Vile Evil Hides Under The Veil Chapter 2010: “I’ll kill My Comfort Before It Kills My Dreams”

With a gaze full of conflicting sentiments, Marina observed Eren. She lingered on him for several heartbeats before her voice broke the silence, low and steady.

"So, are you truly ready to perish at the hands of those who hunt you? Is this entire setup merely a way to organize your own funeral? Will White Raven Island serve as nothing more than the final fortress where you make your last stand?"

Her inquiries resonated deeply within the quiet atmosphere. Azurea shifted her attention between the two men but remained silent, awaiting Eren's reaction.

Eren did not offer an immediate retort. Instead, his eyes drifted toward the island's perimeter, where the distant town lights flickered against the darkness like a swarm of fireflies.

For a long interval, his face remained an impenetrable mask. Eventually, a soft, dry chuckle escaped his lips—one tinged with a hint of amusement—as he slowly shook his head.

"While I am aware that death will shadow me closely in the days ahead," he remarked, "I have no desire to end my own life. This current endeavor... it isn't a funeral arrangement. It is the groundwork for my resurgence after I have been struck down."

Returning his gaze to her, he flashed a crooked, weary smirk that still radiated his trademark stubbornness.

"Kekeke. Do you honestly believe I was foolish enough to broadcast my location to every enemy I have without having an escape plan? I will never truly die. I possess far too many methods to vanish should the situation demand it.

However, I must concede that I will likely find myself besieged, trapped, and perhaps forced into a temporary retreat. When the hammer falls, I’ll probably take a serious beating."

He laughed lightly, as if he were a mere spectator to the grim future he described.

"My adversaries are neither weak nor lacking in resources. They—" the butcher paused, letting the implication of his words hang in the air, "—are more than capable of driving me to that edge. They might force me into the shadows of obscurity. Naturally, some will also attempt to strip everything from me to force me to bend the knee and enter their service."

His amusement vanished, replaced by a momentary flash of absolute gravity.

"I harbor no fantasies about my own standing. I don't claim to be the mightiest demigod in Labh Salem. Not yet. I am well aware of the threats lurking out there, and I know I can still be wounded, defeated, or broken.

Because of that, they will exhaust every tactic, from raw martial power to intricate conspiracies."

Releasing a slow breath, his voice dropped to a whisper.

"Since I know this outcome is inevitable, I must prepare for a loss. But it won't be a defeat that destroys me. I will lose on my own terms, falling in a way that ensures I rise again with even greater strength. That is the only failure I am willing to tolerate. I am sharing this with you now because I require your assistance. It’s the reason I wanted us to form a connection so quickly."

"It all sounds incredibly exhausting, Eren," Azurea murmured, her eyes fixed on the gazebo’s floor. "If I were you, I would have simply vanished. I wouldn't bother seizing islands or waging wars. I'd just... disappear. Find a quiet life."

She looked up, her expression turning somber.

"Beyond the external enemies you've provoked, the Elder Ichor divinity itself acts like a lingering toxin. In a sense, it seeks to consume its host. Wouldn't life be simpler if you hadn't been chosen as the true successor of God Aleph?"

Eren didn't hesitate for a second; his reply was instantaneous and driven by instinct.

"For better or worse, that thought has never crossed my mind, Azurea. My identity as the true heir to the Elder Ichor's divine throne is exactly what sets me apart," he declared.

"Without it, I would be just another demigod, restricted by the dictates of a pantheon. I would be forced to submit, to bow, and to take orders. That is a fate I would despise. I... crave freedom. I cherish every facet of it. If being one-of-a-kind means the rules don't apply to me, I accept that burden."

He straightened his posture, his voice rising with a quiet, burning intensity.

"Why settle for being a common Ranker when I can be the greatest? Why remain fragile when I have the potential for ultimate power? Why live in fear of the future when I can transcend it?"

As he spoke, a faint glow emanated from Eren’s emerald eyes.

