Chapter 469: Chapter 468- Decision

Ariana’s condition was stable now.

Thanks to Allen’s support and the nurse, she was resting and recovering well.

Inside the room, the four of them remained.

It was close to evening. The golden glow of the sun seeped through the curtains.

Many people including Elana have come to check on them. But since there was a pressing matter to deal with, Adrian made an excuse to get some time.

“I still don’t understand how he bypassed all the security and appeared here inside the room?” Ruby asked, her brows furrowing.

After the last ambush, Adrian had prepared several backups, traps, and reinforcements in case Nytharos attacked Ariana or anyone close to him again.

However, none of that worked, as Nytharos was once again successful in harming his beloved.

“The mark on her neck,” Annabelle muttered. “It most probably worked as a pinpoint to reach her.”

Ruby frowned. That level of sorcery was unheard of. Even fifth-tier spells of the Darkness element couldn’t mark someone so deeply yet so faintly that nothing appeared wrong during assessment, yet Nytharos had used it to get a hold of Ariana.

A brief silence fell over the room before Annabelle turned toward the man who had gone completely silent.

In a heavy voice, Annabelle said, “Darling… you are thinking of going there, no?”

Ruby’s eyes widened. “Adrian?”

They had both heard Nytharos’s invitation to end this battle once and for all.

He had told Adrian to meet him where the ancient creature currently was.

Adrian sighed and took off his glasses. His shoulders loosened as he muttered, “To end this… to ensure that he doesn’t just randomly show up anywhere around Ariana again, I need to kill him today.”

No one knew what kind of spell it was. That was why there was no way of stopping him from here.

The only option left was to give in to his proposal and meet him today.

While Annabelle and Ruby were worried and wanted to stop him, knowing the necessity of the situation and how severe things would become if he didn’t respond to the Fallen One’s invitation, all they could do was resign themselves.

“I won’t stop you, Darling… but there is no way I am going to let you go there alone,” Annabelle said, her voice leaving no room for argument.

Ruby added, “The same goes for me, Adrian. While I know that if something even Annabelle couldn’t defeat would surely be stronger than me, I would at least back you up when the time comes.”

Nytharos was a strong warrior, a master wizard, and a cunning foe. He didn’t hold the pride of a god or even a warrior. He could go to any length to remove Adrian from his path.

Under such circumstances, allowing Adrian to go there alone would be nothing but a suicide mission.

Adrian hummed in response.

Both women believed he would try to convince them otherwise. After all, the Fallen God had told him to come alone.

However, “Alright, you two can come.”

Annabelle was startled as she asked, “Really? Are you really allowing us to tag along?”

Adrian chuckled. “I would be a fool to try and fight that thing on my own. While I will keep you two hidden, when things become chaotic, jump in and help me, okay?”

Ruby visibly relaxed, as she had also believed he might try to convince them otherwise.

Turning toward Ariana, Adrian muttered, “We should think about where we can keep her safe.”

There was no doubt that if Nytharos began to lose, he might attack Ariana to corner Adrian. He was just that nasty.

Annabelle chewed on her lower lip and then muttered, “How about Umbral’s headquarters?”

Adrian shook his head. “There is something wrong with their members. Jean is already going through her own troubles. We shouldn’t hand her another responsibility.”

Ruby suggested, “Then how about my house?”

Adrian said, “If I remember correctly, your father and mother are not around, and the whole mansion is in the hands of maids and servants who are quite strong?”

Annabelle said, “Isn’t that a good thing, Darling?” She couldn’t understand why they weren’t taking her there already. Was it because of the absence of Lord Vermillion?

“But we need to avoid awakened people as much as we can,” Adrian reasoned. “Remember the members of Umbral? They were punished by the divine ones for trying to help you, someone who was about to fight Nytharos. What are the chances of them acting up again and using awakened ones as their Apostles to harm Ariana?”

Ruby breathed, “The chances are… quite high.”

