Lackey's Seducing Survival Odyssey

Chapter 1013: Welcome... to my humble abode

”I didnʼt see anyone here, Sir?” A middle-aged man, dressed in clean white garments that symbolised his role as a temple priest, looked around the vacant room. His eyes slowly scanned the corners before he turned back to Kai, Velc, Vesperine, and Leon with a questioning glance.

Velc muttered under his breath, his jaw clenched tight, ”She must have run away...” His teeth ground together in frustration, fury flashing across his face.

Kaiʼs lips twitched, suppressing an emotion he couldnʼt quite name as he turned to the priest. ”What should we do now, Priest? What are the next steps?”

The priest straightened his posture, voice firm and clear. ”Well, since you personally contacted us regarding this crime—your motherʼs attempt to create new life unnaturally, which directly opposes the sacred order of Mother—it holds significant weight. And considering you were the victim of this, it fulfills the required testimony.”

He paused, his tone becoming graver, ”We will place her on the Empireʼs bounty list immediately and begin a search to apprehend her. If you possess any direct evidence of her crime, I will personally report this to the Empress and the Archpriestess. They will decide the final course of action.”

”I see...” Kai muttered thoughtfully, his expression unreadable, yet heavy.

Of course, this was all Kaiʼs plan. He couldnʼt just ignore a woman—his own mother—who might become a threat to the entire Empire. If she was attempting to create replicas or clones, that posed a massive danger.

What if she replicated the Empress?

What if she used that clone to perform unspeakable acts under the guise of power?

Heck, what if she created his clone again?

She was already crazy!

That kind of threat couldnʼt be overlooked.

He had explained this concern in detail to the Priest earlier, and now it was being taken seriously.

But deep down, Kai wasnʼt doing this out of hatred.

He didnʼt want her to die. All he wanted was for her to realise her sins, to return from the darkness and seek redemption.

That was all.

He wasnʼt seeking revenge... he was trying to protect her from herself.

Even if he didnʼt want that woman in his life anymore, he couldnʼt deny she once played a part in shaping who he was today.

In some twisted way, she had helped him grow... And if there was anything he could still do for her—it was this.

One final thing as a parting gift for his once mother.

Thatʼs what he told himself!

The priest, though sceptical at first, couldnʼt ignore what Kai had shared. A clone? An artificial human like him? It sounded outrageous, perhaps even impossible. But Kai wasnʼt alone in this accusation. Not only was he a Chosen One, but so was Leon. And with the territoryʼs Duke also backing the claim, the Priest had no choice but to act.

So he had offered to personally escort the woman—if she could be found—to the Main Temple, where her crimes would be thoroughly investigated and proper judgment delivered.

”Just so you understand,” the Priest said, his voice low and steady, ”this is not a light matter. Creating life in defiance of Motherʼs will is considered one of the highest sins. She may be sentenced to years of punishment... or even receive the death penalty.”

Kai let out a deep sigh, his face tightening with solemn resolve. ”She did wrong. And as one of the Chosen among Chosen Ones—I, who seek only justice—I believe... if thatʼs what it takes to cleanse her sins... then so be it.”

There was pride and seriousness in his tone, like a man shouldering a burden far heavier than most could understand.

The Priest blinked, surprised by his maturity, then nodded with approval. ”That is how a true Chosen One should speak. No mercy... not even for family when justice is involved.”

But Kaiʼs face slowly fell. His eyes darkened as sorrow crept in.

”But...” he added softly, ”...as her son—even if just once—I sincerely hope she doesnʼt receive the death penalty. I... I donʼt want her to die. She may have failed as a mother... but she still was my mother once.”

His voice broke slightly at the end, and he looked away, as if afraid to let anyone see the flicker of fear and pain in his eyes.

The Priest blinked again, this time with a pang of unexpected empathy. ”Thatʼs... how a son should feel,” he murmured, a note of regret in his voice. ”This Empire should be proud to have you, even if you have stolen powers...”

Kaiʼs lips twitched, the vein on his forehead pulsing visibly, but he held back his temper with effort. His jaw tightened before he gave a firm nod. ”I see... Iʼll just do my best to prove my worth, regardless of what Iʼve stolen.”

The Priest, realising he had unintentionally struck a nerve, bowed his head deeply in apology and quickly excused himself. ”Iʼll begin issuing the bounty immediately,” he said, then turned and left the room.

Velc exhaled loudly, a mix of disbelief and relief painted across his face. ”I canʼt believe she actually ran away... just like that...” he muttered, shaking his head. His tone was laced with irritation, but also... a strange note of satisfaction.

