Chapter 131- Arrivak at Atelan
Outside, the huge citadel-like black architecture—appearing to be carved from a single mountain into delicate, intricate designs with symbols stretching across the walls—loomed before Ytrisia, forcing her to tilt her head back in discomfort just to glimpse the endless spire touching the clouds.
"How can something like this exist here?" she muttered, clear bewilderment in her voice. The sheer presence of such architecture, unnoticed by the government or any media, unsettled her.
It stood in the middle of nowhere, in a location that should’ve been clearly marked on maps—yet it was hidden from all eyes.
She glanced around, first toward Cruxius, then to Lira. And then... her eyes landed on the woman standing before them—silver-haired, blood-red eyes locking with hers for a brief moment.
"In particular, humans don’t have the power to see things concealed by Blood Art," Evangeline spoke, her voice as sharp as her gaze, which now rested on Cruxius. "Especially if they lack special eyes—like the Awakened—meant to perceive energy on that frequency."
She seemed to expect a reaction from him—shock, awe, confusion. Yet Cruxius remained impassive. As if this place were familiar. As if he had been here before. As if he belonged here.
Intrigued, Evangeline watched him move forward of his own accord, bending down to pick up something from the ground. A faint glint—gold, maybe.
"Never expected the man I chose as consort to be a ragpicker," Evangeline scoffed, folding her arms, disappointment flickering in her crimson eyes as she watched him lift the piece of gold. It spoke volumes about his supposed materialism. And she, who had chosen him as her consort, now stood watching this... peculiar act.
"!"
"C-Consort!?" Ytrisia blinked, her voice cracking. She had initially dismissed the woman’s words as a ploy—a dramatic act to lure them in. But hearing it again made her falter, truly shaken. She couldn’t understand why every woman around them seemed drawn to him.
Overwhelmed, she watched the silver-haired woman gaze at Cruxius as if he were some rare prize. And for a brief, shameful moment, Ytrisia followed suit.