Adrian nodded. “That’s right. We should think of a place that is hidden from the world, has fewer awakened people, and has someone around Ariana whom we can trust… oh, how could I forget about that place?”

Adrian let out a sigh upon the realization.

Ruby asked, “Where is it?”

Adrian said, “There is an unawakened person who would sacrifice himself to protect Ariana.”

Ruby and Annabelle glanced at each other before realization dawned on them as well.

Ariana’s father.

The perfect person for the job.

….

Not long after, Adrian went to the bathroom to freshen up a little, as he was still sluggish.

Meanwhile, Ruby and Annabelle helped Ariana into a comfortable blanket to keep her warm.

Since they would be using teleportation, they wouldn’t need to remove her from the comforter.

As they did so, Annabelle muttered, “For a moment, I really believed Darling would leave us behind and go face that monster alone.”

Ruby shook her head. “I knew he wouldn’t. He isn’t a hot-blooded youngster. He is a calm and sensible man.”

Annabelle snickered. “You looked as nervous as I when he took that long pause.”

Ruby coughed, trying to cover her embarrassment.

Just then, Adrian stepped out of the bathroom, wearing a fresh pair of clothes and ready to head into battle.

The high-waisted loose pants allowed him unrestricted movement. His black shirt clung to his chiseled body, highlighting his tense muscles and broad shoulders. His messy, slightly damp hair clung to his neck and forehead. His usually warm eyes, once hidden behind his glasses, were now in full view, dark and focused.

“Darling… I know this isn’t the right time to say it… but you look hot.”

“Agreed…” Ruby added, barely stopping herself from drooling at the sight.

Adrian smiled softly and asked them, “Do you two have your armaments?”

Ruby shook her head. “I forgot them in my workshop.”

Annabelle muttered, “I have mine.”

Adrian hummed. “Well then… let’s first make an armament for you, Ruby, before we leave.”

The redhead nodded before she began to open her blouse, knowing he would at least make a second-grade armament.

Seeing her strip, Annabelle instantly said, “On second thought, my blades aren’t that useful. I would—”

“Bella… please take care of Aria while I finish this.”

The black-haired girl whined but nodded.

Ruby, now in her underwear, asked, “Should I lie down?”

Adrian took a deep breath before nodding. “Yes.”

As Ruby lay down beside Ariana, Adrian got to work.

Forming the first rune in seconds, he took more time attaching the second thread to the pair of batons he pulled from his inventory.

While he worked, Ruby couldn’t stop herself from staring at him as she asked, “Adrian… are you nervous?”

The man faintly smiled and said, “Not for myself.”

Ruby slowly raised her hand and touched his cheek. “Don’t worry. Everything will be fine. As long as we are together, we will somehow suppress the threat like always.”

Adrian looked into her deep crimson eyes, which were filled with assurance and warmth.

Then he lowered his gaze and silently finished the armament.

For a moment, Ruby thought she saw guilt in his eyes. But he moved them away so quickly that she thought she had misread him.

Not long after, Adrian straightened up and said, “Done.”

Ruby also rose from the bed and put her clothes back on.

Taking a knife from the table, she sliced her gown from below the knees for better movement.

Annabelle also rose from the bed with Ariana in her arms as the three of them moved closer together.

“This will be the first time for me to meet Ariana’s family… kind of excited.”

Ruby grimaced. “Agh… now that you said it, I shouldn’t have ruined my dress.”

Adrian remained silent for a few moments before telling them, “Touch my arm.”

Annabelle blinked in surprise. Teleportation didn’t require touching him before. Still, she didn’t think much of it and, while holding Ariana, leaned against her darling.

Ruby followed suit, and soon their vision shifted.

However, unlike what they were expecting, they didn’t appear in front of a house.

“Hm? Are we inside the house?” Annabelle muttered, looking around.

Ruby, however, knew it wasn’t Ariana’s home.

It was the Time Chamber.

Her eyes widened as she turned to look at Adrian. “Adrian… you—”

With a sad smile, the brown-haired man stepped back and said, “I’m sorry, but I need to do this alone.”

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