Chapter 2034: Trouble in the Inner Circle

Rex, Davina, Lilliana—after their eventful and fruitful journey, they walked through the tunnel that led back to the Dark City of Glass Steel. It was silent and endearing inside the spatial tunnel—and the light from the other side lit up their forms.

All the weariness from traversing two realms had already taken a toll on them.

Each one felt their steps were heavier, their shoulders dragged, and their minds throbbing.

But it was no time for them to rest.

Until the Purgation Duel ended with victory in their hands, they could not stop to rest.

Rex was the first one who stepped through the portal on the other side. His vision was blinded by light, and then it dimmed, revealing Larta City. But it was not the street in front of the main office building—the tunnel led them someplace else.

Soon, Davina and Lilliana followed.

Both looked around and frowned, realizing the same thing as Rex.

"Where are we?" Lilliana voiced out, scanning the open space that looked like a rooftop.

"A rooftop," Rex replied as his eyes fixed on the landing zone marked with glowing gold paint not too far away to the right. "And it didn’t seem like we were on the rooftop of the main building; the scenery is different."

On the horizon, Rex could see trees and a spacious clearing.

If he had to guess, they were on some kind of isolated building.

Perhaps a high-tech factory of some kind or a secret research facility.

"We don’t have time for this." Davina walked to the edge and looked down from about thirty stories high. She could feel distortion in the air, but even without the use of energy, this high of a drop wouldn’t be a problem for them. "We need to make our strategies. Fighting without being on the same page would be a surefire way to lose."

"No need to rush!"

Just then, another voice crept across the air.

All of them heard the sound of footsteps and turned to the other side.

A figure was walking up the metal staircase, and then stared at the three who has no clue as to what was going on. "No need to rush," Vadyn repeated as she approached them. "It’s not like the Purgation Duel would go anywhere. We’ll be strategizing here, not in the main office."

Rex scanned the surroundings and noticed the barricaded layer of energy surrounding the area.

It was so thick that he couldn’t even feel the swaying trees outside despite his acute senses.

"Do you really believe this psychic distortion dome would block High Lord Ursa’s spies from listening in on our conversation?" Rex asked; the System already told him about what this dome was. "Is that why we’re not in the main office?"

"It’s a distortion field cultivated for about three hundred years. Many Demigods sacrificed their lives to make it. Yes, I believe nothing could eavesdrop on us unless it’s a God." Vadyn turned aside and crossed her arms. "And yes, for security reasons, we’re going to strategize in this place."

"You look like you have more to say. Is everything okay?’

"About the Purgation Duel? Yes, everything is mostly fine."

"Mostly?"

"Just a tiny problem involving Rashal."

Davina snickered at what she was hearing, already anticipating what was going on.

It was the same for Lilliana.

"Let me guess." Lilliana tapped her index finger on her chin, pretending to contemplate when she had already guessed what was going on. "His people are angry at him for not picking them—as the warriors who would bear the responsibility of his future."

"Yes, but it’s much worse." Vadyn exhaled through her mouth. "His wives are also involved."

"His wives?" Lilliana scoffed. She looked at Davina as if in disbelief, and then back to Vadyn again. "I am sorry, but his wives? His wives actually disagree with him in front of his top officers? In front of his High Millinars?"

"Well, it’s not like they actually have time to speak with him privately." Vadyn shrugged. "But yes, it’s still a bad look, and his wives deserved to be slapped. Regardless, they were now on their way here. So, you guys better prepare.

"Though I doubt there would be any problem."

Vadyn glanced at Rex and observed his new appearance.

Back when she’d first tailed him after it was detected that he had wounded a God—Rex had seemed so average at best. Maybe slightly above—if she considered that he couldn’t even wield immortal energy. But now? Now he was far beyond that.

Far stronger.

In fact, she could tell that he was around the same strength as her.

As impossibly as that sounds, since it had only been for three days, she could accept it.

After all, among the countless individuals who had worked with High Lord Rashal, Rex was the only one who had ever earned his genuine respect. Someone he first recognized as an equal. Seeing Rex rise in power so swiftly was no surprise.

It was exactly as expected.

And the unnatural mystery surrounding him made it all but inevitable.

In the past, High Lord Rashal was also like him.

"You’ve grown stronger. A lot stronger." Vadyn said as her eyes naturally found Rex’s. "May I ask what you have been doing these last few days to make you turn into this? Make you this much stronger than before?"

"Maybe it has been days for you, but years for us," Rex replied nonchalantly.

"Hm? You’ve contacted a Warden of Time?"

"Yes, and I also turned into a proper Demigod after visiting the Great Pale Court."

"Proper Demigod? What do you mean?"

"It’s exactly what it sounded like. Before, I wasn’t really a Demigod."

"I also somewhat turn into a proper Demigod," Davina added. Her statement didn’t only surprise Vadyn, but also Rex. He didn’t know what she was talking about. And then, she raised her hand, showing what seemed to be a glowing ring mark. "A parting gift from the Goddess. Seemed like she realized that we were preparing for a battle."

Rex’s eyes narrowed as he scanned the glowing ring on the back of Davina’s hand.

