Heavenly Procrastinator Chapter 63

Jasmine's pressure, her deep-rooted bloodlust and killing intent smothered Qianye Ying'er. Her aura was draconic by nature, suppressing everyone around her like a raging inferno. For the first time in a long time, Qianye Ying'er felt genuine… danger. Since entangling with Rokas, there wasn't a single person who made her feel that way. And yet… the Heavenly Slaughter Star God did.

"You would choose her over me?"

Qianye Ying'er's question led to a chuckle from Jasmine, who had drawn her daggers.

"Is it that difficult for you to comprehend, brahma bitch? I suppose you would be used to any and all men falling under your leash…"

"Is it truly so personal?" Qianye Ying'er questioned, drawing her sword. "Your precious brother gave his life for my ambitions, willingly. He abandoned you without a second thought… and yet-"

Clang.

"You put the blame on me."

Qianye Ying'er finished her sentence, blocking Jasmine's blow.

"You bewitched him!"

Rokas glanced at Qianye Fantian, who had the desire to step in. Immediately, he froze still as Rokas stepped closer. The Heavenly Demon Saber's rings clashed against each other with each step, making a striking sound that one could not forget. The sound of death.

Slash.

Quanye Fantian collapsed onto the ground with a bewildered expression.

"Why…? Why do you forsake your greatest benefactor? Your most devout supporters? What sin is so great?"

"There are too many to count… but there is one in particular." Rokas stabbed the blade into his shoulder, keeping him locked to the ground. "An act of deceit and manipulation quite unlike any other. Though, for a person like you, that's just another Tuesday. I would have to be more specific for you to understand.”

"... This is a mistake, surely-"

"Shhh… I'll pick your brain later; you can be certain of that. For now, look up. It's not every day you get to see these wonderful women go at it."

Long Bai was intrigued by the development of events, standing by and watching his master's will in play.

"Bewitched? A laughable excuse. He was just about as old as me, a grown man who had fought in countless battles and experienced much on his adventures. He chose to chase after me… he knew the danger, yet he did so regardless of the fact. He willingly played a fool's game and earned a worthy prize. Was I meant to turn down such a willing helping hand?"

"… You're right, he was a fool. Yet you led him on, used his love for your own benefit. He died because of your deceit!"

As golden and crimson auras clashed, an overwhelming force shook across the Brahma Monarch Realm. Each exchange resulted in the ground shaking violently, if not breaking altogether. It was like a battle between gods in a realm of mortals… no one could change the tides, nor was foolish enough to intervene.

“That might be the catfight of the millennium.” The Heavenly Demon Saber remarked. “Master, you sure do like to observe. There is enough drama for a soap opera with a worthy audience to boot.”

Rokas chuckled., shaking his head. “Jasmine doesn’t need me to hold her hand. This is her battle… which she is perfectly capable of winning.”

With every following clash, it became more and more clear who was stronger. To everyone’s surprise… it was not the Brahma Monarch Goddess who had singlehandedly trampled on the Southern Sea God Realm before. It was the Heavenly Slaughter Star God.

Qianye Ying’er called upon the Akatsuki, leading to the Gundam joining her side and employing all of its dragoons. A hundred spread over the sky. Enveloped in Brahma God divine power and hidden by the Great Splendorous Brahma Shadow profound skill, Jasmine was trapped in a web of invisible dragoons. They fired simultaneously, each unleashing a concentrated beam of golden profound energy.

Jasmine’s eyes flared red as crimson-black flames engulfed her entire body, spreading out like a supernova at her command.

BOOOOOOOOOM.

Rokas formed a colossal barrier, blocking the collateral damage onto those who remained on the ground. Meanwhile, a majority of the Akatsuki’s dragoons were incinerated. A drop of sweat left Qianye Ying’er’s forehead.

‘Am I sweating?’ She questioned, frowning slightly. ‘No… that brat couldn’t make me sweat.’

The Akatsuki activated Trans-Am as per her will… and that was when a blast of ice struck it and disabled the Gundam immediately.

Qianye Ying’er turned to Frozen Virtue, which had finally taken action.

BANG.

That was when Jasmine blitzed her, kicking the Brahma Monarch Goddess into the ground. Her daggers were enveloped in the crimson-black flames which had engulfed her body… making them seem larger. Blades of fiery red and pitch black darkness, their aura was chaotic yet calm. It was the noble dance of the Crow and Phoenix, fused with darkness profound energy.

She performed a slash, sending a massive, almighty, wave of profound energy directly towards Qianye Ying’er. It travelled at such a speed that not even Qianye Ying’er could escape it.

BANG.

She tanked the explosion directly, doing her best to form the strongest defence she could. Her golden mask had shattered in the impact, revealing her face. Though… that was not all. Her body had suffered severe burns, and she would be completely naked if not for an almost instant cast of Clothes Beam.

