Let The Chaos Begin

"Thank you for the time I enjoy it."As Eugene escorted Chantall out of the store, he expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the delightful time they had spent together. "It's my pleasure to spend my time with such a beautiful woman."Chantall, radiating charm and elegance, was amused by Eugene's flattering words as they walked side by side. "What a sweet mouth."Eugene just shrugged.Despite Eugene's noble poise and Chantall's unassuming attire, they made a striking pair, drawing admiring glances from onlookers. Their interaction seemed to soften the otherwise stoic features of Eugene's countenance, revealing a captivating dynamic between the two. Passersby couldn't help but take a second look.Eugene notices the looks they're getting from others and thinks it's because Chantall is too beautiful to be ignored."Then I'll go from here! Thank you so much Young Master Eugene!""Call me by my name," Eugene insisted.Chantall was stunned. "Huh?""My name."Eugene raised an eyebrow, and Chantall laughed softly before calling out, "Eugene.""Good."Eugene patted Chantall's head and watched her walk away with a flattering smile, announcing that from today onwards, they were friends.Somehow, Eugene felt that he could finally move on and look at Chantall with no romantic feelings anymore. Like Eunice and Brittany, he felt Chantall was also like a little sister who needed to be protected."Hmmm."Lowering his gaze, Kaizer's face suddenly flashed in his mind, and Eugene couldn't help but chuckle. He knew that right now, his lover was probably in a rage after finding out that he spent time with the woman he had once loved in his past ten lifetimes.But who cares? Kaizer made him angry.Eugene was confident that Kaizer wouldn't dare harm Chantall since she was the Heaven's favored child, so he felt safe enough to hang out with her openly.Just as Eugene predicted, Kaizer was indeed furious when he heard the report. His rage was so intense that he nearly destroyed half of the Granddukedom Palace. If it weren't for the former patriarch stepping in to stop him, there could have been far more casualties.Fortunately, only a few servants inside were injured from the explosion when one of the buildings blew up. Lancelotte, standing beside Zeevo, couldn't help but sigh as he surveyed the destruction. His thoughts wandered to the cost of reconstruction and how much it would deplete the treasury."Is this about the master's male wife?"Lancelotte nudged Zeevo with his elbow, cautioning, "If you don't want the entire dukedom palace to blow up, keep quiet."Zeevo scratched his head and sighed.He'd only seen the Grand Duke's male partner from a distance, knowing all too well how possessive his master was. Approaching without the Grand Duke's presence was unthinkable. Of course, he'd heard plenty of rumors about young master Eugene before he entered the grand dukedom as the future spouse.But he hadn't expected the little kid he used to teach to grow up this twisted.Then again, it wasn't all that surprising. Everyone had their own greed.And as he observed, it became clear that young master Eugene was the grand duke's obsession.While others might lock up their partners as they pleased, the grand duke, who had fallen in love with someone as strong as Eugene, couldn't—or perhaps wouldn't—do the same. Then again, maybe it wasn't that the grand duke couldn't, but simply chose not to. After all, it would require immense strength and strategy to imprison someone whose abilities were on par with the young grand duke himself."Maybe there will never be peace in the grand dukedom."Lancelotte scoffed, "The Imperial Palace is no different,""Right," Zeevo chukled.It was better to stay in the grand dukedom than to wander around the palace filled with thorns and traps.After a minute of chaos, when Eugene returned and saw that half of the grand dukedom palace had crumbled, he couldn't help but whistle as he stepped inside with his hands in his pockets.It was just as expected."Amazing," he laughed.Kaizer had already sensed Eugene's presence the moment he entered the grand dukedom. He sat in the living room with a calm face, as if his earlier outburst was nothing. He waited for Eugene to come in, and when he saw him calmly walk toward him with a smile, Eugene said, "Kaizer, my darling, how is it? Did you like it?"Kaizer gritted his teeth, wanting to grab Eugene by the neck, but when he thought of the reason Eugene had deliberately gotten on his nerves, he calmed down."Did you have fun with that woman?"Eugene sat opposite Kaizer and crossed his legs."Happy."Kaizer let out a low laugh, his dark eyes staring at Eugene with madness."Eugene, are you sure about what you're doing?""Absolutely."Kaizer sneered and stood up, walking toward Eugene and grabbing his hair. Eugene frowned, holding Kaizer's wrist to keep him from yanking his head."I've been trying to change, Eugene. For you, I wanted to be different. I wanted you to accept me. But when I found out that you and that woman crossed paths again, I just couldn't do it." Kaizer smiled evilly. "That woman is the trigger to the gun you're pointing at me.""But I'm not afraid of your gun. I'm not afraid that you'll pull the trigger and shoot me..."Eugene could tell that Kaizer had truly become unhinged."...because, baby, I'm the hammer of your gun."Eugene's face went pale.Kaizer, satisfied with Eugene's reaction, pulled back his hand and sat down again.Eugene might be unaware, but Kaizer knew the truth—that's why he couldn't let go. He understood that no matter how much Eugene threatened him, Eugene wouldn't be able to kill him. Not because Kaizer was immortal, but because Eugene was already intertwined with him in a way that went beyond mere existence.Now that the woman had reappeared, Kaizer didn't mind tearing everything apart. He couldn't allow his lover to be confused and fall in love with her again.Chantall Ellena SloaneIf only he could kill that woman.Now that the woman had reappeared, Kaizer didn't mind tearing everything apart. He couldn't allow his lover to be confused and fall in love with her again."Is that how you interpret my words?""If not, then what?!"Kaizer also rose, a cold smile playing on his lips. "Eugene, my words are a warning, not a threat." He turned away, his voice steady. "You should go back to your room and rest because tomorrow, peace will be a thing of the past."Chantall was a