A notification appeared before him.

...

<Mortal-blessing of the Greater Moon>

Description: A divine mark bestowed to the Goddess of the Greater Moon’s favourites. This mark would elevate the mortal with divinity and immortal energy, allowing them to possess the power of a true Demigod under the Greater Moon.

...

Hm...? I didn’t realize she gave that to Davina. I’m not complaining, though.

"Wait a second." Vadyn looked at Rex in surprise. "You weren’t a Demigod before...?"

"Yes." Rex nodded. "It’s why you don’t see me using immortal energy, because my divinity was simply stolen from a God. I’m guessing you are already aware of that latter part since you tailed me the moment I entered the Cavity."

She sucked in a cold breath.

Now, the pieces inside her mind began to form into a full picture that made her understand everything.

Before she could say more, she snapped her head to the side.

"Seems like they are here." She mumbled lightly.

Rex also looked towards a particular direction, sensing more than a dozen presences entering through— the distortion field. Each one emanated a power well beyond the average two-star Awakened Demigod. And most were even emanating a stronger aura than High Millinar Alexander.

"Make this problem go away quickly—please," Vadyn said as she walked to the side. "We’re not in any rush, but I’d rather not see their annoying faces right now, especially when there was a chance that I’d die in a few hours."

"Do you have anything to restore my energy and stamina?" Rex asked.

"Of course."

"In that case, this won’t take long at all."

Slowly—Rex’s body began to crack and convulse. The regal man-wolf form lost its shape, receding like a shadow at dawn, until only his human body remained. Vadyn watched with furrowed brows. His aura had dropped the moment he shifted back—weaker.

It was a strange choice to do this right now, and she didn’t understand it.

If he wanted to deal with this quickly, he should’ve stayed in his Lycan form.

"Why are you reverting back now?"

"You want it to end quickly, right? Then trust me on this."

"I’ll trust you."

It didn’t take long before High Lord Rasha ascended the staircase, coming from the same place as Vadyn a few minutes ago. Flanking him were two women of startling beauty—his wives, Rex guessed, though he had never been formally introduced.

Behind them, a dozen High Millinars followed in tight formation.

Each of their face was carved from stone, and their eyes were already fixed on Rex with undisguised hostility.

None bothered to hide it.

All of them were generals who had served High Lord Rashal for centuries—and the insult of being, for some reason, replaced by a stranger had curdled into something volcanic. It seemed they came with the intention to overthrow Rex’s position.

Rex’s gaze found High Lord Rashal’s immediately.

For the first time, his expression was ashen, drained of its usual composure.

Even back during the small banquet where he was humiliated, his face never strayed from monolith.

Now, that monolith cracked due to the internal turmoil the situation caused him.

In the brief second their eyes met, Rex understood everything—the situation was really dire.

Seems like they were adamant—about this. I don’t know whether the Cluster Custodian would allow a sudden change, but they believed it was possible. Even High Lord Rashal could get into situations that he couldn’t solve, it seemed.

Rex then recalled the others back home, especially Calidora.

A wry smile curled on his lips.

Not that I have a say in this.

High Lord Rashal granted Rex silent permission to do whatever was necessary to make these stubborn people back down without any restraint through his gaze. It seemed he was determined to make these— mongrels understood his decision.

And naturally, as an ally, Rex would comply.

In his position, Rex would also probably feel the same exact way as High Lord Rashal right now.

Rex’s eyes moved across the group, sharp and assessing. For the underlings to rise up against their own master, there must be an Alpha somewhere. The High Millinars were powerful—but power alone didn’t make someone an Alpha.

The one leading this rebellion had to possess more than strength.

Status, influence, and the nerve to challenge High Lord Rashal’s decision needed to be present.

His gaze naturally settled on the wives.

The blonde woman immediately averted her gaze; her eyes dropped to the smooth black concrete. She looked more like a gamma. She lacked the will to meet his stare, and that told him everything. Told him that she wasn’t the one in charge.

So, there was only one more suspect—the white-haired woman.

As he looked at her, she didn’t flinch.

Her pale gaze met his without hesitation, cold and unwavering.

And there it was. She was the Alpha—the architect of this little insurrection, and also his target.

Rex allowed himself a small, humorless smile. High Lord Rashal had given him the freedom to act, and if the white-haired woman wanted to play power games, then her dignity was no longer a concern. She had brought her pack to bare their teeth, but she had miscalculated.

Going against him was never a good idea.

His enemies, even the ones who are still alive, could attest to that statement.

He stepped forward, the weight of his presence pressing against the rooftop. The High Millinars tensed. The wives stiffened. But Rex only had eyes for the white-haired woman as he closed the distance, only stopping when he was a good distance away.

"Let me guess..." Rex said and then swirled his finger to encompass the whole group she brought. "This stupid situation, it’s all you, wasn’t it?"

"Do you know who you’re talking to?" Elizabeth’s sharp eyes narrowed.

"I’m bored of this kind of game, so let’s finish this." Rex pointed his index finger at the High Millinars, swept it to point at all of them—and then fixed his gaze on Elizabeth again. "Pick one of these victims. It didn’t matter which one."