[System: Can’t let the world see the Brahma Monarch Goddess naked, of course.]

‘Such a sight isn’t for the common people.’

Though… right as one wave struck… Jasmine unleashed another.

And another…

And another…

“She… must live!”

It was then that an old man stormed forward, Gu Zhu, and attempted to aid Qianye Ying’er. Yet, his efforts were futile as the Frozen Virtue acted once again, firing several waves in his direction. He was struck by one… freezing still.

All hope for Qianye Ying’er seemed lost as Jasmine closed the distance and began to slash her apart. She struck at such a great speed, with such coordination… it was a fluent, brutal, dance of slaughter. Where everyone only saw a crimson-black blur, Rokas saw some next-level combos being thrown out. She went so far as to stab one of her eyes.

It was brutal.

In an instant, she prepared a variation of the Star God’s Brilliant Annihilating Slash, empowered by her new bloodline. It was… a fatal blow.

Clang.

“Jasmine…”

Rokas had cut through space, appearing before what looked like the corpse of Qianye Ying’er and clashing his own blade against Jasmine’s daggers… pushing her back with ease.

“Looks like your heart jumped a little,” Jasmine remarked.

Rokas tilted his head slightly.

“I didn’t think that she was so weak… for that to be considered a fatal blow.” Jasmine glanced to the side. “I suppose you knew better.”

Rokas turned to Qianye Ying'er, observing her pitiful state. To kill a being of her realm was beyond difficult. Despite taking so many attacks from Jasmine directly… she was still conscious. Weak, but conscious. Her face was scarred with deep slashes and charred black with flames… all of its former beauty tarnished.

"I want you to see something."

Qianye Ying'er opened her left eye, its former golden radiance greatly dimmed. Even looking up at Rokas was a struggle. Rokas stretched out his empty palm and dragged Qianye Fantian right towards him like a vacuum… piercing his saber through his chest. He raised him up with his blade, high enough for all to see.

Taking out his Profound Handle, Rokas began to conduct a soul search.

“Heaven… Punishing Divine Emperor…-”

"Everything will come to light on this day, Brahma Heaven God Emperor. Let's start on the lighthearted side of things… just to show everyone how this works. Hm… what is your true opinion of me?"

"You are a genius unlike any other, a young man capable of changing the fate of the Universe. I had wished that you would have been my disciple for a greater length of time. Now… you are unpredictable, uncontrollable and… out of reach. The one thing I abhor is your reluctance to accept your fate. You did not have to do anything… and everything you could have wanted would've been yours."

"You're a terrible tool… one that is far too difficult to control. If it had been up to my discretion, you would have long since bore the Brahma Soul Death-Wishing Mark. Alas…"

"Alas?" Rokas tilted his head. "Who could have said otherwise?"

"It was Ying'er who wished otherwise." Qianye Fantian chuckled, shaking his head. "To what end? To what end…"

"... I see." Rokas nodded. "This should be an easy one; who's your favourite child?"

"Ying'er."

"... For research purposes… what's your preference in women?"

[System: You couldn't resist it, could you?]

"I like them golden-haired, with plentiful breasts and backsides of the plumest variety."

'... I guess that’s how Qianye Ying’er came to be.' Rokas looked into Qianye Fantian’s eyes. "I suppose we do have something in common. Regardless, it is time to get to the point of why I put my sword through your chest. Why don't you tell everyone what happened to Qianye Ying'er's mother?"

Qianye Ying'er's unwounded eye widened slightly as she struggled to look up.

"I killed her with my own hands."

"..." Qianye Ying'er did not utter a word for a while as her world shattered, piece by piece. She was too stunned to speak. The thing which she had hoped wasn’t true… yet suspected… had been the truth. “Why?"

“For your sake. For the future of the Brahma Monarch God Realm.” Qianye Fantian spat out his own blood involuntarily. The Heavenly Demon Saber lit up with a pure white light, temporarily healing him. “Your innate talent was and is truly… one of a kind. Not only did it eclipse all of my other children and even who I had initially intended to be my successor, but it was also the very best in your generation of the Eastern Divine Region. The look in your eyes… I saw ambition, single-minded focus and the viciousness to see all things through. How could I allow that to be wasted? Your fatal flaw… your reason for striving for new heights was to earn a better position for your mother. It was so laughable… she was your fatal flaw, that woman.”

“And so… she had to fade away into obscurity.”

The previously dim light in Qianye Ying’er’s eye began to light up with unrelenting fury. Yet, her body had been so beaten… that she could not unleash even a flicker of her strength.

