Colonial Suit

Stars dotted the sky.

Lier stood silently in the very center of the city, lost in thought.

The envoys had all departed, leaving her shrouded in a deep fog of uncertainty. The final conditions proposed by the Motar and Kray clans were simple: two months hence, on the day of the Rite, she must participate as one of them.

This demand was not much different from what they called the greedy ones, except that one was forced and the other was voluntary.

Moreover, both the Motar and Kray clans guaranteed that Lier would not be used as a sacrifice, but merely as one of their own. Her safety would be protected, and no one would be allowed to harm her. Undoubtedly, the guarantees of the Motar and Kray clans were strong, but Lier had other ideas.

Power and mystery had their limits.

If the demands came from the Second World, could they resist? And if not, how could they protect her?

This world was never short on cruelty, only warmth.

Lier had seen too much betrayal and would not place her faith in the promises of the two envoys.

However, the envoys of the two races were much smarter than the others. The difference between forced and voluntary was vast. Lier could see the power behind them and understand why they were the strongest in the Third World, even as the universe evolved to its current state.

As she herself said, strength must have a strong reason.

Just in terms of vision, the Motar and Kray clans were countless times better than the Elte and Gustas clans.

A faint scent of ashes drifted in the air. The wind was picking up…

Lier's red hair danced in the wind, like a dream.

After a moment of contemplation, she turned to Singel beside her and asked,

"Honestly, what is your current strength?"

"Comet-class. Hehe," Singel said, scratching the back of his head with a 'shy' look. "I've always claimed to be meteor-class, but I've actually reached the peak of comet-class, just one step away from entering the meteorite-class."

"That's not easy," Lier nodded, understandingly. "You need accumulation."

"Once you step into the meteorite-class, you'll find that accumulation is the most unforgettable time of your life, but you'll never have the chance to relive it."

"I know," Singel nodded. "So I need time."

"Unfortunately, if you were an ordinary person, your patriarch would definitely pave a wide road for you, giving you enough time to accumulate and brew. But we can't," Lier replied, her voice cold and ruthless. "Because you know what kind of person your patriarch is, and you should also know what kind of situation he is facing now. We don't have time to wait for you to accumulate, although we never expected you to contribute."

"At the very least, you must have the qualification to survive independently."

"After this is over, I will let you enter the Blood Pool for a period of time. This is the only thing I can do to help you. From then on, you will have nothing to do with us."

Lier said decisively, and Singel suddenly became serious, bowing respectfully to Lier.

"Thank you."

"Only for the pride of your patriarch," Lier turned and left, her voice drifting from afar. "He never yielded, I hope you…"

"Won't either."

…

Gray Cloak Planet, a thousand meters underground.

Lier stopped. Before her stood two rows of twelve Sages, thin but firmly standing at the entrance to the core of the Blood Pool, blocking her path.

"I don't know when you can also defy my will," Lier said softly, but her voice was filled with a faint majesty.

But the Sages were like wooden sculptures. After a while, one of them stepped forward and said respectfully to Lier.

"Your Highness, your era is over. Lady Maria has ordered the opening of a new 'Cycle'."

"The new Empress candidate is behind us at this moment. We cannot allow you to disturb her. Please forgive our offense, but you should know that this is the 'Sequence'."

"I know very well," Lier replied, then raised her head, her gaze passing over the many Sages, pointing directly to the cave behind.

"Maria is fulfilling her mission. The will of the 'Sequence' cannot be violated. Rest assured, I don't want to change anything, I just want to go in and take a look."

"In that case, please…" The Sage saluted respectfully, making way.

Lier nodded and then walked into the cave.

This place was originally the location of the Blood Pool's sub-body. It was her secret, but now it had become somewhat unfamiliar. The cell samples on the walls had changed, and the defense system had been replaced. Lier knew that this meant the birth of a new throne.

And her throne had become a thing of the past.

To most people, Lier was the only Empress of this kingdom. But that was not the case. Because even Lier had to follow the original 'Sequence' constraints passed down from her genes. This Sequence was the foundation for her to grow from an ordinary person into a Mutant Empress, and it was also the 'law' that maintained her kingdom.

The Sequence was divided into many levels. The First Sequence had nothing to do with her. The part she could access was only the part after the Second Sequence.

But even so, she was once the unique master of this kingdom. The Second Sequence gave her endless power. If she wanted, she could even let all the subjects of the entire kingdom die.

But now, she was no longer recognized.

The Second Sequence was a cruel rule with self-cleaning, self-cycling, and self-competition. Seven years ago, she lost her mark in the ruins. Then, according to the Sequence, a new Empress must be born. Even if she returned now, it was the same.

This was the need of the Sequence, which could not be changed by personal will.

Lier did not resent Maria. Because this was the 'rule' of the Mutants. The foundation of a kingdom, a civilization.

So she just wanted to see, to see the new Empress.

The cave was not long, so Lier quickly saw the familiar Blood Pool, and by the side of the pool, a quiet girl with a head of blue hair.

"Avril."

"Your Highness Lier," Avril looked at the top of the cave in confusion, answering as if in a dream. "Is the end of all life so cruel?"

"…" Lier did not speak, but her gaze also followed Avril's gaze. After a long time, she sighed.

"This is the law of nature. I'm sorry."

"No need to be sorry, Your Highness," Avril said softly. "Actually, from the moment my sister developed ambitions, I knew she would have this day sooner or later. Because the heart of a mermaid is pure and can reflect the evil thoughts of others. I know my sister made a mistake, but I couldn't stop her."

"Am I too weak? Or am I simply not worthy of that crown?"

"Not everyone has a spine that can bear responsibility. Avril…" Lier thought for a while and said softly. "You are actually a very good girl. In my eyes, you are purer than anyone else. But… this universe will not change because of your purity. It is dirty and ugly. To survive in its embrace, you need not only a pure heart, but also tenacity and will."

"I'm sorry, Avril. In my opinion, you are not suitable to be an Empress."

"As expected…" Avril lowered her head, but her eyes gradually became clear, shaking off the confusion.

"Your Highness, I want to go home."

(To be continued…)