Chapter 188: Fourteen of him
After the small meeting, each of them went off to do their own thing.
As of now, Noah hadn't told them what direction to take yet.
Because before that, he had to know more about the universe in general. To understand its structure, its dangers, and where exactly they stood. Only then could he decide what to do next.
Obvious, right?
Indeed.
But before anything else—there were some people he had to talk to.
Mainly… the ones his women—or he himself—had captured.
And as for Justicia?
Well… Elizabeth was taking care of her at the moment.
…
In one of the castle's rooms, Elizabeth sat calmly on a throne-like chair, her legs elegantly crossed, directly facing Justicia.
Her expression was cold—unfeeling—and Justicia looked like a rabbit cornered by a wolf.
She was scared.
And at that sight, Elizabeth couldn't help but shake her head in utter disappointment and pity.
"Is this what you've become? A scared cat, not even able to look me in the eyes?"
Truly, she was distraught. She wanted to see her defiant. She wanted to bash her face into the ground and make her cry out in pain. That was the plan.
But this?
This pitiful display?
It killed all the fun. The desire to slap her repeatedly just… faded.
Elizabeth sighed. She didn't even know why she felt like this—but there was no point in thinking about it.
"Let's make this fast. I want to enjoy my free time with Noah while I can."
"So, Justicia… who am I?" Elizabeth asked seriously, her eyes locking onto hers.
That was the question. The one that burned the most.
She knew she was a Celestial. She knew she came from elsewhere. She knew she had somehow ended up in Laeh.
But how? Why? What was she before all this?
And what was her relationship with Justicia—what gave her the gall to bind her?
Justicia sighed softly at the question.
She didn't want to answer. Not because she wanted to keep secrets—but because this wasn't just about her. This wasn't a normal situation. This involved beings that could erase her entire existence with a flick of a finger.
But what choice did she have?
She was a slave now. A slave who couldn't harm her master or his family in any way.
And Elizabeth… was family.
"I… I can't tell you," Justicia whispered, "because even speaking of it will alert them. And once their gaze falls on this world…"
She didn't finish.
Because it didn't need to be said.
Even if the Celestial Factions knew they had lost a World Contest, the upper echelons didn't care. They didn't monitor every middle-ranked world.
But if she spoke?
They would look.
And if they looked… then death would follow.
Elizabeth didn't need her to finish either.
Because the moment she asked that question, her senses—tied to fate itself—flared violently.
Her fate power screamed.
And the message was clear.
'If I push further… the Vaelgrim family will all die?'
Elizabeth's expression turned grim. Absolutely grim.
She looked up and met Justicia's eyes.
She didn't speak.
She couldn't speak.
Her family was the one thing she couldn't risk.
Not even a little.
"But I can tell you one thing," Justicia said quietly.
"I am—and I was never—your enemy. What I did to you… was the only way to keep you hidden. And now that the bindings are gone… they will know. Sooner or later."
Her expression was grim. Still. Quiet.
Elizabeth didn't doubt her. She didn't need to. Her power made lies useless.
Justicia was telling the truth.
Elizabeth sighed, a headache already forming.
'This… this is going to be bothersome.'
And truly—she had no idea how right she was.
…
While Elizabeth was enjoying her little rainbow-and-sunshine chat with a divine prisoner,
Aphasia was having a rather particular conversation—with her sister and her mother.
"What did you just say?" Nephis asked incredulously, her eyes wide with disbelief.
Sonomi sighed. She didn't like this either—but she had no choice.
"It was either become a maid… or get frozen to death," she said, trying to explain just how hopeless her situation had been.
But what she didn't expect was Nephis staring at her like she had just betrayed her deepest trust.
"How could you do this to me, mother?! Didn't I always tell you I wanted a silver-haired, beautiful, powerful human man to marry?! And now you beat me to it?!"
Her face was full of betrayal.
Sonomi's lips twitched. "You never said human, though…"
"Don't sweat the details, mother. That's not the point!"
Nephis snapped, then turned her eyes toward Aphasia—who had been watching this whole thing with barely hidden amusement.
"Sister! Tell him I'm ready to marry him anytime, anywhere. Hell, I'll even be his maid if I have to!"
And she was dead serious.
Ever since she saw Noah's face, Nephis hadn't been able to stop thinking about him.
He was too… divine.
'Truly fabulous. I want fourteen of him. Right now. Right here.'
That was her first thought the moment she saw him.
And the fact that he was married to her sister?
'Meh. Who cares? My sister and I shared many things when we were younger… Why not a man now?'
She smirked at that thought. Deeply. Inwardly.
"I'm not the only one who decides these things, you know," Aphasia said with a smile. "You'd have to ask the others too."
"Then why is mother's situation different?" Nephis asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Because maids are different. Each of us can allocate a certain number of maids to Noah. I haven't used mine yet. For mother… it was Selene who chose her specifically."
And before she did, she asked for permission. And why would Aphasia have refused?
Being Noah's maid—The Progenitor's maid—was something most women in Laeh would kill for.
"Then make me a maid," Nephis said, grinning as if she could already feel the thrill of seeing him every day. Being beside him. Serving him. Or maybe—
Her face turned red.
She had to stop those wild thoughts before they got out of control.
She looked up.
Sonomi and Aphasia were both staring at her like she was filth incarnate.
"You're too horny, Nephis," Aphasia said in a flat tone, eyes blank.
"When did my two daughters turn out like this?" Sonomi lamented to herself on the side, wondering if she had failed that badly as a mother.
Nephis's face went even redder—but this time with deep, genuine embarrassment.
"Damn… no one can fantasize in peace around here."
—End of Chapter 188—