CHAPTER 1711: THIS IS AWKWARD

Something is going on.

Rex didn’t know what, but he was sure that it was not something good.

He had been checking the form expiry limit constantly and saw that it was rising up and down as if it wasn’t obeying the law of time. From his experience, the System was never wrong and all-knowing, so it wasn’t that the System was the one being inconsistent.

But it was the realm instead.

Something was causing this fluctuation in time without anyone but him realizing.

It didn’t help when most of the time, the Spirit Realm was shrouded by the Black Rift entirely.

People in this realm are more disassociated from time than the people in the Mortal Realm because of that.

"Fortunately, the change is only subtle. I need to go back home as soon as possible," Rex thought aloud, feeling safer if he were in his own realm right now, as he knew much more about the situation there than here. "But first, I can’t lose this chance."

Rex smiled inwardly and limped his way towards the fissure again.

He could see the Immortal Slugs were writhing down there, still reeling from the trial’s suppression.

No matter the realm, the energy of the world is always overwhelming to deal with.

Instead of staying away lest the Immortal Slugs latched onto him again, Rex stood at the edge and, for some reason, inched his way further. And without even thinking much, he leaned forward and went back down to the pit again.

Nobody was there to witness the crazy act he did.

And if there were someone, their shock would’ve been a sight to see.

...

A day passed.

In the capital city, within the royal bubble, people and nobles across the entire empire gathered for a big celebration held by the Spirit Emperor himself. News spread that Empress Morgana heroically led the White Mask to the Burrowing Valley with minimal help from others.

Some even saw her controlling the Prince Embryo and dodging the White Mask’s attacks simultaneously.

Such a brave deed was unlike what any previous empresses had done.

One that was refreshing to see for the people.

From the highest marble towers to the crowded cobblestone streets, light and laughter spilled like rivers of gold through the city from early morning to late night. Lanterns hung from every archway, banners of noble crests and colors fluttered in the warm wind, and the air thrummed with the rhythm of absolute celebrations.

Nobles in shimmering attire mingled with commoners.

Even so, their differences drowned beneath the roar of music, the scent of wind, and the vibrant moment.

Utilizing this success for the royal family’s benefits, the Spirit Emperor announced this success as the empress’ coronation achievement. He hosted a grand celebration, a formal blessing by the high priestess of the Sun Ecclesia church, and also the promise of a prosperous future through Empress Morgana.

Her strength alone quenched the calamity that had loomed over the nation recently.

And now, it was finally quelled.

Empress Morgana was adored and revered by the people, taking the spotlight even from the emperor.

It was her big day—the day when her seat as the empress was settled.

None of the opposing nobles could say anything when the people received her with open arms like this.

No more whispers of doubts, suspicions, and venomous envy filled the court halls.

She was even called the Descendant of the Consort, tying her name with the Silent Consort, which made her presence more holy and angelic to the people. As the palace bells tolled and magical fireworks flew skyward, everyone understood that this was the day Empress Morgana became an empress.

Not the formal process of coronation, but truly becoming the empress of the empire.

And this celebration became the biggest celebration the empire has seen in the last couple of centuries.

However, despite this big celebration, there were a few who weren’t attending.

Inside the House of Castillon’s estate.

Rex was sleeping inside his room, lying on the massive bed.

He was wrapped in bandages from head to toe—and there was a thick blanket laid beneath him to absorb the blood still seeping through the gauze. Even before he reached Rontera, long before the bubble walls came into view—soldiers bearing the crest of House Castillon were already waiting for him.

All of them moved quickly and helped him rush back to the House of Castillon’s estate.

For the entire day, several healers came to check on him—applying different kinds of medicine that were surprisingly very useful. Some targeted the wounds, some targeted his physical well-being, his mental well-being, and even mend his soul a bit.

Rex was put to sleep with a Spirit Genesis and then treated throughout the night.

All who came are famous people too, renowned healers across the entire empire.

Even the High Priestess from the royal family came to check on Rex and treat his cracked soul.

Now, all he needed to do was rest and have regular check-ups.

"Hmmh..."

Rex let out a faint groan as his eyelids fluttered, trembling for a moment before he finally stirred awake.

He stared at the ceiling for a good few seconds, feeling extremely weak.

Everything felt hazy—perhaps a lingering aftereffect of the Spirit Genesis that had put him to sleep like a baby. He leaned to his left, struggling to push himself upright. It was hard to move around as he was still missing his dominant arm, other than the pain and weakness.

It was halfway to recovery, so it’s not that bad.

Rex looked around the room and was able to exhale in relief as he was alone.

"System, show me the passive skill again..."

...

Parasitic Regeneration

Rank: Legendary (tenth-rank)

Description: Every single time the user is wounded—while this skill is active, the user will emanate a parasitic aura that feeds on all energy around to heal the damage rapidly. It can be targeted, and the excess from the absorbed energy would be stored and can be used to either heal or amplify the user’s next attack.

