My Living Shadow System Devours To Make Me Stronger Chapter 893 - 894: All Good Things

The emperor swiftly stepped in as the host to rally everyone together. With so many prominent leaders already on site, coordinating their efforts and outlining a preliminary strategy made sense before they all dashed off to defend their own territories.

Immediate strikes from demons loomed as a real threat too, now that they had plunged headlong into full-scale war.

The leaders of the war banks started pivoting resources toward a full wartime setup right away. Money flowed into armaments and every other demand that conflict required.

Damon pulled Luna and Iris with him, trailing after Evangeline and her mother toward the Brightwater family's fortress in the capital. It stood as the most secure spot available to them.

Silence hung heavy inside the carriage. The day's shocking discoveries had left them all speechless. Damon stole quick looks at his sister, wishing she'd break the quiet.

"I won't pry if you don't feel like sharing," she said softly.

Damon grinned.

"Truth is, I was counting on you asking."

"How long have you kept this hidden?" she cut in, hungry for details.

Damon lifted his shoulders, his frame still throbbing from the injuries endured in that nightmarish ordeal.

"For some time now. Turns out Mom really intended for us to stay with that old codger all these years. The villagers caught on but never spilled a word to us out of fear. They didn't even dig deeper once they heard 'noble'—it shut them down cold."

Luna shot him a sharp, icy stare.

"So you hid all this from me for ages, didn't you?"

Damon extended his hand and patted her head.

"If it helps, Evangeline was in on it too and pretended otherwise."

Evangeline tsked in annoyance.

"I just learned about it not long ago. Don't drag me into this mess."

Damon kept teasing Evangeline relentlessly until the group arrived at the castle.

...

Darkness had claimed the sky long ago, and the turmoil of the day had at last subsided.

After what felt like forever, Damon retrieved the elixir from his chamber. He set it down on the desk and eyed Luna.

"Here it is—the elixir of pseudo immortality. To be honest, I'm not sure of its complete powers. What I do know is that it'll heal you completely."

Luna grasped the vial and turned to her brother.

"Spare me the dangers. I believe in you. Anyway, starting today, I'll be the one shielding you."

She lifted the vial and swallowed its liquid.

For an instant, everything stayed the same.

Suddenly, her hair shimmered with intense white radiance. Magical power surged through her heart, and her form rose a bit off the ground before easing back down.

She lifted her palm, examining herself. Her mouth trembled as she channeled mana along her magic circuits.

"The agony... it's vanished," she breathed, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Damon offered a gentle smile. Had he perished, this moment would have forever escaped him.

Luna's sobs wouldn't cease, so Damon simply allowed them. The girl had endured more hardship than anyone should.

At length, sleep claimed her, and Damon bore her to her quarters.

Back in his room, a young woman with fiery red hair perched on his bed.

He gave a subtle smile upon spotting her.

"I never saw the demons launching war coming. It all feels like it's unraveling too fast," she murmured.

Damon shrugged.

It was bound to happen eventually.

He settled next to her.

"You had it right. Death wasn't the solution after all. I figured ending it would spite him, but the Unknown God showed I couldn't escape that way. As the god of choice, how could I think any path I picked would slip past him?"

He bowed his head.

"Even in death, nothing would keep him from pulling me back. He's already proven he can do it. I might lock myself in a cycle of self-destruction, only for him to resurrect me over and over."

Lilith's eyes tightened a fraction.

"If that's true, then what drove him? It had to be something big enough to pour all that effort into. Were you the main goal, or just the lure?"

She cradled her forehead.

"Don't forget the flower. Ittorath fetched it on his orders, so it must've mattered a lot. That flower was probably his key aim. But maybe he also wanted to reveal Lazarak's history to us?"

She twisted toward him, tucking her legs under as she sat on the bed.

"What if he's laying a snare for the goddess races? We might hate the trials we faced, but we've uncovered way more secrets now. We probably grasp the Zero Epoch and the gods' downfall better than almost anyone."

She dangled a key from her fingers.

"And the Tomb of Lazarak—no, the resting place of the lesser gods. That's where they all lie in wait."

Damon let out a heavy sigh.

"Guess the next puzzle is unraveling Mugu's history and his roots in the demon land of Centros."

Lilith dipped her chin a touch, then agreed with a nod.

"Exactly. But that's not why I showed up. I came to say sorry—for it all. I regret not honoring your choice."

Damon shook his head.

"You were correct, and I was more wrong."

He laid his hand atop hers.

She rose gradually.

"I need to leave. We'll chat tomorrow morning."

Damon caught her wrist. His pulse raced as he drew her close into his embrace.

He brushed his lips along her neck deliberately, drawing a deep blush to her features.

He murmured into her ear.

Next, he claimed her lips in a kiss. They felt tender, and he inhaled the floral hint of gardenia.

His fingers found the zipper at her back and eased it open, grazing her smooth skin as the dress fell loose.

He cupped the pale softness of her breast, eliciting a soft gasp from her.

He guided her down onto the bed with care while she worked to remove his garments.

Gentle sighs filled the air as they tangled amid the bedding.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

End of Volume Six

Author’s Note

Finally, that jerk has broken. Picture my torment watching him tangle with Lilith—that lowlife. You probably missed it because of how nicely I handle him, but my goal is to wreck his existence.

It's okay, though. As a dude, it stings seeing one guy parched while another swims in excess. Have your fun, Damon. I'm plotting your downfall in the next arc.

Setting my jealous gripes aside.

This volume focused on unearthing history and perhaps tracing the promise's source: "Create something beautiful."

As you've noticed, it lacks a straightforward beginning. Time twists in baffling patterns, beyond mortal grasp.

Anyway, this volume wraps up now. It stretched longer than planned, but I won't skimp on quality. Still, the finish line nears—only three arcs remain.

I hope you'll journey with me until the close.

Signed,

Rengadex