Chapter 190: The Origin Token and Athena’s Charming, but Terrifyingly Sly Smile
Meanwhile, in a vast and beautiful palace courtyard, Athena stood facing a middle-aged man with a handsome yet slightly wrinkled face and a large black horn on his head.
“Athena, I apologize for only being able to explain everything to you now. This matter is so complicated and has so many consequences that I had to withhold it and keep it hidden from you,” the middle-aged man said with an embarrassed smile.
Athena smiled faintly and shook her head, her voice soft as she replied, “It’s alright, ancestor. Your story has shed light on everything, and I comprehend the burden resting on your shoulders. You need not worry.”
After hearing the full truth about the 7,000-year history, she was so amazed that she could hardly believe it.
This enormous world was once inhabited by diverse races, but it eventually descended into a devastating battle for their own interests.
However, the most troubling aspect wasn’t solely the battle but rather the arrival of a deity known as the “evil god.”
Sent by the other gods to mete out punishment, this malevolent deity brought the entire world to the brink of destruction, nearly wiping out entire races across the world.
The mere thought of how chaotic that era must have been sends shivers down Athena’s spine.
Furthermore, the truth about the Demon Emperor Amon Crimson, the First Hero of Mankind Luminus Troya, the revelation of the two holy weapons, and everything else she had heard from her ancestor made her feel as if she were in an unreal dream.
‘If this hadn’t come from my ancestor, I probably would have dismissed it as nonsense,’ Athena muttered to herself with a heavy sigh.
Though all these revelations shocked her greatly, they were nothing compared to the truth about the identity of the man she loved, Leon Kruger.
Leon, a sword hero, was a figure whose arrival had been foretold and was known by the nickname “The Fated One.”
The Fated One was destined to bear the immense responsibility of saving the world from the Evil God, who was currently sealed after being defeated in the final battle led by the Demon Emperor Amon Crimson and the First Hero of Mankind, Luminus Troya.
The weight of this revelation almost made her faint. Such a huge responsibility was placed on Leon, and she feared he might not be able to bear it.
“Athena, why so silent? Is something troubling you?”
Lost in thought, Athena was startled by her ancestor’s voice, which instantly snapped her out of her reverie.
“Ah, it’s okay, ancestor,” Athena replied, shaking her head. “I’m just still digesting the information you gave me.”
The middle-aged man nodded slightly and asked no further questions.
“Alright, that’s fine. Although this information is indeed challenging to digest, I’m sure you’ll adapt soon,” he said in a soothing tone.
Athena simply smiled and nodded.
“By the way, Athena. Last night, you must have encountered the fated one and had a chance to see his face, right? So, what are your impressions? Do you find him appealing?” The middle-aged man asked teasingly.
Upon hearing this, Athena, who usually exuded an aura of indifference and majesty, couldn’t help but blush slightly, adding a charming allure to her countenance.
Seven thousand years ago, her ancestor forged an agreement with the Demon Emperor Amon Crimson and the First Hero of Mankind, Luminus Troya. According to this pact, one of her ancestor’s direct descendants would be betrothed to ‘the Fated One’ in the future.
This agreement served as a payment for her ancestor to await the arrival of ‘the fated one’, who turned out to be Leon.
Now that Leon had appeared and she was the sole direct descendant of her ancestor, it meant that she and Leon were destined to be together!
With a blush still coloring her cheeks, Athena nodded bashfully and admitted, “I do like him, Ancestor. Actually, I fell in love with him years ago.”
At her confession, a wide smile spread across the middle-aged man’s face, culminating in an excited laugh.
“Hahahaha! Excellent! Excellent! Now I can rest easy!” He chuckled joyously, as if he had uncovered a precious gem.
The original intent behind orchestrating this matchmaking bond was to bind ‘the fated one’ to his dragon race.
The Fated One was a figure of limitless potential; he still recalled the words of his best friend, Demon Emperor Amon Crimson, who once said, “The Fated One could potentially be the only being capable of ascending to become a god.”
While the statement sounded ridiculous and nonsensical, he harbored no doubts about it. His best friend, Demon Emperor Amon Crimson, and one of the wielders of the two holy weapons, wouldn’t utter mere nonsense.
Of course, whether or not ‘the fated one’ could accomplish such a feat was subject to chance. Yet he held a steadfast belief that this individual was more than capable of achieving it.
On the other hand, witnessing her ancestor’s joy, Athena couldn’t help but smile.
“By the way, ancestor, I should probably get going,” Athena remarked gently.
