Chapter 682
Adel's Past Life
The long conversation did not escalate into a conflict, which secretly relieved Daphne.
Daphne suppressed her emotions, looked at Adele, and said softly:
"Although so many things happened today, thankfully, everything has come to a good conclusion."
From now on, no one will dare to covet the divine status within you.
Cohen did a pretty good job in this matter.
However, you and Effie must be even more careful from now on.
Once the covenant of the gods is officially announced to the mortal world, the shackles will fall and the chains will loosen, and the entire continent... will soon no longer be what it is now.
In a time of turbulent times and fierce competition among nations, ambition and desire, once unrestrained, can unleash their power like wild beasts breaking free of their cages.
War, conspiracy, betrayal, destruction... all of this will soon sweep in like a blizzard in the North, and no land will be able to remain unscathed.
As for you, Effie, in the past, under Cohen's... well, aggressive expansion, you offended quite a few forces and people, almost all over the continent.
At that time, Effie will inevitably become the target of public criticism.
The pressure from both open and covert attacks, from all sides, will only increase, not decrease, compared to now.
Not to mention, there's Cohen, that...troublemaker.
The phrase "troublemaker" was uttered.
The two women opposite her gave a soft snort in unison, clearly quite dissatisfied with Daphne's assessment.
A brief silence fell over the palace.
Two women, one of whom was Queen Effie, the most beautiful woman on the mainland.
One is the elemental god in charge of beauty, love, and light. At the moment Daphne described Cohen Corleone as a "troublemaker," their stances were surprisingly aligned, and their reactions were surprisingly synchronized.
Daphne sighed, rubbing her forehead, and said:
"Okay. You two... you both know what kind of men you are."
Her gaze swept between Adeline and Etheril, finally settling on Adeline.
"He has the ability, that's beyond doubt."
Their ability to cause trouble and make enemies is equally... outstanding.
Therefore, be extra careful, especially you, Adele.
Daphne took a small half-step forward, getting a little closer to Adele.
The temperature inside the palace seemed to drop a little as she approached, and the tiny ice crystals in the air shimmered with an even brighter light.
Her expression turned unusually serious, and a profound sense of understanding of the passage of time clearly enveloped her delicate features.
"In the future struggle for supremacy among nations, no one can predict the future or foresee the final victor."
Having great strength does not guarantee victory in the end; history is full of examples of the weak defeating the strong.
The fall of the Arcane Empire, the disintegration of the Ancient Elf race, and... even earlier, those glorious dynasties whose names have been forgotten—they all once thought themselves invincible.
The wood is beautiful in the forest, and the wind will destroy it.
You should understand this better than I do. Your Effie has expanded too quickly over the years, making too many enemies, and Cohen's personality is too conspicuous.
At that time, open and covert attacks, pressure from all sides, will come like a blizzard in the north, without any warning, sweeping in from all directions.
Therefore, you must protect yourself. This is not advice; it's something you absolutely must do.
Her concern for Adele was almost overflowing.
Such emotional expression is extremely rare for the Ice Goddess, who is known for her calm and indifferent demeanor.
Adele listened quietly, the displeasure that had appeared on her face because of Daphne's comments about Cohen long since dissipated, and she regained her usual calm.
But deep within those azure eyes surged a clear confusion, as well as a long-suppressed curiosity.
Adele took a small step forward, closer to Daphne, and looked up to meet the gaze of the Ice Goddess in her eyes, which seemed to hold the cold of eternity. Her voice was very soft:
Actually, I've always wanted to ask you this.
What exactly is our relationship?
Five years ago, you went to great lengths, even using divine power, to seal away the memory fragments of almost everyone on the continent involved, just to conceal my existence and protect me.
Now that the time has come, the covenant of the gods has been announced, and my divine status has been properly resolved. I think it's time to speak, isn't it?
She paused, her eyes fixed on Daphne, not missing a single subtle change in the other's expression:
"Also, speaking of divinity, there's this ice elemental divinity within me..."
The atmosphere in the palace became quite subtle after Adel's questions.
Although Aetherel was still standing a little distance away, seemingly observing the landscape painting on the wall, her posture indicated that all her attention was now focused on this side.
Daphne pursed her lips, her gaze unconsciously glancing at Aetherel beside her.
His lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he gently shook his head.
"It's not the right time, Adele. It's not that I don't trust you, it's just that there are some things I can't say right now. Especially..."
