The Conquerors Path

Chapter 984: Chapter 982-Just A Rest.

"So what happened?"

Ralph asked as we all sat down, Ralph facing me, while Athena was on my side, making sure that I was alright. The situation had given her quite a fright, so I let her be.

"It’s complicated. I had to pull up all the big switches when things came out like this."

Thus, I started to tell Ralph about everything that happened, going from the whole situation about what happened, to everything that happened till the end, talking about all the layers in a perfectly arranged manner. The more I spoke, the more I could tell how surprised the two of them were about the situation.

Though I didn’t jump into the situation, just shuffled it all with the correct information that can be used.

"And then I used a special method to make everything look like I was still asleep while rushing back here. I needed a break. Plus, you understand why I have to be asleep, right?"

My words made Ralph nod his head. The two of them, being smart people, understood that what I did was the next best possible action to reduce any kind of big payback.

"So your family thinks you are still unconscious?"

Ralph asked with a raised eyebrow, to which I could only shake my head with a sigh.

"It must be done. Everything must be authentic to make it work. If not, only issues would arise. Plus, this is also to protect them, even though it hurts me to worry about them."

My expression turned downcast as I spoke of this, looking like it was paining me also a great deal to do something like this.

"Don’t worry, you won’t be alone during this time. You got me, and you got all of us. And you are doing this to keep them safe, too. Don’t feel too much guilty."

Athena spoke, rubbing her hand against my back, while making sure to soothe me out, her expression filled with a burst of pain and attention as she held me even tighter, keeping me close. And as she did it, I felt her very well-endowed chest rub against me, while at the same time, my dark side seemed to shuffle about, desiring to just rip her apart and take her in front of Ralph.

To corrupt this innocent love into something darker than I can use to satisfy my desires, but I held myself back with the other side, keeping myself in check. I couldn’t get loose right now, not to mention, it’s not something I will do to Ralph. So I buried those emotions and feelings deep inside my chest, though my senses still also picked up the desires and fluctuations in Ralph, too.

’To think, Ralph has tastes like that... urgh... no.’

I pushed that corruption back again, its sweet whispers on the side, telling me to exploit the inner desires of these two. Everybody has dirty inner desires in their hearts. Most of the time, none of them are ever fulfilled and locked away. Many die without touching that side of their desires, but I can bring it out. And right now, I don’t want to use that against these people, ones who do care about me.

The worst part is the whispers of the other side that say I am only liberating them, that they will be happy from having their desires satisfied in all ways. Yet I knew, once I pulled at that string, it would be a very dark fall down the path, so I tried to keep myself sane and pushed those thoughts aside.

"Thanks, I feel a bit better from these words."

Responding with that, I turned towards Ralph as I said.

"I needed the break from being Austin Lionheart, who’s always under the eyes of the public. Plus, this way, there are several things I need to settle too."

"You mean, the war council one, right?"

To Ralph’s question, I nodded my head.

"Indeed, isn’t right now the perfect moment to strike? Their value is all time low, and it’s overall complicated all around. A full change might even happen within the war council. This moment of instability is where we can strike, to get what I want."

"More power."

I nodded at Ralph’s confirmation. As they all say, the best way to take down your enemy is from the inside. Slowly but surely, I will strip away at their power, till they will have no choice but that by the time they decide to take me down, I will be the one running the whole show. And as Rex, I know the best way to get connections there first.

It’s time I start using all the passives and the ability that I have stored up in order to get access to all that.

"Hush... you all. Austin just came back all tired. He needs to rest and get some good cooking from his big sis!"

"You read my mind."

I spoke, making Athena smile as she stood up and pulled me away.

"Come, the kids are missing you dearly. You can play with them as I set up some food."

Being pulled by her, I looked at Ralph as I mouthed.

Let’s talk later...

Ralph nodded at it as Athena pulled me away by force, soon taking me in as I met Aria and Josh, the two little kids’ eyes lighting up as they saw me.

"Big brother!"

They shouted as they ran up to me and hugged me. I smiled with a gentle smile as I ruffled their heads, soon starting to play around with them, as Athena went to prepare some food. I didn’t really need a rest, but it’s still good to relax and wind down. Whenever the situation called for it, it makes you relaxed and happy too.

Thus, I leaned into it and spent some time playing around with the kids, the two of them enjoying my presence, as we played it all around. The truly interesting fact is that Ralph and Athena both didn’t question why I was behind them, all hidden. They accepted it more towards my secret, that I broke through all the restrictions around and hid behind them.

Though, to be fair, after finding out what I did with the whole beating up the Imperials thing, the prospects of me just appearing behind them don’t look all that mysterious anymore. Chuckling at that thought, I spent the next hour playing around with the kids till they got tired and fell asleep on my lap.

I was having a deep smile on my face as I rubbed the heads of the sleeping kids. By then, Athena returned, and a wide smile spread across her face when she saw me with the kids, her eyes looking very gentle as she spoke.

"Come, the food is all served. The kids can have them later."

Talking so, Athena picked up the kids and easily moved them to their room, tucking them in. By now it was already night, hours having passed since the whole incident, as I moved to the table. I took a seat as Athena also followed in. A whole spread of delicious food could be seen all around the table, the smell being absolutely good.

I took it all in, taking the smell as I asked.

"Ralph out for work?"

Athena nodded to it as she responded.

"Ever since what you did, the whole situation has spread. Power levels change, and even political structures are changing. It’s a whole big issue, so he has to deal with it right now. He said that you can go forward with your plans. If you need anything, you can just contact him."

I nodded my head.

"Sounds good. Do the other guys know I am fine?"

"Yeah, Ralph already filled them in, and they all felt more relaxed after that. They also have the same words to say that they will support you..."

I smiled at it as Athena suddenly added.

"And they are also subtly planning their own revenge, too."

I chuckled at that as I asked.

"Let me guess, they are spreading it fast, far and wide, while making sure to bring down the prestige, right?"

Athena nodded her head. I could see that she was happy with the decision, but even then, she wanted to do something more too. She wanted to hurt them more.

"I hope they don’t overdo it. Even though the war council will be under too much stress to react to the slandering, it wouldn’t be too good to bring them down too much. They still have a vast amount of power and control."

"They know, don’t worry."

Athena replied to my words, to which, nodding, I focused on the food. Soon the two of us fell into the food, eating with a sense of peace. In between, Athena would ask me questions, trying to make sure that I am alright, and simpler questions about how my life is going and more, and I dealt with it all in the same way too.

The whole atmosphere was loving and calm, and I did wish I were there sitting with my real family, but for now, this is needed. And in the dark, moving freely like this is something better than being stuck under every eye. After I "wake" up, there will be a lot of hounding on me, which will mean I need to use most of my time now.