Christina Asmodeus/Story

## After mechanics contest

The next day, in the inner city of the Shadow Empire, the palace.

The guards showed considerable respect to the Demon Realm's first trio-specialized mechanic master in 10,000 years. After receiving the pass, a veiled court lady led Chen Rui into the palace.

The royal palace, which symbolized the highest authority of the Dark Shadow Empire, didn't seem as luxurious as expected. Overall, it felt quaint without seeming poor and fine art could be seen in the subtleties.

The size of the royal palace was quite large, and there were quite complicated mazes which was far from the small palace in the Dark Moon. The court lady took Chen Rui turned around for almost an hour, and they finally came to a secluded courtyard.

"Master, please come in. The Lady will arrive later." The court lady bowed and retreated.

Chen Rui calmed his mind and walked into the courtyard.

It was a quiet courtyard with many plants and trees, making the place seem full of life. Perhaps under the influence of [Nirvana], these plants were much more lush than normal. Chen Rui gently stroked the trees and thought of Nirvana's Flame in his body, then he thought of the fiery blood that was fused into his body at that time, and he thought of another type of fusion in that tent...

On the way to the Silent Night Wetland, the talent and temperament of the "noblewoman" had begun to faintly attract him. Later, the sudden incident at the Wyvern's Lair made their relationship omit the process and reached the end directly. Chen Rui admitted that he was a superficial man. Christina's perfect appearance and body made him unable to contain himself. In order to protect the woman who made him fall in love with, also his first woman, Chen Rui fought Broc with Demon Emperor strength. Now that he thought it, it was indeed impulsive.*(Lust blinded wisdom?)*

When he was dying, Christina, who was supposed to kill him, unexpectedly gave him her precious Nirvana's blood. Perhaps that was impulsive, but it made the red piccolo truly stay in Chen Rui's heart.

* Race: Lust Royal Family (Mutated). Comprehensive Strength Assessment: A. Physique: A; Strength: A; Spirit: A; Agility: A.

The data that suddenly appeared in [Analytical Eyes] made Chen Rui's hand tremble. He slowly turned around.

There was already one more person in the courtyard.

It was still a classical robe with perfect proportions. Her long black hair was tied and a vague veil covering her face, revealing a noble yet mysterious temperament.

*It's really her.*

Christina sees through Chen's disguise (Camouflaged as a Great Demon).

"I thought I was enough to shock the entire Demon Realm, so I came to the Dark Shadow Empire to see you. Unfortunately, it's still not enough."

Chen Rui's seemingly unreasonable words made Christina's murderousness slightly fluctuated. It was because at the Silent Night wetland, he once said that he would take her away with the strength enough to shock the entire Demon Realm.

At that time, she only thought that he was just boasting but now... this man indeed shocked the entire Demon Realm. Without considering his title as a trio-specialized mechanic master that was lost for 10,000 years, there were still the lost grandmaster-level black potions, and they were the highest level!

*He deliberately tried his best to shine in the mechanic contest and even make such a request to the empress publicly just to meet me?*

Also, to "hand over" those 6 precious black potions to me?

"Although I don't know where your black potion came from..." These weren't enough to affect Christina's will as her calm eyes still never changed, "Yet... even if you become a real grandmaster, it's still not enough to change something. Unless..."

"Unless I have strength? In your eyes... is there only strength?" Chen Rui couldn't help asking. It was a question from the bottom of his heart.

"It's not that there's only strength in my eyes, but that I must have strength in my eyes!" Christina's tone was very firm, "Have you seen countless homes destroyed by war? A bustling, beautiful home became a thousand miles of scorched land instantly. The people were wandering and homeless! Have you heard countless civilians crying among murders? The scythe of death in war ignores the crying and praying of blood, and ruthlessly harvests abundant innocent life! I've personally experienced this scene of blood and crying as if it was yesterday! Now, the Dark Shadow Empire is prospering and the people are contended. If there isn't strength, how can we maintain this hard-won peace and tranquility?"

As she said, Christina's breath was getting stronger and stronger. In her [Analytical Eyes], the value began to change. Comprehensive Strength Assessment: A... A ... Unable to Judge.

*She is indeed a Demon Overlord!*

"If your perseverance is to protect a certain woman or a few women. Then, my perseverance is to protect thousands of people with all kinds of dreams and persistence. That is my biggest perseverance. Compared with this, everything else becomes insignificant. Do you understand?"

Chen Rui stared at Christina as if it was the first time that he looked at this woman so seriously. Christina and Shea were actually very similar. The difference was that Christina's perseverance was stronger. Her belief was firmer and unshakable.

*Strength is born out of responsibility.*

It isn't purely responsibility but actual perseverance. Shea isn't comparable in this regard.

*For this perseverance, she must have sacrificed a lot and given up a lot.*

## Plan

### Broc

Chen Rui said, "This time, to participate in the mechanic contest, I accepted the invitation of Custer Family's first son, Dior and became a participant in the Custer Family's game of heir. However, I unexpectedly found something interesting..."

