Chapter 2031: I Declare War [We finally meet, The Princess who rose from the Chains.] The moment Sharnoth activated the Artifact, she heard a calm, almost playful voice. “Well, you have been trying to get in contact with me quite desperately. I simply decided to reward your effort.” Sharnoth replied. Her words were arrogant, her tone, however, seemed completely different. There was no trace of pride in her voice, it was… almost as if she was simply stating a fact. As if she truly believed that her decision to talk to someone like Nux on her own was her ‘rewarding’ his efforts. Nux smiled at that, [I thank you for that.] He remained humble. After all, he was a humble, down-to-earth man. [I believe that since you decided to activate the artifact, you must have agreed to my terms, correct?] He questioned. Sharnoth narrowed her eyes at that. Then, instead of answering Nux’s question, she asked one of her own, “How much do you know?” It was a question that placed a big grin on Nux’s face, [Don’t worry, I won’t say. The Supreme Worlds will not know anything. Snitching isn’t my style.] “Snitching?” Sharnoth frowned at the strange word. Her mind, however, already started thinking, and slowly but steadily, the air around her was growing heavy. This wasn’t good. Even though Nux hadn’t directly answered her question, the very fact that he mentioned the Supreme Worlds and openly said he wouldn’t say anything to them told her all she needed to know. Nux knew… He knew about Zylarith Chaosveil, meaning that he had quite a bit of power over her. After all, if he decided to reveal her Mentor’s existence to the Supreme Worlds and the four of them started acting on it, Everything would end. Everything she had worked for over the past tens of thousands of years— It would all be for nought. Sharnoth clenched her fists. Nux obviously couldn’t see that since he could only see her face and upper body through the screen, however, he could still sense that the woman didn’t believe him for even a single second. Follow new episodes on the "N0vel1st.c0m". Which made sense. After all, this was only their first meeting. “Why are you here?” Sharnoth questioned. [Should you not start with basic introductions? Try to get to know me and stuff?] Nux chuckled playfully but… Sharnoth was not amused. Nux’s existence had become dangerous in her eyes. For an instant, a cruel, ruthless look shone in her eyes. Yes, she was prepared to get rid of him to remove a potential threat. Oblivious to her thoughts, Nux just smiled. He seemed quite amused by the woman. He wanted to see how she would react and… He was also expecting to see ‘him.’ “You did not answer my question.” Sharnoth spoke up. [You did not answer my question either.] Nux shot back. “I will be the one asking questions here.” [You must really trust my words, don’t you?] Nux chuckled. [To think you would try to act bossy when your entire life can turn around if I just decide to do what I said I wouldn’t. I assumed you were the more careful type.] “Is that a threat?” Sharnoth narrowed her eyes. “No, it was just a simple observation.” Nux shook his head, dropping the topic. [Anyways, you asked why I was here, didn’t you? As I said through my messages before, I could be your potential ally. I am here today to turn this possibility into a reality.] “A possible ally, huh?” Sharnoth repeated those words. [That is correct.] Nux nodded confidently. [You have already seen what I am capable of, and I do not wish to sound arrogant when I say this, but I highly doubt my alliance is an offer you would want to refuse.] “What are your terms?” Sharnoth questioned again. Nux liked how she didn’t play games with every single exchange. Direct confrontation and communication was indeed the way to go. Right now, however, Nux didn’t say anything out loud. Rather, he stared at the woman in front of him and, [I don’t think I should be saying it. He is still here, isn’t he?] “…” Sharnoth stayed silent, not denying his words. [This is the time where you activate your Domain and kick him out so we can talk without an eternal influence.] Nux urged. “I do not understand. Why are you so hell-bent on keeping him away?” Sharnoth tried to change the topic—something Nux didn’t mind. He just played along, [Do you not know? I am his son. And we don’t get along.] “His son…?” Sharnoth raised her eyebrow. She turned in a random direction, as if staring at a certain being that even Nux couldn’t sense. He, however, knew who it was. It seemed like for some reason, only Sharnoth was able to see Zylarith. Nux knew about this. In his investigation before, he had found the Queen’s strange habit of talking randomly, almost as if she was accompanied by someone. [Oh? He didn’t tell you?] Nux questioned with a playful grin on his face. [And here I thought he was excited to see his son after such a long time. You disappoint me again, Father.] Nux sighed dramatically. Sharnoth, on the other hand, continued to stare at Zylarith and waited for him to explain. “Do not let him manipulate you, Shar.” Zylarith spoke up, trying to defend himself. Just like how Nux couldn’t see him, he couldn’t seem to hear him either. Zylarith truly had turned into a ghost. A ghost only Sharnoth could interact with. Despite his words, however, Sharnoth continued to stare at him, waiting for an answer. Zylarith, who saw that, just sighed and gave in, “He is my son, yes. I have been trying to recruit him, but he doesn’t listen.” “Recruit him?” Sharnoth raised her eyebrow. This… She didn’t know about this. When did this happen? Zylarith had been with her almost all her life. How did he even find this man when this was the first time she had seen him? There were too many questions in her head. The biggest one, however, was… “Why does he sound like you are his worst enemy when all you are trying to do is recruit him on your side? That just sounds childish.” The woman spoke up, and yes, she was clearly aware of the fact that Nux could hear her loud and clear. And Nux obviously did not take it lying down, [He tried to kill my wives.] He defended himself. “What…?” Sharnoth frowned. [Exactly.] Nux nodded. [That is how foolish of a man he is. He is foolish enough to believe that harming my wives will make me side with him. I sometimes wonder how a Supreme World survived under his leadership—it almost makes me want to underestimate the other Four Supreme Worlds.] Nux snorted. He couldn’t see Zylarith, but knowing that his dear father could hear him was all he needed to continue the shit talk. He even wanted to have Sharnoth on his side, confronting the old soul, but then… “So the reason you are so against him… is because he tried hurting your wives?” [He tried to kill them.] Nux corrected. “But he failed, did he not?” [That doesn’t change anything.] Nux’s answer was instantaneous. He didn’t like how the woman was trying to downplay this. “It does change everything.” Sharnoth countered. “Nothing happened, no one’s dead, it was a failed attempt. If you want, he would even apologize to you. Let bygones be bygones and start acting like an adult. You currently seem like a stubborn child who is throwing tantrums just because he can.” [So I should… forgive the man who tried to kill my wives?] Nux raised his eyebrow. Sharnoth, however, nodded firmly. “That is correct. The Universe is complicated. You cannot always get what you want. There are times when you need to back down. There are people in this Universe who are far stronger than us. Your father is an extremely resourceful man. You need him by your side for a better future, and he needs you to carry his legacy. Join him, and the power to have the Universe in your palms will be right on top of your hands.” The Queen raised her voice, wanting to handle things as peacefully as possible since she wanted both of them on her side, But then, [Heh.] Nux laughed. [Who said I needed a half-dead soul to become strong? He cannot even maintain his existence without fearing the Universe’s retaliation. What could he possibly do to help me?] Nux’s purple eyes then stared into Sharnoth’s and, [And you, Sharnoth Nocthys, You disappoint me. It seems that your people’s potential for you was wrong. You weren’t as interested as they made you out to be. You are simply a monkey who has been climbing the tree placed right in front of her, not even stopping to look around and see far taller, much higher trees.] Soon, however, Nux’s disappointed eyes turned cold as suddenly, [This is it. I tried communicating peacefully but you refused to follow my terms. Since you wish to side with my enemy, You are now my enemy as well. Sharnoth Nocthys, I, Nux Leander, from the Leander Family, declare War on you and your entire Faction.]