Evangeline returned to her room and sat by the window. She took out the Moonlight Flower, dripped a few drops of blood onto it, and let it unfurl toward the moon.
She rested her chin in her hand, quietly gazing at the high moon. The Commander’s Fortress was so distance from the battlefield, so she couldn’t hear any commotion. Suddenly, a thorny leaf curled around her fingertip, bringing a faint, sharp sting.
Evangeline looked back at the Moonlight Flower, a faint smile gracing her lips. "What’s wrong?"
The Moonlight Flower swayed its leaves and branches gently, deep purple veins appearing on the surface of its bud.
It keenly sensed Evangeline’s low spirits. Its leaves began to tremble uneasily. Suddenly, the tightly layered bud slowly unfurled. A multi-petaled purple flower the size of a teacup cast its shadow in the moonlight, and a subtle fragrance drifted out, instantly filling the room.
Evangeline quietly gazed at the stunning, bewitching Moonlight Flower before her, and her mood improved considerably.
She gently tapped the petals. "You’ve blood. Does this an you’ll be able to take human form soon?"
The Moonlight Flower, of course, couldn’t answer her, rely swaying in the gentle breeze.
"Nix, I miss you." Evangeline leaned in, her crimson lips gently brushing against a petal.
The Moonlight Flower seed to pause for a mont. Then, its leaves and vines pressed against Evangeline, as if embracing her.
Evangeline gazed at the Moonlight Flower before her, her lips pressed into a thin line, and then her eyes turned back to the moonlit sky.
’Current conquest progress: Danton 100%, The Everwake 100%, Caden Albright 100%. Plus, the cub in my belly—who might be Thorne’s or Loras’s. By that count, the mission is basically halfway done.’
’People have feelings, and I’m no exception. In fact, my emotions are starting to affect now.’
’In my previous conquest missions in other worlds, I always finished quickly and left, never burdened by emotion. But this mission is different. I’ll be staying in this world much longer. The problem is, "longer" isn’t a duration I, a Task Taker, can decide. I might just suddenly be gone one morning.’
’After my vacation, I’ll face a mory wipe and a complete reboot. I’ll forget everything.’
’I don’t know if the original owner of this body will return after I leave, or what will happen to the n. But since I have to leave sooner or later, it’s better to make a clean break. I’m afraid that by the end, I won’t be able to bear leaving.’
Evangeline closed her eyes. When she opened them again, her expression was calm once more.
She tried to sense the locations of Caden Albright and Lachlan again, but she couldn’t discern anything at all. She couldn’t even sense the males who were close to her. This Dragon God, who dared to challenge the Beast God, was truly extraordinary.
’I’ll have to find the location of the Grimgar City-State so other way.’
The night passed quickly.
In the early morning, the sound of chaotic footsteps ca from outside, followed by the panicked voice of an Otterhaven City-State sentry. "Who are you?!"
A mont later, screams echoed from outside.
Before the people outside could knock, Evangeline had already opened the door and walked out.
She glanced down at the unconscious sentry on the ground, raising an eyebrow slightly. Her gaze then shifted to Elias Moretti, who was leaning against the wall wiping blood from his hands. He reeked of blood, as if he had just co from a slaughter.
Seeing her, Elias Moretti stood up straighter, his crimson eyes fixed on her. "I brought everyone back."
Evangeline tilted her head and asked, "Why didn’t you kill them?"
’In my mory, Elias Moretti was only kind to his own tribespeople; he rely used everyone else. Since we’re going to seize the Otterhaven City-State’s territory, its Beastn are just obstacles in our path. With his temperant, he wouldn’t have spared them.’
Elias Moretti understood her implication and shrugged. "I listen to you now."
Evangeline glanced at him without answering, then turned to Loras. He stood tall and graceful; after all he’d been through, his forr timidity had vanished. His expression was gentle as he said softly, "They’re all fine. Don’t worry."
Evangeline nodded slightly, her gaze sweeping over a frightened Lana, a pale-faced Gable, and The Ravening Wolves, who looked ecstatic.
"Get them settled, then purge the remaining people in the Commander’s Fortress. Regardless of whether they are male or female, those willing to follow us can stay—have them sign a contract on this. Those unwilling to stay are to be exiled."
As she spoke, Evangeline handed a piece of parchnt to Loras.
Seeing the familiar scroll of parchnt, the Fallen Beastn’s faces filled with awe.
They knew full well the power of that parchnt. It was sothing that could truly bind them, even more powerfully than a mate contract.
"Alright." Loras nodded. With The Ravening Wolves assisting, he went to patrol the Commander’s Fortress.
Elias Moretti crossed his arms, glanced at the Beastn of the Grymdale Tribe, and chuckled. "How about you give us sothing to do, too?"
Evangeline looked at Elias Moretti’s serious expression and said calmly, "You are all free. If you want to use this territory to expand, I won’t stop you. If you want to leave, I have no objection either. Elias Moretti, you are still the leader of the Grymdale Tribe. That will not change."
’I have no interest in leading a horde of Beastn to conquer new lands. I made this decision because with the Triangle Sea calming down, a major conflict is bound to erupt between Norfell and the Beastman City-states. When that happens, simply returning to Norfell won’t guarantee their safety. Rather than waiting to be attacked, it’s better to strike first. Even if I have to leave, I need to arrange everything properly first. That’s just how I am.’
Elias Moretti stared at Evangeline, suddenly falling silent.
His Adam’s apple bobbed. He turned his head to Gable and said in a low voice, "Take the tribesn and find a place to settle in. I’ll be there shortly."
Gable glanced at him and Evangeline, then, uncharacteristically, said nothing. He led away the group of tribesn, whose eyes were wide, trying to take in everything at once. The impact of the Beastman City-state on the Norfell Beastn was imnse, affecting everything from their lifestyle to their living quarters.
It would probably take them a long ti to get used to this kind of life.
Once everyone had left, the surroundings grew quiet.
"You have sothing to say?" Evangeline looked up, eting Elias Moretti’s gaze. Her own eyes seed to be veiled in mist, their expression unreadable.
Elias Moretti’s hands, hanging by his sides, slowly clenched into fists. He could sense Evangeline’s distance and her detached, calm expression. But even so, he wanted to try one more ti. ’Maybe she’s changed her mind?’
He stared at her intently, his crimson eyes utterly captivating.
"Evangeline, I want to be your male."
"Not like before, when I was just trying to use you. This ti, I’m serious. Very serious."
"You don’t have to answer right away. Just... can you give a chance? A fair chance?"
Elias Moretti’s heart was pounding. He had never expressed such feelings to a female before; it was like he was tearing his heart out for her to see. Perhaps feeling that wasn’t enough, he added, "I haven’t mated with any other female!"
As he said this, Elias Moretti’s jaw tensed, and a tidal wave of emotions churned in his crimson pupils.
He had never felt such regret. He shouldn’t have been so unrestrained in the past. Now that he had t a female he truly liked, he felt insecure and lacking.
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