Last Born Of The Desdemona

Chapter 247: Chapter 247: Praise The Queen!

Chapter 247 – Praise The Queen!

Theophane fell into a grave-like silence after Cassius’s words. She bored her eyes deep into his, and he returned the stare without a single flinch.

She had rarely seen her beauty fail on anyone.

Even her own nephew, Emrys Stormblessed, would sometimes look at her with eyes completely different from how a nephew should look at his aunt.

It was a disgusting feeling, yet Theophane had found a way to use that feeling to her advantage.

The same was true of others, men and women alike, even if they were in relationships or in love with someone else, they would still feel drawn to her.

The only exceptions were Sarah and the Prince. The first for reasons she couldn’t guess, even now.

The second because the Prince’s body and mind were focused on only one woman: Anesthesia Amaris.

She had been curious about why, but not anymore. She didn’t care anymore.

She had much better things to resolve now. Or rather, one person to deal with.

”I see.” Theophane said to Cassius, turning her attention back to Helene, ”Then everything is settled. You want my downfall, and I want yours. Nothing else to say.”

”You have the order wrong.” Cassius shook his head, ”You wanted my downfall, and as a result, I want yours. You started this.”

”I started this?” Theophane said, incredulous, sparing him a dark glance, ”Me? You truly are a fool who doesn’t know anything. Are you truly her Blessed? Or just a pawn?”

Cassius arched an eyebrow at her unexpected outburst. This only confirmed his earlier assessment of Theophane’s nature, but her words intrigued him.

Just what had Ananke done to Theophane? Or rather, why did she think his goddess had done something?

Theophane twisted her lips and turned away, and instantly all emotion washed from her face, leaving only a harrowing blankness.

That alone was more than enough to tell Cassius the discussion had ended.

He frowned subtly, ’...you truly don’t know what you did to her?’ He asked his goddess inwardly.

[...I don’t remember.]

’You don’t remember?’ He echoed, ’so you might have done something, but forgot?’

[Possibly.]

’How can you forget, Queen? Aren’t you a goddess? And what could you even do to Theophane, a mortal?’

Had Ananke’s actions made Theophane who she was today? What about her ridiculous affinity for Fate...was that because of Ananke too?

Things were getting ridiculous.

Cassius had never imagined a possible connection between his goddess and any mortal, let alone Theophane.

[I am a goddess. But I’ve always told you I am weaker than most, and I have no believers or faith in my name.] she said, her voice hesitant, [I don’t think I’ve always been like this. I was strong once. Very strong, even. I am Fate, after all. But I no longer remember what happened to reduce me to this state.]

Cassius didn’t know what to do with that information. A once-strong goddess, weakened for reasons even she couldn’t remember.

’You must have some idea, Queen. What could make a god weaker than before? You are one, you must know.’

[There are many ways.] Ananke sighed, [Either your faith is destroyed in this world and your Blessed killed, that can significantly weaken some gods. Or the concept your Gate is built upon is weakened or destroyed for some reason.]

’Is that even possible? Destroying a concept?’

[Of course it is. But that doesn’t apply to me. Fate and Secrecy are still here, and strong.]

’So the first option. But then I need to ask...who destroyed your faith and believers and blessed?’

[If I knew, I would have told you, Cassius. I have no idea.]

’...is that so...’ Cassius mused, frowning slightly, thinking about it a bit more time.

He turned his head toward Theophane, and his eyes widened at a sound he hadn’t heard in a while.

DING!

[You have received a Fated Quest.]

And a panel he hadn’t seen in a while, either.

[Fated Quest: Why Are You Slacking Off?]

[Description: Now, Last Born, don’t get us wrong, we enjoy watching you idle around like a lazy old man waiting for Vorn’s dirty finger to drag you into his Gate.

Yes, we do.

No, of course we don’t.

We’ve been enjoying the spicy affair of the One Loved By Spirit and the One Chosen By the Path more than watching you, lately.

Bad news for you.

So your wish has been heard and will be granted.

You have three days to settle the matter of the Silver Twins of the Blackice Tribe.]

[Rewards: Depends on your performance.]

Cassius’s lips twitched heavily at the sudden quest and the system’s words. Yet he smiled, genuinely delighted.

It just so happened that he’d already planned to deal with the twins, and to obtain, at the same time, a beast to feed Stella.

And now, with these extra rewards...

’...how very sweet. I missed you, my dear. Don’t abandon me this long again. I need some Villain Points for next Saturday.’

Cassius was delighted. But with the sudden interruption, he completely forgot what he’d been discussing with Ananke.

Instead, he finalized a short plan in his mind for how to deal with the twins.

Afterward, bored in class, he began chatting with Raven, Anesthesia, and Sarah behind him, all of them keeping a close eye on Theophane.

Anesthesia, as always, gave him the cold shoulder.

”What a tsundere you are, sister-in-law.” Cassius said to her, and she nearly leapt from her seat to slap his face.

Fortunately, Helene was there, giving her a deathly glare, not because she’d disturbed the class, but because she’d dared try to slap her Lord Seraph.

What blasphemy.

Cassius continued ragebaiting Anesthesia shamelessly, only stopping after Raven, unable to bear the woman he loved pinching his hand, asked him to stop.

He obeyed gently and turned his attention to Sarah. The woman was nothing like the young, pitiful maid she had once been.

Now she was a woman with grace and presence. A weak, ordinary presence, yes, but it was there, and it was useful.

Cassius winked at her playfully, earning a faint giggle from Sarah.

Next, Cassius surveyed the whole classroom, analyzing, refreshing his memory.

He looked at all of them before his eyes landed on Emrys beside Meadow, and Omm beside Jeanne. He whistled softly, surprised by the sight of Omm and Jeanne.

