Chapter 123
Chapter 123. A Game Beneath the Moonlight (11)
"Since that's the case, why not make the situation even more crazed, even more exhilarating?"
"Let's hear it."
Luo Nan swung open the magazine, ejected one crystal round, and after completing this action, showed Aeldelin the revolver's magazine—now holding five rounds.
"Right now among this magical hand-cannon's six chambers, there is only one empty chamber."
He closed the magazine, reached out and gave it a spin, scrambling the firing order entirely.
"Five chances of death, one chance of life."
He set the revolver back down on the table.
"As you can see—this is the 'survival against all odds' I have chosen for you, or rather…… for myself."
"Five chances of death…… one chance of life?" Aeldelin murmured Luo Nan's words back softly.
"Interesting…… so terribly interesting!!!"
The crimson beauty was evidently captivated by Luo Nan's madness; the right eye that had returned to normal transformed once more into a gorgeous kaleidoscope.
Aeldelin was clearly very excited right now.
This time she didn't adjust her reclining posture; she merely raised her long leg wrapped in bewitching black silk—unhurried and unruffled—and rested it lightly on the smooth satin surface just above her left knee.
The fine dark-crimson silk threads seemed to come alive, winding and climbing along the subtle contours of her leg where tension and release interplayed, converging toward her suspended, achingly tempting toes.
The short hem of her ceremonial dress was pulled taut by this motion and slid upward by a subtle fraction, revealing that stretch of mesmerizing, barely-there glimpse beneath the shadow of the dark gauze.
"Luo Nan…… right now…… I actually find myself somewhat reluctant to let you take this risk……"
Luo Nan gave a slight shake of his head, his expression unruffled. "Lady Aeldelin, if you are concerned that I might draw one of those five death-chances and my secrets would dissipate along with me—you needn't worry."
"My secrets—yes, the very ones you are interested in—have already been sorted and placed right here."
He produced the bronze pocket watch-shaped Spatial Storage Magic Device, held it in his hand, and said unhurriedly: "After my death, my remains are yours to dispose of; my spatial magic device will also revert to open mode upon losing its connection to its master."
"Everything of mine will still belong to you……"
Having said this, he rose quietly and looked toward Aeldelin, seated high upon the vivid crimson throne in the distance.
He was waiting for the Chrono Phantom Demon's reply.
Based on his understanding, Aeldelin would surely agree.
Even if right now the Aeldelin before him was expressing reluctance to part with him.
But she was Aeldelin Xueting after all—a high-ranked demon who had lived for millennia.
In the original storyline of The Shining Myriad Trails, even the Demon King after successfully ascending the throne still maintained respect and a certain degree of reliance toward her.
The life or death of a "plaything" she had taken only a slight interest in was far less important than a diversion that could bring her pleasure even once.
"Luo Nan—are you certain…… you want to gamble on that one-in-six chance of hope?"
Aeldelin leaned her body forward, her jade elbow propped on her full black-silk-clad thigh, cradling her cheek, her gleaming eyes fixed on the handsome young man before her.
"Luo Nan—it has always been you giving me choices; right now I…… want to give you a choice." She spoke up.
"Please go ahead."
"I am reluctant to part with you."
"……Pardon, what did you say?"
Aeldelin was not the sort to be embarrassed into "confessing" only once the way some young girl might; she slowed her speech again, raising her voice:
"I—am—reluctant—to—part—with—you—"
"So, I intend to give you another choice," Aeldelin produced a slave contract permeated with Abyssal aura. "This is a contract I have personally reinforced; as long as you sign it and become my exclusive 'belonging,' then……"
"I will guarantee your life remains unharmed, and furthermore—any desire you have, I can satisfy~~"
Aeldelin raised her jade-white hand; in her palm a single drop of crystallized blood in a state of chaotic geometry materialized in an instant.
"Whether it's that golden-eyed little girl just now, or the Imperial Princess you seem reluctant to get close to but have already entered a Marriage Covenant with—I can help you, train them into exclusive playthings just for you~~"
"Beyond women—gold, power; as long as you want it, even becoming the Emperor of this country, I can make it happen for you."
"All of this—as long as you become my exclusive 'belonging,' it can all come true." The crimson beauty's vermillion lips curved faintly, her voice laced with diabolical temptation.
"How about it? Care to think it over?"
Just as she had anticipated, Luo Nan furrowed his brows, expression grave, head bowed in thought.
After a moment, just as Aeldelin assumed he was about to give his answer, she found the man before her slowly shaking his head.
"Lady Aeldelin, I acknowledge your words—for a man with normal desires such as myself, they hold immense allure."
Luo Nan picked the revolver back up from the table, lightly stroking the Golden Falcon Insignia on the grip that symbolized the Medillion family.
The gesture was gentle—as if he were stroking his own child.
"But there is one thing you don't seem to have realized." Luo Nan's expression shifted; on those peerlessly handsome features appeared resolute and absolute determination.
"What?" A trace of puzzlement crept into Aeldelin's voice.
She had assumed her offer would be sufficient to make the mortal she was currently interested in willingly become her belonging.
In her long lifespan, she had seen countless heroes and great figures who had built extraordinary achievements—yet they still could not overcome the desires within their own hearts.
Even those who could overcome it—it was only that the temptation hadn't been substantial enough.
Aeldelin knew Luo Nan's standing; she knew he was the highest-ranking noble of this country.
That was precisely why she had opened immediately with the highest-tier temptation—"making you Emperor."
After all, what man could resist the sensation of donning the imperial robes and holding dominion over all under heaven?
Especially given that the Osoke Empire was the mightiest of the three great continental hegemons.
Yet she hadn't expected…… that Luo Nan von Medillion would actually refuse her?!
This left her momentarily speechless, at a loss for how to proceed.
Fortunately, Luo Nan continued his words:
"Firstly, I have not the slightest interest in Serela's father's seat," he showed a faint, mildly disdainful smile, "and beyond that—I wonder if Lady Aeldelin has ever heard a certain maxim."
"What?" Aeldelin asked without thinking.
'Life is precious, and love is more so; yet for the sake of freedom, both can be cast away.'
Luo Nan recited this classic maxim from his previous-life memories with a calm expression.
As if the one gambling on a one-in-six chance of survival wasn't him at all.
'Life is precious, and love is more so; yet for the sake of freedom, both can be cast away……' Aeldelin murmured it softly.
"If I understand correctly…… what you mean is…… you would rather die than become my belonging?"
Luo Nan gave an unhesitating nod. "I don't deceive you—this is my true sentiment. But I know your power; if you were to use force…… I truly have no recourse."
"Therefore I designed three rounds of games for you, bringing you three entirely different experiences," Luo Nan gripped the Silent Hammer in his hand, his eyes seeming to memorize every last detail of the revolver. "The purpose being…… to gamble that you would give me that one sliver of a chance of survival against all odds."
Luo Nan's bearing was respectful, his tone humble—every inch the picture of someone pleading piteously.
Nothing like someone who had just declared "freedom is more precious than life."
"Ha……" Aeldelin gave a soft laugh and straightened up involuntarily.
"One must say—short-lived species, though greedy, deceitful, and base…… from within that vast, rat-like multitude, they do occasionally produce a soul as…… interesting as yours~~"
"In that case, let your one-in-six-chance path to freedom begin."
"Naturally."
Luo Nan gave a light nod, then calmly and steadily raised the Silent Hammer to aim at his own head.