Reincarnated As The Villainess's Son-Chapter 354 [Wedding By Blood] [6]

"And that's how I am here."

As Shyamal finished her explanation, I gently nodded my head.

"So you were dragged here along with Esmeray."

I summed up her words as she looked at me.

"Pretty much."

Rubbing my chin, I looked around.

The streets of Artemis City were filled with people, devotees of Gwenyra.

Most of them lived their own lives, ignoring us who blended quietly with the crowd.

Some were Asuras, but mostly they belonged to the Demiurge race.

'Of course, because of our disguise.'

Every corner had statues of the goddess adorning street intersections, carved from pristine marble.

"What are you looking at so intently?"

She just smiled, her crimson eyes softened. "...Nothing."

I shrugged. "So, Esmeray is also here?"

"Yes." She replied, tearing her gaze away. "She was invited as well."

"Hmm."

Why did she join though?

Esmeray isn't someone who shows herself in front of others without any reason.

She is cautious and calculative enough to not join a meeting filled with demigods.

'Then why?'

Something doesn't add up.

Things are happening behind the scenes, and I don't like it.

I sighed.

Glancing sideways, I caught Shyamal still staring at me.

"How is Esmeray's organization?" I asked, wrapping my arm around her shoulders.

She leaned in, pressing herself against my side.

"...Everyone there is a zombie," she murmured, resting her chin against my shoulder. "Their sole reason to live is serving her."

"I see." I mumbled, noticing the height difference between us.

She used to be taller, or is it because she's leaning against me?

"Esmeray can kill anyone she wants socially. " She continued, glancing at me. "I hate to say it, but you can't kill her right now."

"....I know." I whispered softly, looking at the streets.

E.C.T.O isn't just any random organization.

It has been there for a long time; all Esmeray did was kill the previous owner and take his place.

Before I could say anything, her arms wrapped around my waist, her hold possessive yet oddly gentle.

"Don't worry," she whispered, her voice calm. "I'll try to kill her whenever I get the chance."

"Huh?" My head snapped towards her. "Why do something so stupid? What if—."

"She won't harm me." She assured me, her voice calm. "For some reason, she is keeping a close relationship with every vessel."

"....."

That's something I wasn't aware of.

I frowned. "Wait, every?"

"Yep." She replied, bobbing her head.

I nodded gently. "Anything else?"

"Nothing." She shook her head. "She keeps me away from most of the inside work. Most of my tasks are related to killing."

I squeezed her gently. "Must be hard."

"Nope." She replied with a gentle smile. "I enjoy my work. Killing is fun."

"...."

Nevermind, I forgot she is crazy.

Rubbing my temples, I took us to an empty bench before making her sit beside me.

"How are things on your side?" Shyamal asked, sitting beside me.

"Bad." I replied softly. "But not that bad."

"Did you find a way to get life energy?" She asked, concern lacing her voice.

A sudden heat rushed over my body as I remembered that girl.

I averted my gaze from her. "...Yeah."

Shyamal narrowed her eyes. "How?"

"...."

Should I lie?

I mean, I'm pretty sure she would try to kill Siersha if she found out about everything.

"Az?" She whispered, bringing her face closer.

"My...new fiancée is helping me." I replied honestly with a tired sigh.

A heavy silence lingered between us.

She took her sweet time staring at me.

The look of possession she had in her eyes.

Damn.

"…New fiancée?" she repeated slowly.

I let out a long sigh. "Yeah."

"Siersha, right?" She whispered softly.

"...Yeah."

Shyamal blinked. Once. Twice.

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Then, very slowly, she exhaled through her nose, lips pressing into something that vaguely resembled a smile—but it wasn't a kind one.

"I see."

That was it.

No explosion, no snide remark.

Just when I was about to sigh.

Her fingernail dug into my forearm—

"Ow. Ow. Shyamal!"

I groaned as she started scratching me repeatedly.

Grabbing both her hands, I forcefully stopped her.

"Tell me." She said, narrowing her eyes. "Do you like her?"

"I hate her with a passion." I replied instantly. "And I don't think it's going to change."

She drew in a deep breath. "...Keep on hating her then."

Yanking her hand away, she puffed her cheeks.

I looked at the scratches that she gave me.

"You haven't changed a bit."

She glanced at me. "And you have changed a lot. You're more mature than the Az I used to know."

I chuckled softly. "No. I haven't changed at all."

Everything is the same.

I'm still the same guy I was before.

Deep down, I still haven't overcome my weakness.

"Hey." I looked at Shyamal as she gently squeezed my hand. "Aren't you pushing yourself too hard?"

"I am not." I smiled gently. "All who are against me are far more powerful—."

"Yes, but they weren't powerful when they were born." She interrupted, standing up. "You can surpass all of them. Give yourself some time."

