Chapter 97: Chapter 97: The Secret Base

[ Status ]

[ Name: Adonis Kingsbane ]

[ Age: 18 ]

[ Race: Primordial Chaos Dragon ]

[ Constitution: Primodial Chaos Dragon Physique (Stage 3) ]

[ Level: 21 | Exp: 2,540 / 75,000 ]

[ Health: 203 ]

[ Strength: 184 ]

[ Agility: 183 ]

[ Intelligence: 180 ]

[ Defense: 164 ]

[ Charm: 140 ]

[ Luck: 148 ]

[ Ether: 6,700 ]

[ Unassigned Attribute Points: 1,000 ]

[ Special Traits: Universal Language, Boundless Stamina, Touch of Lust, Valkyrion ]

[ Sword Soul: Chaotic Harem Sword (B) ]

[ Sword Arts: Chaos Ultimatia (D), Relentless Thrust (D), Backdoor Severance Style (D) ]

______

[ CHAOTIC HAREM SWORD (Taboo) ]

[ Current Stage: B | 20,200 / 25,000 HF ]

[ Attack Power: 201 ]

[ Defense: 205 ]

[ Special Traits: Boundless Stamina, Touch of Lust, Chaotic Harem Body, Valkyrion ]

[ Current Harem Members: 4 ]

[ Main Wife: Not chosen yet ]

[ Concubines: Millia Arwen, Mariana Von Magnus ]

Level-Up Perks: +200 attribute points per level-up

—

The following day.

“Adonis, where were you last night?” Maria asked suspiciously as Adonis was heading out to check on the base of the Shadow-Blood Legion.

Adonis felt a cold sweat run down his temple when she asked this. If Mariana knew he had spent the night with Millia, she would definitely be mad.

He could tell the truth, but he chose not to. They still needed time to understand each other and become a harmonious harem.

He definitely didn’t want a chaotic harem, even though his sword was Chaotic.

In response to her question, he hugged her tightly to his chest and replied,

“Sweetheart, last night I was practicing my new dragon form in a secluded place. I didn’t call you because I thought you needed some time to adjust to your new powers as well.”

She instantly melted against his chest.

“You’re so diligent, hubby. I could never become like you.”

She remained pressed against his chest for a few moments longer, her fingers lightly clutching his shirt as if afraid he might disappear the moment she let go.

Adonis could feel her warmth, her hesitation.

And something deeper. A quiet fear.

Slowly, she pulled back, though her hands still lingered on him. Her silver eyes, faintly shimmering with starlight, no longer held just affection.

There was worry in them now.

“Adonis…” she spoke softly, her voice losing its earlier playfulness.

He immediately noticed the change.

“What is it?” he asked, his tone gentler this time.

Maria hesitated.

Her lips parted slightly, then closed again, as if she was struggling to say something she didn’t want to admit.

Finally, she lowered her gaze.

“I think… my father and mother might have already learned about us.”

The words hung in the air.

Adonis’s expression didn’t change, but his golden eyes flashed slightly.

Maria continued,

“I have been summoned to the Royal Palace.”

Her fingers tightened unconsciously against his chest.

“It wasn’t a request. It was an order.”

A faint breeze slipped through the window, rustling the curtains.

Maria’s eyes trembled slightly.

“You don’t understand how serious this is, Adonis. This isn’t just about me anymore.”

She looked up at him again, and this time, the fear was clear.

“My marriage with the Crown Prince was already decided long ago. It’s not just a personal matter, it’s an alliance between kingdoms.”

Her breathing became uneven.

“If they find out I’ve been with you—”

Her lips trembled as she added, “They won’t accept it.”

A single tear formed at the corner of her eye.

“They might force me back. Or worse—”

She couldn’t finish the sentence. But Adonis understood.

The weight of royal authority. The cruelty of political arrangements.The way emotions meant nothing in the face of power.

Maria clenched his shirt tighter.

“I don’t want to leave you,” she cried. “I don’t care about the crown, the alliance, or anything else. I just…”

“I just want to stay with you.”

For a moment, Adonis said nothing.

He simply looked at her.

Then, slowly, he raised his hand and gently wiped away the tear from her cheek.

