The Conquerors Path Chapter 967 - 965-Choices We Make.

Elda strained to create even the slightest disturbance in the vital life force of her companions, yet despite her intense focus, she found herself unable to manipulate its flow. Her entire existence had been dedicated to the arts of healing and restoration; transforming a sacred blessing into a weapon of blood and slaughter was no simple feat—particularly since Elda lacked the profound knowledge required for such a dark evolution.

Nevertheless, a realization dawned upon her: if she truly committed herself, she could master it. She could warp this essence into an invisible killer, a power that could strip away life force and manipulate it at her whim—a terrifying ability where a mere glance could extinguish a soul without leaving a single clue behind.

This was a path paved with carnage and demise, one that might eventually brand her as one of the most cold-blooded figures in history. Yet, Elda didn't hesitate. She was focused on a larger, more ominous reality she desperately wished to circumvent. Understanding the limits of what she and her brother could reveal to the world, she had learned to endure her share of resentment and agony. However, that did not mean she would ever permit anyone to harm Austin or separate him from her side.

Elda’s gaze shimmered with intensity as she observed the pulsating life forces surrounding her friends. To her eyes, these energies were delicate and unique, resembling ripples disturbed by a gentle breeze, yet they remained resilient and tethered to their physical forms. In her mind’s eye, she envisioned a future where, if she perfected this gift, even a mighty Dragon might fall dead under her piercing stare.

Perhaps even a Dragon Princess would succumb, leaving no evidence to link Elda to the crime. It would be the ultimate, flawless assassination.

Her thoughts raced through various outcomes before anchoring on a single path—a choice she had long delayed for intricate reasons, but one that now seemed undeniably necessary. By pursuing the knowledge and steps laid out before her, she could manifest these dark visions. One day, an untraceable murderer would emerge—a phantom with no connections or trails for anyone to follow, a killer that even the Dragons would come to dread.

She would become a raw, lethal force, unburdened by the guilt of taking lives, driven by the twisted conviction that their existences held no value in her sight.

With these thoughts swirling, Elda maintained a soft, compassionate smile for her friends. She acted as their pillar of support while burying her sinister ambitions deep within her soul. She smiled with apparent joy, even as she contemplated their ultimate demise.

As the saying goes...

Keep your friends close, and your rivals even closer.

.....

Austin’s POV:

As I stroked Elda’s hair while she rested contentedly in my lap, a cold shiver ran down my spine. I recognized the subtle shift in her behavior. Until this moment, Elda had been satisfied staying within the boundaries of her known abilities, never seeking to push her limits. However, the second she truly commits to altering the course of her life, a monster will be unleashed—an entity far more formidable than anyone could possibly imagine.

A seed of anxiety took root in my mind. As the Prince of Life, I am intimately aware of what can be achieved when one controls the essence of existence; murder is merely the simplest application. With enough precision, one could dismantle the very molecular foundation of a living being. I could reduce a person to a conscious mass of sludge by simply unraveling their genetic sequence.

It is essentially like tugging on a thread; a single pull on a person's life force would collapse their biological structure into something nightmarish. By fluctuating that energy, one could force the growth of extra limbs or horns. If pushed further, the very nature of a species could be altered—I have the power to twist a human into a demon.

Naturally, such a feat is currently beyond Elda. To accomplish such things requires a staggering amount of energy and a level of divinity that permits the manipulation of causality and universal laws. Even so, the "lesser" version of what Elda will become as she grows in power and her Origin level rises will be utterly terrifying and lethal.

I felt a mixture of fury and sorrow. Seeing something I cherish—something so pure and beautiful—becoming corrupted in this way filled me with a burning rage. It ignited a hunger within me to make those responsible suffer beyond measure.

I forced those dark impulses down. I still vividly recall the overwhelming sensation of death I encountered at the crack, and I know I am not yet strong enough to confront it. For now, I must follow the path ahead—a journey that will grant me the strength to truly matter across the various realms.

A smile touched my lips as I kissed Elda’s forehead. She hummed in delight, snuggling closer into my arms. Despite my reservations, I knew the die was cast. From this point on, Elda would strive to dominate her powers and ascend in the Origin realm. She would finally accept the offer to be mentored by the Saintess of Life.

My expression hardened. I don't actually want Elda to reach her maximum potential—not yet. As I noted, she would become far too dangerous, capable of killing without leaving a trace. I didn't want that future to manifest, which is why I previously had Hera offer to take Elda as a disciple. Elda had refused back then.

She had been hesitant about seeking that kind of power, but her resolve has clearly changed. I want her to grow stronger, but I want to prevent her from taking that dark path. Hera is my insurance policy. She will instruct Elda and ensure she doesn't discover the secrets of killing through life force—and if Elda does find that path, Hera will ensure her techniques never truly function.

Hera possesses superior authority over life because she was chosen by Orpheus himself. Furthermore, I can manipulate her control over life to ensure Elda remains suppressed. One might ask: why not just intervene now and end the problem?

It would be an easy fix, and I wouldn't have to worry about the future consequences.

The reason is quite simple.

I simply cannot bring myself to strip away Elda’s potential and her chosen path like that. I love her far too much. To rob her of the future she envisions for herself is not something I can do to her. Perhaps in the past, when I was devoid of emotion, I could have done it—just as I manipulated Trisha and did even worse. But I refuse to walk that road any longer.

I want to move forward. If I continue to steal the blessings and potentials of those around me, then even if I possess their love, I will remain eternally isolated. I cannot merely take their affection; I must offer mine in return. This means there are boundaries I must respect, regardless of my fears.

If Elda eventually achieves total mastery and even Hera cannot restrain her, only then will I step in to pull her back as a final resort. Until that day comes, I want Elda to live her own life and pursue her own path—even if it is currently being warped from within.

[A total hypocrite until the very end.]