Rise of the Lustful Evil Monarch (Re) - Chapter 384

Chapter 384: End of the Trial (2)

Third Person’s POV

“Why did you capture this scarred girl?”

The question was soft and almost tender, but it threaded into the deepest part of her mind with an undeniable authority.

In her weakened and subdued state, she lacked the will or awareness to resist, and the thought of someone deceiving her never even stirred within her as her defenses were stripped bare, and her mind lay open.

“It was our miss’s order,” she answered casually, her voice hollow and entranced.

Hearing this, Ethan’s brows twitched and his silver gaze pulsed again as the voice in her mind pressed even deeper.

“Why?”

“I… don’t know. It was the miss’s order.”

Her words carried no hesitation and no attempt to twist the truth.

Under the full grip of his Soul Veil Manipulation, every syllable she uttered was pure and untainted, devoid of lies.

Knowing that she was fully under his control, Ethan’s certainty in her honesty was absolute.

Yet that truth only unsettled him further.

Confusion stirred in his chest, though he buried it quickly, as whatever the reason behind the order, it was clear he needed answers from the so-called “miss” herself.

Releasing his grip on her mind, Ethan withdrew, but not without leaving a parting gift.

From his eyes, a small, thin, worm-like string slipped into her consciousness and embedded itself deep within her soul.

It pulsed faintly before vanishing from sight, like a silent parasite waiting for his call.

The girl crumpled where she stood and dropped into unconsciousness with a heavy thud.

A snore escaped her throat as if she had been dragged into the deepest, most unnatural sleep.

She remained unaware of the black streaks creeping across her skin, inky tendrils that burrowed beneath her flesh.

They slithered deeper with each breath and started corrupting her body from within.

That was his punishment for her.

Without sparing her another glance, Ethan turned and moved swiftly toward the place where he had earlier kicked down the petite werewolf girl, the supposed “miss” behind their orders.

But, as he had already feared, there was no trace of her.

The earth was scarred by their brief clash, yet the girl herself had vanished and slipped into the forest’s depths the moment she had had the chance all while ignoring her pitiful companions.

Clicking his tongue in mild irritation, Ethan looked around and saw that he was alone once again.

Even the lanky, elusive Alrin had disappeared, as he had clearly felt that wrestling the Blood Crystal Fruits from him would be almost impossible.

He tilted his head back and narrowed his eyes at the position of the sun.

Time was slipping, and he could not afford to waste another moment.

Without hesitation, he broke into a sprint, and his body flowed like a shadow as he raced toward the distant castle.

The forest blurred around him, and branches and roots tore past as though the very world parted to make way for his pace.

Surprisingly, his path remained clear.

Not a beast nor a demon dared to cross him, as if the remnants of his killing intent still lingered, warning the forest itself to stay away.

When at last he reached the colossal barrier of blue light at the end of the forest, he paused briefly.

A massive translucent wall shimmered before him, its surface glowing with a serene blue radiance that rippled like water beneath the sun.

With a steady breath, he stepped through.

The barrier parted like mist and offered no resistance as it closed seamlessly behind him.

On the other side stretched a winding stone path climbing the slope of a great hill.

At its peak loomed the castle, its towering gatehouse dominating the skyline, as its massive walls stretched outward like the jaws of some sleeping beast.

The structure radiated both majesty and menace, as though daring all who approached to measure themselves against its weight.

All around him, figures moved, young men and women clad in a variety of armors and robes, each radiating ambition, power, or arrogance.

Their presence hummed in the air as a reminder that he was not the only contender in this trial.

Yet of Lucy, the blonde demon girl, there was still no sign.

By then, Velcy had stirred within his arms.

Her lashes fluttered as her eyes slowly opened with a dazed but alive look in them.

Ethan glanced at her once, and then, without breaking his stride, the two of them stepped forward together.

Before them yawned a massive gate in the outer wall of the black castle.

There were no doors, and it felt as if he was entering the maw of a massive dark beast that seemed to devour light itself.

As the silent and imposing opening beckoned them inward, they crossed the threshold without any hesitation, their figures swallowed by darkness as they vanished into the tunnel’s depths.

After what felt like a long descent through the oppressive tunnel, Ethan finally emerged into open space.

The dim passage gave way to a vast, dusky arena-like ground that was wide enough to hold hundreds.

The air here was heavy and thick with anticipation from the people gathered here, as the dull murmur of whispers carried across the expanse.

Clusters of young men and women dotted the area as they sat in groups on rough stone benches or directly on the ground.

They spoke in hushed tones, and their gazes flickered not toward each other but toward the high altar standing solemnly at the far end of the ground as whatever was to occur here had already ensnared their attention.

The entire ground was hemmed in by colossal castle walls and the stone ridges stretching upward and outward like a fortress meant to cage the sky itself.

Beyond those walls lay the true academy grounds, and Ethan could sense it even if his eyes could not yet see.

His gaze wandered higher, and he saw vast banners hanging from the towering walls.

Their heavy fabrics swayed with the faint breeze that drifted through the open ground.

Thanks for reading 🙂