She glanced at Aetherel again, this time her gaze lingering a little longer, before refocusing on Adele's face, her icy blue eyes filled with an unyielding gravity:
“Especially today, after Belial reappeared and the signs that King Solomon is not dead became clear.” Daphne’s voice was even lower, as if she were afraid of disturbing something sleeping in the darkness.
"This proves that the multiverse is far more profound, more ancient, and... more dangerous than we once thought."
Beneath the surface of the water, there are still many things we don't know about.
They may be asleep, they may be hidden, or they may be observing everything in ways we cannot comprehend. (See Chapter 248, "The First Meeting of Adele and Aetherel!")
Some names, some connections, once spoken, may be heard.
I absolutely cannot take that risk, and I especially cannot let you take that risk.
Before you are truly ready, before you take back everything that is rightfully yours, before you have the strength to face those 'gazes'.
Your true identity must remain shrouded in mystery.
This is protection for you, Adele, this is the only effective protection!
What kind of dangerous being could make Daphne Ice, a member of the Council of Gods and an elemental god who wields the power of frost and winter, so secretive and even explicitly express her "fear of attracting attention"?
When Adele heard Daphne's almost whispered warning, a thoughtful look appeared in her eyes, and her expression became much more serious.
Daphne's reminder was like a key, allowing fragmented images to resurface from the frozen door of her memories.
The ice elemental divine core within her seemed to resonate faintly at that moment, bringing a tremor from the depths of her soul.
A deep look of surprise and disbelief flashed in the depths of Aetherel's pale golden eyes.
What level of existence did this Adaline Angelion involve in her past life that even Daphne is so cautious about, even... afraid of?
That's understandable; anyone who catches Cohen's eye must be extraordinary.
Three women, three different thoughts, flowed silently through this bedroom filled with the atmosphere of Cohen's life.
Adele silently processed Daphne's warning; Aetherel stood still, her thoughts churning; Daphne maintained her unusually serious demeanor, her icy blue eyes fixed on Adele, as if to confirm that the other had understood her admonition.
A silent stillness fell over the palace.
Just then, clear footsteps came from outside the door.
Cohen pushed open the door to his bedchamber, his gaze sweeping over the scene within with a hint of unease—his queen Adele, the goddess of light Etheril, and the goddess of ice and snow Daphne.
Three women, each with a distinct temperament yet equally captivating, were positioned in a somewhat peculiar triangle in his private space.
His gaze finally settled on Adele, he raised an eyebrow, walked in, closed the door behind him, and asked softly:
"How...did you bring it here?"
The solemnity and deep thought on Adele's face vanished the moment Cohen pushed the door open, replaced by that gentle and proper smile that Cohen was familiar with.
As if the conversation with Daphne that involved ancient taboos and secret identities had never happened, he gave Daphne a subtle look.
The meaning is clear: don't tell Cohen what we just talked about.
He then took two steps forward, came to Cohen's side, and very naturally extended his hand to interlock his fingers with Cohen's, whispering:
"His Majesty the Dawn wanted to know about your past life, so we decided to come to your bedchamber."
Cohen held Adele's slightly cool hand in his fingers, feeling the familiar touch and temperature.
He quickly glanced around the palace out of the corner of his eye. There were no signs of a fight in the palace, no chaotic divine power left in the air, and the three women seemed... fairly calm.
Cohen secretly breathed a sigh of relief and responded, accepting Adele's explanation without delving into it further.
Adele asked softly:
"Is everything settled?"
Cohen nodded slightly:
"Yes, it's almost done."
His voice carried a hint of weariness, but was very certain.
Today's upheaval that shook the mainland, the follow-up work, appeasement, intelligence gathering, border security... there are countless things to deal with. It's already quite remarkable that they were able to sort things out in such a short time.
Adele nodded, holding his hand tightly, and continued to ask:
"What about the other two gods...?"
Almost at the same moment—
"Ruiyu and Jinhui didn't make things difficult for you, did they?"
Another voice rang out, speaking a little faster, with a hint of barely perceptible urgency, overlapping with Adele's gentle inquiry.
After asking the question, Aether seemed to realize that her tone was a bit too eager.
She pursed her lips slightly, but her gaze remained fixed on Cohen's face, awaiting his answer.
Daphne clicked her tongue softly, a strange emotion on her face.
Cohen raised an eyebrow. He had certainly heard Daphne's soft click, but he chose to ignore it.
