Chapter 1209: Eternal Contract On the Verge of Termination: Part-1

Inside his twin domain,

Aether stood beside Grace, speaking endlessly about what had happened today and the ridiculous little things that had surrounded him. He seemed almost carefree in his chatter until, all at once, his tone shifted.

"Grace... do you know anything about the Arcane Hunter Organisation?"

Grace, perched at the bar of her cage like a restless bird, gave only a hum. She didn’t bother to face him, her expression as plain as if she’d already grown tired of his questions.

Aether let out a long sigh. He forced a smile, "We’ve been together for weeks now. I promised to help you, I really did... but honestly, I can’t find a way to get you out." His fist tightened, and his expression looked on the verge of tears, though he tried to cover it with frustration.

Grace flicked her eyes toward him for just a second before saying flatly, "I don’t know about any organisation."

"Oh?"

"But... I do know that it’s all in the hands of Clara and Arcane," she said with a dismissive wave of her hand, her tone clearly signalling she wanted no part of the subject.

Aether leaned closer, trying to pry more out of her other things, "Then at least tell me why your Empire is so different from the others. Recently, my beloved Mary has been suffering from these people. They know nothing... no manners, no courtesy. They act like pure—"

"Animals?" Grace cut him off, smirking.

He nodded. "Exactly."

Grace gave a sharp scoff. "That’s rich, coming from that... bit—" she cleared her throat deliberately, "from Mary. You’re so easily swayed by that wicked woman." She shook her head in disbelief.

No matter how much she complained, he was going to get back to her like a loyal dog.

Honestly, what did he even see in Mary?

"It’s not just animalistic behaviour, Aether. These people choose to behave like beasts because that’s what they are"

Aether frowned, tilting his head.

Grace sighed, her tone shifting into something heavier. "This land is cursed, Aether. Anyone born here eventually loses themselves. Their bloodline drives them mad. There’s nothing anyone can do to stop it.

If you don’t already know, let me explain.

It’s not only this Empire—other lands also have their curses, their own twisted uniqueness. It isn’t the people themselves that carry it. It’s the land that reshapes them. For you, our nature feels unnatural... but for us, yours is the same. We’re divided not just by race, but by the very cursed soil beneath our feet."

Aether’s eyes narrowed slightly. He nodded thoughtfully, "Even so, lately your people aren’t doing anything for the Empire. They’re just... a pain in the ass for my beloved Mary. I was hoping to fix that and earn some cute points, you know" as he turned shy.

Grace burst into a laugh, covering her mouth as she shook her head... even though she was annoyed by his sudden shyness.

But still his words... so funny!

Was he for real?

"...What’s so funny?"

"Haha... oh, Aether... to ’solve the issue’? Do you even know what the issue is?" Her laughter faded into sharper.

"This is the Void Empire. Whoever rules, it doesn’t matter. The people here live by one creed: do as you please. They’re not afraid of death, as long as they enjoy their lives. That’s the truth of this land... Death is what they believe... just like Aurora, who believes in life!"

Aether stared at her blankly, her words sinking into him. ’So it’s impossible... ah,’ he thought grimly. Then he leaned forward again. "So you’re saying there’s no way to stop them?"

Grace snorted. "If there were a way, don’t you think someone would’ve figured it out a long time ago?"

Aether shook his head, sighing deeply. ’Guess I’ll need to find another way, then.’ His voice softened as he asked, "And what about that red sky... BloodDawn, or whatever it’s called? Why do people turn into full monsters beneath it?"

Grace’s lips curled as she muttered, "Didn’t you hear me? The land is cursed. The BloodDawn is that curse made manifest."

Aether’s brows furrowed. "And there’s no way to lift the curse? Why curse it in the first place?"

Grace gave no answer... She turned away from him, she wasn’t going to give him too much answer.

’I guess that’s as far as I can push,’ Aether thought as he sat down cross-legged, beginning his meditation.

He closed his eyes as his thoughts slowly disappeared.

Grace glanced at him with a small smile as she watched.

Hours passed. Suddenly, Aether’s body jolted and flung backwards as though a force had repelled him.

"Failed again?" Grace asked, amused. Her lips curled. "I’ve never seen a soul reject its own consciousness before, after trying many times... Quite the show."

Aether groaned, rubbing his temples. "That man... sigh. He won’t even let me touch the door."

Grace stared at him. His shoulders sagged, his expression beaten. For a moment, she almost pitied him. He had been trying for weeks, and every attempt ended in failure. Anyone else would have abandoned hope long ago.

But Aether? He just kept going.

She bit her lip, then murmured, "Don’t worry. As long as you stay true to yourself, being you... this place will remain your home. No one can take that from you!!"

Her voice was unusually soft, almost reverent. Aether blinked at her in surprise. Without warning, he reached forward, wrapped his arms around the cage, and hugged it tightly.

"Oh, so sweet~" he cooed, squeezing the cage as if it were her body.

Grace’s eyes widened in horror as the tiny rods rattled violently, her energy draining from the touch. "O-Okay, stop it—!" she shouted.

Aether’s grinned inwardly but outside still maintaining the same lovely smile, "I never imagined the terrifying Grace had such a tender heart~"

"I get it, I get it—just stop! Ouch!!" she screamed as the tiny rods leached more of her strength... She grew weaker with every second!!

Oblivious to her pain, Aether squeezed tighter, shaking the cage slightly as he declared, "I love you~"

"Aaahhh! Why does your love feel more dangerous every single day?!" she cried, clinging desperately to the bar like a bird fighting not to fall into the abyss.

"Don’t worry, I will protect you!" Aether stopped mid-shaking, flashing the most innocent smile imaginable—an expression so pure even a baby would fail to match it.

[+500 AP]

Said the man who had almost erased her existence not a few seconds ago. Grace gulped, sweat forming at her temple as she wondered if Aether’s mind even operated like a normal person’s.

She wasn’t sure anymore.... Did she hate him, or was she beginning to... maybe, just maybe, like him a little? Whatever the case, one thing was certain: his love was dangerous.

Aether smirked inwardly. He was sure he’d win her over sooner or later.

’Hehe—’

!~Ding~!

Suddenly, Aether flinched at a chiming sound. He immediately set the cage down. "I need to leave now," he said, his playful tone vanishing. Without another word, he disappeared from the domain.

Grace blinked, noticing the shift in his expression. She wondered what could have caused it.

In the real world,

Aether’s body stirred awake. He rubbed his eyes groggily, staring at the glowing log in front of him.

[⚠️Alert: Current Pseudo Owner of the Eternal Contract is on the verge of Termination. Please transfer the Contract to a stable candidate!!]