’Queen’s breath...don’t tell me it’s what I think it is?’

How unexpected. Jeanne had never been known as a lover, back in the Game.

’And Emrys...well, I suppose you can’t change your nature.’

With that thought, he looked at Klaus and Love.

Even from where he sat, he could tell they were arguing.

He took it all in and smiled, imperceptibly.

By the time he was done, class had officially ended, with Cassius not having listened to a single word.

...

”Come with us, Cass? We’re going to the cafeteria to eat, then decide on a club to join.” Klaus asked, Keisha and Natalia flanking him on either side.

The classroom was now completely empty, everyone having gone their own way.

Tension was slowly rising across all of Sky City.

The Academy only guaranteed one week of protection; after that, people could challenge each other for ranking or benefits.

Deeper problems would soon arise as many people prepared to climb the ranking.

’I wonder if Emrys will challenge me.’

Knowing the man, it was very likely. But Cassius was ready for him.

He pushed the thought aside, deciding to ponder it later, and looked at his friends.

Keisha was blushing as she looked at him, while Natalia didn’t even bother to glance his way.

Her head was turned to the other side, staring blankly with her mirror-like eyes.

But Cassius’s eyes lingered on her a bit, sensing a familiar presence around his childhood friend.

’She’s a Blessed? Already?’

[A powerful one, at that.] Ananke added, seeming to recognize the goddess behind Natalia, [The Mirror Legacy. That’s her goddess’s title.]

’Much earlier than normal. I guess my actions threw off all of their timelines.’

All of them but Keisha. And Cassius knew exactly why.

”Hm. Why not?” Cassius finally answered, surprising all of them. So surprised, in fact, that Natalia instinctively turned to look at him, eyes wide.

”You...you’re coming with us?” Klaus stuttered, not having expected it himself.

”Haha, yes, I will.” He said, then thought inwardly, ’I need to look for the twins from the second year anyway.’

”Ahhhh!!! I’m so happy!!!” Keisha squealed, jumping on him, hugging Cassius with all her meager physical strength, ”I’ll pay for your food, Cass! What do you want to eat? I’ll pay for it! I swear! I’ll also pay the fee for whatever club you want to join! I heard there’s a fee! I’ll cover it, okay?! And oh, Cassius, you’re so beautiful! How have you been? What about your wif—!”

She cut herself off abruptly and glanced subtly at her friend Natalia, whose face didn’t change for a single second. But Keisha noticed a subtle twitch of her lips.

She pressed her lips together in regret, ”I...I’m sorry! I-I am—!”

”She’s doing fine.” Cassius said, smiling warmly, patting her head, ”Thanks for asking. I hope you’ve been okay too, Keisha?”

”Ah...yes.” She nodded, blushing even harder.

”I promised you a talk, didn’t I? I suppose we might as well have it on the way there.”

”Mm.” She nodded wordlessly, too comfortable, too wrapped up in his embrace to say anything more.

Klaus watched Keisha and rolled his eyes in exasperation, ”she’ll never change, I fucking swear.”

He then glanced at Natalia and smiled, throwing an arm around her shoulders, ”Come on, Naty! How long are you going to keep this up? How about you end the grieving already? You’ll find another man! I promise—!”

”Get your hands off me, Klaus.”

”What? Don’t wanna!”

”I’ll hurt you.”

Klaus’s smile deepened, ”Try it, Naty.”

She looked at him, then clicked her tongue in irritation, but did nothing in the end.

Cassius chuckled, ”How have you been, Naty?”

”Good.” She said curtly.

”I’ve been good too, thanks for asking.”

”Good for you.”

”Should I tell you how my wife—!”

She snapped her head toward him, jaw tight, eyes flashing with a cold light, ”Don’t go overboard, Cass.”

Cassius, with Keisha still hugging him, smiled, ”Now here we go. A bit more emotion. Being cold doesn’t suit you.”

”As if you’d know what suits me anymore.” She muttered under her breath, though loud enough for everyone to hear.

Klaus, once more, rolled his eyes, ”damn drama queen. And damn crybaby. Cass, even you’re a damn bastard. I must be cursed. And you must be blessed to have a friend like me. So I’ll bear it, like the great man I am. Now get up! We’re running late!!”

Cassius nodded, ”Can you go ahead? I’ll be along shortly, in about five minutes. I have a call to make.”

”Alright. Don’t make us wait, though.” Klaus said. But Keisha wasn’t moving.

He sighed, grabbed her collar without gentleness, and dragged her out of the classroom.

”Ahhhh!! Cassius! Naty!!! He’s hurting me again!”

”Please, just shut up.”

”Ahhhhh!!!”

Natalia followed after them, ignoring her friend’s cries for help.

Soon, Cassius found himself completely alone in the classroom, still sitting in his seat.

He leaned back, arms crossed over his chest, eyes closed peacefully. He waited three breaths before opening his mouth:

”Did you find anything for me?”

At his words, the space behind him rippled like water, and Nafissatou appeared out of it, her white mask on her face, standing behind him respectfully.

”...I did.”

”Who?”

”The shredded clothes belonged to a second-year woman. A commoner who lives outside the three dormitories.”

”What do we know about her?”

Nafissatou paused, recalling the sleepless night she’d spent digging for information, and replied, ”She’s among the...hm...slaves of the second year.”

”Slave?”

”Yes, slave. The second year has a group of people carrying that label. A label given by their Palatine, Copycat. And she’s the slave belonging to the Faye Twins.”

Cassius stilled at that, and his eyes snapped wide open.

”Say that again?”

Nafissatou tilted her head, puzzled by the reaction, but answered anyway, ”She’s the slave...of the Faye Twins.”

A wide, devilish grin split across Cassius’s face.

”Praise the Queen.”

—End of Chapter 247—