Chapter 174: A Request And A Sword

As the fruit’s effect spread through Stella’s body, the childish confusion in her eyes gradually faded, replaced by the calm, composed gaze Elias had come to associate with the woman closest to her true self.

Stella blinked several times, then looked around the room before turning toward Natasha.

"What is going on?" she asked, her brows drawing together as she waited for an explanation.

Natasha handed Stella the folded piece of paper she had taken from the pouch.

Stella stared at it for a moment before accepting it, then unfolded the paper and began reading.

If you are reading this, then my wives are in danger. I gave this paper to Natasha so I can request you to protect them even if I am not there.

Please, protect them.

Stella read the message with an increasingly serious expression before lowering the paper and looking at Natasha.

’Is she mute?’ Stella wondered, noticing that the woman hadn’t said a single word.

Her brows furrowed as she stepped toward the door, intending to deal with whatever danger Elias had warned them about. However, before she could reach it, Natasha suddenly grabbed her arm and pulled her back toward the long wooden box resting on the floor.

Stella glanced down at it with confusion.

"What?" she asked.

Natasha crouched beside the box and opened its lid.

A sword rested inside.

It resembled a katana, but it was unlike any ordinary weapon Stella had ever seen. It appeared to have been carved from flawless white jade, while shimmering golden light flowed across its surface, giving the weapon an almost divine appearance.

It was the sister sword of Hellcaller.

The Mythical White Hellbreaker Sword.

[Image]

"This..." Stella muttered before swallowing. "How did he find such a great sword?"

She crouched down and carefully lifted the weapon from the box, but the moment her fingers wrapped around its hilt, a strange yet familiar warmth spread through her entire body.

Stella froze.

The warmth flowed from the sword into her arm and then through every part of her existence, and before she could understand what was happening, her short crimson hair began extending down her back.

Her crimson eyes gradually changed into a radiant golden color.

Her body remained perfectly still, almost as though she had suddenly become a statue.

BOOM!

The bedroom door was violently kicked open.

The wooden door slammed against the wall as Daemon strode inside, his hand resting near his sword.

However, the moment his gaze landed on Stella, his entire expression changed.

The color drained from his face, and he froze where he stood.

He knew very well who the woman standing before him was.

For a moment, Daemon could only stare at the legendary swordswoman standing before him.

His luck was truly terrible.

"L-Lady Steel Flower," he muttered.

At the sound of his voice, Stella’s golden eyes finally shifted toward him.

She slowly turned her head, and the warmth within her body settled into something deeper and more familiar as she looked at the armored knight standing in the doorway.

"Who are you, and why are you here?" she asked calmly.

Daemon immediately cleared his throat and bowed slightly, forcing himself to regain his composure.

"I am Daemon Dane," he introduced himself, keeping his voice respectful. "I am Lord Berlic Draveon’s left sword, and I have come here for a task."

Stella narrowed her golden eyes.

"What task?" she questioned.

Daemon straightened himself and looked directly at her.

"I have come to get rid of everyone present here," he admitted, his expression remaining serious. "However, I dare not think of doing so to you, Lady Stella. Rather, My Lord asked me to recruit you for the coming destruction of the Crimson Ducal Clan."

For a moment, silence filled the room.

Daemon felt certain that he had chosen the correct approach.

After all, Stella Crimson’s hatred toward the Crimson Ducal Clan was known far and wide. No one hated that family more than the woman known as the Steel Flower, so joining Berlic’s side should have been an obvious choice.

Yet Daemon had overlooked one important detail.

Stella was no longer under the influence of madness.

And Elias had entrusted her with the protection of his wives.

The last time Stella had seen Elias, he had left a surprisingly good impression, and there was no reason for her to join a group of villains who had come to attack women incapable of protecting themselves.

A deep sigh escaped Stella’s lips.

"A tempting offer..." she said, her golden eyes becoming colder, "but..."

Daemon’s expression hardened.

"But?" he asked.

Stella raised Hellbreaker.

"Joining up with villains is not my style," she said.

The sword moved.

Golden dust scattered from the white blade as Stella swung it upward, and the motion appeared so simple that Daemon barely had time to understand what she had done.

Then a deafening sound erupted through the room.

BOOM!

The air itself split apart.

A razor-thin blade of compressed air surged along Hellbreaker’s trajectory, moving with such terrifying speed that Daemon could not even react.

The invisible air blade passed directly through his body before continuing onward and crashing into the stone wall behind him.

CRASH!

The wall exploded apart as stone fragments scattered across the room and the outside air rushed through the enormous opening.

Daemon remained standing.

For one brief moment, nothing happened.

Then he took a step forward, and a thin line appeared across his body.

His expression slowly lost its remaining life as his body separated cleanly into two halves.

The upper half slid away from the lower half before both pieces collapsed heavily onto the floor.

Thud.

A wet sound followed.

Blood spilled across the ground, followed by flesh and organs as Daemon’s corpse collapsed completely.

Stella stared down at the remains with a calm expression, showing neither fear nor hesitation.

Behind her, Natasha’s expression darkened as she stared at the gruesome scene.

Then Stella suddenly turned her gaze toward the right and narrowed her eyes.

All of a sudden, a woman passed through the wall and floated into the room with a wide, devilish grin spread across her face.

The moment Stella saw her, an innate sensation of chilling fury erupted from somewhere deep within her soul.

She didn’t understand where it came from.

She simply tightened her grip around Hellbreaker.

And before she knew it, Stella swung toward Envy.