My Living Shadow System Devours To Make Me Stronger Chapter 857 - 858: The Woman Who Suffered

Damon eventually returned to the chamber, a space that had served as a conference room where Xander and Emilia previously coordinated with officer-level mercenaries.

He found himself uncertain of his own emotions.

Was Xander’s desperation for an heir driven by the belief that a child would bind Damon more closely to his quest for vengeance against Amon?

Or perhaps he actually harbored sincere feelings for Emilia Highgon?

They remained in the conference room for several hours, negotiating an agreement to pool their resources in the search for others from their home world. The task was proving to be less difficult than anticipated.

Xander informed Damon that Abellona of Valtheron had already succeeded in rounding up most of the students and adventurers from their reality.

Among all the outsiders, she commanded the largest faction.

It was hardly surprising, considering she was the princess of the era's most formidable empire and a highly decorated military officer in her own right.

Abellona of Destruction.

Damon let out a soft sigh, sipping his hot tea while observing the transition into the freezing desert night. During the day, the sands were scorching, but the temperature plummeted as soon as the sun vanished.

It was a strange phenomenon; the sun-drenched hell of the afternoon transformed into a frigid, obsidian world once darkness fell.

Yet, these dark nights offered a view of the stars more brilliant than anything Damon had ever witnessed.

The faint sound of footsteps signaled Xander’s arrival on the balcony where Damon stood.

A long silence stretched between them before Xander finally sighed and broke the quiet.

"I’ve never known poverty in my life. I didn’t understand what starving meant... until I came here."

Damon cast a look down at the city below.

"Yeah... I figured as much. Hunger is a weapon, and for some reason, the lesser god who governs this city has perfected its use."

Xander folded his arms, inhaling deeply.

"Yes, he has. This place... this past... it makes me realize that while our world has its flaws, at least it is our goddess races that are in control. This ancient dream has taught me only one thing..."

His gaze grew icy.

"The gods are cruel."

He clenched his fist tightly.

"And to think there are so many of them... possessing such immense power. In the end—" his voice dropped to a whisper, "—I can’t help but wonder how they all met their demise."

Damon stared up at the constellations, his face clouded by a bleak expression that hinted at deep loss or anguish.

"Empires crumble. Why should gods be any different? Nothing is eternal. Time is a prison, and everyone living under its rule will eventually hit their limit as long as it persists. The old gods were defeated by the true gods, becoming nothing more than ripples in the long river of time."

Xander let out a quiet chuckle.

"Then what about the true gods?"

Damon remained silent. An image of the Unknown God flashed through his mind. If there were an end even for infinite beings, then that entity would surely be the one to bring it.

"Even their sun will set eventually... even if it rises again afterwards."

Damon glanced down at the ring on his finger.

"So, Emilia Highgon... what is the real reason she agreed to marry you?"

Xander gave a disdainful scoff.

"True love."

"Don’t give me that bullshit," Damon snapped coldly.

Xander sighed, the small smile on his lips fading away.

"Emilia Highgon is the granddaughter of Grand Duke Hightower."

Damon’s brow furrowed. He had heard whispers—rumors—but no one had the courage to speak of it openly.

"Right, I remember now. The Hightowers... they are the fourth of the four great dukedoms. And if the rumors are true, the current patriarch of the family is actually Emilia’s father."

Xander shook his head slowly.

"It’s not a rumor. He is her father. And it happens that her mother is the daughter of the Highgon family."

Damon crossed his arms. The drama of the nobility was always predictable; this was just another one of those tales.

"Based on what I’ve gathered... Emilia is the illegitimate child of Lord Hightower. Her mother, who was the heir to the vassal House Highgon, became pregnant with Lord Hightower’s child during the very week he was to marry another noblewoman. Her grandfather refused to acknowledge her because of her bastard status, forcing her to take her mother’s surname. Is that the gist of it?"

Xander narrowed his eyes.

That was classic Damon Grey. He had pieced it all together. The bastard was just as well-informed as he had been in the past.

"Yes. You are correct."

Damon grinned.

"Good. I like being correct. Currently, the Hightowers have a female heir—her younger sister from a legitimate marriage. But Emilia Highgon is a woman of ambition. She desires what she believes is rightfully hers: the Hightower seat and the vast authority that comes with governing a significant portion of the Valtheron Empire."

He made a casual gesture.

"And to achieve that... she requires you, the heir of another Grand Duke."

He began to clap his hands softly.

"Wow. Truly impressive. What a remarkable woman. I think I actually like her. Naturally, she plans to exploit all your connections—your friendship with Evangeline, another Grand Duke’s heir; Sylvia, the elven princess; Leona, the daughter of the mighty Roaring Gale; and even little old me, who has ties to Lilith Astranova and seemingly a questionable relationship with the Valtheron princess..."

Xander shut his eyes as he listened to Damon’s playful, casual analysis, framing it as if Emilia were the mastermind using Xander’s network for her own gain.

But then Damon’s smile turned demonic, and his voice dropped to a low pitch, sounding as if it had emerged from the depths of the abyss.

"But she’s the one being played here, isn’t she?"

Xander felt his heart sink as Damon’s gaze met his.

"She has no idea... that you are the one gaining the most from this, do you?"

Damon turned his attention back to the sky, shaking his head.

"Emilia Highgon was essentially discarded by her father. She was an unwanted child, and those are scars that time can never truly mend. To her, abandoning one's own child must be the most heinous of sins."

He turned back to Xander with a cunning smirk.

"So tell me, Xander..."

His voice faded to a chilling whisper.

"How will she react when she gives birth to your firstborn, only for you to hand the child over to me? It will destroy her."

He leaned in closer.

"And a small part of me genuinely wants to watch your life crumble because of your obsession with hunting a faceless shadow."

Xander’s hands began to shake.

"My resolve is absolute," he stated rigidly. "You will keep your part of our deal—a fair opportunity to kill Amon."

Damon’s smile widened.

"Of course, a fair chance."