“Though… in truth, it was not I who truly killed her.” Qianye Fantian let out a chuckle. “I don't even recall how she looked, nor do I remember her name. I would not have stooped so low to kill such a woman under ordinary circumstances. What reason would I, the Brahma Heaven God Emperor, have?”

“In the end, you were the cause of it all… yes, it was you. You alone.” Qianye Fantian shook his head. “If you had not been so dazzling or did not value her so much… she would not have died so soon. In fact, I’m almost certain she would have had a long, healthy, life as one of my many mistresses. Alas…”

Rokas glanced at Qianye Ying’er… who had helplessly lowered her head onto the ground. He had a look of pity. The entire Brahma Monarch Realm was silent, speechless at the heartlessness of Qianye Fantian. In the end, his daughter had just been a doll dancing along on his strings from the moment her talent showed itself. He had stolen the most important thing in her life and made her feel constant gratitude and respect because of this…

Right before Ying’er’s mother’s death, he had smothered them with his favour and lavish gifts, an act that would naturally lead to jealousy and suspicion from other parties. When the time came, he killed her and pitted the blame on his previous god empress and crown prince… executing them as well. Right after, he posthumously conferred the title of God Empress to Ying’er’s mother and never took another Empress again. In the end, it had all been a lie…

The realisation that her life for so many years… no, all of her existence… had been nothing but a tragedy…

She closed her eye as tears began to roll and drop down onto the ground, one after the other.

Tears…

The Brahma Monarch Goddess, in all of her vicious nature, was human after all. She felt as if everything up to this point had been pointless. Striving so hard to live up to the expectations of the same man who had murdered her beloved mother… having such a deep-rooted sense of gratitude and respect for her father for nearly a thousand years… the man whom she should hate the most.

She felt lost… she truly felt… alone.

Her entire world had slipped from her grasp and shattered to pieces.

Rokas ended the soul search.

“Any last words?”

Qianye Fantian’s eyes widened as he became aware of his surroundings.

“...” Qianye Fantian knew it was over, looking at Qianye Ying’er for what would be the last time. Then he turned to Rokas, whose burning eyes were ever so chilling. “Long Ke… whatever it is that you plan to do to the universe… don’t misplace your fury on her. I… hold myself accountable for all of her sins. She is no more than a misguided child.”

A flame erupted from the Heavenly Demon Saber’s guard, slowly rising up the blade to Qianye Fantian’s chest.

“My lord, Heaven Punishing Divine Emperor… I beg of you…”

As the flames began to burn him, he stretched out his hand and touched the side of his face.

“Take care of… her… forgive her… let her see your way… and she will never…”

“Betray… you.”

Rokas firmly nodded.

“I am not one to be ungrateful, Brahma Heaven God Emperor. This is… farewell.”

The flames grew in intensity, incinerating him and leaving golden ash in the air. The world seemed to freeze for a moment as Rokas stood still… his blade lowered. Jasmine descended beside him, looking down on Qianye Ying’er.

She let go after seeing Qianye Fantian die, falling unconscious.

“I never imagined I would bear witness to the great Brahma Monarch Goddess laying on the ground, crying her eyes out like a child,” Jasmine remarked, chuckling. “The one who laughs at the misery of others… how low she has fallen.”

“My lord Dragon Monarch.” Long Bai glanced at Jasmine. “This girl… she is a devil person. Her flames were thriving with darkness profound energy. Such a thing is dangerous-”

“So?” Rokas questioned, an aura of dense darkness escaping his body. “The universe is going to change, Long Bai. Should you have an issue with it… come find me in the Southern Sea God Realm.”

‘System, send down some Space Marines to clean up and alert Yue that my business here is finished.’

[System: Coming right up.]

Rokas raised his hand and lifted Qianye Ying’er off the ground with his profound energy. She landed between his arms as he jumped right into the Sovereign Gundam. Jasmine joined him, leaving the scene. All of the Gundams ascended almost simultaneously, returning to the main ship.

The Brahma Gods were lost… their Brahma Heaven God Emperor had been killed, and his two heirs had both seemingly left the Realm. Who would lead the Brahma Monarch God Realm?

Their answer came when a smaller ship descended upon the core of the Realm. From it came five Space Marines, all coloured after the Blood Raven chapter. They did not hide their strength in the slightest, displaying a powerful pressure that suppressed even the Brahma Gods.

“As of now, the Emperor retains control of the Brahma Monarch God Realm and all its subjects. Should any heretics wish to question his divine authority, they are most welcome to taste our faithful swords.” The caped squad captain among them stepped forward. “We are the Emperor’s Chosen, His Space Marines. Our current duty is to guard over this land and ensure that his will is fulfilled. For his first decree, he asks that the wood spirits be returned to their rightful place at his side.”