He didn't disclose the information related to Kia and the Dark Moon. Instead, he selectively told the story of the Beelzebub Royal Family, and it included his assumption on Broc.

Christina said, "I've heard from Her Majesty about this matter. She has also found many related clues, but she has no specific idea. Now that you've mentioned a Beelzebub Demon Overlord-level powerhouse, these clues can basically be connected together. Your assumption is right. Broc and the Beelzebub Royal Family should be accomplices."

Chen Rui asked, "Can Broc be uprooted?"

Christina shook her head, "Broc is cunning in nature. He never easily leaves any clues usually. He's the son-in-law of the empress' uncle, Prince Florence and the first general of the empire. Not only is he popular in the military but his forces in the Dark Moon are also deeply rooted. So, he is difficult to eradicate completely, at least not at the moment. Besides, he's likely to be just an important part of that force but not the whole."

"Reel silk from cocoons. First, we must remove this guy's side forces before anything else." Chen Rui stopped joking around. When it came to dealing with Broc, he certainly wouldn't be stingy with his ideas, "For those who support him, we can use certain means to make them have conflicts in interests or we can make the empress express trust to those people so that they'll suspect each other. Broc has a Soul Shackles skill, so he can definitely control many people with this skill, paying extra attention to some key figures. However, the number that [Soul Shackles] can control is also limited. Thus, we can appropriately exaggerate the impact of the skill to isolate Broc from all aspects..."

Chen Rui talked eloquently. The art of war left by the ancestors of the other world was indeed extraordinary. Christina's eyes flashed in surprise from time to time.

### Departing gifts

Christina says to Chen, "I have full confidence in the empress' [ability to execute the plan]. This magic item (魔法道具) can manually provide your location, and it can also be used to send a signal by explosion as the final message."

"By the way, I broke your gold crystal shackles last time. Take this cloak as a compensation." Chen Rui took out the cloak "Longing of the Stars" (披风"星辰的思念") that he made during the mechanic contest and put it on the table.

As he turned and walked toward the door, Christina's voice suddenly sounded behind him.

"Actually you should understand that no matter how much you do for me, my dedication will not change."

Chen Rui stood for a moment, turned around and answered, "If you are dedicated to protecting what everyone is dedicated to, then I am dedicated to just protecting you."

Christina's eyes were finally unable to maintain her water-like calmness. With a snort, the courtyard's door suddenly closed automatically and a huge repulsive force pushed Chen Rui out of the door. However, right before the door was closed, a golden light flew out. Christina gives Chen the Golden Puppet.

## Christina and Chen

In the courtyard, Christina looked at the black potions on the table and the strange emotions that she thought had faded appeared in her heart again. Behind the supreme throne that stood tall, it was actually an exhausted heart.

Her jade-like hands caressed the light cloak and the words that the man said in the mechanic contest sounded in her ears which she heard in person.

"The inspiration for this cloak comes from the star-like eyes of a woman...".

Behind the veil, in the star-like eyes, the light gradually softened. She gently put on the cloak. Certainly, it's a warm feeling, just like his perseverance.

Chen Rui receives the flower of mist seed from Catherine.

After this meeting, Chen Rui's understanding of Christina became more profound, especially her perseverance.

It could be seen that Christina did have feelings for him, especially after he sacrificed himself to drag Broc. The Blood of Nirvana and the red piccolo were the best evidence. However, no matter how strong the feelings went, it couldn't replace the biggest perseverance in her heart.

At that moment, Chen Rui clearly saw the distance with her, and he felt farther away. Perhaps at the moment when she was enthroned in the future, this distance would increase indefinitely. Yet, he felt even more attracted by this woman. Not only her appearance, body and temperament but also that kind of perseverance... also the occasional trace of softness that revealed in her logical and almost merciless heart.

If there was a day that the Dark Shadow Empire and even the entire Demon Realm would have eternal peace, maybe she could truly release the feelings she suppressed in her heart... *This seems to be more difficult than Shea to rule over the entire Fallen Angel Empire.*

### Kiss

"Manu's elite should have been wiped out by now. My army will be here soon. Manu was attacked by my Black Phoenix force just now. He will definitely die within half a month. Even if Raizen tries to save him, it will be useless." The woman's voice was full of confidence.

Just as Christina (Catherine) was about to use a Resurrection potion, Chen says that he already used one before. He then asks her to bury him here after he dies.

The resurrection potion could only be used once in a person's life as was the blood of Nirvana.

Chen Rui spoke intermittently about the huge crystal mine veins under the crystal dragon's lair and some other things. He told her to dispel a self-detonating magic circle in the lair as soon as possible.

After explaining these last words, Chen Rui's eyes became more and more blurry, "I... haven't seen... your smile before. Can you..."

Catherine showed a smile, and the tears in her eyes poured out. She did not suppress her tears. She lowered her head and gently kissed his lips. Her warm tears dripped on Chen Rui's face.