...

Before departing back to Rontera, Rex deliberately went back down into the fissure.

His purpose was to get this specific ability.

During the battle of attrition against the Immortal Slugs, where he was forced to take turns with the other side of him, the Invincible Apparition, he was devouring the Immortal Slugs too, and that accumulated the Parasitic Reaver Echo.

It was around 97% when the battle halted due to the trial, so he came back down to finish it.

Since the Immortal Slugs were disoriented, increasing the remaining 3% is not that hard.

And now, he has obtained this skill.

"Good skill," Rex nodded, pleased that he had decided to go back down again. "With this, I don’t need to always burden my bodily regeneration and exhaust myself. It’s not going to make my raw regeneration stronger, but it will certainly increase my endurance."

Rex scooted over to the edge of the bed.

He pressed his feet against the floor, hesitated for a second, before he finally tried standing up.

As soon as his legs took his weight, a low grunt escaped him as they trembled beneath the strain.

Rex gritted his teeth hard, refusing to believe that he could barely stand.

Just then, the door was knocked and then pushed open as Princess Davina stepped inside.

Seeing her stepping inside, Rex lost focus and toppled to the floor.

"Damn it."

He cursed, landing on his butt hard, and even fell sideways as he had no right arm to support himself.

All of this happened before Princess Davina’s eyes.

Rex closed his eyes, accepting that he would be ridiculed or mocked for being stupid.

But none of that came.

Instead, he only heard a soft, levelled voice that hinted at helplessness and a hint of worry.

"Is it really that hard to call for the servants or even me to help?"

Rex opened his eyes again and raised his gaze to find Princess Davina looking down at him.

He cleared his throat and quickly sat up, leaning his back against the bed.

Of course, he avoided eye contact as it was embarrassing for him to be in this state.

Rarely has he ever been in this kind of weak and helpless state in front of other people, and every time it happened, he wanted to crawl into the ground—and disappeared until he was well. Being in this kind of vulnerable state in front of someone made him restless.

Probably the instincts honed from fighting to the death all the time.

After all, his enemies would still come after him regardless of whether he’s ready and well or not.

"I thought I could do it alone."

"This again..." Princess Davina exhaled light as she went down and helped Rex to sit back on the bed—instead of the floor. "I’m your fiancé, not your enemy. There’s no need for you to be on guard when you are with me."

She could tell instantly from a look what was going on inside Rex’s mind.

Anybody who had gone through what he had gone through would undoubtedly die.

But he survived, so it’s natural for him to be in this state.

"In my world, weakness earns no mercy. No one will hold back just because I’m not at my best."

"In that case, I’m going to protect you. Focus on your healing."

Princess Davina turned her gaze towards the door and gestured for the servant waiting right outside to come in. Respectfully, the servant bowed her head at Princess Davina, and then Rex, before placing a tray on the bedside table.

As she did that, Princess Davina focused on Rex again.

"Do you think you can do everything on your own? No." She said sternly. "Right now, you’re weaker than a baby—the High Priestess said so."

Once the servant left and closed the door behind her, Princess Davina went to the tray.

She did what she came here to do.

A fragrant mist curled upward as she filled a cup—the warmth spread through the room.

Princess Davina was making some sort of herbal tea, which should be Rex’s early morning medicine.

Once finished, she handed it to Rex and urged him to drink it up.

Seeing the look that Princess Davina was wearing, Rex could only drink the medicine up until the very last drop. It tasted bitter like the taste of a leaf despite its fragrance, but it’s a medicine, so it’s supposed to taste that way.

Princess Davina watched in silence as Rex drank the entire thing.

Her eyes seemed to contain relief, but it was so well hidden that even Rex couldn’t see it.

Rex wanted to put the cup on the bedside table himself, but Princess Davina blocked his hand.

Seeing this, Rex looked at her in confusion.

But Princess Davina answered only with a raised brow, and she looked a little bit pissed.

What is it now...?

Rex looked at her and contemplated, not knowing what she wanted from him.

It was then that he realized what she wanted.

Smiling bitterly, Rex handed the cup to her, "Can you put it down for me?"

Hearing this, Princess Davina finally smiled as she took the cup and put it down for him.

Just seconds ago, Rex was scolded for trying to do everything on his own, forcing himself when it was clear that he wasn’t ready. If he’s alone, then it’s commendable of him for trying, but with so many people around who could and are willing to help him, it’s not independence.

It was stubbornness.

At that moment, Rex recalled what Princess Davina said before he fell into the fissure.

That he’s not a martyr.

Am I really like that in her eyes? Someone troubled? Well, I can’t deny it.

Somehow, that made him smile sheepishly as he couldn’t deny it if she shoved it on his face like that.

Princess Davina sat down beside Rex on the bed, but she put an awkward distance between them.

For a good minute, none of them spoke or even looked at each other.

Around them, tension rose like crackling static.

Hmm... This is awkward.