Chapter 417 Avoid if you don't want
"Hello, Mr. Asher Eli," Cambion greeted as he stepped out of the shimmering portal.
Evelina had utilized her teleportation power to bring Cambion to their designated position.
"Good Evening, Mr. Cambion," Eli responded with a warm smile, briefly looking at Evelina before focusing his attention on Cambion.
"You could have simply informed me; I would have made my way to your residence instead of troubling Her Majesty's Personal Maid to fetch me," Cambion remarked with a gentle smile, his eyes reflecting a deep sense of understanding.
"Well, considering that we are the ones seeking your invaluable assistance, I couldn't bear to impose such a task on our esteemed saviour," Eli responded diplomatically, his professional demeanour unwavering.
"Hahah..." Cambion chuckled softly before his gaze shifted towards the red cocoon, his expression turning melancholic. "M-My daughter..." His voice trailed off, tears glistening in his eyes.
Eli nodded understandingly, gesturing for Cambion to continue as he processed the emotional reunion unfolding before him.
"O-Oh, my daughter!!!" Cambion's voice broke with joy as he gently embraced the red cocoon, his warm embrace a stark contrast to the fragile cocoon's stillness.
'Drip, Drip' Tears welled up in Eli's eyes as he witnessed the heartfelt reunion between father and daughter, his own emotions stirred by the scene.
"Tsk, What the hell is wrong with you?" Evelina's voice cut through Eli's facade of empathy as she whispered in his ear, her annoyance palpable at his exaggerated display of emotion.
"I-It's just..." Eli feigned wiping away tears, his voice choked with fake emotion as he added quietly, "He's gonna fucking die in the next few hours... 'sniff, sniff'"
"...." Evelina decided to stop herself from asking anymore.
"I-it's Okay, Cambion... all you need is to save your daughter," Eli said with a tinge of genuine pain in his voice, offering a comforting pat on Cambion's shoulder.
"Y-yeah..." Cambion stuttered, composing himself as he wiped his tears, then looked at Eli with gratitude and a hint of cunning hidden beneath the surface.
"Now, could you please explain the procedure to us?" Eli asked, shifting the conversation to the urgent matter at hand.
"Yes, first, I need to enter her dreams and teach her how to navigate and escape from the dream realm..." Cambion explained, his tone serious and focused. Experience exclusive tales on empire
"How do you teach her to escape?" Eli asked, intrigued by the process.
"Well, I tell her to face the truth and accept the pain," Cambion replied cryptically, keeping his answers vague.
Eli nodded in understanding, deciding to let Cambion cook as he wished.
Cambion sneered inwardly, 'Look at that idiot; he is truly naive!'
His actual plan was to penetrate her dreams and slowly corrupt her mind, manipulating her memories. He had already recreated memories of his choosing and aimed to inject them into her consciousness. While she might regain her true memories eventually, Cambion believed it would be sufficient to distance her from Eli.
Closing his eyes, Cambion gently touched the red cocoon, causing it to emit a radiant glow. However, his expression darkened slightly as he sensed something amiss in the blank white expanse where dreams should have manifested. Nevertheless, he paid it no heed, focusing instead on injecting his carefully crafted memories into her subconscious.
Meanwhile, outside the dream realm, Eli closely scrutinized Cambion's demeanour.
"Say... Can an Incubus or Succubus disguise themselves without the need for Mana?" Eli inquired.
"..."
"Hmm?"
Evelina stared at Eli for a moment before responding, "Yes, since we are lustful beings, we lack the power to attack directly. Instead, we rely on seduction and manipulation to survive. As a result, we are adept at disguising ourselves perfectly, capable of fooling even Emperor-ranked cultivators."
Eli nodded thoughtfully.
"What's wrong? Do you suspect he's disguising himself?" Evelina questioned, furrowing her brows as she glanced at Cambion.
"Nah... not at the moment," Eli replied with a reassuring smile before taking a step back.
"Not at the moment?" Evelina echoed, her curiosity piqued by Eli's cryptic response.
"You know, I've been wondering how in the world Prisania, who was fleeing for her life, happened to stumble upon the Assassination Association precisely on their recruitment day?" Eli voiced his ponderings.
Evelina didn't seem surprised; instead, she offered, "It could be a coincidence. Perhaps the organization was in need of new recruits due to recent losses."
"Hmm... that would be quite the coincidence... but," Eli's expression turned serious as he recalled the details from Prisania's memories. He was certain that she had been practically taken in by the Assassination Association despite her poor fighting skills and tendency to avoid lethal force.
"There's something fishy about this whole assassination affair, especially when they discovered Prisania was still alive and sent a hundred trained assassins not to kill her but to capture her," Eli remarked, glancing at Evelina.
Evelina frowned, considering the implications. "So, you suspect someone is pulling the strings behind the scenes?"
"Nah," Eli dismissed the idea, shaking his head. "Someone else is behind him... and that's what I intend to find out," he muttered determinedly.
"I see," Evelina nodded in understanding.
"Did you bring the ladies?" Eli inquired.
"Yes, they're on standby," Evelina said and couldn't help but express her doubts, "Do you really think he's that dangerous? I mean... I could take him out in a one-on-one fight, you know!"
Eli smiled at her prideful demeanour and couldn't resist giving her a playful peck on the lips.
"Tsk, Can't you just stop this kissing nonsense... It's getting on my nerves!" Evelina retorted with disdain, rubbing her lips.
"You have the power to avoid my kisses, yet you stay there as if you're secretly enjoying them... right? and you can avoid them if you don't want to," Eli teased with a sly smile.
Evelina's face slightly blushed as she stammered, "I-I don't want to disrespect My Queen's husband."
"Oh? I see... that would be commendable if not for you trying to gain my attention," Eli remarked playfully, enjoying the banter between them.
Evelina's face turned sour, just about to inquire what he was talking about when suddenly, a loud 'Thud' interrupted their conversation.
"-ha-ha-ha" Cambion chuckled weakly as he fell to the ground, breathing heavily.
"Are you alright?" Eli asked with genuine concern, moving to support Cambion as he struggled to stand.
"Y-Yes," Cambion nodded, his breaths still laboured but determination in his eyes.
"Ssssshhhh"
The red cocoon suddenly began to shine brightly, causing them to pause and watch as cracks began to form along its surface.
'Finally! My daughter is coming to me!' Cambion thought triumphantly, pleased that his manipulation had succeeded without a hitch.
Meanwhile, Eli was completely taken aback by the sight of the replica red cocoon that Mariel had created. It was a testament to her skill and dedication.
'I need fuc-- ahem I mean reward her more!' Eli corrected his thought.
And then, without warning, a voice emerged from within the cocoon.
"Papa~"