His touch was warm. Steady. Unshaken.

“Hey,” he said softly.

Maria looked up at him again.

Her eyes were vulnerable.

Adonis pulled her closer, one hand resting on the back of her head, guiding her gently against his chest.

“You’re overthinking my love,” he murmured.

“Nothing is going to happen to you.”

Maria shook her head slightly.

“You don’t know how they are…”

“I know enough,” Adonis interrupted quietly.

There was something different in his tone now.

Confidence. Absolute confidence.

He tilted her chin up slightly, forcing her to meet his eyes.

“Listen to me.”

His golden eyes locked onto her silver ones.

“No one decides your fate except you.”

Maria froze, drawn to his deep gaze.

“And as long as you’re with me, no one will take you away.”

There was no hesitation in his words.

No doubt.

Only certainty.

Adonis gently brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear.

“The Kingdom, Your parents, amd the Crown Prince… I’ll deal with all of it.”

Maria stared at him. “You make it sound so simple.”

Adonis chuckled softly. “Because it is.”

She searched his face, trying to find even a hint of uncertainty.

But there was none.

Only unwavering confidence.

“You really think everything will be fine?” she asked quietly.

“Not immediately,” he admitted. “But in time, everything will fall into place.”

She slowly leaned forward again, resting her forehead against his chest.

“I trust you,” she murmured.

“Good.”

He wrapped his arms around her once more, holding her firmly.

“Because you won’t regret it.”

—

The capital city of Fernis was already alive with activity.

Carriages rolled across wide stone roads. Nobles moved with dignity, their escorts trailing behind them. Merchants shouted from the sides, trying to attract attention.

But Adonis did not stop anywhere.

His destination was far from the bustling academic district. Far from the eyes of curious students. Far from unnecessary attention.

He moved through the city with calm, steady steps, his golden eyes scanning everything without appearing to do so.

Eventually, the surroundings began to change.

The lively noise faded. The streets widened.The buildings grew grander.

This was the noble district; A place where only influence, power, and wealth dictated one’s right to exist.

Tall estates stood behind iron gates. Guards patrolled quietly. Every corner carried a sense of control and hidden authority.

Adonis walked past several mansions before stopping in front of one that appeared… unremarkable.

Compared to the others, it was modest. Deliberately so to create a perfect disguise.

Two guards stood at the gate, their expressions stern.

The moment they saw Adonis, their posture stiffened.

“Master,” one of them said, bowing slightly.

The gate opened without another word.

Adonis stepped inside.

—

The estate was quiet. Too quiet.

No servants moved around. No unnecessary noise existed.

It felt empty. But Adonis knew better.

He walked straight toward the main building, entered, and moved through a long corridor lined with dark wood.

At the end of it, he stopped.

There was no visible door.

Only a blank wall.

Adonis raised his hand and placed it against the surface.

For a brief moment, nothing happened.

Then the wall shifted.

A faint mechanical sound echoed as hidden mechanisms activated.

The surface split open, revealing a descending staircase.

A cold draft of air flowed upward.

Adonis stepped inside.

The passage closed behind him.

—

The underground base of the Shadow-Blood Legion revealed itself slowly.

Dim lights lined the walls, illuminating a vast subterranean space.

It was far larger than one would expect from the estate above.

Stone pillars supported the ceiling. Training areas had already been marked out. Weapon racks lined one side. Storage crates filled another.

And at the center stood people. Dozens of them.

They were the new recruits.

The ones gathered by Millia, Rai, and Valentina.

Some stood nervously. Some observed silently. Some carried lingering resentment in their eyes.

But all of them turned the moment Adonis arrived.

Rai stepped forward first.

“You’re here,” he said exhaling slightly.

Millia wasn’t here.

Valentina was there, leaning casually against a pillar, her crimson eyes watching everything with quiet amusement.

Adonis walked forward slowly.

Each step echoed faintly across the underground hall.

His presence alone made the atmosphere heavier.

He stopped at the center.

His golden eyes swept across the gathered recruits.

Forty… fifty… more.

All were broken talents, forgotten individuals, people who had been cast aside.

Now standing together, waiting for someone to lead them

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