"I refuse to be consumed by mediocrity; instead, I will shatter my own boundaries," he said. "I will destroy my comfort before it has a chance to kill my ambitions."

Suddenly, Eren clapped his hands together, the sharp crack cutting through the heavy mood like a lightning strike in a quiet forest.

"Enough with the grim talk for tonight," he said, a grin returning to his face. "We are under the starlight with plenty of wine, acting as the masters of this island. That alone is a reason to celebrate."

Azurea crossed her arms, an eyebrow arched in disbelief. "Celebrate? After that depressing speech? Are you kidding me? You just finished telling us that every powerhouse and their grandmother is coming to kill us."

Eren gave a casual shrug, his smile remaining fixed.

"What can I say? There’s an advantage to being surrounded. You never have to go looking for a fight; the enemies are everywhere you turn. Besides, I don't want the night ruined by gloom. Let's return to your drinking game."

Azurea squinted at him. "You mean the game you sabotaged by refusing to get drunk? That was cheating, Eren."

Eren let out a laugh. "It wasn't cheating! I just... happen to have a very unique constitution at the moment."

"Typical cheater's excuse," Azurea grumbled, though a faint smile touched her lips.

"Fine. But no more holding back. If you aren't drinking to get hammered, at least drink with some passion."

Eren raised his palms in a gesture of peace. "While that logic escapes me, I'll follow your lead. That's how you emotional types operate, isn't it? Keke."

To the surprise of the others, Marina reached for a cup filled with the glowing liquid. "I'll join in as well," she said quietly. "Quiet nights like this are a rarity."

Azurea blinked in shock. "You? I thought you reached your limit ages ago?"

Marina offered a thin smile. "I did... but that heavy conversation killed my buzz. If we are to be allies, I should probably understand Eren better. For both our sakes."

Eren chuckled. "That's the spirit."

The bottle circulated among them as they refilled their cups, laughing through the chaotic rules of their game. Even if the alcohol couldn't touch him, Eren threw himself into the festivities with high energy—mimicking the burn of the drink and savoring the camaraderie.

After several more rounds, Eren leaned back, addressing the sisters.

"Alright, we've exhausted the topics of war, divinity, and demise. Let's move to something trivial. Likes and dislikes. Who's first?"

Azurea let out a groan. "That's such a childish game."

"Precisely," Eren smirked. "There's nothing wrong with acting like a child once in a while."

He held up a finger. "I love grilled meat, but I can't stand bitter flavors. I'll take a sword over a spear any day. Daggers are better than gauntlets."

Marina went next, her voice hesitant but sincere. "I enjoy the silence of libraries and the rhythm of falling rain. I despise overwhelming perfumes and being interrupted while I'm focused on a book."

"Fair enough," Eren nodded, committing her preferences to memory before turning to the younger sister.

Azurea rolled her eyes but participated nonetheless. "I like spicy food and the feeling of soaring above the clouds where everything looks small. I hate slow, boring music and being told what to do."

Eren laughed heartily. "That last part doesn't surprise me one bit."

The conversation flowed into the deep night, covering everything from childhood memories to the frustrations of their respective powers as the stars moved overhead. The bottle grew lighter, and the tension of their responsibilities seemed to evaporate into the cool air.

By the time the first rays of dawn began to color the horizon, the three were lounging on the grass near the gazebo.

While the plans for the impending storm remained unmade, Eren had successfully forged a foundation of trust with the dragon twins.

He understood that the cooperation of both sisters was vital for the trials awaiting him at the Witches' Sabbath. Despite the potential complications their Calamity Rank dragon status brought, they were invaluable allies.

Consequently, he had put significant effort into earning their confidence.

Grimdawn employed every ounce of his charisma to ensure the dragon sisters felt at ease in his presence. One night was hardly enough to cement a lifelong bond, but it served as a solid beginning.

For the moment, that was exactly what he required.