The Blood Dew melts upon entry, and the aura of the Blood Bride instantly breaks through the boundaries of the Morning Star Level.
Her beauty becomes even more captivating, and just a glance can make ordinary people fall in an instant.
But beneath this beauty lies a pure instinct for slaughter.
"From now on, your name is ’Blood Rose’." Uphemia names her new subordinate:
"You will be my most precious partner and my most reliable guard."
Blood Rose elegantly bows, her voice as heavenly:
"Blood Rose pledges allegiance to the master unto death, fighting for your glory."
Just then, a strange energy fluctuation came from afar.
Aiden’s presence, although just a projection, still alarms the other apostles with its pressure.
"Mad Bite" Mogron and "Nightmare Queen" Selena almost simultaneously dispatch subordinates to investigate the situation.
"It seems our little gathering has startled some of the old folks..."
Aiden’s tone carries disdain:
"But that’s good, let those old immortals know I’m still alive and have enough power to protect my own interests..."
Blood tendrils begin to shrink, preparing to sever the connection:
"It’s about time, my daughter... remember your mission, and remember your identity... don’t disappoint me..."
"I will never disappoint you, father."
As the consciousness of the King of Blood retreats, the crimson teleportation gate gradually dissipates.
The scarlet palace falls silent once more, leaving only the blood and bones on the ground to tell of the tragedy that occurred.
Asmond struggles to rise from the ground, looking at Uphemia with eyes full of reverence.
The existence of the curse leaves him utterly unable to conjure any thoughts of resistance.
"Lady Uphemia..."
The Blood Tear Duke’s voice becomes humble, completely devoid of prior arrogance:
"Do you have any other instructions? I will execute any of your orders unconditionally..."
"Use your special passage to send me back to the third floor."
Uphemia gives concise instructions while contemplating her next plan:
"And then start rebuilding your domain.
Losing so many of the Blood Race, other apostles will surely notice something amiss. You need to regain some strength before they act."
"As you command, my lady." Asmond nods respectfully.
As they begin to move towards the exit, Uphemia’s heart is filled with complex emotions.
On one hand, she successfully completed Ron’s task, creating enough chaos to cover for his actions.
On the other hand, she also deeply realized her place in her father’s eyes.
Forever merely a tool, an "artifact" that can be modified or discarded at any time.
"Ron..."
She silently recites this name in her heart, recalling his wisdom beyond his age.
There was no desire for control in those eyes like Aiden’s, no greed or fear as in others, only a pure... evaluation.
Like evaluating the value of a tool, but at least that evaluation is rational, without personal emotional bias.
"Perhaps..."
As she gazes at the road leading to an unknown fate ahead, a faint hope arises in her heart:
"Perhaps this time, I can truly find my own path... not forever living in the shadows..."
But regardless, now she can only move forward, towards that uncertain future, towards that perhaps existent freedom.
Behind her, the chaos on the fifth level continues to expand.
And on the fourth floor, the chaos storm created by Nari still rages.
.........
At the core of the chaos storm, within the carefully modulated stable space by Nari, the basic laws of reality return to an orderly state.
Ron stands at the center of a circular platform composed of purified chaos energy, before him laid out all the materials needed for this transformation.
The magic power amplification crystal emits an enticing multicolored glow, the internal energy bands slowly flowing like a galaxy.
A block of Soul Steel presents a captivating silver-gray hue, its surface occasionally flashing runes hinting at immense potential within.
And then, the core stand-in puppet...
After months of nurturing, the puppet has undergone astonishing changes.
The originally stiff wooden exterior has turned soft like skin, and even started to develop energy channels resembling blood vessels inside.
"My precious..." Nari’s voice carries reluctance:
"Is it leaving mom?"
"No, it won’t leave." Ron answers gently:
"It’s only changing form, our connection will become even closer."
To achieve the best effect, simultaneous control of temperature, pressure, energy flow, and a dozen other variables are required.
Any parameter out of control might lead to a decline in the final product’s effect.
"Mom, I need more precise environmental control."
Ron’s voice carries focused seriousness: "The temperature needs to rise at a rate of 0.3 degrees per minute in the next twenty minutes."
"No problem, my child."
Nari immediately begins adjusting the energy distribution within the space:
"Mom will ensure every detail is flawless."
After gaining spiritual stability, the innate apostle’s precision control over chaos fully manifests at this moment.
The temperature within the space begins to precisely change according to Ron’s request, with an error margin not exceeding 0.01 degrees.
This degree of environmental control is difficult to achieve even in the most advanced alchemy laboratory.
"Accumulated since the apprentice days... Today these fruits finally bear fruit..."
Ron gently strokes these precious materials, a feeling of indescribable satisfaction surging in his heart:
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