule.

.............................

Far away from the intimate quiet of Alex’s mansion, two figures stood before an imposing castle, its dark stone walls stretching toward the heavens.

Shadows clung to its edges, but the structure itself pulsed with an ancient power, one that sent shivers down Alenia’s spine. Vanessa, standing beside her, remained as still as ever, her cold, expressionless face betraying nothing of what she thought about their surroundings.

She stepped forward, her posture unyielding, her presence demanding attention even in the eerie silence that surrounded them.

As they approached the entrance, the heavy iron doors creaked open, revealing a figure dressed in an elegant black and white maid uniform. However, the moment the light of the grand hallway hit her, it was clear she was no ordinary servant.

Black wings, tainted with the aura of the fallen, extended slightly from her back before folding neatly into place. Her silver eyes gleamed as she regarded the visitors with an unreadable expression.

"State your purpose," the fallen angel maid spoke, her voice smooth and unbothered, as if visitors of their caliber were an everyday occurrence.

Vanessa didn’t hesitate. "We’re here to see Beatrice."

Before the maid could respond, a ripple of energy distorted the air beside her.

In the next instant, a woman with flowing black hair and piercing golden eyes materialized, her lips curling into a playful smile.

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"Now, now," Beatrice mused, waving a hand to dismiss the maid, who bowed and stepped back without question. "There’s no need for such formality, Vanessa."

Her golden eyes gleamed with something unreadable as she tilted her head. "It’s been long since we last met, right? What could possibly bring you here again?"

The last Beatrice had seen Vanessa was during the assassination incident on Alex’s birthday. It hadn’t even been long since then, so seeing Vanessa standing at her castle’s door was a bit surprising.

Especially when she knew that Vanessa didn’t like her much.

"I need your help."

Vanessa’s words, however, caused the grin on her face to vanish.

Help. That was a word Vanessa never said. The number of times Beatrice had heard that word was twice, and both were for requests related to her son.

Beatrice’s expression changed, her eyes turning serious as she asked, "Did something happen to Alex?"

She didn’t even need to ask if the thing Vanessa wanted to talk about was related to Alex. Beatrice was sure it was.

"Wait. Let’s move to an appropriate area to have the conversation," Beatrice interrupted before Vanessa could speak, waving her hand, causing all of them to vanish from the spot they were standing in.

She didn’t want to waste time. Not when it was related to Alex—the only person in this world who could stir her heart, even if just a little.

Yes, it was not the only reason, as the main reason that made her want to help Alex was that. For the first time, she could feel that her goal was achievable, and the one who made it possible was Alex.

.............................

In Beatrice’s chamber.

The grand chamber was dimly lit, the flickering candlelight casting long shadows across the marble floor.

Beatrice sat comfortably on a velvet chaise, her eyes sharp as they flickered between Vanessa and Alenia.

A bottle of aged wine sat untouched on the table beside her, but there was no trace of her usual playful demeanor.

"So," she began, folding her arms. "Tell me everything."

Vanessa wasted no time. "Alex is a hero. A reincarnated one. But he doesn’t remember which god he served in his past life."

Beatrice’s eyes darkened slightly, though her expression remained unreadable. "That’s... concerning."

Alenia, sitting beside Vanessa, nodded. "He hasn’t shown any signs of coming in contact with his god for now. His memories from his previous life are also in shambles. It is possible that he doesn’t even have a god, but we aren’t sure yet."

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Beatrice drummed her fingers against the armrest, a frown sitting on her brows. "A hero without a known god is not possible. Even if it were possible, reincarnation is impossible without divine power."

Then she paused, her jaws clenching as she seemed very dissatisfied with this situation. "If Alex truly doesn’t remember his god, that means one of two things: Either his god abandoned him, or something—or someone—prevented that connection from carrying over."

Those words brought silence to the chamber, all three of them knowing that neither of those situations was good.

An abandoned hero is either hunted or sold, while the latter possibility meant that there was someone strong enough to interfere with another god’s divine power involved.

If the former was dangerous for Alex and the latter was threatening for even them.

Vanessa’s gaze, however, remained steely as she spoke. "We can’t take any risks. If there’s even a slight chance that his god still holds influence over him, we need to sever that link."

Beatrice leaned back, considering the weight of the situation. "And what does Alex himself think about this?"

Vanessa’s lips pressed into a thin line. "He doesn’t know we’re here. And it’s better that way."

Beatrice arched a brow. "Keeping secrets from him, are we? How very motherly of you."

Vanessa’s expression didn’t waver, but Alenia sighed, shaking her head. "We’re not keeping it from him forever. We just need to confirm things first. If we tell him now, he might recall his memories related to the god, and that might make it harder for the link to be severed."

Beatrice, after staring at Alenia for a while, exhaled, tapping a finger against her chin. "That doesn’t justify you guys making decisions in his stead."

Silence stretched between them for a moment before Beatrice finally stood. "Fine. I’ll look into this. But severing a divine connection—if it exists—requires powerful materials. I’ll need time to gather everything."

Vanessa gave a firm nod. "How long?"

Beatrice smirked faintly, though there was no amusement in her gaze. "That depends on how willing the gods are to let me meddle in their affairs."

Alenia tensed. "You think they’ll interfere?"

Beatrice tilted her head, a thoughtful gleam in her eyes. "Oh, I know they will. But that won’t stop me."

Vanessa and Alenia exchanged a glance. Whatever lay ahead, it was now in Beatrice’s hands.

For Alex’s sake, they could only hope she found answers before it was too late.

As the discussion ended, Vanessa was left with her fists clenched and could do nothing other than hope that things would turn better.

She had always thought she was strong enough, but only now did she realize how wrong she was. She was utterly helpless right now.

Alenia had thoughts mirroring Vanessa’s. She didn’t want to be like this and wanted to be there to protect Alex, but he slowly seemed to be going farther and farther from her reach.

It seemed like she would soon be unable to keep up with him.

Beatrice, on the other hand, had something entirely different going on in her head.

’I just hope you aren’t related to gods, Alex,’ she prayed inwardly, her eyes shut tightly. ’I don’t want to kill you.’