Chapter 1296: Chapter 21: The Shadowy Celestial Marshal’s Greeting Gift

The Shadowy Celestial Marshal only took three steps to approach Aiwass.

Aiwass was 1.82 meters tall, but with the height of the antlers, he exceeded two meters. Yet when standing on the ground, his head was just level with the Celestial Marshal’s waist.

The Celestial Marshal curiously touched Aiwass’s antlers and then grabbed the collar at the back of Aiwass’s neck, lifting Aiwass like a little cat, and then openly embraced him as if she was holding a child.

She let Aiwass sit on her forearm. Though it was an awkward, unsupported posture, her arm was harder than steel, unwavering. But even so, Aiwass felt not the hardness of tensed muscles but the softness and warmth of the skin.

—-Aiwass’s first reaction was that the Celestial Marshal was extraordinarily warm. Just the temperature of her skin exceeded fifty degrees, like a steamer roasting Aiwass.

“I’ve heard about you for a long time, Aiwass.”

The Celestial Marshal looked at Aiwass with an expression half of affection, half of yearning.

She warmly invited: “Would you like to stay here for a while? My warriors are very hospitable! You can leave anytime you want–there are many beautiful fairies and witches here, would you like me to introduce you to them?”

…I dare not stay here with you.

“—-No need, Your Majesty.”

Aiwass was about to politely decline, but Vinesse’s cold voice had already arrived: “We are just passing through, and we have important business to attend to. I’m afraid we don’t have much time to linger here.”

The Shadowy Celestial Marshal lifted her head and looked at Vinesse.

Her smile faded to coldness and majesty once her eyes left Aiwass. The brutal aura unconsciously seeped out–it was the violent instinct that could tear a person to shreds without hesitation.

Scrutinizing Vinesse, the Celestial Marshal slightly furrowed her brow: “You Night Fiend… have I seen you somewhere before?”

When the Fallen Celestial Marshal died, she was observing the events of the Material Realm through the Thunder Observation Platform. Therefore, she wasn’t particularly curious about Vinesse, who had fused with the Fallen Celestial Marshal Shard.

Although she felt somewhat jealous of Vinesse–

After all, it was a Celestial Marshal Shard, and a shard of the Path of Transcendence at that. Aiwass undoubtedly had the right to take it.

If Aiwass had obtained the Fallen Celestial Marshal’s shard, he would soon become a new Celestial Marshal.

The Shadowy Celestial Marshal herself had her fate changed by a Celestial Marshal Shard; she was therefore extremely aware of its value and significance–or perhaps she overvalued it.

However, Aiwass had unhesitatingly given it as a “gift” to that Night Fiend. It surprised her to the point of jealousy… even though she had no relationship with Aiwass, his nonchalant detachment in relinquishing power left her somewhat infatuated. Consequently, the Celestial Marshal felt a mixture of surprise and doubt towards that Night Fiend–just a mere Night Fiend, what right did they have to receive such a high-level gift!

Mortals might not see it, but as a Celestial Marshal of the Path of Love, she could see it clearly.

This Night Fiend and Aiwass had never engaged in intimate acts; they weren’t even lovers. Yet that contract had linked their destinies. If Aiwass ascended to become a Celestial Marshal, or Pillar God, he could lead these Phantom Demons to ascend together…

—-So unfair!

Wasn’t this enjoying the love of others without doing anything?

Because of this, the Celestial Marshal became more confident in enticing Aiwass away–

But upon closer examination, she sensed a familiar feeling emanating from the other.

Logically, Night Fiends don’t reside in the Shadow Nation. Night Fiends, Succubi, Penalty Demons, these types of Personal Guard Demons mainly dwell in the domain of the Fallen Celestial Marshal. Only a few who had been summoned to the Material Realm by reckless demon scholars and broken their contracts remained, and were rarely seen in the domains of other Celestial Marshals.

What she had the most of here were actually Shadow Demons. Being pure Elemental Demons, Shadow Demons disliked places too bright, even if it was the domain of the Fallen Celestial Marshal. They could only quickly recover their spirit and strength in the Shadow Nation.

Every clawing tree on the street could actually be a Shadow Demon in a still state.

In the Shadow Nation, shadows and matter can sometimes interchange. People can transform into intangible shadows, and shadows can form tangible matter. If observed closely, one would see that among the pitch-black trees, a few don’t cast shadows during lightning strikes… this is their characteristic as Shadow Demons.

“You do know me.”

Vinesse calmly replied: “I used to be a Shadow Demon here.”

“A Shadow Demon evolved into a Night Fiend?”

The Celestial Marshal seemed puzzled.

In her impression, Shadow Demons should evolve into Flame Demons–the Fallen Celestial Marshal did not wish for their demons to delve too deeply into any path outside the Path of Transcendence; thus, He would forcibly redirect their evolution to another path, thereby interfering with their accumulation of strength.

Therefore, when Shadow Demons of the Path of Love evolve into Flame Demons of the Path of Devotion, they cannot reside in the Shadow Nation. Newborn Flame Demons only dwell in volcanic furnaces–such are their destined habitats.

But pondering Aiwass’s many wonders, the Celestial Marshal became relieved.

She had coveted this kid for a long time, but could only do so in glances.

She recognized the traits of the Son of Si Zhu–this meant that even if Aiwass passed away, she wouldn’t have a chance to bring Aiwass over. After all, she couldn’t compete with Si Zhu for someone… that old deer on the Path of Devotion was actually quite formidable.

“Just last year,” Vinesse said somewhat earnestly, “when I left here, you were still chatting with me.”

“Last year… when was that exactly…”

The Celestial Marshal didn’t have much concept of time.

After all, there are no days or nights in the Shadow Nation, and the flow of time here is completely chaotic.

