On the other side.
Within a different dimension.
By the time Celenova came back to her senses, she realized her connection to the Legion had already been severed.
Without the Legion's coordination, her strength took a noticeable hit.
Of course—
When facing 'Huohuo', whether her power was diminished or not didn't really matter, because to her, it was all the same anyway.
'Huohuo' looked at the wary Celenova standing before her and put on what she thought was a friendly smile.
"Go on then. What exactly did you come to the Luofu for today?"
"Hmph. Obviously to rescue Phantylia. The mere Luofu dares to imprison a Lord Ravager."
Celenova spoke with complete seriousness.
But to 'Huohuo', it sounded no different from pure nonsense.
"That might fool ordinary people, but even Jing Yuan wouldn't buy it. And you expect me to? You'd better start talking honestly. Otherwise, when I dig straight into your memories, I can't promise I won't… accidentally tweak your cognition while I'm at it."
'Huohuo' stared at her with ill intent.
It was the kind of look that suggested she'd start digging through her memories at the slightest disagreement—maybe even twisting her very perception.
Celenova's expression changed.
Having her memories searched was one thing. It wasn't the first time she'd embarrassed herself in front of 'Huohuo' anyway.
After enough times, you just get used to it.
But if her cognition were altered—given the other party's abilities, she could follow the thread of her consciousness and warp every single one of her clones into whatever she wanted.
At that point, even the gods wouldn't be able to save her.
Even ordinary Emanators of Remembrance would struggle to pull her back.
She had come here to offer herself up precisely to eliminate the risk of being targeted by an Aeon, sacrificing a bit of personal dignity in the process.
If her cognition got twisted now, that would be like delivering herself straight into the lion's mouth.
"Cough… I… came to see you."
A faint blush crept onto Celenova's face, and even her tone turned awkward.
She had already decided on her goal beforehand, but actually saying it out loud—to her face—that she'd come to be her little bedwarming maid…
That was really hard to spit out.
"…?"
'Huohuo' looked at her reaction, and there was even a hint of horror on her face.
She blurted out instinctively, "Why is an old woman putting on the airs of a maiden?"
"…Bai Ming!!!"
Celenova's face flushed red instantly at that expression and those words. In a burst of anger, she forgot herself completely—forgot she was facing an Aeon.
Her long leg lashed out like a whip, kicking straight toward 'Huohuo'!
Bang—!
Her well-proportioned ankle, all clean lines and strength, was effortlessly caught by 'Huohuo'. The overwhelming force behind the strike, along with the tightly condensed flames and destructive power, were extinguished in an instant.
Through the unknown material wrapped around her skin, a faint warmth and texture could still be felt.
Her thumb unconsciously brushed lightly against the ankle.
'Huohuo' looked at Celenova, who had lifted her leg, her body's lines and flexibility on full display.
"Just a joke. But that makes twice now."
As she spoke her warning, she quietly sent her power of Remembrance into Celenova's consciousness.
Mostly, she was just curious what exactly this girl was being so shy about.
For a split second, she even suspected that the Celenova in front of her might actually be Aha in disguise, deliberately coming to mess with her. Honestly, if it were Aha, that wouldn't be out of character.
But very soon—
It was 'Huohuo's' turn to blush.
Using her Remembrance powers, she made sure Celenova couldn't see the way her pupils trembled violently.
She hadn't expected this at all. Just because of that one offhand joke, Celenova had made such a bold decision.
Good grief…
Just to avoid her personally going out to capture her, she'd actually come here on her own, asking for… closeness.
'Huohuo' felt like she'd underestimated just how much weight the title of an Aeon carried.
One sentence—and it had actually driven Celenova to come become her bedwarming maid.
But then again…
Being able to stay by an Aeon's side and interact with one up close—who was really getting the better deal here?
After a moment's thought, 'Huohuo' decided not to expose her.
She wanted to see Celenova say it out loud herself.
Heh, heh, heh—
A mischievous grin spread across her face.
Her hand pressed down slightly, forcing the captured leg back down.
"Well? Made up your mind? If you don't start talking, I'm really going to take action. And when that happens, I might just drag you over, turn you into my Emanator, and send you off to save every world plagued by Destruction—have you spread Harmony far and wide."
"…?"
Celenova's lips twitched. Was that even something a person would say?
Making her—a Lord Ravager devoted to destroying Harmony—go around promoting it instead?
She'd rather die.
Absolutely inhuman!
"You…"
Of course, Celenova had no idea what 'Huohuo' had just done.
