Chapter 132: The Devil

Kaelen was silent for a moment before he chuckled softly. "What nonsense are you talking about? Are you also trying to say your father took orders from my mother, because it’s clear to me that whoever was behind humanity’s downfall was the bastards who introduced Evolution Online to mankind."

"I’m not sure about that, but I have sufficient evidence to back up my claims. It was then I realized just how dangerous Evolution Online was and strived to change that as calmly as possible, without causing panic amongst the people."

Kaelen stared at her for another moment before he laughed again. This time in unhinged amusement. "Are you crazy? The first wave happened long before you and I were born, and probably when my mother was still young. You’re telling me a child orchestrated the downfall of mankind?"

"I-I don’t know how to explain it, but believe me. I was in denial as you are right now, until I could prove it with my own research. The devil behind you knows that’s the truth, you can ask her yourself." Black Rose claimed, and Kaelen tilted his head to Aria, who was glaring at the Empress unapologetically.

"Are you hurt? Do you feel scared reminiscing about the terrors of what your world has become?" Aria asked with a psychopathic grin. "I really want to see you get on your knees and beg for mercy... because that’s the exact way my people felt when your people decided to be monsters. You have no idea. This is only the beginning, princess."

Everyone’s eyes in the room widened in shock and disbelief. Kaelen was no different, as he stared at the completely unhinged Akkadian now.

"What the hell are the both of you talking about?" Kaelen burst out in growing anger. "My mother was a child during the first wave. She couldn’t have possibly done anything at that age." He snapped his head towards Aria, his eyes as cold as a mountain peak. "Why are you lying with my mother’s name?!"

"Ah, as much as I wanted to watch this drama go on for a bit longer, it’s kinda unfair not involving me. So I’m gonna add to what y’all said anyways," Felix’s amused voice came from behind a hibernating pod, but his body remained hidden.

"Black Rose, Kaelen, Akkadian girl... you’re right. You’re all right. Kaelen, your mother was but a child during the first wave and couldn’t have possibly done anything then. That’s completely true. But you’re missing something vital. A name that comes up with every mystery you’ve ever had."

"...Evolution Online?" Kaelen blurted subconsciously.

"That’s right. Five points for Kaelen. Here’s the catch; just like Black Rose’s claims, Evolution Online is dangerous. That’s because it’s more than a game. Have either of you noticed how time flows differently in the game from reality, and how you grow stronger, faster, and healthier the more time you spend inside the game?"

Kaelen’s mind immediately flashed to the first time he’d logged out to find his burns healed, and his hair longer than usual. Only to realize it’s been a month already for what felt like a few days’ worth of gaming in Evolution Online.

"The concept of time in Evolution Online flows differently from reality, to the point that even I couldn’t comprehend it after a thousand years trapped inside."

Kaelen’s eyes widened in surprise and disbelief. His speculation was right; the young master had been trapped inside Evolution Online. But a thousand years... how’s that even possible?

According to his research, it had only been ten years since he fell into a coma after sneaking into his father’s beta test pod.

Felix continued. "So it’s true your mother, Jessica, was only an innocent child during the first wave... but it’s also true she was behind all of it."

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Kaelen frowned deeply.

"I’m getting to that, Kaelen. After the unfortunate accident in Stronghold 2, your mother escaped and happened to find the lost civilization of Akkad, where she was able to make them believe she was some kind of deity, and using the most authentic pods, which are the ones you see around you now, to escape into Akkad where the Akkadians have been growing quietly, your mother motivated and used them to launch the first attack on humanity that mutated all lifeforms and resulted in the wipeout of 80% of humanity. If you still don’t understand, your mother was an innocent child then, but probably met with her future self who told her what the future would look like. Your mother could’ve prevented the unfortunate fates of the Stronghold 2 residents, but she let it happen for reasons best known to her and only tried to save you."

Every word that rolled out of Felix’s tongue made Kaelen’s eyes spread further in shock and disbelief. He wasn’t alone in this, as every other person in the room was as shocked as the other. Including Aria, who didn’t know that much.

But most importantly, she could confirm one thing...

’This man... is my brother?’

"No." Kaelen suddenly blurted as his mind went all over the place. "No, no, no. This can’t be true. I refuse to believe you. Why should I believe you?"

"Because you asked," Felix calmly replied.

"W-What?"

"You asked why I’m after your mother? That’s because I’m here to stop her from doing any more harm that could truly make humanity go extinct. Believe it or not, Kaelen, but as we speak, humanity’s strongest warriors are currently at the battlefield fighting against the Akkadian army."

"...Shut up."

"You ever ask yourself why there are only two Akkadians in the battle just now, when there’s so many here?"

"I said shut up."

"Do you genuinely think they can’t wake up and would risk everything to leave their lives in the hands of two youngsters who could be easily overwhelmed by an elite strike squad?"

Both Aria and Cici’s eyes widened in shock and disbelief as they listened to Felix’s words.

They found it strange that the High Priestess was only sending the two of them while the rest of their army remained at the battlefield. But for some reason, the High Priestess was confident they could pull it off, and they were genuinely curious to know why.

"That’s because your mother predicted you’d be here, and with you here, she’s confident nothing could ever go wrong. Look around you now, that’s exactly what happened. I’m sorry to be the one to break it to you, but Kaelen... your mother has been using you. She’s the devil."