The breath of the man in her arms completely disappeared. Catherine sat for a long time. Her face was changing between loneliness and sorrow. When the veil was put down, she restored her calmness. She picked up his body and walked toward the hillside step by step.

Catherine kept in mind Chen Rui's instructions. After burying him, she quickly went to the crystal dragon's lair and found many excavated mines and crystal ores. The crystal mine would bring tremendous wealth to the empire.

The strange thing was that after searching for a long time, she couldn't find the so-called self-detonating magic circle. Catherine was originally a very clever person. As she calmed down and recalled, she felt something was amiss.

Her figure flicked, and in the blink of an eye, she had reached the hillside where Chen Rui's "corpse" was buried. Sure enough, someone had dug the "burial" site. No, it should have been dug from the inside out. There were traces of blood on the ground, leading straight to a large house where the door was opened.

Catherine's eyes were gleaming. She quickly entered the big house. This should be a laboratory. It was sturdy and wide. The blood stains disappeared in a room, and there were two lines on the ground.

"My dear, you promised not to blame me."

"I can't write too much as I'm in a hurry, but I will definitely return."

Catherine's original sadness suddenly turned into anger. *This bastard! He actually lied to me and faked death!*

*I'm the first sage, but I was actually... tricked by this!*

*The most annoying thing is that he also cheated my smile and kiss!*

*By the way, the kiss seems to be initiated by me...* When thinking about this, even the usually cool Catherine couldn't help but felt humiliated and angry. Nonetheless, she felt relieved and joyful deep in her heart. However, she expressed more shame and anger.

"This damn man!"

## Commander Isis

### Cultivation

The woman in black who looked like a bodyguard behind Liliz.

Race: Lust Royal family.

Comprehensive Strength Assessment: A (S+).

Physique: A (S+), Strength: A (S+), Spirit: A (S+), Agility: A (S+).

Analysis: Currently unavailable.

This modest woman in black is actually at the peak stage of Demon Overlord!

I actually met the 2 strongest peak stage Demon Overlords in a row in the Dark Moon today!

This is a Lady Liliz, and the one behind her is Commander Isis. These two ladies are members of the Asmodeus Royal Family of the Dark Shadow Empire.

### Dark Moon cooperation

Liliz said straightforwardly, "Princess Shea, Her Majesty Catherine has commissioned me to come to the Dark Moon this time. We hope to establish a close cooperative relationship with the Dark Moon."

Chen Rui thought. The empress also wants to use the Bloodfall's method? Indifferently support Shea, then use peace to subvert and control the Fallen Angel Empire? With Catherine's wisdom, such a strategy is possible.

There was a glimmer of light in Shea's eyes when she heard Catherine's name, "Please tell me more."

"The cooperation between the Dark Shadow Empire and the Dark Moon actually started a long time ago. Custer Family and the Dark Moon formed a joint chamber of commerce, and the Princess Retail Store opened branches in the Dark Shadow Empire, in which the business is booming. The capital and surrounding estates began to imitate the Dark Moon to establish night markets, auction houses and other facilities. Her Majesty Empress is very interested in the Dark Moon's battle ball and the latest magic soil improvement technology. She hopes to establish an informal cooperative relationship with the Dark Moon."

There were also many barren and backward estates in the Dark Shadow Empire. Catherine obviously wanted to use this kind of cooperation to introduce soil improvement technology to make the empire stronger. The battle ball could enhance the physique, and it was very entertaining. It had long been imitated everywhere, but the ball was very special. It seemed to be made of dozens of top-quality materials, so it couldn't be imitated. The Dark Moon also sold a fixed quantity only, so it hadn't become popular yet.

Perhaps the Empress also has the ambition to be dominant. Judging from their current strategy toward the Dark Moon, Catherine and Bloodfall are still two different concepts. 1 is an overt plot to strengthen itself, and the other is an evil plot to subvert the other side.

Shea pondered without speaking, and Chen Rui said, "Ms. Liliz, please pardon my frankness. What are the benefits that your empire's so-called ‘informal' cooperation can bring to the Dark Moon?"

As Azgalor said, the current situation of the Dark Moon was really not optimistic. In addition to Obsidian, Bloodfall was also watching them closely for opportunities. The Dark Shadow Empire personally came at this time, so they absolutely must grasp this key opportunity.

## References

1. ↑ Chapter 264 (Steambun)
2. ↑ 剥丝抽茧 act logically in a methodical order
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Chapter 265 (Steambun)
4. ↑ 执着 can mean dedication, insistence, persistence, obsession
5. ↑ "其实你应该明白，就算你为我付出再多，我的执着依然不会改变。"

陈睿站立了片刻，回过头来，答了一句："如果你的执着是守护所有人的执着，那么我现在的执着，只是想守护你而已。"
6. ↑ which Catherine heard in person
7. ↑ Chapter 297 (Steambun)
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Chapter 397 (Steambun)