Kei simply shrugged and didn't bother explaining anything to Lelith.
There were many ways to alter the trajectory of fate. Throwing her directly into another reality, wasn't that also a kind of change?
Jain Zar looked at the bathroom where Lelith had gone, her expression showing some confusion.
Drukhari and Eldar had been at war for millennia.
There wasn't a single Craftworld Eldar who didn't understand Lelith's personality. Under normal circumstances, being messed with like this, given her temper, even if she couldn't beat Kei, she'd still make him bleed!
But today... She didn't seem that angry?
Thinking back to what he said during the trial, Jain Zar asked with a bit of doubt, "You don't just make people sink into certain emotions… you also prevent them from feeling certain emotions?"
"I just absorb them." Kei chugged down most of a bottle of amasec in one go, then turned and walked toward the bedroom.
Back in the Marvel Universe, integrating [Flames of the Burning City] didn't just give him the power to control and absorb all kinds of flames. It also gave him the special ability to absorb rage and convert it into his own power.
Under the influence of that ability, as soon as Lelith began to feel a bit of anger, he had already absorbed it all. She couldn't even get angry if she wanted to. So naturally, she appeared to be in a much better mood than usual.
"Being your enemy... must be really difficult." Jain Zar had a strange expression.
If she remembered correctly, what Kei said before included control over all kinds of emotions: negativity, anger, joy, repentance, sorrow...
If someone were his enemy, and their emotions were constantly manipulated and overturned like that, they probably wouldn't even know how they died in the end.
"I have no enemies." Kei chuckled lightly, speaking with some hidden meaning, then lazily flopped down on the soft couch in the master bedroom.
He really didn't have any enemies. Because for all of his former enemies, he always had just one method of dealing with them: Kill on sight!
As for that Laughing God, he had read the information Lelith had sent out earlier. Though there were some discrepancies in the descriptions, it was still enough for him to judge: Cegorach had mastered the "Immaterium," or perhaps, originated from the Warp itself.
If Cegorach were truly devoted to unraveling the mysteries of the Great Game, then understanding Kei's nature would become his obsession. Upon learning of Kei, he would likely orchestrate elaborate schemes to study him directly, regardless of the great risks.
All knowledge served the dance against the Dark Gods.
For a true master of the Great Game, no secret could remain hidden, no mystery left unsolved.
Kei had always appreciated those with genuine hunger for understanding the unknown.
That was why he once accepted Orochimaru's relentless pursuit of forbidden knowledge, and now would naturally consider working with Cegorach's cosmic curiosity as well.
But if Cegorach were simply another manipulator, he would probably see Kei as a threat far greater than Yvraine, and retreat into the Webway immediately, not daring to reveal himself.
He would secretly observe Kei's every move from hidden pathways, trying to decipher the source of his abilities.
Then, using the power of the Dimensional Aperture, he'd try to calculate a way to eliminate Kei.
But Kei wasn't some kind-hearted saint.
And unlike Yvraine, he wouldn't shackle or limit his own powers, nor allow a future menace to grow right under his nose.
Killing Cegorach would even earn him a bunch of rewards. What was there to hesitate about?
Three days, huh?
Kei glanced at the Labyrinthian Circuit, and based on the Dimensional Aperture data recorded in the Black Library, as well as Cegorach's current status, he roughly estimated the time needed and closed his eyes for a nap.
The Dimensional Aperture was the most powerful cosmic computer known in the universe, its computing speed far surpassed that of all other systems in the Warhammer universe.
And with Cegorach now having become one with the Warp, if he really intended to come, the actual arrival time would likely be even shorter than the Labyrinthian Circuit's estimate.
---
In the bathroom of the penthouse suite, while scrubbing the dirt off her body, Lelith was gritting her teeth and cursing Kei to the depths of the warp in her heart. She had heard every word of his conversation with Jain Zar.
But so what? Did it change anything?
And...
Damn it!
He didn't even care whether she believed in that ridiculous fate stuff or not. He didn't bother to explain or refute it at all.
Could this be real!? Was she really that foolish in the future? The more she thought about it, the more annoyed and confused she became.
Growing more frustrated by the second, she pulled out a black fitted dress from her personal dimension and put it on, barefoot, before stepping out of the bathroom.
Following Kei's aura, she came to the doorframe of his bedroom.
"What you stated earlier, was it authentic?"
"Yeah."
"Provide justification for acceptance. Whatever objective you pursue, I'll cooperate."
"Inquisitor Greyfax."
"I... You... I..."
Lelith's expression shifted constantly. She tried several times to speak, but stopped herself.
The Inquisitor's enhanced genetics was something she had once researched alongside Cegorach back during their shared schemes. She had poured in more time and effort than she could ever quantify.
Because of that, she...
Jain Zar and Kyganil stood at the door to Kei's room, watching the clearly agitated Lelith.
They exchanged a silent glance.
Inquisitor Greyfax, this most likely referred to that Imperial warrior from the Steel Legion, the one with enhanced genetics.
And Lelith was actually willing to sacrifice herself for her?
Was this really the same Drukhari Queen they knew?
"...Tell me in advance what kind of cooperation you want. Just don't harm my people." Lelith took a deep breath and forced down the frustration and unease in her chest.
After all, she was once of the same race as the Eldar. No matter how much her appearance or role changed, some things had long since been carved into her body and soul, and couldn't be changed.
As for her subordinates, those warriors had followed her through raids for thousands of years. They would die a hundred times without regret. She could ignore a lot of things, but not them!
"Tsk tsk tsk~ Running around for so long, why does my back feel a little sore?" Kei lay on the couch, throwing Lelith a "you know what I mean" kind of look.
"You mean changing fate requires me to give you a massage?!"
"Mhm~"
"Altering my fate should benefit you, shouldn't it?"
"Killing you would accomplish the same."
"...How does an entity like you associate with Eldar?! Don't those sanctimonious beings maintain standards?!"
Lelith stormed over to Kei and, gritting her teeth, put 200% of her strength into pressing down on his back!
Currently, she genuinely desired to eliminate this manipulator!
"A little itchy. Use more strength." Kei, feeling the weak pressure on his back, quietly reinforced the hotel floor and couch using the Labyrinthian Circuit.
His body was just too tough.
Though his senses were still sharp, to actually feel a massage, this pressure was far from enough.
"Your methodology of demeaning entities is genuinely exceptional!"
"Lelith, how about sticking with me from now on?"
"As your physical therapy administrator?"
"No, seriously."
"...Then give me back my Torture-class Raider and my subordinates."
"Sure."
"...What benefit are you giving me?"
"Didn't I already give it to you?"
"That was mine originally! Acceptable, acceptable! I comprehend! It's yours now! What karma did I accumulate to encounter a manipulator like you?!"
Lelith felt like her lungs were about to explode with rage. She'd used similar tricks on others before and never thought much of it, but when it was used on her, it felt unbearable!
"Watch your language. It affects your image."
"I'm afraid if I swear less, you'll lose control of your primitive urges!"
"Wouldn't go that far. I still have a basic moral bottom line."
"...Seriously?"
"I am a legitimate Dimensional Demon God, you think I need to lie to you?"
---
[Major alteration to an important character's fate.]
[The worldline has deviated.]
[Obtained:
- 2 trait extraction
- 1 trait duplication
- 1 gifting opportunity
- 1 trait upgrading (red)
- 1 trait downgrading
- 1 trait removal
- 1 trait reset]
---
As Kei's words fell, the system notification chimed immediately.
---
---
Story completed at Chapter 298!