Capítulo 49: Breathing Life into the Fallen

Surrender a life… hand over the angel…

Miel knew that, somehow, the demon emperor wouldn't be so clueless about the unwanted guest they had over the plains. Now that Machiav continued to attack and that Alfora had discovered it as well, it was a matter of time before Emperor Albas would speak about it. Tonight, that time had come.

Of course, he knew Larkin would never surrender Artie. The archduke had been on his own for a long while, and it took an entirely different race to trigger his fancy. Moreover, he wanted his father to be happy again. Perhaps the strange memories of the smiling archduke were embedded deep within his mind.

Jillian was also his problem, not Artie's or Larkin's. He had gone to visit her that night and was contemplating to release her in secret when he realized that she was taken away by a couple of demon servants. That was also why he managed to get close to them; he actually chased them from the dungeon to the deserts. Jillian saying that he had betrayed the archduke… it was actually because she knew that he came that night to release her.

Even if he had not accomplished it, it would still be out of his mouth soon enough.

So when Jillian needed a life to exchange for her own, Miel volunteered. There was no one else to step out and give life. He would never let Larkin go through the notion of choosing between him or Artie, albeit that he was sure that Larkin would just leave Jillian to die if that was the case.

"Your excellency, I cannot promise you the life of the innocent or the untrue. If you need a life to spend on Jillian's health, take mine."

Artie and Larkin were shocked when they both heard it. Even if they understood why Miel had stepped out for this, it's not like one of them would budge and let it happen. It's just that… Artie quickly jumped out while trying to remove the frog-mouth helm on her head.

Albas made this strangely satisfied face. Of course, he knew that Artie Shen was the angel. He didn't expect less for an angel to sit out the stalemate. Artie knew the same; she figured this was the juncture where she would be choosing between Miel and Jillian. If she didn't step out, Miel was doomed to die; if she spoke to the demon emperor, chances were… Jillian would not be saved.

It was an apostasy bonus quest. Artie had a feeling that she would rake in a lot of apostasy points if she willingly let any of them die under her eyes.

"No need for that! I am the angel!" Artie couldn't pry the helmet off because Larkin refused to let Albas lay his eyes on her. She had no choice but to stand proudly while donning the black armor. "I know that my presence in Ellis Plains is alarming despite not being a real threat. Moreover, I doubt you'd believe just about anyone who told you about an angel. You probably came investigating since your sister, Madame Alfora, had mentioned it..."

Miel and Larkin had the same expression of shock on their faces. What was she talking about? Madame Alfora was the emperor's sister? She was just a colleague; could it be that she meant sister-at-arms?

Albas didn't seem to be fazed. He couldn't detect an ounce of angel magic within Artie's body, and yet his sister did casually mention that an angel was staying in Ellis Plains and would be joining Larkin in matrimony soon. Moreover, he and Alfora had kept it a secret as demons had their own safeguards to consider. For this angel to simply speak of it… was she flexing her knowledge?

"Miel and Jillian had nothing to do with the matter about me." Artie took a deep breath. "I already stand here before you. You only need to extract the poison; I will handle the rest. Just don't… don't harm them."

"Handle the rest?" Albas raised a brow, examining her again and again in search of her hidden power. "How are you planning to give her life? Your power is so minuscule that it barely reaches my senses." He was trying to provoke her, but he didn't know that Artie was panicking inside instead. Her silence was like a response to him. "Hmph, if you are truly powerful, then I will not interfere."

Artie pursed her lips. Healing Jillian was doable, but extracting the poison was too much. Even Larkin wasn't confident he could do so. Artie then kept on screaming for the System to wake up until it finally spoke to her again. She was relieved in the first split-second, but the notification she received caused her to tense up.

[You have chosen to disregard Jillian. Would you like to confirm your choice?]

'Eh? I can't really save both?'

Artie lowered her eyes for now as she clenched her fists. She tried to bargain, but Albas had turned away and went to examine the remains again. As he had gone away, she had no choice but to accept that he would not help them. She then turned to Miel who had a complicated look on his face.

Larkin then spoke again, "Emperor, I cannot gift you with my wife or my son. Surely, a demon emperor had more needs than two small lives. Name them."

"...I scale my demands to what is asked of me. A life for a life; a speck of dirt for something a bit shinier." Albas looked over his shoulder as he answered Larkin. "Angels are the masters of life. Must you be really worried that she isn't enough? I advise you to decide swiftly. The woman has only a quarter of her remaining time left."

The archduke only frowned before checking Jillian again. It was true that she was dying and would probably not last until sunrise. The night's darkness was running thin. If they wanted to save her, they must find a way now. It's just that… he had no more power left enough to extract a high-grade poison without infringing on his own health. He also had no courage to speak of condolence towards Miel.

Artie gritted her teeth and was about to have an outburst when another set of notifications flooded her mind.

[You have unlocked a secret task: survive an encounter with the Great Illum of the Desert!]

[You have unlocked a secret task: survive an encounter with the Demon Emperor of Achlys, Master Albas of Prima Insedia! Miel's Nobility Cheat Sheet will now be updated!]

[You have mapped a new region: the Heart of the Desert!]

[Prerequisite tasks had been met. Initializing the tier-two tasks...]

[You have unlocked World Quests! The world of the races had been very vast, and one could not explore its entirety in a lifetime. Galacia, Tetroka, Kaigansa, Kolorantha, Besteria… the continents shall await. Available regions to be explored: Black Galacia (Galacia), ??? (Galacia).]

[You have unlocked a World Quest! Controlling Galacia (1/??). Completion: 1%]

[World Quest's preliminary sub-task is commencing! Within the heart of the seas is a shrine of a maiden. Her tears flowed through blood and flesh, breathing life into the fallen. Search the area for the Spring of Life.]

'A healing spring? Could it save Jillian?'

[Spring of Life! It's a magical yet elusive mythical spring that was rumored to heal any injury, revive the dead, and refresh one's spirit. Treasure maps had once placed the Spring of Life in the heart of Illum Desert. However, it was also said that only those who seek the wrath of an ancient demon would come see this oasis.]

"Larkin, there's a place I want to go to. Please come with me. We might have a chance to save Jillian."

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