That was precisely why he dared not touch the red text.
Even when he merely stepped into the green and reshaped it, he could sense that regulatory force stirring—like landslides thundering down mountainsides, tsunamis devouring coastlines, thunder cleaving the heavens, roaring seas swallowing everything in their path.
To tamper with the red text, which even the Book of Wei itself cautioned against, was unthinkable.
Of course, each time that force began to descend, a gentle warmth bloomed at his brow. The world blurred into haze, the pressure receded, and everything settled back into serene normalcy.
That was surely the meaning of "ambiguous moments" ripe for alteration.
He gazed appreciatively at the woman's serene, sleeping form, then spoke aloud.
"Lord Otto, I'm here."
Amber materialized from the shadows behind him. A flicker of surprise crossed her features at first, but upon realizing it was Otto who had summoned her, she swiftly composed herself.
It's only natural for the Lord Overseer to sense my presence.
After all, no one else is here. If I weren't, his call would go unanswered.
Otto offered a faint, knowing smile, exuding absolute mastery.
"It's time to awaken our saint."
Amber nodded and approached the pod, pressing the activation panel.
The nutrient fluid drained with a soft hiss. The glass canopy lifted smoothly. Cecilia's lithe form slumped gently against the chamber's base.
She had not yet regained consciousness, but her lips parted slightly, expelling the lingering fluid in quiet, shallow breaths.
Really want to poke them.
A quiet pang stirred in his chest, yet his expression remained impeccably serene.
While waiting, he engaged Amber in light conversation.
"By the way, Amber—has that directive been issued?"
"The message has reached Lady Rita and Lady Fu Hua," Amber replied, carefully supporting Cecilia upright. "The order to retrieve the Oath of Judah has also been conveyed to Lady Theresa. She protested vehemently and insisted on speaking with you directly."
"Let the little one exhaust her tantrum first. Do not let her through to me."
The corners of Otto's eyes curved upward, a profound shadow lingering in his gaze— inscrutable to any outsider.
"My dear granddaughter… it is time for you to orchestrate a grand betrayal against your aged grandfather."
"I truly hope your fury consumes me utterly."
A grand betrayal… consume me utterly…
Amber's eyes dimmed noticeably.
Lord Otto… though I cannot fathom the full scope of your designs, when you resolved upon this path, you were already prepared to be forsaken by all, weren't you?
She pressed her lips together, hesitation flickering, but finally met the blond man's gaze with resolute firmness.
"Lord Otto, I will always stand at your side—as long as you do not cast me away."
???
No, I was just quoting a meme—what did you just interpret?
Otto didn't fully grasp her meaning, but it hardly prevented him from flashing a cryptic smile and responding in a playfully teasing tone.
"Very well. For richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, I command you to remain faithful to me, never to forsake, until life's end."
Good.
Amber nodded once, answering solemnly in her heart.
…
"I will never abandon your soul to the underworld, nor will I let your holy body see corruption."
What… is that voice?
Who… am I?
Memories flickered before Cecilia's mind like a whirlwind carousel—fragmented, chaotic, overwhelming.
Yet whenever she tried to seize upon any single thread, searing pain erupted at the core of her consciousness.
"Ah…!"
She clutched her head, but it proved futile. Agony enveloped her from every direction—not only her mind, but her limbs and chest began echoing the same torment.
With the pain came terror. She couldn't explain it, but an instinctive dread gripped her soul.
As her bodily senses gradually returned, the physical suffering began to ebb, yet that primal fear only burrowed deeper.
Her vision remained shrouded in darkness—because she had yet to open her eyes.
It felt… as though she dared not.
"What's wrong?"
A voice sounded close beside her ear—gentle, magnetic, familiar.
"Lord Overseer… Lady Cecilia appears to have… lost her memories?"
It was the one supporting her who spoke.
She… lost her memories?
Cecilia had yet to fully comprehend those words, but the mere notion sent an inexplicable chill racing through her veins.
She wrapped her arms around her long, slender legs, curling tightly into herself, trembling faintly.