Eden's Past-4: Truth Uncovered

It had been some hours since I'd been researching the ancient notes, but there was no information regarding removing God's curse.

Sigh!

With a sigh, I rested my head on the table. Thanks to my healing ability, I've managed to heal myself, but since it was the curse of endless pain, my body was still aching.

My eyes felt as if they were losing their shine. My body was staggering continuously, and my breathing had become heavy.

"I won't give up…"

In a weary voice, I whispered to myself.

I didn't want my lady's fate to be just like that of the Goddess of Lust.

Despite holding the title of Lust Goddess, she was genuinely kind by nature. If it wasn't for that bastard, she would've been fine now.

That bastard, Nerothen, had corrupted her, leaving her mentally unstable and fixated on him only.

Now, he had abandoned her, turning her into a social outcast. It was a tragic outcome I hoped to prevent.

Sigh!

I let out another sigh and began scanning the books again, trying to find a cure, but so far, none of the 5,000 books in this library had provided a solution.

"Tch. What a pain in the ass."

Clicking my tongue, I grumbled, rose from my chair, and walked towards the right in search of more books.

Since my arms still hurt, I used my aura to levitate the books and disembark them on the table.

I didn't use my palms either since I could just turn the pages while rolling my eyes.

As time elapsed, I continued my search but found no cure, only empty praises for the gods in the ancient texts. It was so outrageous.

Well, not outrageous because I couldn't find the cure, but because those gods didn't deserve this much flattery!

"Annoying!"

I shut my eyes tightly as all the books on the table returned to their respective shelves, and again, I rested my head on the table with a long, exasperated sigh leaving my mouth.

"..."

A blank expression was shaping on my face as I contemplated my predicament, searching for an escape from this dire situation. I knew that I couldn't ask for help, either.

Since no one would help me even if they knew my problems, after all, no one other than my lady cares about me, not even my father.

If only my mother and grandfather had been alive, I knew I didn't need words to express my dilemma to them.

I've often wondered why deities and angels changed their behavior towards me after the blood war.

While it's possible that angels might be jealous of my superior position among them, I couldn't find a reason for the deities.

Despite these thoughts, my responsibilities in managing affairs in our realm kept me busy enough to ignore the issue.

The same couldn't be said for my father, who remained cold-hearted towards me even when my mother was alive.

'Grh, damn it. It's getting unbearable.'

I gritted my teeth in pain.

Although it wasn't that I was afraid of this endless pain, I knew that I could withstand it. But I didn't allow myself to suffer because of an asshole. I didn't allow myself to get dominated by anyone!

Shortly, I felt a pair of arms wrapping around me gently.

"Ugh!"

Since the pain around my abdomen hadn't recovered completely, an agonizing response left my mouth.

"Huh? I don't think I hugged you this tightly."

The person behind me was startled by my response to such a mere hug.

Of course, the person was none other than my lady.

"R-right, I'm just tired…"

I responded while diverting my eyes.

"...Requaniel."

Suddenly she called out; her voice was a little more serious than before.

"Yes, my lady."

I gazed at her but didn't look into her eyes, pretending that the hug was the only cause of my discomfort.

If I could, I might tell her, but I couldn't because of the curse.

In a softer yet concerned voice, she leaned closer to me, asking, "What are you hiding from me?"

"Nothing, my lady."

I replied while forcing a smile.

"Requaniel..."

She called out, and out of the blue, she got closer to my face.

Before I could even react to it, our lips touched again.

Her sudden kiss took me by surprise, but I didn't react or move an inch, yet I closed my eyes amid this moment of euphoria.

Shortly, she lifted her lips and gazed into my eyes.

Her gaze seemed to melt my heart as she opened her mouth, calling out.

"I'm always here for you. So, please. Tell me what's been bothering you."

Sigh!

"It's not that I don't want to tell you, my lady; it's just that I can't," I replied with a sigh, my voice laced with frustration.

I wasn't even able to utter the word 'curse,' either. What did you expect me to do, then?

"...I see."

She responded, her voice seeming rather solemn as her face was hidden by her hair.

"I'm sorry…"

I averted my eyes again while biting my lips. A sense of frustration and anger welled up within me.

I truly despise Nerothen to death. I'll definitely kill him one day, even if it means erasing my existence after that!

"Then, Requaniel…"

I heard my lady's voice and glanced at her, but before I could even say anything, my lady cupped her palms on my cheeks.

"My lady?"

A confused response left my mouth after witnessing her action.

She gave me a heartwarming smile, yet unexpectedly, her eyes turned sharp as if peering directly into my very soul.

"?!"

My whole body shivered by glimpsing her terrifying gaze, and suddenly, all the uncovered memories of Nerothen's soul realm flashed within my mind.

The memories of the excruciating torture I went through.

He subjected me to various forms of torture, such as plucking my nails, slowly tearing my skin to intensify the pain, whipping me, and subjecting me to severe beatings, among other agonizing acts.

From my perspective, it might have only been a few hours in his soul realm, but after revisiting those memories, it felt as if I had been subjected to those tortures for millennia.

"What…the…"

I tried to speak, but my voice trailed off as my mind went blank.

My vision distorted, and I was left in a trance, standing there with my mouth open.

"?!"

Suddenly, I jolted as she removed her palms from my cheeks and lowered her gaze.

"Why…?"

She called out and gently embraced me; this time, she was gentle enough that her hug didn't cause any pain at all.

"I'm sorry…you have been through all this because of me, Requaniel."

She caressed my chest; her voice appeared to be a mixture of anger, frustration, and sadness as tears started rolling down her cheeks.

"My lady…"

I realized that she had seen everything I had gone through.

I never thought my lady possessed this skill, but I shouldn't be surprised by her abilities.

After all, she was a goddess of mystery.

"I won't forgive him," my lady resolved as she wiped her tears.

She stepped back and clenched her fist, summoning her spear of judgment into her palm.

"...." Even though I knew that the clashing between the gods was forbidden, I didn't stop her since I knew she wouldn't stop even if I tried.

That's why there was only one thing left for me to do.

"My lady."

I called out and rested my palms on her shoulders, saying, "You're free to do anything you desire, but please remember that whatever you do will affect not only you but me as well."

"That's the only reason I haven't retaliated against him. Instead, I'm trying to find a solution without resorting to violence."

"But Requaniel—"

*BOOOOOOOM!!*

"?!"

Unanticipated by us, an explosion cut off my lady's words as our gaze shifted outside the window in shock.

*Slam!*

"Your ladyship!"

"Lord Nerothen, along with his troops, have invaded our realm!" Our palace's butler, Sir Benjamin's exclamation echoed through the room, startling us with the unexpected news.

"What?! This is unbelievable!" My face contorted with bewilderment upon hearing the shocking news.

This situation was beyond anything I had anticipated since my lady warned that bastard last time, but he still dared to do something so atrocious!

While my lady tightened her spear as her face took on a grave expression, she turned towards the open doorway and commanded, "Requaniel, let's go. We won't back down."