Heaven, Earth, Me

Chapter 891: Zephyrith's Wedding Day.

While returning from Zephyrith's cell, Fu Lang Zu's face returned to a cold and emotionless one. He was not proud of what he made because Zephyrith looked too calm. 

While it was the truth that he wanted Zephyrith in his harem because she was a good and intelligent woman, it was also the truth that he wanted her because of the latent danger she possessed. 

For now, Zephyrith's overall strength was lesser than his. However, that didn't mean that it would continue being as such during the following years. 'Fate… Fate users usually die early, and I now understand why.'

Just their existence was already threatening to others. Being by the side of someone who can possibly know how you might act, how you do things, or how events will develop is not comfortable, as many questions appear.

"Am I doing what I am because of my own will?"

"Are they manipulating everything behind my back to eventually lead in the shadows?"

"Do they know I doubt them?"

And, question after question, trust slowly breaks down and becomes wariness and, ultimately, paranoia.

Fu Lang Zu was also experiencing this. Since Yasenia appeared, everything derailed, and it felt like control had slipped through his fingers. No matter how he tried to catch it and take back control, like a slippery liquid, it continued falling and getting out of hand.

As Heart Demons accumulated, thoughts became complicated, and Zephyrith's loyalty seemed to decrease; he became hasty and started acting, even when the advisor he usually listened to said otherwise. 

Fu Lang Zu muttered as he walked down the hall. "Why is she so calm? Why was she not panicking when I took her from her room? Did she know that this day would arrive? And, if she did, did she know that I would not force myself on her?"

Fu Lang Zu paused, feeling like he needed to go back and get her purity just for the sake of going against whatever Fate Zephyrith learned or saw. His thoughts, getting murkier and spiraling down out of control, became tangled. 

What he didn't know is that such a decline was far from natural. Fu Lang Zu was not a stupid person. If he was, he never would've become a top Ten Patriarch and someone at the top of the World.

He was cunning and calculated, and he usually knew how to face his enemies and manipulate things. But back at the exit of the Secret Realm, when he faced Yasenia and lost his limbs to Doriel, the assassin specialized in curses did not just sever his limbs. She cut deep into his soul, allowing a curse to magnify the heart demons and let them seep deep into his soul.

Because of the lack of expertise from Distancia's people about souls, it was easily ignored and had been residing inside of him for a few years already.

Around Fu Lang Zu, a black miasma appeared for a fraction of a second as several thoughts swirled in his head, but he snapped out of it quickly and continued walking. Rubbing his forehead, Fu Lang Zu frowned. "I am getting a bit tired lately. Did I get poisoned? But the physician told me there are no problems…" His frown deepened. "What if the physician is someone in Zephyrith's camp or someone who wants to hurt me? I should kill them and find a new one so that the new knows the fate of those opposing me…" A smile appeared on his face, even when his golden eyes were dim and full of muddiness. "Yeah, let's do that." 

Time passed quickly, and the day for Zephyrith's wedding approached. While sitting on a chair and being attended by a few mortal women, Zephyrith looked at herself in the mirror with a cold and indifferent face. "What a vulgar dress."

The dress was wild, covering her chest in a crop top made of beautiful black fur that contrasted perfectly with her white complexion and silver fur. Her waist was revealed, showing a perfect curve and marked abs, while her skirt opened in the middle at the front and back. 

The cloth was more like a skirt that had the middle part erased, showing her inner thighs and genital area that were covered by an elegant and opaque black and golden pair of panties.

In general, it was a revealing and exotic dress that highlighted Zephyrith's perfectly slim body and tried to make her appear vulgar. Still, thanks to her innate elegance, Zephyrith looked dignified even when wearing such a seductive dress.

The Fate Wolf Woman smiled with derision. "Is this an attempt to let me know my place? Cheap and Childish."

The mortal wolf women who were attending didn't dare say a single word. For them, Fu Lang Zu was akin to a god-like being. A handsome man who had everything, yet, to their incomprehension, the woman before them was not happy. On the contrary, she seems to be mocking and derisive of the person adored by 99.99% of the female wolf population. 

For them, as mortal women, if Fu Lang Zu offered them to be his maids, they would go on their knees and thank him with their bodies if necessary. Zephyrith's spiritual sense was sharp, so she spoke. "If you are stuck in outer appearances, you will eventually be deceived by someone."

The mortal women understood that the creature before them understood their thoughts, and pure and utter terror invaded their bodies.

All of them went down on their knees and pressed their forehead on the ground. "W-W-We are sorry! Madam Fu!"

If an Epoch Core killed them, no one would even bat an eye. Who would want to stick out for mortals and offend one of the strongest beings on the continent? Hence, mortals and low-level cultivators needed to be extremely careful around powerful beings since they could be killed at just a whim.

Zephyrith snorted. "Call me Lady Zephyrith. I am not married yet, so you shouldn't use that other title." Then, she sighed and got thoughtful. "More than a millennium alive, and all of it will culminate into this situation?" 

However, her eyes, while they looked lost on the outside, didn't have that hint of depression. "But… Why do I not feel despair or resignation?" The woman frowned. 

Fate was too elusive, so she couldn't really predict the future more than foretelling some of her future sensations or feelings when it was related to herself. And from what she predicted, her future was not grim but a happy one. This confused her to no end. 'Is Fu Lang Zu a good husband or something? That can't be possible…'

Looking in the mirror again and seeing that the mortals were still on the ground, some even having pissed themselves in fear, she sighed. "Those who urinated, get out. The smell is too much. The rest can continue the preparations." 