His gaze shifted between Adele's concerned face and Aetherial's anxious eyes, before he replied softly, "With Her Majesty the Elf Queen Wisdom in charge, there shouldn't be any major problems...."
After Cohen finished speaking, the palace was quiet for a moment.
Aetherel's gaze had barely left Cohen ever since he entered the room.
She took a small step forward, the soft light from the magic lamps on the palace ceiling bathing her in a hazy glow, casting a soft halos over her white dress and pale golden hair. She parted her red lips slightly:
"Within the Elf pantheon, there has always been a longing to establish a new Elf God-King."
It now seems that Ruiyu, and the group of elven deities he represents, have placed this renewed hope in the demigod under your protection... Vilekis the Destroyer.
Ruiyu's visit this time, and her special request for a private conversation with Virekis, likely stemmed from this very purpose.
Aetherel paused, seemingly considering her next words. Her gaze swept across Adele's calm face before finally settling back on Cohen, and she continued:
"Next, they will likely formally make a commission to you, or even... a request."
With the help of Effie, help Vilekis establish a powerful empire for the elves in the coming chaos.
To integrate the elven races that are now scattered across the continent, each acting independently and even hostile to one another.
Especially during the chaotic era of the announcement of the 'Covenant of the Gods,' the reconstruction of the continental order, and the struggle for supremacy among nations.
This is the best opportunity, and perhaps the last chance, for the Elven race to regroup and restore their ancient glory.
For Virekis, if she could successfully unite the various elven races and establish a powerful elven empire, that would be ideal.
The faith she embodies and the destiny of her people she carries will lay the most solid foundation for her future ascension to godhood and for her to truly assume the divine status and authority of the 'Elf God King'.
This was a crucial step for her and for the elven pantheon.
After she finished speaking, the palace fell silent once again.
Aetherel's analysis is calm and insightful, clearly outlining a vast political landscape involving the rise and fall of races and the authority of the gods.
Cohen listened quietly, showing no surprise on his face, and slowly nodded, indicating his approval of Aetherel's analysis.
"Yes, that's probably the idea of the Elven race. We'll discuss the specifics after Your Majesty Ruiyu finishes talking with Virekis."
As for the Dragon God, Bahamut Golden Radiance...
I was a little unsure about his initial attitude when he first appeared.
But now, based on his subsequent words and actions, as well as some details from our brief meeting, I have a rough idea of what's going on.
His focus is likely not entirely on me, or on Effie himself.
The more likely reason is the legendary realm of my 'Dragon Kingdom,' and..."
He paused for a moment, then said the name.
"Asuna Iliad's bloodline."
"Asuna Iliad".
Aetherel silently repeated the name in her mind.
Just now, during Adel's hour-long narration, she heard a description of this dragon-born woman—the leader of Cohen's dragon legion, conducting high-intensity combat preparations in the perilous Dragon Plane. Effie is Effie's greatest trump card in the future struggle for supremacy among nations.
A highly capable and loyal assistant to Cohen, whose loyalty and affection for him are beyond question, and also... a beautiful lady.
The fact that Cohen mentioned it personally and linked it to the attention of the Dragon God Jin Hui at this moment seemed to add even more weight to the name.
Just then, Daphne, who had been standing silently like an ice sculpture in another corner of the room, interjected:
"I was just about to say that too."
The power that erupted in the final stage of your legendary domain called 'Dragon Kingdom', and the phantom of the primordial dragon you summoned to protect yourself when you finally resisted the descent of the will of the god of darkness, Erebus.
The concept of 'dragon' contained within it is pure, ancient, and even carries a trace of the origin.
That wasn't a simple imitation of dragon might, nor was it a common dragon blessing; it was something closer to the origin.
As a dragon god, Bahamut King's perception of dragon blood and authority far surpasses that of any other being.
It's perfectly normal for him to be puzzled or even interested in this.
The progenitor dragon... even if it's just a phantom, it holds extraordinary significance for the dragon race.
But you can rest assured.
Her gaze swept over Cohen, then glanced almost imperceptibly at Aetherel beside her, before returning to the void, her tone flat:
“With me here, and Aetherel here, Bahamut Kingbright wouldn’t dare do anything out of line.”
Cohen turned his gaze to Daphne and expressed his gratitude at the opportune moment:
"Thank you for your reminder, Lady Ice. I will keep in mind the potential connection between the 'Dragon Kingdom' and Asuna's bloodline."
He didn't dwell on that issue, and naturally shifted the conversation to the next, and most crucial, core issue.
