Evolution Online: I Can Fuse With All Things-Chapter 46: The Shady Pact

The entire room fell silent after Lucien spoke.

The Elder Moon smiled with closed eyes.

"What do you mean, Lord Cien?"

Lucien stared at him specifically and glanced over the others.

"I mean, think about it. The very concept you’ve all bonded against is what has propelled the world this far. The world has ridden evolution’s backbone to reach where it stands today. Maybe your goal held validity a thousand years ago, or ten thousand years ago, or whenever. But no—it doesn’t anymore. You’ll only become a nuisance if you proceed with this."

He sensed a subtle shift in the air around them all. Their expressions, diverse as they were, uniformly conveyed the same displeasure. Except Gayanna, who still kept her eyes closed, and Valdris, who smiled serenely.

Lucien couldn’t decipher his thoughts—his smile was completely blank and unreadable.

Even his voice, when he spoke, stayed measured and levelled.

"A nuisance, you say? Perhaps you don’t truly grasp the gravity of what we must do. The world is destroying itself, Lord Cien. If we don’t act—"

"Then let it."

Finally, Lucien caught a flicker in Valdris’ expression. A subtle, cold gleam radiated from his green eyes—still restrained and barely noticeable, but Lucien possessed razor-sharp senses.

[Predator’s Instincts has detected subtle killing intent]

’Wolf in sheep’s clothing...’

Lucien concealed his suspicion well. But he was growing increasingly uneasy with this gathering and their discussion.

He was the type who held his convictions sacred and never knew how to suppress or mask his true feelings about any matter. When something felt wrong, Lucien would battle that wrongness until proven otherwise.

All he needed for resolve was his own reasoning—whether it aligned or clashed. And with what these elves were proposing, something definitely wasn’t aligning.

"You speak and act like zealots. And what does awakening Evelaine have to do with restoring world balance? If the gods’ realm was obliterated so catastrophically in their battle that a new one sprouted from the wreckage, can you fathom what would happen when one of the ancient gods awakens and triggers another war?

"I don’t care what banner you rally under—isn’t this pure insanity?"

The entire pact now exchanged glances, subtle hostile gleams flickering in their eyes.

Finally, one of them erupted. His voice carried the crackling intensity of a roaring bonfire—rough and passionate, with an underlying growl rumbling from deep in his chest.

"We have waited eons, and this is what we receive from the prophesied son?"

Another honeyed baritone flowed out like aged wine.

"The boy merely voices his logic. Why so viciously attack him?"

The elf who had spoken earlier—wild dark short hair and blazing eyes that burned with determination—spoke again.

"What are you saying? I’ve never liked you, half-caste bastard, because of the senseless drivel that spills from your mouth. We witnessed the beginning. We saw that catastrophe. No one from this era except the gods and the Bylaws still exists... we are the closest mortals who glimpsed the true nature of that horror. Only by awakening Evelaine can this madness be stopped!"

He whirled toward Northern, his fierce eyes blazing.

"And the prophecy declared that the one who shall cradle the lantern will rouse us from our slumber. We all know the lantern symbolizes Evelaine’s light. His sole purpose is awakening the goddess of life. Why is that so impossible for him to grasp?"

Lucien’s brows drew together—the hostility they were all suppressing was beginning to seep through.

His voice, calm and measured, sliced through the shadowed room.

"Like I said, I had no particular plans to free you. I just wanted to kill a damn monster. Who cared that a hundred elves woke up because of it? You’d better not shove this ’prophesied son’ nonsense on me, or I’m going to lose it."

His voice was already shedding its composure. He shot to his feet in frustration.

"Besides, I saved you all. Is this really the best gratitude you can muster? At least let twenty-four hours pass."

They all sat cross-legged, but the room suddenly plunged darker than before. The flame flickering in the central fountain dimmed, as if cowering from the invisible pressure that saturated the air.

[Predator’s Instincts has detected mild bloodlust]

[Predator’s Instincts has detected mild bloodlust]

[Predator’s Instincts has detected mild bloodlust]

Lucien’s expression darkened. Indignation blazed within him.

What were his odds of surviving ten elves? Zero. He couldn’t survive it, yet would die and face a 48-hour ban.

’Tch. I only just logged in...’

He had no chance of survival, but still couldn’t bring himself to surrender. Lucien was already opening his hand, prepared to summon his weapon, when a cold feminine voice cleaved the air.

"This is ridiculous."

Instantly, the atmosphere shifted. All eyes snapped to one person.

Gayanna slowly opened her eyes and fixed her gaze on the elf with short dark hair and blazing eyes.

"He owes you nothing. The prophecy might declare he will cradle the lantern, but that’s only the first half—the second half vanished when the other fragment of the shattered Forsaken Tomb was never recovered. Not only do you all conveniently champion information that serves your agenda, but you’ll stoop to threats and hostility. Makes me question the validity of our entire purpose."

Deadly silence gripped them as she spoke.

This surprised Lucien, considering he’d nearly dismissed her as the most insignificant person in the room.

Even the Elder Moon suppressed his indignation as she continued. He seemed furious yet wouldn’t dare act out.

"Besides, did the prophecy specify that he shall do this at your bidding, through your methods and your ways? You seek him for leadership, but you all sound like you’re hunting for a puppet."

Lucien frowned subtly, his heart beating loudly as he studied her.

’Who is she?’

She turned her eyes to Lucien, nearly making him stagger.

"Great one. It is good that you spoke your mind."

Lucien was still staring at her in amazement when he suddenly heard a chime. frёeweɓηovel_coɱ

[Congratulations, you have unlocked a Hidden Scenario...]

’Huh?’

The woman slowly rose, and the air temperature plummeted at an alarming rate. She glared down at all of them.

"The pact served its purpose in the beginning. We discovered crucial information because of it. However, I must dissolve it. As of today, the Moonshade Pact ceases to exist. Everyone is freed from the oath of camaraderie that binds us."

As she spoke, a soft radiance glowed on each of their hands.

Lucien watched his system as this unfolded.

[You have witnessed a world-altering moment. The relationship that formed during the world’s first days of prosperity has been dissolved after ten thousand years.]

[However, is this truly the end? Can the liberating words of the world’s first Great Mage truly satisfy the burning desire in the hearts of the Children of the Ancient Goddess of Life?]

[Or is this the beginning of a story of Hatred?]

Then... every player saw it.

<The Main Scenario is being updated...>

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