[Vol. 8] Chapter 281: Each One’s Preparations
Like his emotions were shaken by some outside message, the gray mist under the hood of the God of Paradox suddenly started to stir violently, and even the ancient god’s words he spoke carried more surprise than before.
[…You’re insane?]
“You’re scared?”
Faced with the mortal emperor’s mocking question, the god stayed silent for a moment, something rare, then only shook his head slightly.
[Do you really think that thing is unbeatable?]
Leonis lightly tapped the snake-shaped jade ring in his hand. His voice was calm, as if he was only stating a fact.
“If you’re not afraid, then why do you carve its image into your emblem so you see it every day? So even so-called gods deceive themselves?”
[Playing with words is meaningless.]
“Heh, true enough.”
The emperor allowed himself a rare smile, but it was cold and insincere. He looked as relaxed as if chatting with an old friend after a long time.
“By the way, about that goddess of the Holy Empire you once fought. After all this time, did you find anything out? Don’t tell me your explanation back then was just to brush me off?”
[We did find some things, but we are no longer partners. Why should I tell you?]
“If you won’t say, then forget it.”
Leonis shook his head, as if he truly didn’t care. In truth, as a ruler high above all others, there were very few beings among mortals who dared, and were qualified, to speak to him like this. The God of Paradox, though a god and without emotion, was one of the rare ones who could, due to their delicate relationship.
Even now, that strange connection seemed to still exist. In fact, with no more shared interests, it felt even more pure.
The god’s image was silent for a while longer, before speaking in a low voice.
[You know, you and I are very alike.]
The emperor shook his head again, still expressionless.
“No, we are nothing alike. Every action I take has a purpose, a meaning. I weigh gains and losses before I act. You, on the other hand, are just a lunatic who acts only to please yourself. On the surface we may look similar, but in truth we are worlds apart. Honestly, I’ve never liked you.”
Exmont didn’t get angry, he laughed instead.
[How amusing~ It’s been over a thousand years since anyone dared speak to me like this. You have courage.]
“Wrong again. I’ve always been cowardly. That’s exactly why I chase great power, only by holding everything in my own hands can I feel safe. The only reason I dare speak to a god like this today is because I’m sure you currently pose no threat to me, nothing more.”
[Heh~]
As if he could never understand anger or insult, the god on the other side of the world simply chuckled again. Then, as if making some decision, he spoke after a pause.
[If you insist on going down that path, she may be your greatest enemy ahead. But you cannot beat her, so your failure is already certain.]
Leonis raised his head to look at the other side. A flicker of surprise crossed his stern, cold face.
“Since we met, this seems to be the first time you’ve spoken about something with such certainty. Aren’t you famous for being rational and cautious? Or is that goddess truly that powerful?”
“Come to think of it, back then your [Twilight Council] sent nearly ten members together to attack her, yet you still failed in the end. Even among gods, can there really be such a huge difference between individuals?”
Exmont thought for a moment and, unlike last time, did not deny it right away. He even nodded slightly.
[Of course, there are differences between gods. But these differences can’t be judged by the simple rankings you mortals use. Although the council’s failure to surround and defeat her back then was caused by many reasons, that does not mean that goddess could really fight nearly ten council members alone. But I can tell you clearly, based on the power she showed at that time, even with a careful and conservative estimate, she could at least be ranked in the top three in the council.]
[And if I’m not wrong, in that great battle back then, she probably still held back and hid some of her real strength. Do you understand what I mean?]
“So, she’s stronger than you?”
[………Yes.]
Even after getting such a certain answer, there was no change in the look on Leonis’s face. Instead, he slowly returned to a calm state.
“That’s good. If victory is too easy, it becomes boring. And besides, just because you couldn’t do something… doesn’t mean I can’t.”
[Is that so.]
As if seeing something clearly, the God of Paradox in the image said nothing more. He soon turned around. The green jade ring carved with snake patterns slowly lost its glow, the divine power inside faded away, and it finally became just an ordinary object with no life or power.
The god’s figure disappeared into the night, marking the end of a cooperation and the start of a complete break.
The next time they meet, they will be enemies, not friends.
On the star observatory, only a quiet sigh remained.
[It seems… we really are different.]
…………………………………………
Frederick City, Princess’s Palace.
As the most valued by the current Emperor, achieving great victories at a young age, and famous across the land, the [Two-Colored Lotus of the Empire], Carinvega Frederick, is the only one among the dozens of imperial children to be granted a title and given special permission to have her own palace outside the main palace, along with the right to form her own private army.
The [Princess’s Palace] is simply called [Princess’s Palace]. The Austre Empire has many princesses, but there is only one Carinvega. In the entire hundred-year history of the Austre Empire, there has never been a princess with such amazing talent and brilliance. Therefore, the meaning of this palace is very clear and obvious.
Of course, since Princess Carinvega has not yet graduated from the Imperial Royal Academy, even though her residence was given to her early, she actually has not lived in the palace for long.
After all, the imperial capital is large, and the Royal Academy is not close to the Princess’s Palace. Compared to traveling back and forth every day, living in the academy dormitory is much more convenient.
But for some unknown reason, in recent days, she suddenly left the academy, requested sick leave, and stayed inside the Princess’s Palace all day, saying she was recovering from illness. She has not stepped outside for several days now.
The [Two-Colored Lotus of the Empire] is very well-known in the capital, so naturally, her every move draws public attention. Hearing that the princess was sick, many people, whether friends from the academy or important imperial ministers, went to visit her. But most were stopped by the guards, who said the illness might be contagious. In the end, they could not even enter the main hall and had to leave in disappointment.
What illness she actually has has become one of the hottest topics in the capital recently. But no matter how outsiders guess or argue, only a very small number of people truly know the situation inside the Princess’s Palace these days.
“Your Highness, based on the schedule, the work should be completely finished and adjusted today. What should we do next?”
Inside the main hall of the Princess’s Palace, Rosie, one of the [Two-Colored Lotus of the Empire]’s closest subordinates and also a student at the Imperial Royal Academy, stood beside Carinvega.
She was wearing a neat magic robe different from the school uniform and holding a staff. She looked toward a large, complex magic machine being assembled in the inner courtyard, then turned her gaze to the red-haired princess beside her.