The Transcendent Godslayer-Chapter 76: Tremors and Storms

The door to the ward creaked open slowly, and a brunette-haired, strikingly beautiful woman poked her head inside. Her eyes quickly scanned the room, landing on Lyra lying calmly on her med bed, while a doctor sat beside her, conducting routine check-ups.

Lyra’s gaze shifted immediately to the door, and the moment she saw Veronica, a bright smile spread across her face.

Startled, Veronica jerked her head back out in a small panic, pressing herself against the wall outside. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, steadying her nerves.

A moment later, she walked into the ward—shoulders square, spine stiff, trying so hard to appear stoic that she looked like someone battling constipation.

Naturally, Lyra didn’t let it slide.

She grinned wildly, teeth flashing, mischief dancing in her eyes.

Instantly, Veronica flushed from her neck to her chin. Her nose turned bright red, glowing like a warning light, and for a second, it genuinely looked like it might burst from sheer embarrassment.

As if the universe had conspired against her that morning, the door swung open again—this time with ease and grace—and Luiz stepped in, moving with a smooth, confident cadence.

His aura was far calmer than it had been in days. Though not quite at its former peak, the darkness had lifted. He looked kempt, refreshed... human again. The regal posture had returned, but now, it was softened by something rare on his face: a genuine smile.

Without hesitation, he walked up to Lyra and gently kissed her forehead. Then he turned to Veronica and did the same, leaving her momentarily stunned. freёwebnoѵel.com

The moment Luiz entered, the doctor subtly gathered her things. Recognizing her cue, and seeing that Lyra was stable for now, she quietly exited, leaving the family their space. The check-ups could wait.

Luiz took a seat beside Lyra, his movements composed and elegant. He looked between them both, absorbing their expressions.

Lyra’s face held a smile of bittersweet beauty—her eyes watery with a mix of happiness, peace, helplessness, and a quiet, unshakable resolve.

Veronica, on the other hand, was flushed once again—her expression caught somewhere between overwhelming embarrassment and unmistakable joy.

He let them bask in his presence for a few moments, even lifting his chin slightly with quiet pride. But Lyra noticed—despite his composed demeanor—he still avoided direct eye contact with her. She smirked but chose not to call him out on it. Not directly.

"So... how did it go?" she asked with a knowing smile.

"The negotiations are today," Luiz replied smoothly, as if he didn’t quite catch her meaning. Veronica’s jaw visibly tightened, her teeth grinding together.

"I know that," Lyra pressed, still smiling. "I meant last night. How was your night?"

Luiz sighed softly, realizing there was no escaping this one. "It was... splendid," he said at last. "Thank you. I didn’t realize how much I needed peace—how much I needed to be at peace with myself."

His voice was deliberately vague, but it carried a sincerity that couldn’t be missed. Then, as if remembering something important, his tone shifted.

"I don’t have much time. The negotiations begin in less than an hour, and I have a call to be in the Central Continent in two." He paused, gaze drifting for a moment.

"So, ladies..." He stood, placing a kiss on each of their foreheads. "I need to get going."

Then, he stopped.

Turning back to Lyra, he met her eyes—really met them this time.

"Thank you," he said, his voice deep and steady, carrying the weight of everything unspoken between them.

Lyra’s smile softened, and a subtle breath of relief escaped her lips.

And just like that, Luiz turned and left, as gracefully as he’d arrived.

---

Inside the meeting room, several notable members of the Crimson family were seated in silence, Luiz among them.

"The negotiations begin today," Luiz said, breaking the quiet. "Silas will be overseeing them."

No one questioned the decision. Heads simply nodded in agreement.

Though the negotiations concerned Luiz’s own son, everyone understood why he wouldn’t attend. His presence would reek of desperation—a silent admission of weakness before the Valgorians. It would shift the power dynamic of the discourse entirely, tilting it in the Valgorians’ favor.

No matter how much they might care or worry, appearances still mattered.

Even if the Crimson family was desperate... it must never show.

Seeing they all understood, Luiz continued, "But negotiations aren’t the only thing we should be preparing for. I want all battleships and soldiers mobilized—armed, ready, and cloaked at the border between Xenith and Ash."

Stunned silence followed.

Battleships?

They were rarely deployed on Ares, and only for one reason—to shatter the delicate balance of peace between Aresian species.

"What do we need battleships for?" Marcus asked, his voice low but firm. He was the Crimson warrior who shielded children behind him while fending off ten Earth Mancers—one of Ariel’s twin sons, and Luiz’s cousin.

"What else, if not war?" Silas answered flatly, casting Marcus a look like he’d just asked how to breathe.

They all turned toward Silas now, this time with disbelief.

"Why war?" Eudora asked, her tone sharp but calm. She was the mother of Elyon and Eliot, her long flowing crimson hair and sword-like brows giving her a striking, commanding presence. Pale lips, sunken cheeks—still hauntingly beautiful.

"There’s no guarantee negotiations will go our way," Silas shrugged. "If that happens, we need to show strength."

"Not just strength," Luiz added, voice steady. "Domination. A decisive blow that leaves them unable to retaliate, even after they recover."

A tense silence followed, then Luiz turned toward Marcus.

"You’ll command the strike. Karrie will assist."

He shifted to face Karrie next. "You’ll bring Lucien up to speed on the atta..." He stopped, brow furrowing.

Karrie wasn’t listening. Her eyes were distant, lost in thought.

Eudora, seated beside her, nudged her quickly. Karrie blinked and looked around to find everyone watching her.

Luiz didn’t give the silence room to grow awkward. He simply repeated himself, calmly.

"As I was saying—if negotiations for Kallen’s whereabouts fail, we move. Whether they’re hiding him or not, pressure will force them to give him up. You and Marcus will lead that."

She gave a slight nod, distracted but attentive enough. Luiz could tell something was troubling her, but this wasn’t the time for detours.

Then Marcus spoke again. "Wait—if they actually do have Kallen, wouldn’t launching a full-scale assault force their hand? They could harm him"

"If they’re unwilling to even admit they have him," Silas replied dryly, "then force is the only thing that will make them speak. Crushing them gives us leverage. They’d have no choice but to reveal Kallen’s value as a hostage. We pause, negotiate again—this time from a position of power."

The room went still.

Luiz nodded, satisfied, then looked back to Karrie.

"Bring Lucien up to speed. Let him man some units—"

At the mention of the name, Karrie flinched.

Unfortunately, everyone noticed.

Luiz’s frown deepened. "Are you okay?"

"Uh..." she stammered. The silence that followed forced her to confront the table.

Then, after a breath, she spoke.

"Lucien is missing."

Confusion rippled across the room. Eyes narrowed. Brows creased.

"What do you mean?" Eudora asked. "Missing? Now?"

Karrie hesitated, then answered, "Since the attack... I haven’t seen him."

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