Read Novel Full Chapter 184: Hidden Key
Chapter 184: Hidden Key
’I think I understand it now...’
What the last line of [Charm] meant.
’Love rusts the chains of Lust.’
If one falls in love, they’ll lose their deepest expression of self.
Their lust will be tied to that which they love — the chains that keep them grounded to their truest self will weaken.
They will start ignoring their lust; they’ll ignore the absolute truth in favor of living a lie.
Lust in Terra had been framed as a sin.
In fact, all of the Vice were representations of ’sins.’
But they were only a sin from the perspective of another.
In their own way:
’They are also forms of truth. A truth of self. The indulgence in a feeling through expressions free of language as an intermediary.’
They were a sin to others because they hurt others in their pursuit.
But to oneself, a vice is a virtue.
So...
’Lust... what is it you want me to unleash?’
What was the passionate flame Vale was supposed to be nurturing?
Vale thought about the effects of the Trait.
In its simplest description, it instilled desire in those around him through his gaze.
’So, that’s it, is it?’
’Lust’s aim is to destroy the lie that is love.’
’To let all be openly truthful — to make all no longer ignorant of their passion.’
Yes, that had to be the core of [Ember of Lust].
Maybe it wasn’t a sentiment Vale agreed with, but it was the one Lust did.
[Your Trait [Ember of Lust] has evolved into [Flame of Lust]!]
[Hidden condition for ascension: (3/4)]
[Your Trait [Charm] has evolved!]
’So... that was it, huh.’
Vale was a little worried that the true hidden condition would be purchasing the ’???’ for 1000 Aether in the store. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case.
Though Vale had no idea what would happen if he did spend 1000 Aether on it.
Vale opened his eyes and then leaned back, resting against the velvet seat.
’My brain hurts...’
Why did life require so much thinking?
***
A lone woman rocked side-to-side, sitting atop a mound of human corpses and humming:
"Love is not a fallacy.
Lust can give rise to love.
Love and lust can coexist.
Lust can also break love.
Love is a fallacy."
***
Vale wanted to rest for longer, but if Greed was truly coming, he had to prepare to welcome her...
In other words, it was time to hide everything valuable.
Vale gave the workers orders on what to move and where to move it.
As he did, he couldn’t help but notice the speed at which they responded to his command — one of the results of [Flame of Lust].
The description had remained the same as [Ember of Lust], but its effect had grown and enhanced.
He now naturally held the power to imbue his words with desire.
The workers, born of Lust and their main will being servitude, had their motivation spiked upon hearing Vale’s orders.
As for how the evolution of his Trait affected the other people...
It seemed their temptations had been spiked to a much higher degree by just being around him.
Vale had also yet to test it, but it was possible that the nullification of pain when in battle had also been enhanced.
As for [Charm]’s evolution...
Vale had thought the evolved effect would be that he’d be allowed to charm two beings at once, but that didn’t seem to be the case.
Instead, it seemed that the honesty part had evolved.
When he spoke to his Champions, they seemed to trust his word without a second thought...
’But that’s not necessarily a good thing.’
Though maybe that was because they were his subjects.
’But Mias and Salome were definitely more doubtful of what I said before...’
Then again, they might have simply gained more trust in Vale’s judgment.
Either way, Vale had only spoken with them once since his breakthrough, and it was simply to give them orders.
He’d told Mias to split himself and go scout, and Salome to take over as gate guardian.
He’d need more instances to truly understand what had changed.
Furthermore, its evolved effect could only truly be tested when Vale faced a neutral or enemy target.
How would they react to his words?
’Are they going to be inclined to worship me as the description says?’
Vale sighed as he walked around the diorama of the gorge.
He put his hand on it and traced over the village he had destroyed. Of course, the small stone village was still intact, even if the real one was gone.
A weird thought crept into his head...
He’d remembered what Laertes’ plea once again.
’I see now.’
The threat Lust presented to the world, and why Laertes wished death for himself and Ophelia.
Not that Vale hadn’t understood it before, but more so, his perspective on his terrifying presence had shifted.
If this was his ability’s form while he was still in his Nascent state?
’Then what the hell will be my effect on people when I’m Emergent?’
Or, even further, Bloomed or Elevated?
Truly, just by being near him, he may be able to turn a mundane human into a blind worshipper of Lust without even meaning to.
Laertes’ fear hadn’t been as exaggerated as Vale had thought.
In the corner of Vale’s eye, he noticed a mini Mias form with an odd look on its face. Like he was frightened, curious, and worried.
Vale looked at the little guy and said:
"Something to report?"
Mias spoke slowly.
"Yes..."
After a slight pause, he continued:
"I don’t know how long they’ve been there, but soldiers seem to have discovered Liora Village. Thankfully, they are retreating now, but it is highly probable they will continue to investigate. I would follow them, but they are way too strong to risk it without detection. And..."
Vale scowled and said:
"That was simply a matter of time. If they’re leaving without finding us, then all is well. But there’s something else?"
Mini Mias had a chilled look on his face as he said his next line:
"Yeah... Greed has captured me. And she’s here."
[A challenger has entered the dungeon.]
’Oh...’