The Damned Demon

Chapter 660  The Nexus Tower

Cecilia's face grew anxious, her earlier resolve faltering under the weight of Ash's grim words, "I don't know... I doubt it's possible anymore now that things are like this," she murmured, her voice tinged with defeat, "But my husband didn't seem to be too concerned about it. Maybe it's better to let things be."

"Better?" Asher's tone was sharp, edged with frustration, "Mrs. Sterling, are you really sure you want to let things be? The only way he would be able to place a tower in this country is by going to war against the Russians. Now that we know the things he did—even if it was for our future—do you doubt he wouldn't go to war to achieve the same? The lives lost in such a war would just be too many. Would you want that much blood on your conscience when you can find another way?"

Cecilia's lips pressed together in a thin line, her eyes clouded with despair. Ash's words cut through her like a blade, leaving her with the stark realization that war might indeed be the only path left. Her silence was answer enough.

"What other way can I follow to prevent all this?" Cecilia asked finally, her voice barely above a whisper, carrying the weight of her desperation.

Asher leaned forward, his gaze contemplative, "Convince Vladimir that Project Guardian is for the good of mankind despite the things your husband had to do. But to convey your sincerity, you might have to give him something."

"Give him what?" Cecilia's brow furrowed in confusion, her mind racing to grasp the implications.

"Maybe you can ask him that yourself. It's the only way to know," Asher suggested, his expression serious but hopeful.

Cecilia shook her head, the worry etched deep into her features, "I'm not sure about this. A man like him won't hold back if I make myself look vulnerable like that. He could make preposterous demands."

"Maybe," Asher acknowledged with a grim nod, "but there's no harm in trying. Since we are burdened with the knowledge of certain things, isn't it up to us to try our best to save potential lives? I might be an advisor now, but I was also once a Hunter. I'm sure both of us wouldn't want any more tragedies to happen. But if you think all this doesn't matter because your husband's plans would be successful, then please ignore what I said."

Cecilia's eyes fluttered shut as she grappled with the gravity of the situation. Her shoulders sagged under the weight of her thoughts. After a moment, she drew a shaky breath and stood up, determination flickering in her eyes, "Okay... let's head over there now and see how it goes."

Asher coldly smiled inwardly as he nodded.

—

In the grand Volkov Mansion, Cecilia and Asher sat across from Vladimir, whose sharp gaze bore into Cecilia with an unsettling calmness. His eyes were icy as he studied her, his lips curling into a faint, knowing smile, "From the look on your face, it seems your pursuit of truth didn't end as well as you expected. Am I wrong?"

Cecilia's fingers twitched slightly, but she kept her composure, her voice steady despite the turmoil within, "Well…you weren't wrong about the videos you showed me. But you misunderstand my husband's intentions. He is doing all this to ensure a peaceful future for our generations, a world where we don't have to be afraid of demons anymore because they will be annihilated forever."

Cecilia knew she was just parroting what her husband told her but it was also the only way to convey what Derek was planning to do.

Vladimir's eyes narrowed, and his smile faded into a mask of cold contempt, "What an audacious plan. I wonder what gives him the confidence to achieve something which even the Elder Hunters couldn't or our ancestors for all these centuries."

Cecilia hardened her expression and said, "Times have changed, and by combining the power of mana and technology, we are able to do things not even our ancestors could. M.A.M is proof of it, and you know it already."

Vladimir shook his head slowly, "So you are saying that to ensure such an ideal future, it's alright to kill as many innocents as necessary? How is that any different from demons killing innocents? Don't you at least feel ashamed, thinking of what your ancestors might think?"

Cecilia's heart ached with the sting of his words, but she steeled herself, her resolve hardening, "We are in an eternal war against demons. To finally put an end to it, sacrifices might be necessary, and our ancestors suffered to pave the path for us. No war in history has been won without sacrifices. As the patriarch of such a powerful family, you must know this as well."

Vladimir's gaze grew colder, his voice dripping with disdain, "So peace built upon the blood and bones of our people? Is that what you and your husband are offering to our world?"

The weight of his words pressed heavily upon Cecilia, making her struggle to keep her stance. She knew the toll the war had taken, but the thought of trading innocent lives for peace seemed abhorrent and it couldn't be hidden forever.

