The Conquerors Path Chapter 967 - 965-Choices We Make.

Elda struggled to create even a minor disturbance in the life force fluctuations of her companions, yet despite her efforts, she found it impossible to force a single twist or turn. Her entire existence had been dedicated to healing and offering aid; thus, attempting to warp a blessing into a manifestation of blood and slaughter was no simple feat—particularly since Elda lacked the essential knowledge required to achieve such a transformation.

Nevertheless, a realization dawned upon her: if she truly committed her will, she could succeed. She would possess the power to distort life into a silent killer, stripping away vitality to be manipulated at her whim—a terrifying authority where a mere glance could extinguish a soul.

Embracing such a path would mean a journey defined by carnage and death, potentially marking her as one of the most cold-blooded figures in history. Yet, Elda did not hesitate. She was focused on a larger, more ominous reality she sought to prevent. While she understood the constraints of what she and her brother could reveal to the world, and had accepted her share of misery and resentment, she refused to let anyone harm Austin or tear him away from her side.

Elda’s gaze seemed to shimmer as she observed the shifting life forces of her friends. They appeared delicate and rare, resembling ripples easily disturbed by a soft breeze, yet they remained resilient and tethered to their physical forms. In her mind’s eye, Elda envisioned that if she could truly master this gift, perhaps one day even a Dragon would perish under her stare.

Even a Dragon Princess might fall, leaving behind no evidence to link Elda to the demise—a flawless execution in every sense of the word.

Her thoughts raced through various outcomes before finally anchoring on a single choice. It was a decision she had long delayed due to its complexity, but now it seemed entirely justified. With the right progression and the knowledge she sought, she might eventually manifest these dark visions. One day, an untraceable assassin might emerge—one who left no clues, used no tools, and shared no connections to be tracked. A killer that even the Dragons would come to dread.

She would become a raw, unrestrained slayer who felt no remorse for the end of a life, driven by the twisted conviction that their existence held no value in her eyes.

While these shadows swirled in her heart, Elda maintained a gentle, supportive smile for her companions. She masked her grim intentions behind a facade of happiness, even as she contemplated their ultimate end.

As the saying goes...

Keep your friends close, and those who rival your interests even closer....

.....

Austin’s POV:

As I stroked Elda’s hair while she rested contentedly in my lap, a cold shiver ran down my spine as I sensed the direction of her intent. Until this moment, Elda had never truly attempted to harness the full depth of her potential, satisfied to remain within the boundaries of her current strength. However, the second she truly commits to altering the world around her, a monster will be unleashed—a being far beyond the comprehension of ordinary people.

A seed of concern took root in my mind. As the Prince of Life, I am intimately aware of what can be achieved when one controls the essence of living things; death is merely the simplest application. With the right pressure, one could shatter the molecular foundation of an organism. I could reduce a breathing, sentient being into a puddle of living sludge by simply unraveling their genetic sequence.

It is essentially like tugging on a thread; a single pull on a person's life force would cause their biological structure to collapse into something nightmarish. By fluctuating that force, I could force a body to sprout extra limbs or horns, and with enough force, I could even rewrite their nature—transforming a human into a demon is well within my reach.

Such a feat remains an impossible mountain for Elda to climb right now. To perform such a transformation requires an astronomical amount of energy and a divinity capable of bending causality and the laws of reality. Even so, the diluted version of these powers that Elda will wield as her Origin level ascends will be catastrophically dangerous.

I felt a mixture of fury and sorrow. Seeing something I cherish—something inherently pure and beautiful—becoming twisted in this manner filled me with a burning rage. It sparked a hunger within me to make those responsible suffer for what they have done.

I pushed that dark urge deep down. I still recall the overwhelming sense of mortality I faced before that rift, and I know I am not yet powerful enough to challenge it. For now, I must follow the path laid out before me—a journey toward a level of strength that will make me a force to be reckoned with across all realms.

I smiled and pressed a soft kiss to Elda’s forehead, watching as she snuggled deeper into my arms. Despite my reservations, the die was cast. From this point on, Elda would push herself to master her gifts and elevate her Origin realm. She would finally accept the offer to become a disciple of the Saintess of Life.

My expression hardened. I have no desire for Elda to reach her absolute peak—at least, not yet. She would be far too lethal, capable of killing without a trace, which is a future I want to avoid. This is why I previously instructed Hera to offer her tutelage to Elda, though Elda had initially declined.

She had been uncertain about seeking that kind of power, but her resolve has clearly changed. I want her to grow stronger, but I cannot allow her to walk the path of a killer. Hera is my insurance policy; she will mentor Elda and ensure she never discovers the secrets of using life force as a weapon—or if she does, Hera will ensure those techniques never function properly.

Hera possesses superior mastery because she was chosen by Orpheus himself, and beyond that, I can manipulate her influence over life to keep things in check. This brings up the question: why not simply intervene now and end the threat?

It would be an easy fix, removing any future anxiety.

The reason is quite straightforward.

I simply cannot bring myself to strip away Elda’s potential or the path she has chosen. I love her completely, and I refuse to steal the future she believes in. Perhaps in the past, when I was colder and lacked emotion, I would have done it—just as I did to Trisha and others—but I no longer wish to be that man.

I want to move forward. If I continue to rob those around me of their natural gifts, then even if I possess their devotion, I will remain eternally isolated. Love must be a two-way street; I must give mine in return, which means there are boundaries I must respect.

If the day comes where Elda’s control becomes absolute and even Hera cannot restrain her, only then will I intervene as a final resort. Until that moment, I want her to live her own life and follow her own road—even if that road is currently taking a dark turn.

[A total hypocrite until the very end.]