翁公在厨房和我猛烈撞击

Nikolai got to see her as she stepped out of the wagon. It was a different person than the one he met in the vision, but he knew this was another persona of hers. Lilith wore a black dress that stole the light and admiration of anyone who saw it.

"My uncle wants you to accompany her," sighed Maria. "It seems she is interested in the ritual, and you are the best person to guide her, Lyle."

"I doubt that is the only reason," sighed Nikolai. "However, this is also a part of my duty. Don\'t worry, your highness. I will make sure she is welcomed."

"Thank you," Maria smiled at him. "And I told you to call me by my name," she pinched him intimately as she left the balcony.

Nikolai followed her with his gaze, wondering how she had the nerve to touch him. However, it was all going according to his plan. As he turned, his eyes met Lilith\'s eyes, who was walking on the gravel path.

"Time to go into the belly of the beast."

***

"You must be Lyle," said Lilith. "I am a friend of Master Edward, and you can call me Miss Aya," she offered her hand, and Nikolai took it.

His palm was sweating beneath his gloves, and his stomach turned. This was the first time he was this close to her since she tortured him to get the system.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Aya," Nikolai kissed her hand lightly, and he saw her lips curve upward. It was a sickening feeling, but he could not deny her beauty wearing a black dress and mask.

"I see that our attire is quite similar," she said while eyeing his black suit, headband, and gloves. "It is a shame that we are wearing masks."

"I appreciate the anonymity," Nikolai smiled. "After all," he turned toward the crowd. "I do not want to be seen by these nobles."

"As Master Edward said," she chuckled, "you are a breath of fresh air. I am glad to have you for tonight," Lilith said with a smile as one of the nobles approached them.

"Countess Aya!" he exclaimed. "I did not think you would be attending. Words have that you are studying alchemy to succeed your father. May his soul rest in peace."

Lilith only smiled in response, and the noble found himself in an awkward position. Before he could recover, flocks of noblemen gathered around them.

Nikolai watched with interest, as this was another persona that she had forged. He got to know from the chattering crowd that she was the daughter of an alchemist and a countess of this kingdom. However, she remained unmarried, and this made her quite desirable by every nobleman.

"I am quite interested in Lord Vyxas," Lilith announced. "That is why I came here today. I would love to hear your opinions about the ritual, dear noblemen."

Her voice was flirtatious, and it made their blood boil. The noblemen glared at each other before they each sang praises of Vyxas, making sure to stab at each other\'s knowledge while doing so.

Nikolai could tell that none of them had any concrete information about this god, and it was apparent. However, Lilith listened attentively before turning toward him.

"Do you have a story to add, Retainer Lyle?" she asked, and the noblemen turned to look at him, noticing his existence just now. "I heard that you are quite knowledgeable about the matter," she smiled sweetly. Nikolai only smiled because he knew that she was trying to make him hated.

"I am unable to compete with the finest men in our kingdom," he gestured toward the noblemen, and they all straightened their backs with smiles of approval. "You have already listened to the wisest, and only a fool would think he can add more."

Nikolai met her eyes, and they were squinting in a smile. They both knew that Nikolai was lying, and he was only buttering these nobles to avoid their hate.

"I see," she turned to them and ignored his existence, and Nikolai used this chance to withdraw from the crowd. However, Lilith had just arrived, and their interaction made him sure that she would seek him later.

As he went to the balcony again, Saint Maria passed by without acknowledging him. As he stared at her departing back, he wondered why she looked so upset.

Nikolai went toward the balcony and found a young man staring at the moon. As he heard his footsteps, Lucas turned to Nikolai and smiled helplessly.

"I followed your advice," he began. "You were right. We are forever a mismatch, as long as his blood runs in my veins."

"You can just replace that," Nikolai cracked a joke as he walked to stand by his side. "You did the best thing for yourself. Are you going to give up on her now?"

"Never," he laughed. "I only asked for more time. I need to grow stronger because the king will never acknowledge me as long as I am not the successor of my father."

"Then be his successor," Nikolai picked the glass on the railings and gulped it down.

"My father has an iron rule:" Lucas stared at Nikolai drinking, "strength prevails. I need to win against him to prove myself. I never thought you were a drinker."

"I am not," Nikolai slammed the glass down, and it broke down. "I just need to lose my mind before it skins me alive."

"You have an anxious mind, Lyle," Lucas smiled as he gave Nikolai his glass. "Drink it away," he said with sadness.

"There is a monster coming after me, so I have no other choice but to be anxious," Nikolai took the glass and gulped it down, and it finally began to take effect. "Listen, Lucas. I gave you advice, but this is your life and not mine. We are called Defiers for a reason," he raised his glass, "because we defy the heavens."

"I shall drink to that," a voice said from behind them, and Lucas turned to see who it was. "You are a dreamer, it seems," said Lilith as she walked toward them. "A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Griffin."

"Ah, Countess Aya," Lucas greeted her with a bow, but Nikolai did not turn, only grabbing the railing. Lucas glanced at him with a hint of recognition. "I am honored that you recognized me despite my mask."

"You are the only free soul among House Griffin, and it is hard to miss you," Lilith bowed in return. "I would have to steal Lyle from you if that is okay."

"He is a free man," Lucas turned to Lyle. "Should we continue our talk later?" he asked with a hidden sign, trying to see if Nikolai wanted him to stay.

There was a slight feeling of gratitude in Nikolai\'s heart as he met his concerned gaze. Nikolai nodded in reassurance, and Lucas excused himself to leave them.

"A great man," she praised Lucas as he walked away. "It is a shame that he has a complicated past. Otherwise, he would have grown to be the strongest in the kingdom, just like his father."

"The future is limitless," Nikolai thought, but he knew that Lucas would not survive the apocalypse. There was an incident bound to happen that would take Lucas out of the arena, as he wasn\'t present in his past life. "What can I offer you, Countess Aya?"

"The truth, Dear Lyle," she said as she reached out to grab his chin, but Nikolai backed away with her. The interest in her eyes grew stronger as she lowered her hand. "I want to hear what you think about Vyxas."

"Vyxas is the protector of this land," Nikolai answered, and he could see her displeasure. "However, that is wrong. Vyxas is a tyrant who lived here before he ascended Celestia."

"Oho," she grinned. "This is a new opinion that I haven\'t heard. Are you sure that his followers would agree?"

"They are blinded by fear, promises of power," Nikolai smiled as he composed himself. A million ants were crawling on his skin simply by standing in front of her. "And by ambitions."

"What are their ambitions?" she asked, inching closer to him. Nikolai could feel her warmth and could smell the scent of her body. Memories, happy ones, tormented his heart.

"The ritual is only a way for them to please Vyxas by offerings," he could hear himself say as if his mind has disconnected from his body. "If they succeed, Gates of Celestia will open, and Vyxas will descend."

"Gates of Celestia," her eyes widened behind the mask. "I am surprised that you know this much," she said with suspicion.

"My father was a follower of Vyxas, a merchant who traveled this land," Nikolai lied without hesitation. "These are the words he heard from one of the priests. I do not know how authentic they are."

"Well, they certainly lack evidence," she pondered. "However, I believe that the ritual is more than just praising a god. There are movements by the Bestial Kingdom. Anyway, there is another matter I want to ask you: why are you afraid of me?"