Suddenly, Asher spoke, his voice respectful yet firm, "Patriarch Vladimir, may I?"

Both Cecilia and Vladimir turned their attention to him. Vladimir's eyes were narrowed, but he nodded, "Advisor Ash, isn't it? You may speak."

"I understand your skepticism and the repulsion towards President Derek's approach," Asher began, his tone earnest, "But many lives have already been sacrificed, and only around two months are left before Project Guardian is activated. If we halt the project now, wouldn't all those lives be in vain? How about giving us the benefit of the doubt and seeing if such a future is possible after two months? Only you can help us achieve this."

Cecilia's eyes widened slightly, surprised by Ash's eloquence and the way he captured Vladimir's attention. She had not expected an advisor to speak so compellingly.

But remembering what Derek told her, she didn't know if nothing bad would happen after 2 months. It just made her feel more uneasy.

Vladimir shook his head slowly, his expression unyielding, "Why should I give you people any benefit of the doubt? If anything, you bunch are the most untrustworthy ones in my eyes." He turned his gaze back to Cecilia, his voice cold and accusatory, "You didn't even know what your husband had been up to, and you expect me to place my trust in you?"

Cecilia's gaze fell momentarily, her shoulders slumping under the weight of his condemnation. She took a deep breath and lifted her head, her eyes shining with a determined glint, "What would it take for you to trust us in this?"

Vladimir's gaze turned steely as he narrowed his eyes and addressed Cecilia. "What would it take? Hmm... If I am to risk the lives of my people and my country's governance, I need something equal in return. I would want nothing but the location of the Nexus Tower."

Cecilia's eyes widened in shock, her voice trembling as she mumbled, "The Nexus Tower? You—"

Asher, seated beside Cecilia, smiled inwardly. He knew the Nexus Tower was the linchpin of the entire network of Junction Towers, its location shrouded in secrecy so profound that even Rachel had been unable to access it. If Cecilia could uncover its location from Derek, it would be a major coup.

Before he learned about the existence of this tower, he was struggling to think of a way to plant bombs in every Junction Tower since it was too costly for him to bear.

However, once Rachel recently found out about the existence of this tower, he never thought a golden blade would be offered to him like this.

Of course, Vladimir demanded this because he had asked Mikhail.

"There's no need to look so alarmed," Vladimir continued, his tone icy, "I want a clear understanding of what I'm investing my country's resources into. I won't feel confident without access to such critical information. You don't have to tell your husband about this. It can be just a deal between us, and I give you my word that no one outside this room will ever learn of the location. So... are you willing to show a gesture of good faith? But remember, we won't sit by if your husband has other plans to install his tower in our country," Vladimir added with a cold glint in his eyes, a subtle threat hanging in the air.

Cecilia's hands clenched into fists, her knuckles whitening as she absorbed the gravity of Vladimir's ultimatum. He was implicitly threatening war, a conflict she feared could be laid at Derek's doorstep. He might even tell the world that Derek caused this war on purpose. She can't let something like that happen, and even if she told him the location, Vladimir could not destroy the Nexus Tower since it was under heavy protection.

And so she said with a low sigh, "Okay...fine. I will tell you the location if that will help you trust us. But first, I need to find out the location from my husband because I do not even know it yet." Vladimir smiled with a pleased look, "I am glad you made a wise decision but how am I supposed to verify the location is true? It's not like you can bring me there without your husband's knowledge."

Cecilia's expression grew troubled, her mind racing to find a solution, "I'm not sure how to..."

"How about this?" Vladimir proposed, glancing at Asher before returning his gaze to Cecilia, "You bring this young advisor with you and show him the tower. Then let him come here and show his memory fragment. Memory fragments are pure and fresh within the first 24 hours and can't be tampered with without our knowledge. I would have asked for your memory fragment, but I understand you wouldn't trust us with that, correct?"

"If that would help you feel confident, I can help," Asher said with a determined look.

Cecilia blinked in surprise, her gaze shifting to Ash. She noted his steadfast presence despite the dark revelations about her husband. It was peculiar how she seemed to confide in him more readily than in others.

Still, her confidence wavered at the thought of sneaking Ash past Derek's watchful eyes, "I don't know if that's possible, but I will try."

Cecilia knew she couldn't afford to not try even if it might anger Derek if he found out.