trigger—a trigger for both of them.Eugene might hesitate to pull it, but Kaizer wouldn't.Chantall's presence made Kaizer paranoid because she was the woman his lover had cherished in ten lifetimes. Ten lives! No matter how powerful he was, Kaizer had to admit that when it came to Eugene, that woman was always the winner, trampling him into the mud.Eugene would beg her, kneel before her, and Kaizer did the same for Eugene.But in all those worlds, never once had Eugene turned his head to see Kaizer's pleading face."Eugene, you're as cruel to yourself as you are to me."Kaizer disappeared and Eugene went back to his room.At the same time, in the Catharis Dukedom, the family members gathered in an underground temple. Torches flickered, casting eerie shadows, and a cold wind swept through the chamber. They stood before a massive statue, bowing their heads in reverence.A massive tome lay open before them, its pages slowly filling with text as they turned. The sentences etched themselves onto the pages until five were completed. Once the final page turned, the assembled individuals raised their heads once more, offering their respect before rising.Daimon approached the tome, carefully flipping through the pages. As he read the contents, his expression grew increasingly solemn, causing those present to sense that the writings foretold a grim omen.And they're right."The end of the world."Daimon closed the tome, his aged face reflecting deep contemplation."Yittieo," he called his son while also glancing at his grandsons."Dad. What did the prophecy say?"Daimon sighed, patting his son's shoulder."Prepare yourself. Tomorrow, the empire will be thrown into chaos. Gather all the Catharis members in the dukedom and ready the soldiers for battle."Yittieo's eyes widened in surprise. "Dad, are you opening the gates of the Dukedom?"Daimon nodded."Prince Maxmillian will initiate his rebellion, and God commands us to support the rightful heir to the throne. After Prince Maxmillian ascends, the royal families and all those loyal to Prince Lincoln will be publicly executed as an offering.""Is that all?"Daimon sighed again. "I don't know when it will happen, but God has given us a warning. He said that before he descends to end the world, we must commit suicide at his temple. In return, he will grant all Catharis members a chance to live again—a gift for his devoted believers."Yittiel clicked his tongue. "Grandpa, what about my wife? I can't die without him.""He is a Catharis, so he will be laid to rest in the same tomb as you."Yittieo turned to his father. "Dad, how will we retrieve Yitiach before that?"Daimon snorted. "The world will be in turmoil, and so will the church. With everyone focusing on the saint, Yittieo's departure from the church walls will go unnoticed."Sanvielle stepped forward, frowning. "Grandpa, I've just confirmed a relationship with someone. I don't want to die without him."Yittieo glanced at his son. "You've confirmed your relationship; have you marked him?"Sanvielle nodded. "Done.""Then bring him to the Catharis graveyard."Sanvielle understood his father's words. If his elder brother would die with his spouse, why shouldn't he? It would be simple enough—he could kidnap his lover, kill him first, and then commit suicide himself, ensuring they would be together in their next life.The Catharis family is not called 'devoted believers' for nothing.Their grandfather had been assassinated by the order of the 34th emperor. In their time of despair, a god appeared and offered a generous condition in exchange for reviving their grandfather. They agreed and never regretted their decision. They rose to power once again, and their revived grandfather took his revenge, killing the 34th emperor and placing the abandoned son on the throne, ending the former emperor's tyranny.They had witnessed their deceased grandfather come back to life; how could they not have faith in everything their god promised?After erecting a temple to honor their deity, they had lived under divine protection and never encountered a false prophecy. The idea of committing suicide and being granted a chance at another life didn't seem so dreadful.Yittiel asked his grandfather for some final details. Upon receiving the information he needed, he bowed before the god's statue and left first. "I can't leave Zevi alone. He's been trying to escape recently, and it's starting to get on my nerves."Sanvielle glanced at his brother. "Trying to escape? Why does your partner want to run away?"Yittiel clicked his tongue. "He claims he wants to see his siblings, but I don't like it."Sanvielle patted his brother's shoulder. "Let him wait. I'll bring his siblings back. Soon, they'll be reunited."Yittiel chuckled. "So, the lover you mentioned is that person?""Hmmm.""I heard that person is going to get married?"Sanvielle laughed coldly. "Married? I'm just giving him a taste of freedom."Sanvielle had already spoken with Klius, and they had laid out their plans. Timber posed no real threat to him, no matter how you looked at it. However, Timber's backing—his cousin's partner—could prove troublesome if that person decided to interfere with their plans. Now, with the empire in turmoil, Sanvielle was confident that Eugene, as one of the empire's strongest knights and dualists, would be too preoccupied with the impending battles.Sanvielle and Yittiel left the underground temple together."Brother, I heard Yitiach has taken a fancy to someone," Sanvielle mentioned, glancing at Yittiel.Yittiel raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Our dear younger brother in love? Why am I only hearing about this now?"Sanvielle chuckled, "Brother, you spoil Yitiach too much. I know you'd do anything to make him happy, but if you interfere too much, you'll just make him angry."Yitiach had been sent to the church as a spy when he was only ten years old, a burden they all felt keenly. Because of this, both Sanvielle and Yittiel, as his older brothers, doted on him excessively, trying to make up for the years of confinement within the church walls. They were determined not to let their youngest brother feel dissatisfied or angry, even if it meant indulging him more than they should."Who is it?" Yittiel inquired, curiosity piqued."Milan Fullanza," Sanvielle replied. "The war prisoner from Biscotti, currently staying in the palace due to his exceptional academic talent.""Oh, that person? Interesting."