Chapter 52: The Cold Light of Day

The light in the ward blinded Orson as he looked at the woman in front of him, and Lenora looked back at Orson. The morning air was long as a light breeze moved through the windows of the ward, touching Lenora’s skin and body.

It gave a slight bright aura that made her look like she was glowing, with her long silver hair moving back and forth. She looked like a goddess at that moment.

Even in a wheelchair, she was dressed in a white crop top with a jacket coat because of the cold and baggy trousers in navy blue cloth. Most people could never pull that look off. But on Lenora, she looked like a goddess. Even in a wheelchair, it did not diminish her glow.

But Orson looked at her with cold eyes.

Orson was the God of War. so he could see games like the one Lenora set up a mile away. And now everything made sense as he pulled it all together.

Someone who would rather burn to death than call for help—why would she choose to marry another degenerate? Because no matter how you looked at it, Lenora’s pride was that big.

Even the bubble she had used had a time limit, and if Corvin had not taken away his flames, she would have died. And why would someone like that give up her choice and choose to marry?

So it was simple, really. She found out about his past adventures to bait him.

Orson—or the soul in this body—hated this world. I mean, look at his so-called wife. He had helped a lot of people, and Miri was the person who forced Orson to learn that not everyone needs saving. Over and over and over, his so-called friends and people he cared about always did the same thing. Like his brother, now Lenora

He looked at Lenora. She was just like all the others.

He had really thought they clicked. But now, to her, he was looking at a pathetic fool with a hero complex.

And Orson was no hero.

I have to find a way out of this marriage before I end up dead, he thought as he looked away from Lenora.

Lenora was lost in her thoughts before Orson finally spoke. But his mouth was dry from being asleep for three days, so he looked at her. And she looked back at him with that cold, detached look.

Something Orson wanted to change. He wanted her to change that look. But now he did not care anymore.

Maybe it was because of the nightmares. It was weird—with all the weird stuff Xander went through, why was it that one that flashed in Orson’s mind?

Yeah, that answer was easy. It was when he checked his weapon. He understood. And that was one of the reasons Corvin left, claiming he was doing Orson a favor. Orson did not want to believe it at first, but that nightmare changed everything for Orson.

"I need water," Orson said to Lenora.

She wheeled out of the room to get water for Orson. Orson watched her go, his resolve hardening. He wanted a divorce. But based on his memories, it was easier said than done. Even Lenora could not end the marriage herself, so she resorted to all these tricks.

Orson needed power. He needed to grow stronger.

Orson learned one thing in that fight: Awakened are on a different power base than Qi Gathering cultivators, even at the beginning stage. So he needed to get stronger.

He looked around the room and saw the TV was on with news about the District 12 breach. There was light that ascended toward the sky, where the five suns were shining down on the world.

Orson looked at the screen as the new plan took root. The breach—he had gone there before and was about to reach mid-stage, although it was because of the lightning. But for now, it would do. And Orson too wanted to challenge the wolf creature. Because after that fight, Orson did not want to say it, but Xander, the God of War, had gone soft.

Even anyone in his life had heard what Orson was saying—he was as good as dead. Although he was both Xander and Orson.

Orson sighed, looking at the screen. He needed power, so he had to go back to the breach and also have a feel for the monsters in this world.

But Orson was about to learn how to be careful when you wish for power in this broken, beautiful world.

Just then, Lenora moved the wheelchair back. She looked as graceful as ever, with a bottle of water.

"Here, drink."

Orson took a sip before drinking it all with a sigh.

Lenora looked at him. "Are you alright?"

Orson smiled. He was good. Orson said nothing more and laid back down. Lenora just watched him.

Really? That is all? Nothing, even after what happened.

Lenora looked up at the ceiling before moving her chair outside as a small commotion caught her eye. There was a family crying as a doctor was trying to console her. They all looked like mundane humans. She did not give it any thought as she rolled away outside to the hospital garden.

Orson also heard the noise outside. He didn’t care to find out what it was. Orson tried to get up from his bed, but it was a bit hard, so he just relaxed back as Lenora moved back in with a takeaway box.

"The healer said you should try to eat as much as possible."

Orson looked at the food and nodded. He did not say anything. He was trying not to say a word to the woman before him. The less he said, the better. And just collected the food.

Although Orson did not care for Lenora anymore, he really liked the food.

After a while, Orson was done with lunch, and then a doctor entered the room.

"Good afternoon, Miss Graves, Mr. Graves."

Orson looked at the doctor and nodded.