'Well, it's not like I can't understand them. I had a similar feeling when I first saw that woman…' 

Remembering a pair of red eyes similar to her own, yet so different in essence, her body burst into chills. 'That black-haired, red-eyed woman is too dangerous. If she gets involved this time…' 

Zephyrith shook her head, making the hair accessories create crisp and pleasant sounds.

"It's time for the mate to appear!"

An echoing voice reverberated all around the place, giving Zephyrith the signal that it was her turn to enter the mating ritual. 

Zephyrith stood up and walked without any haste. Her steps were firm and unhurried. However, the charm and dignity behind them mesmerized all who saw her. 

The Fate Wolf didn't even bother using her spiritual sense. She had zero intentions of seeing Fu Lang Zu's face for more than necessary during this annoyance. 

As she walked down the long hall that led into the cave-room where the ritual would proceed, her mind replayed a bit of the past years. A faint smile came to her lips as Sierra's smile, filled with wild charm, flashed in her mind. 'Sierra, will you fight for me after I've been claimed…? I wonder… I really do. If you think that my affection for you is not enough... you are wrong. It really is enough. Even I am surprised. Yet, if I want to see you again, I can't go against Fu Lang Zu for now.'

Zephyrith felt her own heart squeezing. 'I can't fight or flee. As much as I've come to like you, I can't abandon my race without leaving it with a proper leader. If I am that wolf's wife, I can restrict his actions. I can bring prosperity… Of course, all these thoughts and plans only matter because I believe that you won't abandon me.'

Zephyrith laughed, even if her red eyes were filled with sadness. 'If you don't want me after this… I guess that's it. Yasenia's reasons to show mercy will disappear.' 

Zephyrith's mind was convoluted. 

On one hand, her increasing affection toward the Wolf Queen pushed her to be selfish and leave everything behind for her own happiness. 

On the other hand, her loyalty toward her own race, which she had cultivated for more than a thousand years, stopped her from doing such selfish actions.

'I could ask Yasenia to help, but during the time she prepares, Fu Lang Zu's people might go insane once Fu Lang Zu realizes that his future mate was 'kidnapped' willingly. He is too unstable lately, and that will result in millions of deaths.'

Zephyrith sighed. 'Complicated. I just hope that the choice I've made is the correct one.' 

Then, Zephyrith pushed the doors leading into the ritual room open, ready to be welcomed by the familiar faces of Fu Lang Zu and his people. 

However, once she looked inside, her eyes widened in stupefaction. The room was full of people, but instead of peaceful, it was divided in half, with each side glaring at the other.

At the front of each group, there was a wolfkin, contrasting colors like day and night.

On the left, a female wolf with fur as white as snow and a beautiful "Queen" symbol on her forehead stood imposingly, emanating a wild aura of charm that would make many females and males feel submissive. 

On the right, a male wolf with fur as dark as a moonless night was growling, his usually handsome face twisted with pure anger as his aura violently pulsed around him, trying to suppress the white-furred wolfkin without effect.

Zephyrith stood at the entrance of the room, looking at the groups behind both sides with confusion. 

"ZEPHYRITH!"

"Zephyrith."

Two voices reached her, one full of anger, the other smooth and calm.

Fu Lang Zu shouted with a growl in his voice that made it reverberate around the room. "Zephyrith! Come here before you learn about the consequences!" 

Sierra looked at Zephyrith with a calm expression and spoke seriously. "This is the last chance I give you, Zephyrith."

Then, she didn't say anything else. Zephyrith didn't hear any words of encouragement or affection from Sierra, making it clear that she was angry. Of course, Zephyrith understood. 'How could she not be angry when I am wearing this, right?' 

The beautiful Fate Wolf looked around once more and walked forward. 

'I guess… If I don't choose this side… I will regret it.'

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Author: And we will know in the next chapter~.

Evelyn: It's getting interesting! We are crashing a wedding! So fun!

Yasenia: *Amused* Is it that fun? 

Evelyn: *Sparkling eyes* Did you see that Wolf's face when we appeared!? HILARIOUS! 

Yasenia: There, there. Don't spoil the next chapter.

Evelyn: Right, right.

Author: Thank you, Yasenia.

Yasenia: No problem~. I summon you!

Author: Eh? MY JOB! QAQ!

VolfKami: Hello~.

Evelyn: Welcome back! What question do you have today?

VolfKami: Well, I want to ask the seniors and Kali.

Kali: Eh? Me too?

VolfKami: Yes! Given her future tribulations and trials, would training against Tatyana's army be the recommended method for Kali? 

Kali: Ah, no wonder I am included, hahaha.

Valeria: That's a good question, and yes. It is something that she will do.

Tatyana: Not only will she do it, she has already been doing it.

VolfKami: Oh? Really?

Tatyana: Of course, I've destroyed her army quite a few times already with my undead~. 

Kali: Cough, can you not put it like that?

Tatyana: Tsk, tsk. I won't say it like that when you at least manage to kill 1% of my army!

VolfKami:... Is it that hard, Kali?

Kali: *Dead Fish Eyes* Heh. Difficult? Heh. Heh. Heh.

VolfKami: Cough, sorry for asking. 

Valeria: So, yes. She will do so. 

Tatyana: Hey, author. You should show me stomping the child sometimes.

Author: TATYANA, PHRASING!

Tatyana: Tsk, tsk. Don't worry so much.

Author: … Whatever. This is all for today! Have a good day~. 

The girls: Bye-bye~.

Proofreader Sarah: Heh, I personally would enjoy a small training arc after all of these politics.

Proofreader Ayan: Hmph. This sovereign seconds that.