Toward the Soulforge Citadel
"The first stop…" Nux's eyes grew hard with determination, his words weighed with the solemnity of a promise.
"…the Soulforge Citadel."
Felberta cocked her head, her purple eyes growing narrow with interest. "And where is the second stop?"
Nux shook his head slowly. "I haven't even planned that far yet. Guessing, I would say most likely the Heavenly Spirit Empire."
The reality was, he wasn't sure. The wife-taking system had labeled Rose, the queen of the Soulforge Citadel, the first target. But the second? That was unknown. His instincts said it would be connected to Shrek—and the timing was correct. William White's adventure had only just started; Spirita's currents of destiny were still in the first act.
"Then go," said Felberta.
"You won't stop me?" Nux lifted an eyebrow, anticipating her typical obstinacy.
Her mouth twisted into a slight snort. "If you're determined to go, what's the purpose of my keeping you here? Go. The sooner you are away from here, the quicker I can concentrate on healing. The Demon God's sword was too overpowering… my injuries won't heal in one night."
Nux nodded silently and moved towards the door.
Felberta's face was calm, as cold and composed as always, yet her slender fingers betrayed her. They twisted the edge of her skirt, clenching tightly, as though holding herself together.
Just as Nux's hand reached the doorframe, he stopped. Without turning back, his voice carried across the chamber—low, steady, and brimming with unshakable promise.
"Fel… don't worry. Anyone who dares bully you—I'll make them regret it."
His voice grew darker, harder as a knife. "And the one who struck you down with a sword… I'll slay him."
Felberta stiffened. Her fine brows drew together, and she puffed out, attempting to hide the shaking in her breast.
"Foolish man. Cease your boasting. Do you even know who hurt me? That was not an ordinary God. That was the God Realm ceiling itself. Even when I was at my best, I couldn't compete with him. The Moonborn Dragon God himself would hardly be his equal."
Her tone relaxed, a hint of weakness seeping through her words.
"You don't have to seek vengeance on my behalf. I merely want you to stay alive."
Nux opened the door, stepping outside into the light. His laughter boomed back into the room—brash, unobstructed, flavored with scorn and roguish rebellion.
"Little Fel, don't prattle on in riddles. Be sincere to yourself—wasn't it the Demon God King of the God Realm Committee who knocked you off? Whoever he is, regardless of what sort of so-called God, I'll crush him to pieces like thunder splitting the sky."
Felberta's slender frame shook. His words shouldn't have reached her—but they did. Heat welled up in her chest, releasing a burden she'd borne for centuries alone. But with that heat was uncertainty, cutting and disturbing.
He is not even of the God Realm. How could he possibly know about the God Realm Committee. let alone the Demon God King?
Her mind replayed the agony of that sword strike, the scar it left on her soul. Fear curled in her heart, cold and merciless. Yet his voice—his ridiculous, overbearing promise—lingered.
She pressed her lips together. Slowly, against her will, a faint smile tugged at her face.
"Idiot," she whispered into the empty chamber.
"…I'll wait for you."
________________________________________
The moment Nux stepped out of the Astral Forest's core, a figure blocked his path.
A girl stood there in the shade. She had rippling pink clothes that fitted her slender body elegantly. Her eyebrows were delicate as willow leaves, her complexion whiter than frost, and her eyes—clear, shining, but touched with wistfulness—looked at him with a combination of amazement and thankfulness.
When she locked eyes with him, happiness danced across her face. She bowed, her movement causing shivers down the rich curves of her breasts. She was beautiful and intoxicating, deadly—like a forest siren.
"Syra shows respect to her patron."
Nux blinked. "What are you doing here?"
Her tone was polite, but full of a gentle quiver. "My lord sent a voice message. He said you have been reincarnated… and commanded me to take you to the human world."
Nux waved offensively. "Don't go to the trouble.
Syra's face softened, but her resolve never wavered. "No problem at all. To me, this is an honor. If it weren't for your assistance in the past, I would have died under the jaws of the Soulforge Citadel hunters. I've borne that debt for years. Please… let me have this opportunity to repay you."
Her eyelashes fluttered, tears glistening within her eyes. Her entire demeanor exuded the maturity of a woman who had endured, survived, and still possessed warmth.
"I don't require a bodyguard," Nux said, his voice resolute.
Syra sighed softly. "Benefactor, my daughter Shia has long been in the human world. As her mother, I cannot sleep soundly. Attending with you enables me to pay my debt as well as look after her."
Nux snorted. "Having a beauty like you in tow will be nothing but trouble."
Without a word, Syra's form glowed pink. In an instant, her feminine body crumbled into a tiny, dainty being—a small pink rabbit with elaborate designs down its ears. Before Nux could move, she sprang right into his arms.
Her voice rang sweetly in his mind, both demure and playful.
"Benefactor, don't mind it. I'll be your pet. No problem at all… and I can still guard you. Two birds, one stone."
Nux glared at the bundle of fur crammed against his chest, the corners of his mouth pulling up.
Gods above… this woman refers to it as two birds, one stone?
It was ridiculous. What kind of magical beast throws herself into a man's arms and boasts about it? Were they all this shameless?
"You're making it hard for me. What's next—sleeping in my bed?"
"Benefactor, just treat me as an ordinary soft-boned rabbit."
The image of her long legs, flawless curves, and sultry beauty flashed unbidden in his mind. Nux's jaw tightened. Yeah right. An 'ordinary rabbit.'
But kindness was owing, and Syra's entreaty was tainted with truth. At last, he was able to do nothing but sigh and take his destiny—along with this over-attached, apparently soft "pet."
They continued on.
As they traveled, a nagging curiosity beset him. "Soft-boned rabbit, eh? Does that imply that your bones are actually… soft?"
For science, he reached down and petted the coat on her back.
Hiss. " Nux took a quick breath, then released in pure ecstasy.
"Ahh. Ba Shi for sure."
"This sensation. Gods, it's habit-forming."
He actually didn't have any ulterior agenda. To him, it was simply like stroking a cat. But the little rabbit was completely silent, her pink eyes glistening so brightly they looked like they were about to cry.
Half a day passed before the silhouette of the Soulforge Citadel loomed against the horizon.
The palace towered, brilliant and massive, sheathed in holy light. Its spires pierced the skies, and its gates emitted a weight like the authority of a God.
Nux pinched his eyes tight at the grand city, lips twisting into a sneer.
"Well then… let's see if that woman still recalls me."