CHAPTER 154: THE SIX KINGDOMS GATHER

The little information revealed by the Abyss was enough to throw me off. The Supreme Deity was dead, but his seat was still reserved for him because somehow, he’s still alive.

However, before he can fully recover, other deities—and even the Lord of the Underworld—were fighting to weaken his power and increase theirs.

In essence, to the Supreme Deity, we were nothing but tools used to keep the heavens at bay while he recovers.

All this while, we’ve been fighting to unite the heavens... just to hand it over to the one who was making us go through all this hell.

"You are just a tool to further the will of the heavens. Getting in between the war of deities will only end with your soul getting obliterated," the Abyss said, turning its back on me, slowly descending back toward the eye beneath.

"Pick a side. Stay a side. Or you will die."

My brows furrowed at his words, but I had nothing to say. I felt like a man whose dreams had just been shattered in the most vicious way possible.

The Abyss froze in front of the eye and turned to meet my gaze.

"You will become my Dark Keeper. It’s only a matter of time."

As soon as he said this, I felt a strong pull dragging me out of the darkness, not even giving me a chance to respond.

Xiu!

My eyes fluttered open, and a familiar chandelier came into view.

I felt a comfortable bed beneath me, and a thick duvet was used to cover my body.

I tried to move, but my body flared up like I’d been set on fire, forcing me to lie back down.

Soft groans escaped my lips as I glanced to the left, only to see Reina seated on the floor next to my bed, sleeping.

She had a wet towel in her hand, and her face screamed exhaustion.

Now it made sense how I got to the bed. The last thing I remembered was collapsing on the ground at night... but it was already daytime.

"The meeting with the Abyss took some time," I muttered, remembering my last encounter with the Abyss.

It covered six months of my life. That made me wonder how much time had passed out here.

Slowly, I stretched out my hand and patted Reina’s head.

Her eyes fluttered open with a mix of confusion and exhaustion in them.

However, upon seeing me, a bright smile spread across her lips, and she jumped on the bed, hugging me tightly.

"My Lord!" she gasped, burying her face in my chest.

"Don’t hug too tightly or you may end up killing me," I joked, and Reina obediently loosened her grip but said nothing.

"You don’t have to sleep on the floor," I told her. "Share the bed with me."

Reina raised her face to look into my eyes. She was blushing hard at my words, leaving me confused.

How does sharing a bed with someone because the ground is uncomfortable warrant this kind of reaction?

It’s not like I asked her to strip and get ready for a world of fun.

’Women,’ I rolled my eyes while Reina snuggled up beside me, wrapping her arms around me.

I could feel her warm breath running down my neck, and her eyes fixated on me.

It was crazy. Someone who was once scared I would rape her was acting this way around me.

It made me wonder if her becoming my disciple was making her this way.

Were Lee Bai and Seo-Yun’s disciples also like this?

Bam!

The door suddenly yanked open and Serena rushed in, with Caleum trailing behind her.

As usual, the two froze at the doorpost with shocked gazes—but at least their expressions were the same this time.

Jealousy...

"Y-you’re awake?" Serena asked begrudgingly while she stared daggers at Reina.

On the other hand, Reina didn’t even acknowledge her presence and kept looking at me like I was the most beautiful thing in the world.

I nodded at Serena’s words and tried to sit up.

Just moving made it feel like my body had been set aflame.

Even the pain in my chest was twice as intense—but I gritted my teeth and lifted myself up.

"Aah..." A soft groan escaped my lips as Reina helped me sit up.

My gaze shifted to Serena, who was seated on the rocking chair, gazing at me with a worried look.

They were shocked to see me in this condition—especially since they believed I was invincible.

"Was she that strong?" Caleum couldn’t help but ask, and I shook my head.

"She got help, and I was caught off guard," I explained between heavy breaths.

"I wrecked her too, so I don’t expect them to make any move soon."

The two siblings exchanged shocked glances before turning their gaze back to me.

"You mean all those corpses were..."

I nodded.

"Her personal army... I slaughtered hundreds of them and was just moments away from taking her life. Then her disciples showed up—alongside the stupid prince. They managed to save her and ran away."

My voice turned venomous when talking about the prince.

Cutting off my hand was a crime I’m not willing to overlook.

For that reason alone, I planned to kill him in the most gruesome way possible.

"Now it’s my turn to ask questions," I said. "How long have I been unconscious?"

"A week!" Caleum blurted out before anyone else, attracting pissed-off glares from Reina and Serena.

It seemed they wanted to be the ones to answer my question.

Anyways, I nodded at his words and asked the next question on my mind.

"Has anything happened since then?"

This time, Serena glared at Caleum before he could speak.

He covered his mouth with his palms, and then she turned to meet my gaze.

"The six kingdoms’ representatives arrived yesterday, requesting your audience. We told them you were meditating in seclusion, but I think they already know about the fight. They’re eager to know your condition. I fear if they learn how hurt we are, their faith in you would waver and the alliance may not work out," Serena explained, and I nodded.

Her fears were not without reason.

Loyalty must be earned consistently, or it will be lost.

If you don’t give people a reason to stay on your side, they are bound to leave—especially when they have nothing to lose.

These kingdoms gathered out of fear.

If I show weakness, they’ll be the ones to conspire against me.

"Let’s go meet them and show them I’m alright."