His gaze swept between Aetherel and Daphne:
"So, regarding the ownership of the 'Chosen Kingdom,' have you two already made a clear decision?"
Aetherel responded almost immediately:
"The pantheon of light will choose the Efein Empire as our representative and foundation in the mortal world."
Her words were devoid of flowery embellishments or lengthy explanations; they were simply a direct declaration.
Behind this announcement lies her unwavering pursuit of Cohen, transcending life, death, and reincarnation.
Cohen wanted to ask, "What about the Western Empire, the stronghold of your Light God System? Did you just abandon it so easily?"
However, looking into Aetherial's affectionate eyes, he ultimately didn't ask the question.
Just as Cohen was pondering this, another clear, cold voice followed:
"Frost God system, also choose Eifine."
As for the Northern Empire... I'm prepared to give up on it directly.
That was just one of many alternatives; it wasn't necessary.
She spoke of it casually, as if giving up a vast empire that dominated the northern part of the continent was as simple as brushing a snowflake off her sleeve.
This signifies a complete shift in the resources of the Frost God System, meaning that the Northern Empire has already lost its most important trump card before the upcoming competition for the Chosen Nation has even begun.
Cohen listened quietly, without showing much surprise on his face.
Although the exact nature of the relationship between Daphne and her queen sister is still unknown, having the support of another elemental god is certainly the best outcome.
He paused briefly, seemingly organizing his thoughts, before dropping another important message:
"There is one more thing."
His Holiness Charles Wilson, the God of Healing, has already secretly reached an agreement with me.
He promised to provide me—and Effin—with all the support he could in the future.
This news was clearly more sudden than the choices made by the two goddesses.
Although the God of Healing is not a top-tier pantheon like the gods of light and frost, the realm of healing and life it represents is of immeasurable value in turbulent times of war.
The implication of a deity renowned for his medical skills and benevolence placing a bet on a mortal monarch in advance is intriguing.
A strange look flashed across Aetherel's face:
"Charles Wilson... he has always been very good at judging the situation."
It's much wiser to invest in yourself in advance than to wait until the situation becomes clear before placing your bets.
However, this is indeed a good thing. With the blessing and support of the Holy God of Healing, it will be of great convenience to your future struggle for supremacy on the continent in terms of medical care, treatment of the wounded, and even maintaining morale and population stability.
On a battlefield strewn with corpses and seas of blood, the protection of a benevolent deity is sometimes more tangible than the aura of ten war gods.
The conversation inside the palace has temporarily come to an end.
The ownership of the Chosen Kingdom, potential allies, future challenges... the important matters have been discussed to a near end.
Daphne, who had been silently observing, glanced between Cohen and Etheril before finally settling on Adele's serene face.
She felt that her presence here was somewhat superfluous.
So, with a clear understanding of his own limitations, he spoke up:
"Since there's nothing else urgent here, I'll return to the Divine Realm first."
Her gaze lingered on Adele's face for an extremely brief moment, her eyes filled with a complex and unfathomable expression, as if they contained unspoken words, but in the end she said nothing.
She glanced at Cohen again, nodded slightly, as if to say goodbye.
Then, her figure began to blur, the temperature around her plummeted, and fine ice crystals swirled around her.
The next second, all the ice crystals vanished without a trace.
Daphne's departure left only Cohen, Adel, and the Goddess of Light, Etherel, in the palace, and the atmosphere suddenly changed.
Adele's gaze first fell on Cohen's slightly tired but still upright back, and then slowly turned to Aetheril, who was standing a few steps away.
Aetherel's gaze also returned from where Daphne had disappeared, and briefly met Adel's gaze in the air.
Neither woman spoke; only the steady hum of the magic lamp and the three women's shallow, uneven breathing filled the bedroom.
Then, Adele walked over to Cohen, raised her hand, and gently straightened Cohen's tie.
Then, she tiptoed and placed a gentle kiss on the corner of Cohen's mouth.
After the kiss, Adele took a small step back, her azure eyes gazing at Cohen with tenderness, and whispered:
"Handle it properly, she... has had a tough time too."
It sounds almost absurd, even blasphemous, for a mortal to say that it is "not easy" for a supreme god who wields light and is high above all others.
However, Adele spoke so naturally and calmly.
Aetherel, who was standing not far away, also heard these words clearly.
There was no change in expression on his flawless face.
She simply stood there quietly, gazing lovingly at the man she had been searching for for tens of thousands of years. (End of Chapter)