Chapter 42: An Ordinary Little Person and an Ordinary Time
“So, Miss Bai, I will not let you continue. I will stop you,” Elthorp said, his gaze fixed on Bai. “I am not like Queen Shaya, bound by some… attachment to you. I can act without reservation.”
“…And then, the entire Abyssal Demon Realm will join me in stopping your madness.”
Although he had declared his opposition, he didn’t attack.
He knew he couldn’t kill her, and that wasn’t his goal.
With her power, her connection to the Abyssal Lord, Bai was a lesser, yet still dangerous, version of her.
And the Abyssal Lord, besides her immense power and her ability to create desolate, lifeless lands, possessed the power of rebirth from destruction.
Centuries ago, during the “Day of Divine Advent,” the entire Abyss, led by Shaya, had fought her to a standstill, at a great cost.
But in an instant, a wave of silver fire had erupted, and the Abyssal Lord had been reborn, even stronger, more despairing.
He was certain Bai possessed the same ability, which was why he was so hesitant to fight her.
If he accidentally killed her, he might not just bring back Bai, but also the awakened Abyssal Lord.
He couldn’t risk it.
“I… actually hope you can stop me. After all, I don’t particularly like my predetermined fate,” Bai said, lifting the sleeping Ara onto her back.
“As you can see, besides all this power and fate, I’m just an ordinary girl. I have my own feelings, my own likes and dislikes.”
“If I could, I would just want to spend my days with this little one. And if not for all this… perhaps with a gentle big sister, a family of three would be nice.”
“But unfortunately, from the looks of it, you, and all of you, don’t have the strength to change any of this.”
She was referring to him, and the entire Abyss. Although she couldn’t defeat the Abyss, or even him, she knew.
In the countless futures she had seen, she had always, without fail, stood before the Abyssal Lord, before God, her head held high, to meet her end.
To change her fate… at least for now, the Abyss, and Elthorp, were not strong enough.
“So, I wish you success, Elthorp.”
A flicker of something, a sad, weary acceptance, appeared in her dark-gold eyes, and it sent a shiver down his spine.
“…”
He said nothing, his slender form fading away.
This had just been an avatar, sustained by Yin Hui’s power.
Without him, it couldn’t last long.
The slaughter of the other elite squads had only bought him a few more moments.
And besides, there was nothing more to say. He dissipated the remaining power and left the Frigid Lands.
Bai’s gaze lingered on the spot where he had vanished, her expression unreadable.
Ice Lily’s consciousness, within the Snow Maiden’s body, also stabilized, her powerful bloodline nourishing her, healing her.
If nothing else happened, she would remain here, in a state of symbiosis with the Snow Maiden.
Of course, the Snow Maiden’s true form, “Ice,” would likely be pleased. To preserve the ember of the Ice Demon race was all that mattered.
Just then, Ara stirred, her body stretching, her sleepy eyes blinking open.
Then, a jolt, and she was on her feet, standing back-to-back with Bai. “Bai, where are the enemies?”
“…They’re all gone,” Bai said with a weak smile, ruffling her hair. “Ara did a great job. Much better than I expected.”
In this battle, Ara had used her Authorities multiple times to turn the tide, allowing Bai to fight without reservation.
Since the Battle of Vikarn, she had grown so much, no longer the naive, innocent little girl.
But still, just as cute.
“I’m glad I could help Bai. Ara is very happy,” she said, her head held high, a happy little purr in her throat.
Like a kitten.
Yes, such a small, cute Ara…
“I’ll miss this,” Bai thought, a flicker of sadness in her eyes.
Ara, oblivious, was still happy.
The battle had been tiring, painful, but to fight alongside Bai… it had been worth it.
As they were having their moment, a shadowy figure approached.
“Iradace, I know you’re there,” Bai said, her gaze fixed on a distant point.
“You found me. Impressive, Shadow… no, Lord Bai,” Iradace said, emerging from the shadows, her eyes widening as she saw Bai’s true face.
“My god, Lord Bai. Is this your true form? I’ve never seen anyone so beautiful… miss?”
She wasn’t wrong. Like Queen Shaya, Bai’s beauty was often overlooked, overshadowed by her power.
But to see her now, in person… even Shaya paled in comparison.
Ara was also beautiful, but beside Bai, her own beauty was diminished.
Of course, Bai had no concept of her own beauty, only that she was… attractive.
“I don’t want to reveal my identity. I hope you can keep this a secret,” she said, putting on her hood, concealing her silver hair and her dark-gold eyes.
“Of course, of course. Your secret is safe with me, Lord Bai,” Iradace said, her voice a bit too cheerful. She was terrified.
Although she had only overheard a small part of their conversation, she knew that Elthorp, the ruler of the Abyss, had treated Bai as an equal.
Which meant… Lord Bai’s origins were far more mysterious, far more powerful, than she had ever imagined.
