Chapter 484: Chapter 484: VS Solstice [1] Chapter 484 – VS Solstice [1] In an instant, Maryam, Selene, and Love appeared inside the domain of Light, the transition fast and swift thanks to their linked rings. The first thing that welcomed them into the domain was the face of Light appearing just an inch from Maryam’s own face, his sole eye unblinking. The tension immediately swelled between them, with Maryam smiling tauntingly, while Light wore, like a mask, his ever-serious face. Selene, at the side, watched this scene, puzzled by the strange situation. However, before anything came out of her mouth, she was dragged away by Elira and Yuki, each one taking an arm. "Don’t say anything," Elira said in a hushed tone, watching the scene like an unfolding drama. The Records knew how much she wished Virgo was there. At least, she never lacked a supply of sweets and soda. "Why?" Selene asked, tilting her head. "What are you plotting once again? And where even is Noah? What does he plan to do this time?" "Trouble, just like always," Yuki said lazily. "You know him, don’t you? By now we are used to it. However, this time I must admit it will be very much different." "As for what is happening with these two," Elira added, giggling, "it’s just that, dear Selene, Light loves Love. But Love loves Maryam." "Love loves me too, it seems," Selene added, not thinking much about these questionable words. Elira and Yuki snapped their heads toward her, staring at her with their jaws on the floor. Selene’s lips twitched, then she hurriedly continued her words. "Believe me, sisters, this Pink Pig would love you too if she put her eyes on you." "Yeah, no thank you." "Yes, same. I don’t fancy pigs, you know?" "That’s racist, Elira." "Meh." Selene sighed, changing the course of the discussion toward what her son was actually doing. And so, while her eyes widened with the knowledge of Noah wishing to summon upon himself the very wrath of the Origin Will of the Spirit World... ...Maryam watched Light intensely, whose eye was fixed on Love, held by Maryam like an object, her legs paddling the air restlessly as if trying to find solid ground. "My love Maryam, I enjoy this rough treatment on my body — I truly do — but could you please reserve this for the night?" Love said, her face blushing as if she were exposing herself. "For now, I need to eat!" Maryam’s lips twitched heavily at her words. She barely stopped herself from smacking the neck of this lecherous pig. It was true she had grown used to Love’s rain of affection, but anything had a limit. And now that she had her son back within her arms, that limit was even more shortened. However, before she spoke, Light did it first. "Love," Light said, prompting the attention of the Pink Pig Ruler, "I’ve given you enough time to realize that this home wrecker doesn’t love you. She doesn’t, and she won’t. Can’t you see?" Light pointed at Maryam with one of his wings. Love followed his instructions instinctively, watching Maryam’s face. It was neutral, if not a little bit amused by what was happening. "Look at her and look at my face. Look at the difference in how each one of us looks at you. Only then will your eyes open, letting you see the bare truth." His voice was quiet and steady. Still, anyone could sense the undercurrent of tremor beneath it. Doubtlessly, Light’s love for Love was genuine. It was something all knew. Even Love herself. But here lay the cruel thing about love... "Light, sweet Light, I know you love me. And I do, I promise I do. But not as lover but as someone who treated me well when I needed it," Love said in her calmest voice. "However, my heart belongs to Maryam. Don’t ask me why, I know not. And the fact that she doesn’t love me yet is only because of..." Love paused, then turned her head toward Maryam. "What’s the name of my rival again?" "Noah," Maryam said with amusement. Love turned back to Light. "Yes! It’s all because of Noah! I know my love Maryam will love me! And damn it, where the fuck is that home wrecker? You see, Light, Maryam is not the home wrecker. It’s Noah himself!" She paused, then yelled once more. "Where is Noah!?" Love was determined to obtain Maryam’s love while discarding the love of someone ready to do anything for her. Light looked at her listlessly, watching how she acted all lovely toward Maryam, who only gave her a smile or two to make her shut up. ’You love someone who will never love you, leaving behind someone who will never stop loving you.’ Light thought, his eye meeting Maryam’s eyes for a second. She smiled at him with her eyes — they curved devilishly like a venomous snake. Her voice boomed inside his mind. "This is for all those attacks you did on me when I was a new Ruler. Did I not say I wouldn’t forget? I never forget, Light. And I always strike back." Light fell silent for a while, then answered in his usual calm and monotonous voice. "I guess I went too easy on you." Maryam shrugged. "But I won’t." Next, she turned her head toward Love, smiling at her beautifully and innocently. Love almost passed out from her beauty. "I need something from you, sweet Love." "Anything!" Love squealed. "Anything for you, I swear! Tell me!" Just at that moment, the Principality shook once more. Taking it as a sign, Maryam finished her words rapidly. "I want you to give me the Broken Tower." Love paused, registering the request, then cocked her head to the left. "Why?" "To show me how much you love me." ... At the same time, Noah arrived high above the Dominion of Solstice, watching as parts of it were completely shattered, steam glowing up like a chimney. Fire, water, air, and earth were slashing the air viciously, forming a phenomenon of elements enough to shred away most beings with exceeding ease. This was, after all, the last attempt of the Four Leaders of the Basic Elemental Dragons of the dragon faction. Their power was immense, but now all that was left was this storm. It was almost pathetic. However, that was not Noah’s current concern. His attention was mainly focused on the man standing unbothered inside the storm of elements. He was quite tall, around six feet, skin white like a sheet of ice, filled with swirling tribal tattoos all over. He was bare-chested, his lower body covered by a simple red telaba that fluttered erratically because of the storm. The man’s face was composed of nothing but eyes, unblinking and vicious-looking, that sometimes acted like a mouth. Noah watched Solstice with his arms resting on his chest. All of a sudden, shadows began to pour beneath him. However, "No." Noah lightly shook his head. "I will take care of him alone. You have done your job, Ester. Go rest." 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶 There was a sudden pause from the shadows before they slowly began to disappear, like spilled ink being cleaned away. "Good luck then, Husband." Noah grunted in answer, his focus only on the Soul Ruler in front of him. Once Ester was completely gone, Noah popped his neck left, then right. "Well," he said, smiling faintly, "shall we begin, Solstice?" The Soul Ruler’s answer was deep, still silence. But no, that was not how Solstice worked. "The battle has already begun," Solstice growled, his voice like thousands of people speaking at the same time. At his words, Noah’s smile only widened. "Oh, but of course I know." Only then did the silent words of Solstice, hidden under layers of reality, boom all around at the curt snapping finger of Noah. The Prince raised his head and saw a sight that put a grin on his beautiful face. "Fifth Zodiac — The Lion, Sin of Pride." — End of Chapter 484 —