Garden Of Poison-Chapter 252: Devil and his son

Author’s Note: Please note that there won’t be an update during 2nd-9th of December as I will be travelling to Shanghai. You can choose to opt for privilege next month after 10th December.

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Music Recommendation: Buck Twenty - Thomas Newman

Viktor’s gaze sharpened as he observed the unfamiliar hue in Raylen’s eyes, a colour he had never witnessed before. His initial instinct proved accurate, and the change he sensed wasn’t merely a result of the time they had spent apart.

"Your resistance only heightens my interest in shattering it, Raylen," Viktor remarked, his voice flat and devoid of emotion. "I never imagined you’d grow fond of the earthlings, given their frequent foolishness. Such folly seems to be a dominant trait among their kind," he added, his words trailing off into a contemplative hum.

Raylen tilted his head, his eyes holding a serious glint in them. He responded, "I guess change is inevitable. Given that you fancy yourself wise, I advise you to keep your distance from her. And abandon any reckless schemes you might be harbouring."

When Viktor smiled, it appeared creepy, and the onlookers who had gathered to see what was going on felt it was better for the man to maintain his blank expression. He said,

"You steal things from me and expect silence in return? That’s not how things work, sonny. Stealing from me has repercussions, and now, it is only fair that I claim something from you in return."

For a brief moment, silence filled the corridor, save for the music spilling out from the ballroom. Raylen ran his fingers through his dark red hair and then said, "I believe I have already given you something."

This intrigued Viktor, as well as Celeste, who hadn’t moved from her position. With the mess left behind in the Devil’s treasure chamber in mind, the Archdemoness continued to hold her breath.

"And what might that be? I don’t believe it ever made its way into my hands or before my eyes," Viktor replied with a hint of curiosity.

The smile that had vanished from Raylen’s lips gradually resurfaced, initially faint and then causing his eyes to crinkle at the corners, which made Viktor suspicious as his eyes subtly narrowed. Raylen said,

"You are going to have a daughter-in-law. Or in some ways, you already do."

Viktor breathed, "This is old news."

Raylen’s words finally registered in Celeste’s mind, and her eyes widened as she realised what could have transpired during the gap between when she had apparated herself back to Hell and now. Could it be true?

"I have brought Celeste along to set our plans in motion," declared the Devil, his choice in Celeste being absolute and driven by her ability to forge a bond with his son. "You have delayed this for far too long... What?" he inquired, noticing a mischievous glint flickering in Raylen’s eyes.

"Who said it was Celeste?" Raylen countered, a half-smirk playing on his lips. Viktor’s eyes narrowed significantly in response.

"You chose the earthling who is dying." There was an undertone of fury in Viktor’s words, and he appeared visibly irked by the thought of it.

Unfazed, Raylen responded, "As I’ve stated, Emily is not on the brink of death; she is very much alive. Moreover," he paused, allowing his words to resonate in the charged atmosphere, "It is quite disrespectful to speak of your son’s soulmate in such a disparaging manner."

The gathered onlookers, who leaned in eagerly, straining to catch every word exchanged between the King and the strange-looking old man, had their mouths agape in astonishment. While Celeste took a moment to process the news, Viktor fixed an intense gaze on Raylen.

With a single wave of the Devil’s hand, the wall beside them cracked at its centre, eliciting frightened squeals from the guests. Those present, believing the castle was under attack, were quick to scurry out of the building, ensuring they grabbed their belongings on their way.

Raylen wasn’t intimidated by his father’s powers because he had seen them plenty of times before, and being his son, he possessed his own fair share, which he kept hidden up his sleeve.

Viktor chuckled softly and remarked, "There’s no way you can form a bond with an earthling, Raylen. You aren’t like Dante or Nathaniel. The woman should bear the mark if—"

"She now bears my mark," Raylen interrupted, observing a momentary flicker of confusion in his father’s expression.

"I want to see it for myself. If it is true," Viktor stated, with a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

Raylen was apprehensive about his father meeting Emily right now, considering her fragile state, from which she was still in the process of recovering. He didn’t trust his father, but at the same time, he was aware that if the Devil wanted to, he could have attempted to kill her by now.

