The pressure was unbearable. My legs shivered, threatening to stand, and every breath felt like dragging air through my lung. Sweat dripped down my forehead, soaking itself on the carpet beneath me as I struggled to stand upright. Neb''s father, the man who released this suffocating aura, loomed over me like an unmovable mountain.


    Neb''s soft voice broke through the oppressive silence. "Father," she began, her tone unusually tender, "let him go. He''s not a threat."


    Her father didn''t look at her. His piercing gaze remained locked on me. "This man," he said, his voice deep and resonant, "cannot even stand against my bare aura. And you want to marry him?" Stay connected via My Virtual Library Empire


    "Father!" Neb snapped, clearly flustered.


    Before he could continue, I forced my body upright. My legs screamed in protest, but I nted my feet firmly and straightened my spine. My vision blurred from the strain, and sweat poured down my face, but I managed to hold my ground.


    A smirk tugged at my lips as I rasped out, "I don''t have all of my aura right now, and what little remains is constantly being drained by this ce. But…" I locked eyes with him, "I can still stand."


    The hall fell silent. Every onlooker froze, their gazes darting between me and their king. The weight of disbelief hung in the air, thicker than the aura pressing down on me.


    Gram''s voice cut through the stillness, high-pitched and panicked. "How the heck are you—?!"


    I ignored him, focusing instead on the towering figure before me. His eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face. "Impressive," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.


    Neb stepped closer to her father, her hand resting lightly on his arm. "Father," she said softly, "he''s proven himself. Please, release him."


    He considered her for a moment, his expression still cold. Then, with a slow nod, he released the oppressive aura. The weight vanished instantly, and I copsed to my knees, gasping for air. My aura flickered weakly before dissipatingpletely, leaving me with only my physical body.


    I clenched my fists, trying to steady myself.


    And I am back to nothing...If I end up in a fight now, I''ll die for sure...I thought grimly.


    Neb crouched beside me, her fingers brushing against my shoulder. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voiceced with concern.


    "I''ll live," I replied, forcing a weak smile. "Barely."


    Neb''s father watched us silently before finally speaking. "You," he said, addressing me directly. "You''ve shown resilience, but strength isn''t enough. Convince me why I should let you walk out of here alive."


    I straightened up, still kneeling, and met his gaze. "I don''t want to harm Neb or your n. I only acted in defense when yourckey," I nced at Gram, "tried to kill me. If anything, I''ve shown restraint."


    Neb nodded in agreement. "He''s right, Father. Gram''s actions were reckless, and he''s the reason for all this chaos."


    Gram''s face twisted in anger. "Lies! You''ve been corrupted by him, Neb! He''s turned you against your own family!"


    Neb rolled her eyes, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Let me get all of my Authorities back, Gram. Then you will know what is more corrupted in this world."


    Her eyes gleaming blue and voice stiffened.


    Before Gram could retort, Neb''s father raised a hand, silencing him with a simple gesture. "Enough."


    Gram opened his mouth to protest but was cut off by a sharp snap of the king''s fingers.


    *Snap*


    In an instant, Gram disappeared, teleported out of the hall.


    Neb pped her hands together, a delighted smile spreading across her face. "Finally! Peace and quiet."


    Her father turned his attention back to me. "My name is King Paimon," he said, his tone carrying the weight of his authority. "And I must admit, your strength and tenacity are admirable."


    "Thank you, Your Majesty," I said cautiously, still unsure of his intentions and why the heck I am even doing this? Oh wait! To get out of this ce..Yes!


    He stepped closer, his imposing presence still overwhelming but no longer suffocating. cing a hand on Neb''s head, he smiled—a rare, almost disarming expression. "You''ve chosen well, my daughter."@@novelbin@@


    Neb beamed, her joy radiating through the room. "I knew you''de around, Father."


    King Paimon turned back to me, his tone now lighter, almost casual. "Take care of my girl," he said, a faint trace of a grin on his lips.


    I rubbed the back of my neck awkwardly. "Y-yeah, I will."


    Damn..am I really agreeing to this? Weren''t we just trying to kill each other outside?


    King Paimon chuckled, clearly amused by my internal struggle. "Your powers will return once you leave this realm and return to your own world," he said. "I''ve kept the doors open. You''re free to leave whenever you wish."


    I bowed my head respectfully. "Thank you."


    Neb and I turned to leave, her arm slipping around mine as we walked toward the exit. The tension in the room eased, but I couldn''t shake the feeling that I was leaving with more questions than answers.


    As we stepped through the passageway, a familiar voice echoed faintly behind us.


    Gram, his voice filled with venom, growled, "I won''t forget this…!"


    Neb smirked, leaning close to me. "He''s going to hold a grudge for eternity, isn''t he?"


    I chuckled, shaking my head. "Let him. He''s not our problem anymore."


    Gram gritted his teeth, his gaze fixed on our backs as we walked away. The intensity in his eyes spoke his anger and humiliation that he faced. His hands clenched into fists.


    I couldn''t help myself; teasing him was far too entertaining. My hand slid over Neb''s ass, fingers brushing along her curves before going lower, slipping inside her dress and going in between of her legs. I rubbed her pussy over her panties in a deliberate circles with a knowing smirk.


    "Let''s go to bed and enjoy ourselves now," I said, my voice low but loud enough for him to hear.


    Neb''s lips curled into a wicked smile as she tightened her hold on me. "You''re such a naughty one, Zero.." she said, her voice dripping with amusement.


    She turned her head just enough to nce at Gram, her expression a taunt. And then, as if to twist the knife deeper, she pressed her lips to mine in a slow, deliberate kiss.


    Behind us, I caught the sound of Gram''s sharp intake of breath. When I stole a nce, he had dropped to his knees, his expression a storm of disbelief, rage, and anguish.


    And with that, we disappeared behind the corridor, leaving the ce—and its chaos—behind.