Chapter 61: The Curia Assembly and a Fateful Wedding

Chloe rubbed her eyes, attempting to formulate a rational explanation for the scene unfolding before her.

Angelica Cornelia Scipio had not only appeared out of nowhere but was also accompanied by dozens of her Elder Council colleagues.

With a swift motion of her hand, Angelica Cornelia Scipio sliced through the air.

Constantine’s helmet shattered instantly, revealing the beautiful countenance of the dark knight.

“You…”

Constantine’s eyes were wide with fury as she fixed her gaze on Angelica Cornelia Scipio. The boy in her arms wailed loudly. The twin-tailed girl, her eyes narrowed with obvious disgust, placed her palm over the boy’s head, and a beautiful glow emanated from it.

Yet, Chloe caught the scent of death emanating from that glow.

“Stop! What are you doing?” Chloe cried out.

Hearing Chloe’s protest, the twin-tailed girl slowly turned her head, a sweet smile spreading across her face.

“Is there a problem with eradicating the descendants of demons?”

Her smile vanished abruptly. Her face hardened, and her icy gaze seemed to constrict Chloe’s throat.

Una clung to Chloe in fear, clutching her so tightly that Chloe’s lungs compressed, expelling every last breath from her mouth.

Constantine seized the opportunity to push the girl’s hand away. The hatred had receded from her eyes, leaving her looking like an exhausted mother. Shielding the boy behind her, she declared, “I will go with you, but please spare these innocent people.”

Before her words could fully fade, a Knight of the Order, using his remaining hand, drew his sword and lunged towards the twin-tailed girl.

****

*Swish.*

Angelica Cornelia Scipio made a gentle swipe, and the Knight of the Order was effortlessly cleaved in two. Blood spattered near Chloe’s lips, and she instinctively licked them, drawing the taste of it into her mouth.

A profound fear spread through her heart. This was Angelica Cornelia Scipio’s true power; she required no incantation, simply a raised hand to cut a person down into nothingness.

“Be careful, Cailin Borgia Cato.”

Angelica Cornelia Scipio uttered the girl’s full name. She then kicked aside the Knight of the Order’s remains, which fell to the ground with a dull thud, like a headless armored statue.

Chloe knelt, paralyzed, with Una wrapped around her. They were surrounded by the Elders, none daring to make a move.

Cicero adjusted her gold-rimmed spectacles and looked at Constantine, speaking in a cold tone. “Diana, treat her.”

A curvaceous, blue-haired woman emerged from behind Cicero. She stepped forward, retrieving bandages and alcohol from a red cross box tied to her belt.

Diana expertly disinfected and bandaged Constantine’s wounds. After a series of practiced motions, Constantine’s bleeding finally ceased.

Diana’s face was flushed, and she declared with unusual excitement, “Done!”

“Please, treat my subordinates as well…” Constantine murmured, the boy clinging tightly to her armor, not daring to open his eyes.

“Oh, my dear, I would never treat a Loennian,” Diana said, winking playfully before turning to leave.

“Take her away,” Cailin commanded coldly, pointing at Constantine. Two Elders hoisted her up, her armor dragging along the ground with a grating scrape, sparks flying.

The once valiant and formidable Constantine was utterly defenseless before this group of Elders.

The boy stumbled backward, his face a mask of confusion. Cailin seemed to notice his movement, and a toothy smile spread across her face as she steadily approached him.

Chloe stared at Cailin in horror. She intended to slaughter the boy! Just as she was about to rise, Angelica Cornelia Scipio pressed a hand-blade to her neck.

“Do not act rashly.”

“Cailin, stop playing,” Cicero said, her brow furrowed.

But Cailin seemed not to hear, instead quickening her pace. The boy’s eyes welled with tears, and he tumbled backward onto the ground. No one could save him now.

Chloe could do nothing. She clamped her hands over her ears, desperately trying to block out the horrifying screams.

****

A figure flashed past, interrupting Cailin’s frenzied actions.

Chloe was filled with a mix of shock and joy, while Una’s eyes blazed with fury.

Alice Fabian Caligula seized Cailin’s twin tails, twisting them into a knot. The boy took the opportunity to flee.

