Galaxy's First Ruler

Aldrich's entire body seemed to have become part of two beings.

One was reciting ancient sayings and kept muttering Language of Laws by keeping his thoughts tied to the Black Veil. The other savored the sweet flavor of Amalia's lips as she proclaimed her identity.

Even before coming out of Barren Earth, Aldrich's identity had gotten tied with the organization called Hallowed Phantoms. He got little information on this organization, even from the secret data compiled by House Venomous Rose. The only thing he could summarize surely was that the leader of the Hallowed Phantoms was a King. And the aim of this organization was nothing but to spread Chaos throughout the Galaxy.

As Amalia's blackish breath entered Aldrich's body, he felt an incredible familiarity for Amalia. It was as if he had known her for all his life. There was a seed of deep love and affection getting buried in his heart for her. And once sprouted, this seed would replace his identity and his goals. But unknown to Amalia, the part of Aldrich who kept reciting Laws like a recorder, didn't let these emotions take root in his body.

On the surface though, there was no sign of this intense struggle within Aldrich's body. His eyes had become wide, and the love on his face for Amalia was getting stronger by seconds. This wasn't some Skill, as Aldrich hadn't seen it on her Record. And from the way it worked, it didn't seem that its purpose was to control Aldrich. The only thing that this transfer of breath did was to let Aldrich feel intense emotions for Amalia.

A gentle smile came over Aldrich's face as he spoke out.

"Hallowed Phantoms… So the House Star Dust is also tied with them?"

Amalia took Aldrich's left hand and entwined her fingers with his. As the "couple" kept walking, Amalia answered.

"You can say that. If you become a member and pledge your loyalty towards his Majesty, you will have enough power to reclaim what is owed to you."

The black mist inside Aldrich became a covering around Aldrich's heart. Threads, like misty tentacles, kept trying to penetrate and enter his heart. But every time they did that, the ethereal voice echoing within him broke those tentacles. Outside, not letting Amalia sense anything wrong with the execution of her Black Misty Kiss, Aldrich presented a red shy expression.

Aldrich's right hand went towards Amalia's face and he pushed away a strand of stray hair. As Amalia gave a sultry look to him, Aldrich slowly spoke.

"If… If I join the Hallowed Phantoms, will I get to remain with you?"

There was an incredible sincerity in Aldrich's voice. None could deny that at this moment, Aldrich wanted nothing more than to remain together with Amalia. This scene of a white-haired man and red-eyed beauty, sharing their feelings, could have been heart-warming. If not for the ugly nature of the scheming in their hearts.

Amalia, putting the same stray strand of hair on the back of her ear, nodded. The traces of shame brimmed out as a hint of a smile and the redness on her blushing cheeks. Under the moonlight, and witnessed by none other than the spirit of an entire planet, Aldrich reached out and kissed Amalia's forehead.

As he took a deep breath of her hair, Aldrich reluctantly moved away and spoke.

"Then so be it. I will join the Hallowed Phantoms."

Hearing this, Amalia suddenly leapt off and gave Aldrich a deep hug. Her large breasts pressed against Aldrich's chest, making the layer of black mist over his heart even more riled up.

There was no reason for a Marchioness of Amalia's level to go through such a roundabout way regarding Aldrich. A better way was to just abduct him, or make him brain dead, or cut off his arms, legs, and tongue. And then take out all his memories with the help of some Skills.

Aldrich could only think of one reason for Amalia to not do that and instead made him fall in love with her. As the beauty let go of Aldrich, the half part of an Ancient Saying he had recently got to know came to his mind.

'Cursed is everyone chosen by RECORD…'

"I will take you to see the King after our work here is done. Now I have a few questions for you. You will tell me, right?" Amalia asked.

From her side, she plucked a rose and put her over her ear. Her slit-like eyes had yet to regain their normal appearance. Aldrich, pretending like a hypnotized being, didn't even think before replying.

"Yes. Why wouldn't I?"

"Which House does your mother belong to?"

"I don't know."

Aldrich's answer was terse and to the point. Amalia stared at him for a second, trying to sense any discrepancy in Aldrich's emotions, but soon a smile surfaced on her face.

Her hand reached up and ran through Aldrich's white hair. A shiver ran down Aldrich's spine as Amalia again asked.

"How did you get an Ancient Relic?"

"An old man gave it to me when I was just a boy."

Amalia again narrowed her eyes, but Aldrich's eyes had nothing but love for her. No matter how unbelievable it sounded, there was no way Aldrich could lie after getting affected by that Black Mist.

"What was his name?"

"I don't know."

"How can you use the Law of Justice?"

"I don't know what that is."

Questions after questions kept coming out of Amalia's mouth, and Aldrich replied with nothing but the "truth". At last, after not getting any crucial detail out of Aldrich, Amalia frustratingly frowned.

But this frustration didn't remain for long on her face as she laughed and squeezed Aldrich's head with her fingers like playing with a toy.

"Hehe! Okay, one more question, love. Tell me how House Venomous Rose is tied with Darklings?"

Aldrich tilted his head from one way to another, feeling the softness of her palm. His expression had almost turned to that of a fanatic as he touched his FIR and took out an Item. It was a compass, whose red needle was directly pointed at him.

Amalia's eyes went wide as she exclaimed out.

"Darkness Seeking Compass?!!"