“... They are in the gardens.” Qianye Wusheng, the head of the Brahma Gods, replied with a slightly nervous tone.

“Lead on.”

“Right this way.”

One of them remained and unleashed a hail of fire, thawing the ice which had frozen Gu Zhu.

~

Rokas settled down in his Dreadnought, which wasn’t nearly as grey and dull as its exterior. Inside, there was something relative to a small city. The only interior parts that resembled a space ship was its bridge where the main control centre was, its hangars and engines. The rest of the space had been used to build a small paradise.

Xia Qingyue observed Rokas princess carrying Qianye Ying’er… raising a slight eyebrow.

“Are you… jealous?” Rokas questioned.

“... No. Why would I be jealous of such a simple act?”

“You know, if you want me to carry you like that… you need only ask.” Rokas smiled slightly. “Or is it that you have a distaste for her?”

“It is more than a distaste.” Xia Qingyue replied, shaking her head. “I would wish her dead.”

“... Death is the end of all things. It leaves no room for improvement, for change. With her talents, she can accomplish so much… Would you rob her of a second chance at life, one where she is free from her father’s influence? A chance of redemption?” Rokas sighed as he observed Xia Qingyue’s unchanged expression. “Wouldn’t it be better that she sought forgiveness?”

“You sound quite like Li Suo.”

“... I have my reasons.” Rokas replied with a firm tone. “You can rest assured that this is not an act done out of love or desire.”

Xia Qingyue, even with her Heart of Snow Glazed Ice, could not sense anything from him that said otherwise.

“Then why?”

“Do you pity her?” Jasmine interjected. “The poor Brahma Monarch Goddess?”

“I suppose a part of me does… the environment that she was brought up in isn’t exactly ideal for one to come out with a good heart.” Rokas nodded. “Although, that doesn’t free her from the consequences of her actions, which is why I let you do everything apart from killing her. If it satisfies you, she can even be your servant.”

“That sounds tempting,” Jasmine admitted. “Perhaps she does have some value.”

“She gave me her word that she would change for the better… and I want to believe her,” Rokas added, turning to Xia Qingyue. “If she doesn’t after a long enough period of time, I’ll hand her over to you. You can kill her in any way you like should that scenario come to be. Does that sound fair, Qingyue?”

“Hmph… do you believe that someone so aloof and heartless can find good in her heart?” Xia Qingyue questioned. “Alas, it is your decision, and I’ve elected to accept it. She is undeniably loyal to you and certainly has some uses… if anything. She could certainly aid in your ambitions. In the worst-case scenario, she would make a fine tool.”

“I can see why you have some faith, although it is ultimately misplaced.” Xia Qingyue stepped in front of him, entering his Inner World. “Should you need me, I will be meditating.”

“A tool…” Jasmine remarked. “Is that how you see her, Rokas? If not love, desire or pity…”

“... In a way,” Rokas admitted, glancing at her crimson figure with a slight frown. “I suppose it wouldn’t make me that much better than Qianye Fantian, would it?”

“You have your reasons to treat her in such a manner.” Jasmine crossed her arms. “Were you not her sex slave for the better part of how many months…? Were you not trapped, forced to make her Gundams? Did she not use you like a tool? She is not innocent in the slightest. I think it’s only fitting that you would treat her in such a way. She should know what it means to be a slave herself… and not even for a few months or a year. I’d say three thousand years at the very least.”

“Three thousand…” Rokas chuckled, patting her head. “You’re the woman for the job when it comes to punishing her; there can be no disputing that.”

“Oh, it would be my pleasure. Should you heal her wounds… I could bring them about again.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

~

Rokas was working on Akatsuki’s successor when Qianye Ying’er broke out of her slumber, slowly opening her eye. The other had remained crippled. Her scars had remained, too, and so she wasn’t beautiful… no, she could only be considered a hideous mess of gashes now. Her appearance better reflected the type of person she had been up to this point… and so, Rokas saw no need to change it right away. It was part of her punishment.

It only took one look at her body to see that.

“Why… do you keep me alive? What use am I to you like this?”

“You barely woke up, and you’re already asking such questions?”

He turned to her, descending onto the ground.

“Change for the better… isn’t that what we both agreed upon? That day on the beach may have been over a hundred and fifty years ago for me, but it wasn’t all that long ago for you. Surely you would remember, Ying’er.”

He offered his hand to Qianye Ying’er… who looked up to him. In the end, she had nothing but a single hope. A dream. It was right before her, in all its glittering light. Brown-hair, flaming eyes and an embrace that could burn away all the cold.

She slowly raised her hand, meeting his.

He took her hand and raised her on her feet.

And so… Rokas would turn his attention to his ambition at last.

Talk was all good and well, of which he had done plenty of… but action… that was what mattered above all else.

It was his time to be King.