Cailin turned, her eyes brimming with tears, and whined, “That hurts!”

“What kind of skill is it to bully a child?” Alice Fabian Caligula retorted, delivering a harsh slap that sent Cailin sprawling to the ground.

Cailin clutched her swollen cheek, a faint smile playing on her lips.

“But you appeared, didn’t you?”

It turned out Cailin had only feigned her murderous intent to draw out Alice Fabian Caligula.

Alice Fabian Caligula and Cailin stared at each other for a long moment, Alice Fabian Caligula’s emerald eyes burning with rage.

“I was on my way to face judgment.”

Cailin curled her lips into a disdainful smile. “Elders enjoy absolute immunity when attending the Curia Assembly. Once the meeting is over, I don’t care if you go to hell.”

“Do you still need a vote for an already decided outcome? You’ve already won.”

“I want Wuxu to willingly accept the No-War Edict.”

Cailin’s resolute words struck at Alice Fabian Caligula. Alice Fabian Caligula exhaled slowly, then glanced at Chloe.

“Fine, I’ll go with you, but I have one condition—do not harm the Divine Chosen.”

“I never intended to do anything to her anyway, did I, little sister?”

Cailin looked at Chloe with a beaming smile. Chloe rubbed her forehead, feeling as if she was about to wet her pants from fright.

Alice Fabian Caligula withdrew her worried gaze and sighed, as if she had resigned herself to her fate.

Cailin, thoroughly satisfied, took Alice Fabian Caligula’s hand, and the two walked back to the procession.

Cicero stood on a long bench, ensuring she was visible to everyone. She announced loudly, “My Lords and Ladies, everyone is present. Tomorrow, we will hold the Curia Assembly in the Prince’s Palace to discuss the matters of greatest concern to us.”

“The last time such a grand assembly was held was three hundred years ago.”

“Sister, whose side are you on?”

“Lady Cailin’s side, of course. Surely no one is still with the Divine Chosen faction, right? Right?”

The Elders buzzed with discussion, leaving Chloe forgotten on the side.

Chloe slowly stood up, her legs trembling. Una leaned beside her, asking curiously, “Lady Chloe, what is the Curia Assembly?”

Chloe had no idea. However, Angelica Cornelia Scipio, standing nearby, interjected, “When we need to make major decisions, we hold a Curia Assembly. All Elders must be present to vote.”

Chloe suddenly remembered something. She pointed to herself and asked, “Do I need to go? I think I’m an Elder too.”

“No, you do not have voting rights,” Angelica Cornelia Scipio said coldly. “Besides, you have a wedding to attend tomorrow, don’t you?”

“A wedding?! Are you getting married?”

Una shook Chloe’s body in shock.

“It’s a long story…”

The Elders gradually departed, leaving behind only a pile of unclaimed corpses.

The scent of blood in the air stimulated Chloe’s senses. Clasping her stomach, she slowly made her way to the inn, supported by Una.

Just moments ago, Una had launched a series of accusations against Alice Fabian Caligula, but Chloe no longer had the energy to ponder such things. All she desired was a wonderful night’s sleep in bed.

Wuxu leaned against the doorframe, her silver hair cascading over her shoulders.

“You’re back?”

“Yes.”

“Then try on the wedding dress.”

Wuxu held up a silver-white wedding dress in her right hand. Its silky softness was palpable even from sight. Dozens of gems were embedded in its layers of folds, forming a bright sash. In her left hand, she held a floral wreath, woven from fragrant grasses and vibrant flowers, exuding a luscious scent.

“Wow, it’s so beautiful,” Una exclaimed.

“Truly lovely.”

Chloe took the wedding dress and the wreath, her hands already trembling.

“As beautiful as you,” Wuxu said, patting Chloe’s shoulder, her expression grave.

Yet, Chloe’s gaze remained fixed on the wedding dress, her plump, rosy lips trembling slightly. This dress clearly belonged to her, yet she felt a sense of unfamiliarity unlike anything she had experienced before.

She looked up, meeting Wuxu’s resolute gaze.

All the elaborate plans would soon converge. Tomorrow was the end.