Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 437: Adelia’s Plight

Chapter 437: Adelia’s Plight

Thick crimson light streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows as Adelia made her way down the empty hallway adorned with paintings of past leaders of the Augustus family.

All had the same expression, one filled with pride and joy which was somewhat ironic considering what they all faced in their lifetime.

Perhaps these paintings were drawn at a time before they left to assume their responsibilities.

Arriving at the latest painting to adorn these time-worn walls, Adelia found herself pausing for a moment as her eyes drifted to the image painted on it.

The man it depicted was familiar and yet just as unfamiliar.

The smile he held reminded her of times past when all was well.

It reminded her of the sibling duo that were once inseparable.

It reminded her of the sibling... that she was forced to let go of.

Her expression, illuminated by the bloody rays of the Nighteye, seemed to distort at that moment, reflecting the overflowing emotions bombarding her.

She felt choked and needed a means to vent, that much was sure.

Rubbing her cheek to deal with the tears streaming down, she turned and kept on walking, making her way to the cellar where she picked up the first alcoholic brew that she could find.

She downed it in seconds, ignoring its sour taste as she wished to drown herself in the sorrows plaguing her heart.

Once upon a time, she regarded the Augustus family as a blessed family but now... faced with the cruelty of the world, she had to admit it.

The Augustus family was cursed.

Cursed to serve a madman who would never think them worthy of anything else.

That realization hurt more than she thought it would, causing her to empty another wine bottle and then another.

Unfortunately, as a Mystic, especially one of the Monster Wheel, her body’s capability to handle alcohol was quite high, ensuring she couldn’t get drunk.

"Ah!" She screamed as she tossed the bottle she held, shattering it against the wall.

Then, she gazed down at her palms, watching them tremble incessantly.

She gulped, again and again, as thoughts began to form in her heart, and within moments, she found herself accepting them.

Her breathing quickened as she glanced at the place where the bottle had shattered and picked up the biggest shard she could find.

Ignoring how it dug into her skin, she exited the cellar and left in a certain direction, her steps uneven.

She passed by guards and maids, not bothering to respond to their greetings as her supple skin bathed in the bloody crimson light of the Nighteye.

Soon, she arrived at her destination.

The door was guarded by two Conjoined Wheel Mystics, their expressions unreadable as they stared ahead.

She came closer and then ordered. "Leave."

They exchanged looks with one another after which they left, allowing Adelia some much-needed privacy.

Taking a deep breath, she held the doorknob and opened it, quickly finding herself in a room designed for a child.

Then she stepped in and closed the door before proceeding to lock it from within.

Turning, she found who she was looking for, causing her heartbeat to thump aggressively as she tightened her grip around the broken bottle shard.

Her eyes reflected the image of a golden-haired baby in a cot, sleeping peacefully while oblivious to the killer seeking to end him.

The fact that the bastard that caused not only her brother’s madness but her father’s as well could be so undisturbed caused her already agitated heart to grow even more frantic.

She took steady steps forward, slowly approaching the cot.

Gulping hard, she raised the bottle shard, intent on striking it down only to freeze as the baby stirred before opening its eyes to look at her.

Terror gripped her heart at that moment as she found herself unable to move, the horrifying thought that she would die without fulfilling her wish flitting through her mind.

But the death she expected never came as the child, after a casual glance, slipped right back into slumber, almost like it didn’t recognize Adelia’s threat to him.

Adelia’s expression tightened, insulted by the fact that the baby Emperor did not even deem her worth his time

Gritting her teeth, she swung down only to pause as a voice was heard at that moment.

"What do you hope to achieve?"

The voice, calm and deliberate, was delivered in a tone that seemed to radiate with wisdom befitting a sage.

Adelia’s breathing turned erratic as she replied. "He needs to die."

"Why?"

"... Because of him, my family will always remain under bondage."

"And you think killing him would stop that?"

"I..."

"The likelihood of being burned alive by the family you wish to protect is higher than them giving you a pat on the back."

Angered by his words, Adelia turned to face the man speaking, finding a wizened old man with two small horns at either side of his temple and a slit at the center of his temple.

"What do you know?"

"I know that your actions will only serve to do more harm than good."

"That’s not assured."

The man shook his head. "Just like you, my Wheel has slowly but surely fallen under the control of the child in that cot. As of now, the Conjoined Wheel and Emperor Enoch are inseparable."

"So just like me, you have every reason to kill him."

"I do, yet I don’t. Don’t you wish to know why?"

His words calm, they served to somewhat calm the raging emotions in Adelia’s heart though it was but a step away from igniting once again.

Seeing as Adelia was willing to listen, the man remarked. "Because without the Emperor, the Empire will surely crumble. His mere presence, even subconsciously, is the reason why Zion remains a world power in Eventide.

"He may be mad, but his madness revolves around creating a perfect world for his subjects, a peaceful one devoid of conflict. It is delusional but that alone shows that despite everything, deep down, he is a good man."

"So what?... Do I forget what he has done to my brother?... What he did to my father?"

"No."

"Then..."

"But, killing him would lead to much worse. Half bread is better than none, child. Would you rather allow the death of billions knowing that you could have prevented it?"

Adelia’s expression shifted as she bit down on her lip, some of her reasoning returning as she was no longer touched by the crimson rays of the Nighteye.

Moments passed before she intoned. "So my Augustus family must remain as the sacrifice to ensure the safety of everyone else?"

"Take solace in the fact that you are not alone, child."

"..." Adelia glanced at the sleeping baby as she inquired. "Will you stop me if I insist on killing him?"

"No." The man replied.

Adelia hesitated, her eyes flickering with an uncertain emotion before she ultimately tossed the shard aside, her jaws clenched as she remarked.

"I hate this... I hate all of it."

Just as the old man deigned it necessary to respond, the door to the bedroom swung open, revealing a man wearing a smiling clown mask on the other end.

"What is it, Smiley?" Adelia questioned harshly.

"Forgive my interruption, Mouthpiece, but something has come up."

"What?"

"We received word from Lord Lionel."

"... I see. I will be with you shortly."

Bowing, Smiley took his leave with Adelia turning to the horned man.

"You should go, you have a duty to fulfill while the Emperor is currently indisposed."

Adelia hesitated before ultimately nodding and exiting as well.

Seconds passed before the old man let out a tired sigh before glancing at the Emperor.

It didn’t take long for a dark look to emerge on his face causing him to instinctively turn, finding the window behind him snapped open, perhaps as a result of the billowing wind, with the crimson rays of the Nighteye dyeing his figure a sinister red.

Seeing such a sight, he couldn’t help but wonder; Had the Nighteye been that shade of red since the first Night of Astra?

Clicking his tongue, he reached out causing a tongue to shoot out from the open mouth on his palm, grabbing the window pane before closing it shut.