Munitions Empire Chapter 2022 - 1884: Frenzied Red (Part 2)

Sofia is now utterly consumed by her vengeful fixation. She remains blind to the perils lurking ahead and deaf to all counsel, just like a machine locked into its fixed routine, charging steadfastly into ruin.

"You’re completely insane..." The man forced out these words between clenched teeth, his quivering finger jabbing at Sofia, eyes brimming with terror and incredulity, "In your current state, you have no shot left! Just look at yourself—like a cornered animal, thrashing in vain!"

"No!" Sofia sneered, her voice brimming with assurance: "On the contrary, my odds of victory are excellent. Do you believe the empire Tang Mo established is truly indestructible? How naive! It all rests solely on Tang Mo; he forms its very cornerstone. Once he perishes, the empire will crumble and shatter immediately, akin to a massive structure deprived of its base, toppling down in a thunderous roar."

"His followers are truly powerful." The man gasped, gazing at the pills before him, murmuring to himself: "Luff, Tagg, Chu Muzhou... none will submit to others; the Great Tang Empire is bound to fracture from within. At that point, we won’t even need to act—they’ll destroy each other!"

"Regardless." The man fought to prop himself up, yelling in anguish, "You’re as good as dead already! See your state! You’re no longer human or spirit; you’re basically a walking cadaver!"

"That means nothing." A spark of frenzy gleamed in Sofia’s gaze: "I’d gladly perish alongside him. Dragging him to the underworld with me would be the ultimate privilege."

"You..." The man stared at Sofia’s unhinged visage, struck speechless for a moment, drowned in utter helplessness.

"That’s precisely why I restored my hair to red..." Sofia stroked her flowing red locks, her eyes distant, lost in memories: "At today’s festivities, I’ll shine as the fairest beauty... When he lays eyes on me, remorse will flood his heart. This reunion will be our first—and his final day upon this earth."

The man fell quiet briefly, then couldn’t hold back: "Do you truly believe he’ll feel regret? He might not spare you a thought. To him, you could be utterly insignificant."

"Wrong." Sofia’s gaze sharpened fiercely: "He will rue it. I know him inside out, grasp his deepest cravings, understand his ultimate longing."

"Should there exist a realm beyond death." Sofia’s tone softened, weaving a tender reverie: "I’d permit him to kiss my hand... He alone captivates me among men; I’d bestow that distinction. He’ll lament crossing me; he ought to kneel like every other man, worship my feet... and offer the Great Tang Empire as tribute to me!"

"Deranged woman..." The man slumped powerlessly to the floor, his stare vacant, whispering: "You’re a lunatic! Utterly deranged!"

"Hahahaha." Sofia’s laughter erupted wildly, laced with frenzy and hopelessness: "Thanks for the praise. Now swallow these Black Crow Pills quickly, so we can join the most spectacular... spectacle the world has ever seen."

"Quit this folly..." The man begged desperately: "Turn away, abandon it, Sofia! You can still rebuild your life! No matter how you choose to exist, it’ll surpass most others..."

"No turning back now." Sofia shook her head firmly, eyes unyielding: "I’ve ventured too deep into this path."

"Will you really go through with it?" The man demanded in desperation.

"Yes!" Sofia replied decisively: "My mind is set."

No one can sway her from her scheme; it stands as the finest conclusion she’s decreed for herself and the realm.

"You’ll regret this!" The man bellowed.

"I harbor no regrets." Sofia stated coolly: "I’ve never once regretted anything."

With those words, a memory stirred in Sofia, as though a fragment of her soul had drifted away... the very thing she sought to demolish had perhaps been her heart’s desire in a brief, vanished instant.

"Psycho! You absolute psycho!" The man spat curses once more.

"Maybe so." Sofia offered a subtle smile, eyeing the wall clock: "But that’s the real me."

"Take the pills now!" Cutting off the man mid-sentence, she pressed, "Time’s running short. Move faster; I can’t afford delays."

"I..." The man wavered.

"Fear not." Sofia reassured him softly, "Death holds no terror; the true horror is existing like the undead."

"I... don’t wish to die..." The man remained torn.

"Have faith in me." Sofia coaxed tenderly, "The worst torment is a life eclipsing death. You’re fortunate to decide... This choice will crown your existence."

"We will go to hell together..." The man finally resolved himself, shaking as he grasped a Black Crow Pill and swallowed it.

Once the final barrier crumbled, once agony eclipsed his dread of dying, after downing that initial Black Crow Pill, despair overwhelmed him, prompting him to snatch the dark pills from the floor and cram them into his mouth.

In his miserable, degraded condition, he resembled a desperate vagrant scavenging scraps from the dirt. Sofia, showing no pity whatsoever, merely gazed at the man's relentless consumption of Black Crow Pills, a twisted grin forming on her lips.

"That’s right." Sofia nodded approvingly, "We will embrace a new beginning together."

"A new beginning..." The man whispered to himself, his body now numb to pain from the pills, his gaze turning vacant, his expression settling into an eerie serenity, like that of a living dead man.

"Yes." Sofia confirmed, "A new beginning... or perhaps the final ending."

...

The sturdy oak door was softly nudged open by the butler, emitting a faint groan. The initial view revealed a man in a sleek black suit, perfectly groomed, back to his typical poise and affluence.

He positioned himself beside the crimson velvet couch, akin to a devoted sentinel protecting Sofia as she lounged there. His eyes had lost their haze, now holding a hollow tranquility, as though nothing held significance any longer. Sofia sprawled indolently on the sofa, lightly twirling a glass of golden-amber liquor in her grasp, the blood-red drink spinning at her fingers like flickering fire.

"Sir, the car is ready." The butler inclined his head politely and announced with respect, "Per the timetable, you and madam ought to depart now." His tone remained subdued and even, laced with a subtle nudge.

Sofia gracefully set the wine glass down on the elaborate side table and stood up leisurely, her scarlet gown highlighting her blazing red locks, as if a vivid blaze swayed softly. Years had etched lines on her features, and her time in the Dorne Southern Jungle had dulled her once-pale complexion, yet this seasoned allure remained utterly mesmerizing, still glowing and compelling.

"I know, let’s go." Sofia replied softly, her voice infused with an unquestionable command. She glided elegantly to the door, the man trailing right behind like a loyal silhouette.

The butler observed their departure in silence, his decades of polished service concealing every feeling under a serene mask. He had grown habituated to heeding the new lady of the house, keeping silent and concealing his preferences effortlessly.

The former lady had perished under mysterious circumstances months prior, and the master had swiftly wed this stunning, enigmatic woman. Despite knowing fragments of the truth, he kept such curiosities locked away. As butler, his role demanded compliance, not inquiry.

The sleek black limousine purred to life, blending into the ceaseless flow of cars beyond the glass. Many were opulent rides for celebration attendees, adorned extravagantly and imposingly magnificent.

Hours passed, and the grandest coronation event globally was set to commence at the planet's hub, the mightiest metropolis, Chang’an...

Rays of sun pierced the vehicle’s window, illuminating Sofia’s visage and mirroring the hunger and craving in her stare. She yearned to ascend that platform, bathed in lights, to stun the globe and etch her striking red tresses into eternal memory.