"Westley," Raylen called his servant, who quickly stepped forward. "Inform the guests who weren’t here that the celebration has been cut short, and that they are to leave. Effective immediately."

Westley bowed and departed, while Raylen began walking towards his room. Viktor was the only one who followed him, while Celeste continued to stand where she was.

The father and son walked in silence, the Devil’s eyes scanning the walls and ceilings as they moved along. Once they arrived at the Archdemon’s room, Viktor scowled because he recognised that it was Raylen’s room.

"Funny that I didn’t notice your interest in her while I was in the living realm," Viktor murmured, for he had always kept a vigilant eye on his son and anyone who came in contact with him.

"Ironic of you to pay such close attention," Raylen remarked. "If you had, you would know that I have no intentions of returning to the realm of the dead." He then opened the door and stepped inside the room.

Upon the Devil’s entrance into the room alongside Raylen, Lady Sophia’s previously slumped posture immediately straightened. A sudden dryness overcame her mouth as she rose from her seat. Didn’t the Archdemon say he was meeting his... his father? The blood drained from her face. Oh, dear God!

They were going to be family! Dread filled her.

"She looks pale; her soul is barely hanging by a thread," Viktor commented with just one glance at an unconscious Emily. "You saved her in the final seconds," his words tinged with dismay.

To think that his only son had forged a soulmate bond with this woman. Viktor took a couple of steps closer to the bed when his soulless, black eyes landed on her neck. There lay the mark in its proud glory.

"That’s not possible," Viktor said, his eyes zeroing in on the skeletal wings. However, he had seen Raylen’s eyes change earlier. "You cannot mate with an earthling."

"You forget that Dante’s blood flows through her," Raylen stated, and Viktor’s eyebrows subtly creased, as if they hadn’t done so in years, even though they wanted to deepen the furrow. "Also, her soul is special."

Viktor stared at Emily, attempting to gauge and assess her, which was when his eyebrows shot up. He murmured, "She possesses a Barter Soul..." Suddenly intrigued, he took a closer look at her. It had been years since one had made its appearance, and to think she was one of them. "Interesting. If only I had known before," he sighed in disappointment. He had a collection of them, which he later used to create potions.

Raylen shot him a sidelong glare, knowing exactly what Viktor meant. He said, "Now that you are convinced that I had nothing to do with your longevity potion, please feel free to return to Hell."

Lady Sophia had moved aside, and she quietly prayed for the swift departure of the evil presence in the room. The way things were going was pushing her dangerously close to a nervous breakdown.

"Even if not two, you stole one potion—"

"And I gave you something in return. If you exercise patience, you will have adorable grandchildren to play with." Raylen smiled at his father, prompting Lady Sophia to stop praying and scowl at the Archdemon for using such words in her presence. Where were their manners?! But then she realised she was expecting them from the wrong people!

When Viktor’s eyes shifted to Lady Sophia, she froze in place. He remarked, "It seems you were able to be of some use after all."

Lady Sophia suddenly remembered that this was the person responsible for abruptly relocating her from Versailles to the Storm Kingdom without any forewarning. Gathering her composure, she addressed him,

"I’m not certain if you’re aware, but relocating someone without prior notice is quite discourteous." She cleared her throat when he stepped towards her before adding, "Not that I am complaining. Because I didn’t have to endure a sea voyage and was able to stay by my daughter’s side."

Viktor had hoped that this earthling woman would prove useful, but she had managed to free Celeste too late. Not to mention, the Barter Soul that had been dangling right before his nose had been claimed by his son.

"My apologies for any discomfort caused by the sudden relocation. It must have been quite an unpleasant surprise," Viktor said, his voice devoid of sympathy, and he placed his hand on Lady Sophia’s arm as if to comfort her.

Lady Sophia experienced a jolt through her body, and in the blink of an eye, she was no longer standing before the Devil. Her eyes widened, and she quickly turned, looking at her surroundings in disbelief.

"WHAT DOES HE THINK HE IS DOING?!" Lady Sophia shouted as she found herself transported back to Versailles.