The middle-aged man snapped out of his happiness and quickly nodded.
“Alright,” he replied with a smile before posing a question: “After you return to your dragon’s imperial palace, will you go see the fated one again?”
Upon hearing this, Athena’s demeanor shifted, her expression turning resolute as she replied, “Certainly, ancestor. Once I’ve attended to my duties in the empire, I will seek him out.”
Although Leon had expressed his reluctance to meet with her ancestor, Athena remained undeterred from visiting him.
After all, considering Leon’s rejection of her confession and his avoidance of meeting her in the past, she was unwilling to let him slip through her fingers this time.
Moreover, Liliana’s companionship with Leon last night had ignited a sense of urgency within her, further strengthening her resolve to pay him a visit!
As Athena’s answer reached the middle-aged man’s ears, he nodded slightly, reaching into his robe pocket to retrieve a round, palm-sized black token adorned with a moon and star pattern on either side.
“In that case, could I ask you for a favor to deliver this to him?” he requested, extending the black token to Athena.
Athena gasped in surprise as she accepted the token, examining it with curiosity.
From the moment she held the token, Athena sensed a profound tension, as if it harbored a power capable of subduing everything in the world.
With her gaze fixed on the token, Athena’s curiosity piqued. “Ancestor,” she inquired, “what is this token? Why does it feel so peculiar?”
The middle-aged man smiled as he folded his arms across his chest, explaining, “This token is known as the ‘Origin Token.’ Its purpose is to suppress the hidden races that have emerged from hiding. It was entrusted to me by the Demon Emperor Amon Crimson and the First Hero of Mankind, Luminus Troya, to be given to the Fated One as a safeguard in case the hidden races betray him.”
“Originally, I had intended to give this to him if he had visited me last night. However, since he didn’t, I can only entrust it to you for delivery.”
A sigh escaped him as he concluded his explanation. Honestly, the extent of caution exhibited by the fated one towards him surpassed his expectations, leaving him shaking his head in helplessness.
Nevertheless, it significantly elevated his regard for and admiration for the fated one.
Maintaining vigilance and refraining from easily trusting anyone was imperative, especially for someone like the Fated One, who was currently under surveillance by the hidden races after they emerged from hiding last night.
Listening to his explanation, Athena widened her eyes in amazement.
“So that’s how it is…” Athena nodded slightly and took a deep breath.
She hadn’t anticipated that the Demon Emperor Amon Crimson and the First Hero of Mankind, Luminus Troya, would take such careful measures to prepare a weapon like this for Leon, leaving her unable to help but be amazed by their foresight.
Just as she was about to say, “Leave it to me; I’ll deliver it to him,” she abruptly halted as a brilliant idea crossed her mind, causing her lips to form a sly smile that was very charming but somewhat terrifying.
“Don’t worry, Ancestor. I’ll handle it,” she chuckled mischievously.
…
Meanwhile…
*Boom!*
In a vast grassy field enclosed by an immensely powerful red magic barrier, two men chased each other at an astonishing speed, barely visible to the naked eye.
They continued their chase until the figure behind suddenly accelerated, delivering a powerful punch that sent the man in front hurtling hundreds of meters into the barrier.
The impact caused a deafening explosion and a cloud of dust to envelop the area.
As the dust gradually settled, it revealed a handsome gray-haired man in a very pitiful state.
This pitiful man was none other than Merlin, the first Demon General of the Demon Race, once known for his immense power and arrogance.
However, his current state starkly contrasts with his former glory.
The handsome face that had once exuded arrogance was now marred with black bruises and bloodstains, looking extremely grotesque.
His once-beautiful, straight hair was now a tangled mess, with blood constantly flowing from his head.
Moreover, his previously majestic battle robe was in tatters and full of holes, making him resemble a beggar.
“So, do you still want to fight with me, Merlin, the undefeatable first Demon General of the Demon Race?”
Upon hearing that voice, Merlin’s blackened, bruised face immediately contorted in fear as he saw an extraordinarily handsome white-haired man with purple eyes as beautiful as sapphires slowly walking towards him with measured steps.
“Who… who are you? Why do you have such terrible power?” Merlin inquired fearfully, pain evident in every word.
In response to his question, the white-haired man halted, a faint smile playing on his lips, and a playful glint shimmered in his purple eyes.
“Who I am is not important,” he replied indifferently.
His white hair gradually turned black, and his purple eyes shifted to gold, beginning to emit a dazzling white light as he continued, “However, since you dared to offend me, this is your punishment.”
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