He wasnʼt going to say it out loud, but it was clear—he had been waiting for this.

Finally, he was free. Free from her voice, her decisions, her advice that always undermined his authority. Now, he could rule his territory as the sole king.

No more interfering... No more shadows hanging over him!

Then Kaiʼs eyes widened, as if something urgent struck his mind. ”Selene? What about Selene?!” he said quickly, panic rising in his voice. ”She must be broken right now.”

Without hesitation, he turned and began walking swiftly toward her room, his eyes heavy with worry. ”Letʼs go see her,” he added, motioning the others to follow.

Because he knew—just like him—Selene had also seen the true face of their mother.

And it must have shattered her inside.

She didnʼt deserve to sit alone, blaming herself for a truth she never asked for. He had to make sure she knew—she wasnʼt a failed product, nor some discarded creation.

She was his sister... And she was loved.

And so, with quiet urgency, they followed him, ready to offer her the comfort she so desperately needed.

Only to find… her room was empty. Too empty.

”What? Where did she go?” Kaiʼs voice broke through the silence, sharp and urgent.

Vesperine frowned, her eyes narrowing. She wasnʼt sure what had happened, but her gut churned. Clicking her tongue in irritation, she cursed under her breath.

She mightʼve just lost her golden ticket to getting closer to Victor.

ʼFuck that bitch...ʼ Vesperine gritted her teeth, her fury now redirected toward Xara. Her eyes burned with suspicion, and her voice lashed out sharply, ”Maybe she kidnapped her?”

Kai flinched. His chest tightened as if the air had suddenly turned cold. He shook his head, refusing to believe it. ”Thatʼs not possible… she would never—”

”Didnʼt your mother say Selene was a failed product?” Vesperine interrupted softly, her tone laced with feigned sympathy but edged with something sharp. ”Maybe thatʼs why… she took her away. Like garbage.”

Kaiʼs expression darkened. He didnʼt want to believe it, but deep inside, he knew just how far his mother could go. How twisted her love could become. How easily she discarded her creations.

His fists clenched so tight, his knuckles cracked. ”If something has happened to my sister... I swear, I will never forgive that woman!!” he spat furiously, his voice loud enough to echo off the walls.

”Iʼll assemble a search party immediately,” Velc said, his face stone serious. ”Wait... no, better. Iʼll inform Victor. Heʼll take care of it.”

Kai flinched again at the mention of Victor. He didnʼt like the idea, but...

He smirked darkly. ”Yeah... He has an entire Empire under his command. If anyone has the resources to track them down, itʼs him. We could use that to our advantage.”

Vesperine blinked in surprise, then smiled inwardly, eyes glinting with hidden satisfaction. ʼLooks like all my efforts werenʼt for nothing,ʼ she thought, stealing a glance at Kai. If this pulled Victor into the situation, she could use that to slide even closer to him.

”Wait... what about her adopted son?” Leon spoke up.

Kai and Velc exchanged a look—one that already knew the answer. But just in case...

They stormed toward Aetherʼs room.

Empty.

Completely.

Kai stood frozen, staring blankly at the luxurious room, the air still lingering with faint traces of Aetherʼs scent and warmth. His lips twitched violently.

This room... was larger than his own.

ʼJust how much she loved him!ʼ Kai seethed, his jaw locked tight. His teeth gritted so hard it hurt.

Velcʼs expression twisted into a mix of disgust and betrayal. The very thought that Xara had borne a child with another man... it made his blood boil. She had hidden it, nurtured that brat—and now he was gone too?

He let out a snort of contempt, then sneered. ”Kai… how about giving your slave an order?”

He knew exactly what that meant—and how easy it would be to use Aetherʼs cursed connection.

Kai turned his head slowly, then grinned. ”Thatʼs a good idea, Father. I havenʼt ordered that little bastard in a long time.”

He raised his hand, eyes glowing with magic and command. His grin widened as he spoke with theatrical flair.

”I, Kai Frostblade, in the Name of Arcane, order you, Aether—my slave—to come here!”

Meanwhile, in the Pyra Empire...

Slap!

Aether slapped the back of his own neck, wincing slightly as if a mosquito had bitten him. ”Ugh. What the hell was that?”

A strange tingle ran down his spine, but he brushed it off. Stretching both arms wide, he turned,

”Welcome... to my humble abode.”

Xara and Selene stood behind him—completely stunned—as their eyes stretched wide, staring at the freaking humongous palace before them. Towering spires, deep black arches, glistening fountains—this wasnʼt just a home.

This was royalty.

They looked at Aether in deadpan silence... then burst out laughing.

Aether blinked.

”What?”