Chapter 420: Inside Me
Kael blinked his eyes multiple times, the vision of two different events merging into one before him.
He was still sitting on top of his pillow throne and he was in his humanoid form. Some lions and lionesses inside his arkship were also in the command chamber with him, monitoring the activities of the different chamber worlds and making sure that everything was going in order.
The smile on Kael’s face was absolutely magnetic, it was a smile of satisfaction.
The boisterous chants of his supporters echoed in his ears, an evidence of the kind of external power he was having over the Lion civilization.
The way those lions chanted ’For The Conquering’ after his speech, it got Kael all fired up but he still maintained his inner calmness.
It was clear to him that these lions had been thirsting for some serious action for a long time.
When was the last time they actively expanded their territories? When last had they conquered a new race? When last did they commit genocide?
Those things, the lions missed them dearly. They knew that they were not being as majestic as they were supposed to be.
Ibadon’s threat hung above their heads like the blade of an executioner. He had promised to wipe them out eventually.
What they needed was someone who could motivate them and lead them. Someone who could empower them and make them remember why they were lions.
They needed to be reminded that they weren’t just regular creatures. They belonged to a civilization of Kings and should act like one.
Kael would guide them on this path back to their true calling. Not just for them, but for himself also.
He had meant it when he talked about cleansing the whole civilization. In fact, it was something that Kael had thought up at the moment and went along with it.
The more he thought about it now, the more satisfied with himself he became. This purge was the perfect excuse to swallow up the whole lion civilization for himself and spread his system to every corner of the universe.
It was a long plan but it was a plan nonetheless.
Indeed, many would die, and Kael would be the cause.
But sacrifices must be made.
First, Kael would need to find these other traitors that have hidden in their ranks.
Now that he knew what to look for it would be easier. Pagast had made a mistake by stirring the Destruction Essence and alerting Kael.
If he had just followed the usual means, Kael would have never discovered it until it was too late.
Now, Pagast had doomed all others who had been in the same situation as he was. Kael wasn’t going to be lenient or show mercy.
Ibadon was hunting him down, he would make sure to shatter all the assets and bonds Ibadon had been keeping on the lions.
And when he was done, remolding the lion civilization in his image...
Kael smiled, that faint feeling of aimlessness disappearing fast. The sense of purpose he got was addictive.
Suddenly, a golden screen appeared in front of him.
...
Alora: Thank you.
...
Kael tilted his head, a strange smile appearing on his face. Only now was he starting to consider Alora as something more than an ordinary asset.
The way her mind worked, it intrigued him. She wasn’t weak, that was for sure.
Both of them had entered tier 4 at the same time yet she was now at tier 5 with Kael. Although she had evolved much later, it still showed that she was not a slacker type.
She just needed to have access to her own resources and maintain her independence for her to grow.
Her expedition to Eridoria was what set the stage for her growth. Kael remembered how she had cried blood, pushing herself to her limits, and still getting beat down by him.
Back then, all she wanted was to gain enough power for herself so that no one like her father could ever control her ever again.
She was a talent, molded by her past trauma to become the valiant cold warrior she was today.
Now that Pagast, the chain that had tried to hold her down for so long, was dead, Alora was bound to feel a sense of loss for some time.
Given time, she would eventually achieve realignment with her main goals but in the meantime, she would feel lost.
This was the perfect time for Kael to swoop in and take her for himself.
...
Kael: You’re welcome dear.
Alora: ...
...
Kael chuckled, imagining the look of confusion that Alora would have on her face right now.
After all, he never once implied that he had any interest in her besides her combat usefulness. His expressiveness, added to the two times he had saved her, would discombobulate her for a while.
...
Kael: I thought you would be angry that I killed your father.
Alora: Even if I were angry, would that still stop you?
Kael: No, he was definitely going to die. But he’s still your father.
Alora: Does your father treat you the same way he treated me?
Kael: ...
Alora: I thought as much.
Kael: At least, you seem a bit more free and less cold than usual. You’re also taking more.
Alora: Oh, that’s because it’s you, Kael.
...
Kael performed an invisible fist bump as he crossed his legs and brought his knees closer to his abdomen.
...
Kael: Oh, me, I hope it’s not because I’m the Primordial Lion.
Alora: Yes and no.
Kael: ?
Alora: You’re the reason why I’m still alive, I’m not ungrateful. The least I can do is show you respect.
Kael: But you don’t act like you’re trying to show me respect. You’re acting more comfortable and less defensive with me.
Alora: Maybe that’s because you’ve been inside me two times.
Kael: Ah...
...
The smile on Kael’s face froze.
Anyone who didn’t know the context of the conversation and looked at the chat would not understand what was going on.
Dirty minds...
...
Kael: Don’t worry, it’s no issue.
Alora: No really, when you were inside me, it felt really refreshing, like I was being elevated to heaven.
It was nice to let go and have someone else drive me, it was bliss.
Kael: *cough* You can’t be serious, right? Don’t make it sound too complicated.
Alora: How is it complicated? You entered me and I’m telling you how I felt. Do you think it was painful?
Kael: Ah, Alora. I was just saving someone dear to me. No need to mention all these...details.
Alora: How am I dear to you?
Kael: All lions and lionesses are dear to me.
Alora: I see. I know what you’re trying to do, Kael. Forget about it.
Kael: I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Alora: I’m not that weak-minded that you can swoop in and act all savvy for. I appreciate the rescue, but please, for both our sakes, forget about it.
Kael: Forget about what?
Alora: I’m a Lion Queen.
Kael: And so?
Alora: I thought you didn’t understand what I was talking about.
Kael: The contents of this chat will be erased on both ends.
Alora: Oh.
Kael: Yes, please, take care of yourself.
...
After Kael sent the last message, he erased the whole chat history between him and Alora on both ends.
He couldn’t imagine what would happen to his reputation if Alora showed others this chat.
He leaned back in his pillow throne and let his back rest on the soft cushion. He thought.
His brief chat with Alora proved that she was more mentally stable than he imagined and definitely did not need his assistance or validation to fight off depression.
It was safe to say that depression itself was staying away from her.
Since Kael reincarnated into this world, Alora was the first person to reject him, even though it was fine covertly.
That last message that he sent was intentional and meant to linger in Alora’s mind.
He narrowed his eyes, imagining what someone with such a mind and potential could achieve under his leadership.
"Muahahahehe..." Kael chuckled, rolling to the side in his pillow throne. His strange laughter attracted the attention of the lions and lionesses inside the command chamber.
Right after, the mischievous smile on Kael’s face was fully wiped away and replaced with a cold and serious expression.
The main matter at hand was the traitors living amongst them. Kael needed to find a way to identify them fast.
He had not forgotten the pending operation of finding the Primordial Wolf.
The first batch should have arrived on the planet and should have started doing their own thing.
Kael would have checked up on them from the arkship but he was currently preoccupied with finding a solution to the traitors.
"Dragon Empress huh?"
/////
Leonine Heaven. Inside Exalon’s arkship.
"Alora, why are you smiling, who are you chatting with?"Shawty asked with suspicion.
Alora, who had been absent-mindedly staring at her now blank chat with Kael, didn’t know that a sweet smile had formed on her face.
She quickly resumed her cold expression and stared indifferently at Shawty, "I’m not chatting with anyone, I was just thinking of something..."