Chapter 452: Chapter 452: Decision Chapter 452 – Decision The words escaped the bounds of Noah’s mouth, sharp and filled with unmistakable authority. They rang out across the space and went as far as echoing inside the minds of all the captives. Unconsciously, they quivered, feeling an undercurrent of power jolt through their bodies at the sound of Noah’s proposition. They might not know why or what would happen, but these were people who had dealt with power for millions of years. More than anyone, they knew how dangerous it was to accept a proposition without knowing its downside. The price of agreeing. Yet as they stared into Noah’s eyes, then at Maryam’s cold face smiling at them like sheep clustered in a farm waiting to be slaughtered, the Origins, the Legacy Bearers, and Luelle realized there was little to no choice in this situation. "Time is passing," Noah interrupted mercilessly, cutting through their spiraling, dizzying thoughts, "and you must know me by now, mustn’t you?" His eyes shifted and settled on Luelle, his lips pulling into a strange smile. "I always keep my promises. If I said one minute was all I would give, then doubtlessly, that is all you will get." Luelle sank her teeth deep into her lips, painfully aware of what Noah was referring to. Her green eyes grew colder and colder, despite the situation she was in. The Progenitor of Elves felt a violent surge of wrath and indignation boil inside her soul-body like molten steel. She set her jaw so tight one could almost hear the cracking sound of teeth threatening to shatter. Without care, she took a step forward. The chains of fog restraining her legs pulled back and tightened violently around her limbs. She cursed and toppled over another Origin. Seeing this, Laka the Sage of the Bloodline exhaled slowly through his teeth, realizing what Luelle was about to do. Not only him, everyone became aware of it. And indeed, "I am Luelle," she growled like a mad beast, green eyes spitting an anger so deep it was frightening. "I am a Progenitor! The Firstborn of an entire race, the Child of the Universe!" She staggered back to her feet and took another step forward, stronger this time, steadier. The chains coiled around her body more fiercely, yet the Progenitor gritted her teeth and pushed on. She lifted her head and rested her gaze not on Maryam, but on Noah. And with all the scorn and hatred she could muster, she spat her next words like venom, "I won’t bind myself to you, bloody bastard," she snarled. "Did you hear me? You are not worthy, no matter what you convince yourself of. What will you do? Kill me? Torture me? Please..." She spat. "Then do it. Use your so-called mother." Luelle stopped, her breathing ragged from the force of her emotions, angry veins still slithering across her face. Noah stared at her neutrally. Wordlessly, he turned his head and looked at the other Origins. "One of you has chosen," he said calmly. "The rest of you have forty-five seconds left." Aware of the dwindling time, and stirred by Luelle’s audacity, the Origins and Legacy Bearers began to choose. Most of the Origins accepted Noah’s proposal, yet some — Death, Life, Transformation, Limitless, and Samsara — didn’t even look at him, their pride far too deep. Laka the Bloodline Sage accepted Noah’s proposal, surprising many. Already, whispers spread among the captives, scornfully remarking that such a decision was expected from a useless rat. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖 Laka didn’t care. After that, only the King, Change, Tiamat, and the Queen of Hearts remained. "In all accounts," the Queen of Hearts said, her fairy-like beauty untouched, eyes entirely blue, hair of shifting colors flowing smoothly behind her, "I have been wronged." Noah raised an eyebrow. "I never attacked you, nor did I ever do anything to you, Madman," she continued evenly. "Yet you killed me, and now you threaten me once more." "Don’t tell me you’re going to say it isn’t fair?" Noah craned his neck slightly. "You know as well as I do that nothing is fair, Queen of Hearts. We needed the Origins, so we fought for them. I am not excusing our actions. That is simply how it is." "And I am threatening you because I can," he added calmly. "Would you not do the same if you were in my place?" The Queen fell silent. She knew Noah was right. And she knew very well that if she had needed something, then doubtlessly she would have tried to obtain it. It was just bitter in her mouth, because this time she was the victim of a system she had always enjoyed. Never did she think a day like this would come. The shifting side of the coin weighed heavily on her. The Queen of Hearts looked at Maryam and noticed how cold and deadly she appeared as she stared at those who refused Noah’s proposal. Some of them were already squirming restlessly. Yet it was far too late. Sighing, she looked back at Noah. "Fine," the Queen of Hearts said, stepping toward Laka with soft movements. "I accept to bind myself to you. I have no other viable option. You played the game the universe plays. A game we all play. You won. So take your spoils, Madman." Noah allowed a smile to spread across his face. "I like reasonable people." He then turned his gaze to the remaining three. "Are you reasonable too?" Luelle watched them, inwardly praying they would revolt like she did. If they did, maybe — just maybe — something could still change. The ones who had refused with her were nothing more than disposable pawns. She needed the King, Change, and even that cold bitch Tiamat for a tangible hope to manifest. So she fixed them with her gaze, hoping her eyes would convey something. Her eyes did convey something. And that only made them more aware of the decision they had to take. One who walked the path of power had to know when to bow the head and when to bend the knee, so that one more day could be lived. One more day meant one more opportunity. And no one could know where such opportunities might lead. With that thought, "I accept." The King spoke and walked toward the Queen and Laka without sparing Luelle a single glance. Her heart skipped a beat. Fear crashed violently through her entire existence. There was nothing worse than being the only one to revolt and face the condensed wrath of the enemy alone. The Progenitor of Elves turned toward the Mother of Change with a wisp of hope. She parted her lips to speak, but—! "Close it back." Noah’s order was calm, his eyes still resting on Change and Tiamat, and Luelle obeyed instinctively, her existence cowering beneath Noah’s presence. Seeing that, there was nothing left to ponder. "Will being bound to you, bastard, stop me from fighting you?" Change growled, anger and hatred still blazing across her face. "You can still fight me," Noah answered with a laugh. "Though I doubt you will enjoy torturing yourself." "We shall see," Change replied, before walking toward the King. That left only Tiamat. She stared at Noah and the others with a calm, unreadable gaze. Ouroboros coiled around her neck, hissing menacingly. Then, "I accept on one condition," she said softly, her gaze unwavering. "Let me hear it," Noah replied. Her face turned serious. "Your bloodline is unheard of. And if you are the child of a Soul Ruler, then it must be unique. There must be a way out of this realm, back to the living." Noah listened without interruption. "So here is my proposal, Noah," she said, speaking his name with eerie familiarity, before raising two fingers toward the ceiling. "Give me two children bearing your bloodline, and I will accept to bind myself to you." —End of Chapter 452—