Rise of the Lustful Evil Monarch (Re)

Third Person's POV

She was different from the crowd in the way that she wasn't shouting or clapping like the rest, and had her sharp and unwavering gaze locked on him.

Ethan's breath stilled as even with the enchantment and the vision and soul sense blocking feature of the glass chamber, their eyes met, and he instantly recognized her identity.

She was none other than Adeline, the enigmatic woman he had encountered during his final night in the City of Vord.

At the time of their meeting, the whole city had been looking out for him, and even with that she hadn't denied her affiliation with the Vord family.

Unlike what he had expected, she had never felt hostile to him, even though she clearly held an important spot in the Vord family.

And that had been the major reason why he had revealed himself to her that night.

They had formed an unspoken and casual agreement to meet in this Sanctum, after which she had hinted at a major, crucial plan.

That night, he had agreed to her proposal and had planned to look for her after a few days, but now, seeing her here on the first day of his arrival, he couldn't help but feel the delicate strings of fate pulling once again.

While he was thinking such things, their eyes met.

She lifted her chin ever so slightly and gestured toward him with a subtle glance which he instantly recognized as an unspoken invitation.

Ethan gave her a slight nod before stepping toward the passage located just below the VIP room, half-hidden behind the crowd.

From his point of view, he could see that the tunnel was shaped like a natural cave with its walls giving a cool and smooth aura as it flickered beneath torchlight.

When he arrived at the entrance, the two demon guards straightened and flexed their thick arms as they attempted to block his way with practiced ease.

But before they could even speak, their hands froze in midair as a silent order passed between them, and without resistance, they stepped aside.

As Ethan walked between them without a word, they couldn't help but judge him by his lean build, unassuming stature compared to the demons, and the shadowed stubble across his chin, which was the only visible part of his body.

Looking at his back, they likely mistook him for either a refined vampire or a rare beastkin variant, as both were common in this strange land and matched his physique.

As he disappeared into the tunnel, the two bored guards exchanged glances and silently wondered what business the reclusive noblewoman had with such a strange, veiled man.

He walked across the spiral passage curving upward in a quiet ambience while his steps echoed in the silence.

It wasn't long before it opened up into a softly lit and lavish room at the top.

As his eyes roamed across the room, he saw elegant silken tapestries hanging from the walls with muted scents of rosewood and old incense in the air.

The peaceful and gentle environment of this room contrasted sharply with the chaos and violence that mingled in the very air of this lowest floor of the Crimson Kill Tower.

When his eyes fell on Adeline sitting elegantly, he saw her dark eyes crinkling slightly in amusement, and he could guess that it must be due to his observing the room with such focus.

Seeing him, neither did she rise from her seat, nor did she offer her hand in greeting, and she made an effort to reciprocate when Ethan instinctively moved forward to shake her hand.

Ethan didn't mind her behavior and, silently withdrawing his hand with a quiet shrug, he moved to sit.

At the same time, he couldn't help but remember that he had shaken her hand the first time they had met, but he had not stayed to see her reaction that day.

He dropped his hood and took the pointed seat placed beside her, as from here, the view of the colosseum below was clear.

Another match had already begun where a monstrous black bull with glowing red eyes clashed with a tiger that bore streaks of luminous green and deep blue.

The tiger was fast like the wind as it dodged the bull's ferocious rushing attacks with gust-like movements.

As they fought, their roars echoed beneath them like thunder and left the crowd cheering even more wildly.

He could feel that this tiger was a rare wind-attribute demon beast whose name he didn't know, while the bull was a Volcano bull commonly found in the Blood Veil Continent.

As he observed the untainted and raw violence in the bull's eyes, Adeline spoke slightly in her light yet knowing voice.

"I thought we would meet at the Drunk Rabbit Inn when you would have finally decided to grace this woman with your presence, Sir Eryndor."

Ethan turned his gaze to her and locked his eyes with hers.

They were black and deep, almost like the abyss, yet also glittered with a clear glow. A dark and sharp pointed gem like obsidian adorned her forehead and added a noble touch to her otherworldly beauty.

"Indeed, it's a coincidence," he replied smoothly.

"I arrived today, and thought to take a discreet look at this tower.

Who would have thought I would run into you here, Miss Adeline? The world does seem to enjoy playing its little tricks on us men."

His words were even, confident, yet laced with irony.

Hearing his words, she didn't smile; if anything, her gaze grew more focused, and something else started stirring behind those eyes.

It was a sharp and competitive light while also being curious at the same time.

She didn't understand why, but her pulse quickened as she looked at his crimson eyes, and a strange urge bloomed quietly in her chest like an unspoken challenge, one she hadn't expected to feel in his presence again.

In her confused state, she forgot to reply, but Ethan noticed the flicker of intensity in her eyes.