Reincarnated with a lucky draw system

Chapter 374: AN OFFER OF ALLIANCE

Aaron paused, considering her words, the idea of a brief respite appealing like a calm oasis in the midst of a storm-ravaged desert.

"Alright then. Won’t be so bad to rest for a day," Aaron agreed, deciding to have just one day to himself before the rigorous actions of grinding, a small smile curving his lips as he envisioned the temporary peace.

He understood that his quests to gain strength now would be widely different from the past, each challenge ahead looming larger, demanding more cunning and resilience than ever before.

This time, he had a lot to fight for, motivations burning brightly in his heart like eternal flames, fueling his path forward with unbreakable purpose.

Aaron needed to mend his wounded soul, the invisible scars throbbing faintly within him, a constant reminder of the battles yet to come.

---

In the realm of the demons, within the castle of Asmodeus, a prince of the demon world, the air hung heavy with the acrid scent of sulfur and smoldering embers, the grand hall’s walls adorned with intricate carvings of twisted figures that seemed to writhe in the flickering torchlight.

"Lyrith. What brings you home? And where is Draken? I’m sure you both worked together as colleagues," Asmodeus asked, sitting leisurely on his ornate throne, crafted from darkened obsidian that gleamed ominously under the crimson glow of overhead chandeliers.

Lyrith knelt respectfully in front of him, her head bowed low in deference, her dark robes pooling around her like shadows come to life, her heart pounding with a mix of loyalty and trepidation.

"Draken is no more. He is dead," Lyrith answered, as respectfully as she could, her voice steady despite the fear coiling in her gut like a serpent ready to strike, careful not to ignite Asmodeus’s infamous wrath.

Asmodeus leaned back slightly, his clawed fingers drumming idly on the armrest, his expression one of detached indifference.

"I see. He was an obstacle to my plans either way. I feel nothing for his death," Asmodeus replied, supporting his chin with his hand, his eyes narrowing as he contemplated the implications, the room’s oppressive heat mirroring his simmering thoughts.

Lyrith hesitated for a moment, gathering her courage amid the stifling silence that enveloped the hall like a shroud.

"And I also have something to say, my lord," Lyrith said, raising her head slowly, her gaze meeting the floor just short of his piercing stare.

She swallowed hard, fearing for her life, the metallic taste of anxiety filling her mouth as sweat beaded on her brow.

Lyrith knew her life was hanging on a thread, each word a potential unraveling of her fragile existence in this unforgiving domain.

Just one misstep and her life was forfeit, the thought sending chills down her spine despite the infernal warmth surrounding her.

’I should never have agreed to this,’ she thought to herself, fear of death becoming real to her, manifesting as a cold dread that clawed at her insides like icy talons.

Asmodeus shifted his posture, his presence dominating the space like an unyielding force of nature.

"And what’s that?" Asmodeus asked, staring directly at Lyrith’s eyes, his gaze sharp and unyielding, probing for any hint of deception in her demeanor.

Lyrith breathed hard, hoping she wouldn’t lose her life in the process, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she steeled herself for the revelation.

"I bring a message from Aaron Highborn. He wishes to see you physically, and that you set up a meeting between you two," she stated, her words carefully measured, echoing slightly in the vast chamber.

Asmodeus’s features twisted in surprise and irritation, the atmosphere shifting abruptly.

"What? You want me to meet up with some nobody?" Asmodeus asked, the temperature within the room increasing exponentially, waves of heat radiating from him like an erupting volcano, causing the air to shimmer.

He stared at Lyrith with great anger in his eyes, his pupils dilating with fury that crackled like latent lightning.

With his mana, he grabbed the neck of Lyrith, an invisible force materializing around her throat like a vice of pure energy.

Controlling his solidified mana, Asmodeus squeezed the air out of her lungs, the pressure building relentlessly, her vision blurring at the edges as panic surged through her.

"He...he...he is a descendant of Dracula," Lyrith forced out of her lungs barely, her voice a strangled whisper, desperation fueling her words amid the choking grasp.

Asmodeus’s grip faltered slightly, curiosity piercing through his rage like a beam of light in the darkness.

"What did you say?" Asmodeus asked, releasing the solidified mana, the energy dissipating into wisps that faded into the heated air.

Lyrith breathed hard, catching her breath, her eyes red from the air shortage, coughing lightly as she clutched at her throat, relief flooding her like a cool breeze.

"He is Aaron Highborn. The great grandson of Dracula. He wishes to have a conversation with you and possibly an alliance," Lyrith explained, massaging her neck with her hands, the skin tender and bruised under her fingertips.

Asmodeus leaned forward, his interest piqued, the anger receding like a retreating tide.

"Dracula’s descendant? So she survived in the end?" Asmodeus asked, an intrigued smile plastered on his face, his mind racing with possibilities and long-forgotten schemes.

"She did and bore a son that fathered two children," Lyrith replied, her voice regaining some strength, the words flowing more easily now that the immediate danger had passed.

Asmodeus nodded thoughtfully, the smile deepening into one of calculated amusement.

"I see. And? What do you think of this descendant of Dracula?" Asmodeus asked, his tone shifting to one of genuine inquiry, the hall’s torches flaring brighter as if responding to his mood.

Lyrith straightened her posture slightly, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, the tension easing like a storm cloud dispersing.

"My lord. To be honest. He is a monster with an absurd growth rate. He is a threat to the entire universe and everyone who ends up as his enemy. Allying with him is not a wrong decision," Lyrith replied, her assessment delivered with conviction, born from her own encounters that still lingered in her memory like vivid nightmares.

Asmodeus pondered her words, his fingers steepled under his chin, the room falling into a contemplative silence broken only by the distant rumble of demonic energies.

"Hmm. I will see for myself if what you are saying is true or not," he finally stated, his decision hanging in the air like a decree etched in stone, promising intrigue and potential upheaval in the realms beyond.