Chapter 1139: Cursed From The Beginning

Chapter 1139: Cursed From The Beginning



Stunned, Nadia scrutinized the two mysterious individuals seated before her once more. She found it difficult to detect any falsehood in Orion's voice and could only wonder if he was tricking her.

After all, how could tree nymphs not be exploited but instead enjoy the highest privileges within a force containing so many powerful individuals?

Obviously, he might be trying to lower her guard, enticing her to come to this 'Paradise' willingly. It might be a trap, and there was no way she would fall for it.

"I wonder why you're asking such a question, Miss Nadia. Are there perhaps..." Orion's words trailed off, unfinished, yet their meaning was clear to everyone present.

Fifi couldn't help but adopt a more serious expression.

Noticing the tense shift in Orion's tone, Nadia inwardly scoffed but decided to play along. She nodded and began explaining the nymphs' situation to Orion.

"From my current information, more than half the nymphs within the Bastion of Wailing Gnarled serve as slaves in the Tidal Depths Kingdom and a few in the Bastion of the Ashen Hope. If your words are truthful, then surely you wouldn't allow such injustice and would ensure they are released, with the ruler of both forces punished," Nadia responded, her voice tinged with sorrow.

Orion remained silent momentarily before nodding, "Alright, I will see what I can do and thoroughly investigate this matter before making any decisions."

He quickly messaged Aurora and Brane, informing them of the situation. Fortunately, he received a prompt reply that they were already looking into it.

Nadia nodded in acknowledgement. Even though she didn't take Orion's words seriously, she hoped he might help resolve the situation. Still, she was torn about believing his words about this 'Paradise.'

"Is there anything else you would like to know?" Nadia asked.

"I would like to know about the tainted origins and why they resemble the resident forces," Orion asked, voicing one of the questions troubling him as he awaited her response.

"They resemble us because they 'are' us. Alongside the innate energy we are all born with, another energy manifests as we grow stronger: Vylkr energy. This energy is so violent and chaotic that it begins to corrupt our bodies, causing the Death plague to manifest. To prevent falling victim to the Death plague, we rely on the Voidheart, which regulates and filters Vylkr energy," Nadia explained.

"But not everyone can endure this process, and even those who can eventually reach their limit succumb to the Death plague. In its early stages, they are afflicted with strange impulses and a primal desire to consume everything around them."

"Then, their features transform, becoming monstrous, and they gradually lose the ability to form coherent sentences. As time passes, they barely resemble anything of their former selves until they completely transform into a tainted."

Orion and Fifi were astounded as they listened to Nadia's words. Although they had already uncovered that the Death plague was a natural consequence of the races here producing Vylkr energy within their own bodies, its effects were far more severe than expected.

"However, once an individual begins to transform, there are only two ways to completely halt the transformation and free themselves from the fate of becoming a tainted," Nadia added.

Orion's ears perked up at her words. "What are they?"

"The first is to kill themselves and offer their heart and other vital organs for the sake of future generations. Due to the ongoing transformation, these organs can resist the Vylkr energy, and the Death Plague, helping us grow stronger. Therefore, they are valuable resources for each force and ensure our survival," Nadia explained. "The second is to force one's way into the Mirror Realm."

'They ate everything, even the wine,' Nadia thought, astonished. The feast was meant to last a few days, so seeing it finished within an hour left her speechless. Regaining her composure, Nadia replied, "This is called the Kalnir Nourishing Fruit, one of our primary sources of sustenance here in the ocean. They are cultivated by none other than the tree nymphs, my sisters."

'I knew it,' Orion thought. The shape of the fruit resembled that of a Kalna fruit, confirming his suspicions with Nadia's words.

'Did the properties of the fruit change because they can naturally generate Vylkr energy? If that's the case, then harnessing other energy types affects the properties of the fruits. But why wasn't the change this drastic when the tree nymphs began harnessing Celestial energy?' Orion pondered. 'Or was it due to their strength?'

Since Vylkr energy was on par and even more incredible than Divine energy, higher than any other energies within the first ten ranks, except the Primordial energy, it made sense that the Kalna fruit would undergo such a significant change.

Orion couldn't help but wonder what might happen if the tree nymphs began harnessing Divine energy or became divine apostles. Would the Kalna fruit gain a unique property like the Kalnir fruit, or would it transform in another drastic way?

Orion was curious to find out.

Orion took out the Kalna fruit he had previously removed from his mountain before the meeting began. "Do you recognize this?" he asked, handing the fruit to Nadia.

Nadia eyed the fruit with a frown, sensing a familiarity with it.

After a brief hesitation, Nadia took it and scrutinized it before glancing back at Orion, her eyes

betraying her curiosity.

"You can go ahead and taste it," Orion encouraged, smiling slightly.

Nadia returned her gaze to the fruit and took a bite. Instantly, her mouth was filled with a

tingling sweetness that tantalized her taste buds, and a refreshing feeling spread through her

entire body, improving her mood.

As she chewed, she felt a sudden warmth in her cheeks and realized tears were streaming

down her face.

Startled, Nadia quickly reached up to wipe away her tears, not wanting to display such

vulnerability in front of the individuals before her. But no matter how much she tried, the

tears continued to overflow.

"What's wrong with me?... My heart feels immense happiness and pain at the same time... I don't know which I should focus on first," Nadia said, her broad smile contrasting with a pained gaze.