Chapter 215: Lore Revelation (1)

Kaelen was silent for a moment as all the puzzle pieces clicked into place.

He shifted his attention back to Kelsey, not willing to show Kelsey what was on his mind.

"Why are you telling me this?"

Kelsey didn’t reply immediately.

"Many have failed to realise this, but there’s no such thing as the Creator. It’s merely a constructive title given to the supreme being of the universe, just like your ancestors once were. Even he had churches and gatherings in his name before they were pulled down and replaced by those of Zemira after the Great War," Kelsey said with a calm expression. "You once asked if I was a General in the universe’s army. I was, for a moment.

"Actually, I’m a traitor to my people. I don’t belong here, but because I foresaw that we were fighting a losing war even when it seemed we had the most advantage, I deserted to Zemira’s army and gave my people away.

"I wasn’t made General as an honour. It was to put me at the warfront, where I’d die first if the information I gave was wrong, because they didn’t trust me. And if it were right, it was to let my people see who had betrayed them.

"In a bid to show them I was loyal, they made me go the extra mile to slaughter my own people and lead an army of cannon fodder into the treacherous parts of the war zone with a 0.0005% survival rate. I survived each time, but the same couldn’t be said for the universe’s strongest warriors, who were, in fact, mere cannon fodder. But thanks to my bravery, our goal was achieved. Instead of a medal, I was put in chains and locked up. What does that tell you about me, Kaelen?" Kelsey asked with a faint smile.

Kaelen was silent for a moment as he carefully absorbed the information.

She still hadn’t told him why she was telling him all of this, but Kaelen decided to play along until he understood her objective.

"That you were wrongly accused...?" he said with uncertainty.

"Wrong. I wasn’t. I did commit every crime they charged me with, no matter how you look at it. Try again."

Kaelen’s brows furrowed slightly. He already knew the answer but wanted her to make it clear herself.

He was silent for a moment.

"You hate the Goddess and the Royale family for what they made you do and secretly want to take revenge... am I right?" Kaelen asked flatly.

Kelsey’s lips slowly curled up into a faint smirk.

"...Wrong. I made the decision to desert myself, knowing fully well what I was getting into. It would only be hypocritical of me to resent them for the choices I made... but I know you know what I’m getting at. I’m that untrustworthy bitch no one wants around, but in my defence, I only want to survive. Surviving is winning. There is no glory in death, and I’m no patriot who’ll lay down my life to pave the way for others. I’m not selfish; I’m logical. Strategic. Every critical decision I make has been thought out through and through," she said as she tapped her finger against the side of her head.

"Which is why I didn’t make any remarks when you told me you were aiming to become the next Creator. I saw the potential but not the possibility. I see both now..." she said with her signature smile.

Kaelen frowned.

"I don’t remember asking for your help. I don’t blame the Goddess for locking you up. I’ll do the same if I were in her shoes. You really are untrustworthy."

Kelsey didn’t reply, but her smile didn’t fade or falter, making Kaelen frown even deeper.

"It’s totally understandable that you don’t trust me. But wouldn’t you prefer someone as honest and straightforward as me compared to someone you grow to trust who then stabs you in the back when you least expect it? Besides, I never said anything about helping you. It’s too early to bet on your odds of achieving that dream of yours. But if you were to ask me, then I think you have a great shot at overthrowing your distant relative."

"Distant relative? What are you talking about?"

"Oh, you don’t know?" Kelsey’s smile grew wider. "Her name was Zemira Atreus. She’s a direct descendant and the second daughter of Atreus, who renounced his name after his tyranny, along with eighth out of his nine children."

Kaelen’s eyes widened in shock and disbelief.

"And you, Kaelen Cross, are a descendant of the ninth and last daughter, who kept his name. Crazy, right?" Kelsey asked with a creepy grin.

"What nonsense are you spouting? If she was a descendant of Atreus, do you think my bloodline would be hated when she’s being glorified?"

"I know, right?" Kelsey replied almost immediately. "But that’s the truth. Let me tell you something you’ll never find in any archaic records. Do you remember how it was in your tutorial world? How the strong preyed on the weak for survival, like mindless beasts? That was exactly what Atreus encountered when he came into power. His first move was to colonise the entire realm, and there was no other way to do that than to prove he was the strongest. During his so-called tyranny, which was more peaceful and safe than what this realm had to offer, he had nine children. Six girls and three sons. It was around that time that Atreus disappeared as suddenly as he had come. Rumours had it that he lost interest in our realm, but no one knows for sure.

"After his disappearance, eight out of nine of his children rose against one another to claim his throne. This sparked a war that later came to be known as the Great War, during which each of them recruited allies and raised an army to wage war against one another.

"My people are of the same race as Atreus’s first child and daughter, so we naturally supported her. She was strong, but not as ruthless as her siblings. That marked her downfall and convinced me that if I wanted to survive, following the most ruthless of the six siblings was my best option. Guess who that is?"