Grinding her teeth, she hesitated, unable to get the words out.
"Can't you just look for yourself?"
Seeing her flushed face and the fact that she'd only managed to squeeze out that one line, 'Huohuo' barely held back her laughter.
"Are you sure? Not afraid I'll tamper with you again?"
Celenova hesitated, her gaze flickering as she looked at her.
"You're annoying, but you said 'never more than three times.' I'll trust that you won't do anything to me right now."
"Oh? So my credit score's pretty high with you, huh?"
'Huohuo' raised a brow, then immediately shook her head and refused outright, a wicked smile forming.
"But I refuse! Compared to just looking, I'd much rather hear you say it yourself~"
"…"
Her fists clenched.
Celenova felt the will of Destruction within her grow stronger from sheer frustration. After all this time, this woman was still just as infuriating.
As for 'Huohuo'—she was struggling not to laugh out loud.
That expression—yes, that one! The look of a cold, aloof goddess reduced to embarrassed fury!
Absolutely delicious.
Really, she should record this and let the whole universe enjoy it.
A sudden chill ran down Celenova's spine.
She didn't know why, but she felt like something very bad had almost happened just now.
She really didn't want to say it.
She was certain this bastard was doing it on purpose—deliberately trying to see her in this humiliating state.
Deliberately forcing her to say those words, just to toy with her.
But—
The situation left her no choice.
If she surrendered, 'Huohuo' probably wouldn't go too far. At worst, this body—and the Legion she brought today—would be completely wiped out.
She likely wouldn't pursue her to the death. But that wasn't enough.
With this woman's twisted personality, even if she survived, she'd probably be toyed with endlessly in the future.
Celenova didn't even know whether it was a good thing or a bad thing that this person didn't like killing—but loved playing with her opponents.
So she took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.
After a long moment—
She finally made up her mind and spoke to 'Huohuo'.
"I heard what you said to Phantylia. You wanted her to betray me, didn't you?"
"Mm, yes~ Trade your information for her freedom. But she refused completely. Even burned away her own memories just to make sure I couldn't find you."
'Huohuo' paused briefly before continuing,
"And yet here you are, walking right up to me yourself. Doesn't that make her imprisonment pointless?"
"Hmph!"
Celenova snorted, her impression of Phantylia improving a bit. At the same time, her opinion of 'Huohuo' sank even lower.
"I… I'll be your bedwarming maid. In exchange, you let Phantylia go. How about it?"
"Of course not. That was the condition I gave Phantylia. She didn't accept it, so it's void."
'Huohuo' had no intention of releasing her. Just because she appreciated Celenova's looks didn't mean she could accept what the two of them had done.
Besides, she'd already captured her—there was no way she'd just let her go.
But Celenova hadn't expected to rescue Phantylia anyway. She knew she alone wasn't enough to sway her.
Unless an Aeon personally intervened, there was no real chance.
So she settled for the next best thing.
"Then promise me this—whether it's me or Phantylia, you won't personally interfere anymore. You're an Aeon. At least act like one."
"Oh? You know exactly what you're facing, and you still dare to make demands?"
Faced with 'Huohuo's' question, Celenova lifted her chin instead.
"Yes. You're an Aeon. No matter what I do, I can't resist you. If you insist on interfering, then whether I fall today or tomorrow makes no difference."
She was gambling.
Because with 'Huohuo's' capabilities, if she truly decided to target her, there was no way out. So she might as well walk in on her own terms and take the gamble.
Bet that 'Huohuo', still lingering among mortals, still had enough humanity left.
Bet that she would keep her word.
If she won, she'd gain everything. If she lost… it wouldn't be any worse than before.
'Huohuo' looked at her resolute, almost martyr-like expression and found it a little amusing, but also a little moving.
Not long ago, the two of them had been evenly matched.
Back then, Celenova would shout every day about wanting to kill her. And now, faced with a gap as vast as an abyss, she had completely changed her stance.
For someone as proud as Celenova, this decision must have taken a long time to make.
So 'Huohuo' reached out, lifting her chin with a finger, smiling softly.
"So you've really decided to be my little bedwarming maid?"
Celenova froze.
That surge of determination from earlier wavered instantly as shame and humiliation flooded back in.
"…Yes. I'll do it."
She ground the words out through clenched teeth.
And the satisfaction on "Huohuo's" face was unmistakable.
Yes—this was it. That look of open disdain written all over her face, while her body still complied honestly!
Exactly her type.
--+--
T/N: If you want advance chapters, you can find it at [email protected]/AspenTL