I shook my head. "That's the problem. I don't have any time."

If I want extra life energy without harming anyone, then I need to become Eternal as soon as possible.

The problem is.

'It's not easy to form a kingdom.'

It took years for even Esmeray and Ragnar to make their Kingdom.

I don't have any idea how long it would take me.

"There should be many ways to get life energy, right?" Shyamal asked, staring into my eyes. "I have heard some steal others' life energy—."

"Those are unethical ways."

She frowned. "Are you letting your morality take over your reasoning?"

I sighed. "It's not that."

Shyamal silently tightened her grip on my hand.

"Just keep in mind." She whispered softly. "I would rather love sinner Az than grieve over his grave."

I smiled, pinching her cheek. "Don't kill me off."

She grumbled something before taking her seat on my lap.

Leaning on me, she whispered. "Hopefully, I won't become a widow without spending my wedding night."

"...."

My lips twitched at the subtle hint.

But for now, I tried to remain oblivious.

"Hmm?"

Shyamal blinked before she turned slightly. "Why is mana behaving weirdly around you?"

"Oh. This?" I replied, looking at my body. "I just made another layer."

Shyamal blinked innocently.

Then—.

"What?"

She asked, dumbfounded.

"Mana layer for Overlord—."

"I know that." She replied, not trying to hide her confusion. "But don't you have to sit down and meditate?"

I shrugged. "I used to, but now my body makes them on its own."

"....That's so unfair." She grumbled, and for the first time, I saw her envious. "Just when I thought I had the upper hand."

I smiled, kissing her cheek gently. "Don't worry, I'm the only one who can do it."

"I know." She grumbled, leaning against me while closing her eyes.

Her face softened a lot while I kept on taking in a deep breath trying to control myself.

'Fuck you Siersha.'

She had really fucked my body.

"Something is poking—."

"Shut up."

I grumbled, hiding my face in her silver hair.

But all of a sudden Shyamal stood up.

She turned around looking at the darkness behind us.

Her face turned cold as she summoned her scythe. "Come out, bitch."

I stood up as well, still confused.

Looking back, I found no one.

Until—.

Someone walked out of the darkness.

"...."

My body tensed up as only after seeing her did I notice her presence.

"Hello."

Zeline smiled , waving her hand.

****

Back inside Gwenyra's palace.

A man in his mid-fifties sat lazily.

He had short ebony hair that had turned slightly grey from aging while a short greyish beard covered his face.

Edel Von Castia, the head of Castia highbloods.

"Why do you think?" Edwin asked his own question.

"To ask for her help in dealing with elves." Edel scoffed , looking at him. "Even a child can understand that much."

His eyes stared at the man sitting in front of him.

"Why did you join her meeting?" Edel asked, looking at the man with black hair.

Edwin's crimson eyes turned towards him.

"Why do you think?" Edwin asked his own question.

"To ask for her help in dealing with elves." Edel scoffed , looking at him. "Even a child can understand that much."

Edwin kept his face stoic , not giving in to his taunt.

"But I don't understand." Edel continued, staring at him. "Why go to such lengths? Can't you take on the elves on your own?"

Edwin kept his silence for a long while.

Then—.

"It's not the elves that I fear." Edwin whispered softly.

"Then who?" Curiously, he asked.

"...."

Edwin didn't reply but kept on looking at him.

His gaze urging him to guess the person.

"Don't tell me you are afraid of that child." Edel scoffed , looking at him. "He is practically a dead body."

'A dead body with the power to rule over everything.'

Edwin kept his thoughts to himself.

Since the time he had known about Himmel's ability to control Muspelh and Neplh.

Edwin had done his fair share of research.

And now he could confidently say—.

'I can't take him lightly.'

What Edwin fears the most is variables, and Himmel is one. A huge one.

'Once that child realizes the full potential of his abilities....'

Edwin wasn't confident enough to deal with him.

Despite the threat Himmel posed, Edwin refused to kill him just now.

His greed to execute his perfect plan tied his own hands.

"What about you?" Edwin asked as he looked back at Edel. "Why did you come here?"

"To ask her something." Edel replied curtly without changing his expression.

Edwin just kept looking at him.

'Is it perhaps about her?'

He wondered, looking outside the window.

Due to Gwenyra's restrictions , he couldn't use his senses beyond the palace.

That irritated him for no reason.

Just when Edel opened his mouth.

The world shifted.

The place around them expanded as they both tensed up.

Then—.

It all came to an abrupt halt.

Edel threw himself up as he glared at the man sitting in front of him.

His entire body screamed as he got in a defensive position.

"Thank you, Gwenyra."

The man with long vibrant red hair said, leaning against his chair.

His gaze solely on Edel.

"How have you been, brother-in-law?"

Ragnar asked with a cocky smile on his face.