Chapter 158
Zayne carefully checked the folder first, making sure there were no dangerous items inside before opening it.
As he flipped through the documents, his expression grew darker and darker.
It was a record from an illegal laboratory.
The files were old, stained with dried blood, and slightly damaged, as if they had been salvaged from the ruins. They contained images and text documenting the lab’s daily operations–like scenes straight out of hell.
The lab’s primary research project had been attempting to artificially create high–grade females with S–level or above mental power.
As Zayne read on, a chill ran down his spine. He lifted his gaze to look at Nyx.
According to the records, no successful test subjects had ever been produced–but the documents were incomplete.
The thought that Nyx might be one of the lab’s experiments made Zayne’s hands tremble. He almost dropped the file as he rushed to find Felix and Theon.
Not only were Felix and Theon at home–Kai was there too. To welcome Nyx back, Aurelius and Seafarion had gathered as well. But there was also one unexpected guest.
Nyx chased after Zayne into the living room. As soon as she saw that broad back, her heart leaped with both surprise and joy. She ran up and hugged him tightly. “Pale Wolf!”
Pale Wolf stiffened instantly, his arms and legs frozen in place. He was unsure where to put them.
Pale Wolf said, “Lady Nyx, please mind your manners.”
The voice was familiar, but it no longer carried that hesitant, clumsy tone. Instead, it was clear and fluent.
Pale Wolf’s once warm and enthusiastic attitude toward Nyx had become distant and polite.
Nyx froze, her arms slowly loosening their grip in confusion.
After hesitating for a moment, Pale Wolf turned around. He bowed his head slightly. “Lady Nyx, I am Erik Read.”
“You got your memory back?” Nyx stared at him in shock.
Erik hesitated before nodding. His past memories had returned. He remembered who he was, but the time he spent on Desolate Planet had grown hazy–he had forgotten everything about Nyx.
Based on what Jorge and the people from Desolate Planet told him, he managed to piece together fragments of the past. But no matter how he looked at it, he couldn’t believe he had fallen in love with a female at first sight. And that female was none other than Aurelius‘ intended mate, Nyx.
Erik felt like he was going insane. He couldn’t accept this reality.
His family had served the royal family for generations, acting as their hidden blade. He had grown up alongside Aurelius since childhood.
But despite growing up together, their relationship was terrible. They could never see eye to eye–mostly because of their clashing personalities.
He thought Aurelius was pretentious and fake, while Aurelius looked down on him for being crude and only caring about
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Chapter 158
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Erik couldn’t even fathom the thought of falling for the same female with Aurelius. Just considering it made him feel like his world was crumbling.
Thankfully, he and Nyx hadn’t officially become mates yet, nor had they confirmed any romantic relationship. Erik might as well put an end to this ridiculous connection now.
Ignoring the strange pang in his chest, Erik forced himself to look away after staring at Nyx a moment too long.
He thought, ‘She is just pretty, and that is all. I am not that shallow. I can’t possibly love her just because she’s beautiful, right? Aurelius‘ type definitely can’t be my type.
Nyx was confused. From Erik’s attitude, she understood what he meant. Considerately, she took two steps back to maintain a proper social distance.
In doing so, she accidentally stepped right into Aurelius‘ arms.
Aurelius wrapped an arm around his beloved little female, smirking as he shot Erik a look.
He thought, “That foolish gray wolf is digging his own grave. Sooner or later, he’d regret this decision and cry his eyes out.’
Meeting the provocation in Aurelius‘ gaze, Erik clenched his fists.
There was no reason for him to be here. He didn’t even know why he had rushed over to see Nyx in the first place.
Cursing himself internally for his stupidity, Erik lowered his head and bid Nyx farewell.
The files were passed around among the males, and the vibe in the living room grew heavier.
Until now, Felix had never associated the illegal experiments from that planet with Nyx. But at this moment, he finally realized–she matched the characteristics of the test subjects perfectly.
This document was even more detailed than the records they had found on that planet.
Felix examined it for a long time, picking up on some key details. His eyes narrowed at the thought of the royal family.
Felix handed the document to Aurelius.
Nyx recalled Jaws‘ warning. She hesitated, unsure whether to stop Aurelius from reading it. After a moment of thought, she chose to trust him.
As Aurelius flipped through the file, his smile gradually disappeared.
Others might not notice, but from the way this document was written, he could see traces of the royal family’s style. Aurelius thought, ‘A member of the royal family?‘
The identity of the mastermind became clear in Aurelius‘ mind, and his expression darkened.
Aurelius thought, ‘But for now, the more urgent issue is Nyx. If she really is a test subject, she probably only has a short lifespan of a few decades.
After reading the document, Zayne immediately realized that those vials Jaws gave Nyx were most likely meant to extend her life. But even those precious medicines might not be enough to solve Nyx’s lifespan problem.
If there was even a sliver of hope, the Empire would exhaust all its resources to save an SSS–level female. But a few decades was too short–it was unlikely they’d have enough time to develop a cure.
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The living room fell into an oppressive silence.
Nyx looked around at them in confusion, wondering why they all seemed so down.
She thought, ‘Is it because of the document?‘
She reached out to take the file, wanting to see what was written inside. She hadn’t read it yet.
Aurelius instinctively pulled back, unwilling to let her see something so cruel.
But Nyx was faster than he expected. She lunged forward and snatched the document from his hands.
After flipping through a few pages, she couldn’t stop herself from trembling.
“Stop reading, Nyx.” Aurelius couldn’t bear it. He hugged her tightly, covering her eyes.
If she had truly experienced all this, reading this document was like tearing open old wounds.
Aurelius remembered that Nyx had already regained some of her memories.
He thought, ‘Does she remember these painful experiences? Does she know she only has a few decades to live?‘
Felix took Nyx from Aurelius‘ arms, gently rubbing her back as he comforted her in a low voice. “Don’t be afraid. As long as
like this again. I’m here, no one can ever hurt
you
“We’ll find a way to fix the lifespan issue. And even if we can’t, I’ll stay with you until the end.”
Dying alongside his beloved wasn’t such a bad ending for Felix.
Nyx was still dazed by the shock of the document. She lifted her head in confusion. She thought, ‘Lifespan? What happened to my lifespan?‘
Before awakening, she had thought she was human and had indeed worried about lifespan–so much so that she had avoided relationships.
But after awakening, she learned from the Divine Tree that she was a Beastman female. Her lifespan wasn’t any shorter than other Beastmen, so she had let go of that concern and started dating freely.
Realizing something, Nyx glanced down at the document. “Wait. You guys don’t actually think I’m an experiment, do you?”