“You were dressing in front of the mirror, while I transformed into a black snake coiled at the top of the coat rack. When I was summoned away, I said a word to you.”

The Night Fiend whispered, “Do you remember, Your Majesty? When we first met, you mocked me… saying you had never seen such a weak Shadow Demon. Deprived of the Mark of Sin, pitifully close to starving to death. So you gave me some shadow brew to drink… and that’s how I recovered.”

“…Beyard?”

The Shadowy Celestial Marshal barely remembered the Night Fiend’s name and was immediately amazed, “So it was you–I knew it. You were summoned away and never returned. I thought you had already entered the rebirth sequence… but it turns out you hitched a ride with the Son of Candle Master.”

The once weak Shadow Demon, who barely reached the Fourth Level, had now become a Candidacy Fallen Celestial Marshal…

I thought some unknown demon stumbled upon this opportunity… but it turned out to be an acquaintance.

With this realization, the jealousy and dissatisfaction in the Shadowy Celestial Marshal’s heart subsided slightly, replaced by a bit of surprise.

“So we have such a connection. Since this is the case…”

The Shadowy Celestial Marshal set Aiwass down from her arms and took the opportunity to tear a piece from her cloak, handing it to Aiwass.

“This is a Shadow Cloak–though just a fragment, it’s more than mere material.”

The Shadowy Celestial Marshal smiled, boasting, “This is a rare treasure, the fur left by ‘Skeleton Beasts’ that feed on Shadow Demons. Their bones make my spear. This fur can be given to a Magus Craftsman to make a genuine cloak of invisibility. It allows you to become a shadow, hence escaping most adverse effects below the Sixth Power Level… be it seal, burn, or freeze, you can slip away as you please. Here, this piece is yours, enough to make a cloak for you.”

–This is precisely the origin of Aiwass’ “Shadow Cloak” spell’s name!

And Aiwass did not expect that Vinesse and the Shadowy Celestial Marshal had some acquaintanceship… though a name that required a gentle reminder to recall, for Vinesse’s weak power back in the day meant they were already quite close!

Not to mention, the Shadowy Celestial Marshal seemed to have saved her little crow–

In this relationship, it should have been Aiwass giving a gift to the Shadowy Celestial Marshal. But now the roles had been reversed…

–You didn’t even mention this to me, I didn’t prepare a gift. Aiwass said to Vinesse in his mind.

–No worries, the Shadowy Celestial Marshal doesn’t like receiving gifts. Vinesse replied.

Aiwass paused for a moment and suddenly understood.

Because she needs to maintain absolute initiative–she can give gifts, treat meals, offer lodging, spend a lovely night with someone… but these relationships must not be reversed. No matter what kind of relationship is formed, she must hold the initiative in this relationship, she must be the one inviting, the one giving.

Seeing Aiwass accept it, the Shadowy Celestial Marshal immediately beamed a bright smile. It was a candid expression of happiness.

She glanced at Arsene, who was half-kneeling beside her without daring to utter a word, studied his appearance seriously, and then nodded in satisfaction.

She grabbed Arsene and lifted him up, planting a fierce kiss on him before putting him down. It was akin to the aggressive and harmful action one does upon seeing a cute little puppy or kitten–had it not been for maintaining her image in front of acquaintances, she might have done something even more irrational.

–The Shadowy Celestial Marshal also knew deep down that she probably couldn’t win over the Son of Candle Master, Aiwass.

But the bonus was quite nice, and although it must be the legacy of the Playful Sky Department on him… that playful deity didn’t like having an angel envoy around, so maybe she could lure him over!

With this in mind, she generously ripped another piece from her cloak behind her, the same size, and handed it unceremoniously to Arsene.

“To share with those who see it–I always give a gift when I first meet my warriors. This is our meeting gift and our keepsake.”

The Shadowy Celestial Marshal showed off the treatment of her angel envoy with a hint of implication in her speech, “These are typically made by me or hunted by me personally. If you want to find me, you can use it as a medium to perform a ritual.

“–Just one thing. Absolutely–absolutely cannot give it to others, nor let others use it. It can be damaged but not taken away. Can you promise?”

“Naturally, Your Majesty.”

Arsene respectfully replied.

He was once amazed at “I actually get to meet the Celestial Marshal,” then again at “I actually have the privilege of such an encounter!”

But with too much amazement, Arsene even felt somewhat adapted.

And it’s all because of Aiwass.

Being able to chat so familiarly with the Celestial Marshal… is this the value of a former Pope?

Arsene became somewhat more deferential to Aiwass as well.

“Good child.”

The Shadowy Celestial Marshal patted Arsene’s head and casually touched Aiwass’s antlers, heartily saying, “Remember this, the gifts I give you must absolutely not be given to anyone. If anyone tries to snatch them, better to destroy them than to consent. If broken, so be it, I’ll give you new ones–understood?

“Alright, children–wherever you plan to go, as long as you’re on my territory, you should stay and have a meal first before leaving. I still need to introduce you to others and talk about your bravery in defeating the magical beast! Even if time is tight, no worries, I’ll have Yue Lu take you elsewhere, it’s faster than going yourselves, isn’t it?”

The Shadowy Celestial Marshal burst into hearty laughter: “My dear husbands have prepared food and wine for you, don’t let them make a trip in vain! Drink to the fullest–it’s not worth entering the Dream Realm in a mortal body without tasting the fine wine of the Dream Realm!”

Arsene began to slowly realize why other warriors show no respect for her.

More than a noble Queen of the Shadow Nation, the Shadowy Celestial Marshal seemed like a female warrior, a female captain.

Here, there aren’t many rules–it’s not really a kingdom, rather a ship sailing on land.

–The Shadowy Celestial Marshal simply delights in the feeling of being surrounded by warriors on a distant journey.