The Villain's Story

Chapter 850: Hi, Mom.(2).

"It’s true, I do hate the serpent and everything that he has done, However, my hatred of him does not exceed my love for my family. I do not care if all of this is an elaborate scheme of some sorts and that I’m playing right into his hand."

Ariel admitted, as she lowered her head and let it rest on her arms, Valus looked on in silence, waiting for her to finish.

"I stopped caring for these kinds of things long ago. Alan is sincere, however, and is now a member of my family. It is my responsibility to take care of him, and fulfill the promise I made. He is family, and nothing will change that."

"But mother, if this proceeds yo-"

"I don’t care."

"Why don’t you?"

"Because I trust Lanesha as well, even if she plotted something behind my back, whatever it may be, I am certain it is for the greater good. Besides, I already know what kind of man James is, as do you."

Valus stopped, he had wanted to protest, but his mother’s words made sense, especially the last sentence.

"This is a scheme, I’m certain of it, but I couldn’t care less. I finally have two grandsons, and why would I not treat them the same as I treat my children? I don’t care what origins they have anymore. I love them equally."

Had Alan heard these words, he would have protested. After all, it was clear Ariel paid much more attention to Kazikato and showered him with everything he needed... And it was also true that Alan got yelled at the most.

However, he was unlucky in that area. He always appeared when the curse was at it’s peak, and Ariel lost her temper at him far more often. However, he words were sincere.

She really didn’t care if she was doing exactly what James wanted her to do, nor did she care about the specifics of Alan’s birth. What he was or not, to her, he was family now. Ever since he had consumed her drop of ichor, and perhaps even before it, she had considered him her own.

She didn’t care whatever Lanesha plotted together with James, she trusted her daughter wouldn’t resort to something drastic, and even if it she did, there was certainly a good reason for it.

Since the beginning of her existence, she had just wanted one thing. To have a family that loved her, and one she loved.

And Valus knnew it all too well, which is why he didn’t utter a single word. He lowered his head and asked.

"What do you want me to do, Mother?"

Ariel laughed slightly, humming a tune as she answered.

"Your job, what else? If Alan manages to pass your trial, answer his questions. After that, it is my turn."

Valus turned around, intending to leave. Ariel’s eyes narrowed, saddened about his departure. There was so much to talk about, but so little time. Valus was immensely busy, and as much as she wanted to stop him, she knew he had his own duties to attend too.

"Visit more, please."

She said, as the dragon disappeared into thin air, leaving her alone once more in her desolate realm.

She had intended to converse with Alan, but the curse took it’s toll once more, forcing her to sleep.

Meanwhile, in the world of darkness, Alan exited the library and made his way towards the mansion, his thoughts muddled. He was busy sorting through his memories for an inkling of the mysterious third species. But alas, he found nothing.

Shifting his attention to other matters, he stirred his blood with aura and began to practice the Eternal flame, it was slow and painful, but better than nothing.

It didn’t take him long to reach the mansion, unlike last time, everyone was present, conversing with one another and having a good time. They all noticed his arrival, it was hard to miss someone of Alan’s size.

"What took you so long?"

Max asked, Alan responded with a sigh, as he went up the stairs.

"Can’t explain, I’ll go get some sleep, wake me when the guys come to tell us of the trial."

He didn’t think they needed to know of the mysterious third species, and furthermore, Ariel had warned him the knowledge in the sixth layer, no matter what, was dangerous to the normal mind, even if it were just paintings and aritfacts. He didn’t know what kind of effect it would have, therefore he kept silent.

Furthermore... he was tired as hell. The prolonged usage of [Dragon Eyes] along with consuming all that information had taken a toll on his mind. His eyes were droopy, and he was feeling nauseous as well. Thankfully, he was a Dragon, so this was all that he would have to suffer.

He would rather sleep for a few days, until it was time to take the trial. He had done all he could to gather as much information as possible, so now it was time to rest...

All he had to do now was take a good rest, and pray that he didn’t have a harrowing dream again, a fragment of the looped past to make his mind restless. He wanted to sleep, not run for his life in his dreams again. Each and every one of his dreams, or rather, nightmares was both a source of useful information and a damn fright.

But would the bastard hiding deep in his soul actually give him a moment of respite? He hoped so, Alan was following his plan after all, he should give him some rest so that he would be able to do the trial at full capacity.

Well, it was highly unlikely that it would happen. He had a habit of making Alan suffer.

Alan cursed him in his mind, and closed his eyes, relishing the feeling of an actual bed. Even though the icy plains back on Lanekia would be better... this wasn’t that bad. He quickly fell asleep.