Chapter 901: The Shocking Change
Lucifer knew that there were troubled times ahead with the Star Alliance on his tail. Not only were they really strong, but they also had items like this crystal that could absorb their energy.
Moreover, he had also seen one of the Two Star Members of the Star Alliance reverse time. Even though he could also do that to some extent, it was still something that took a lot of energy. The threat was really strong, but that was for the future. For now, he needed to get out of this place safely without being caught.
He gazed at the rings in his hand, which were restricting his strength. His freedom depended on his ability to lie.
Lucifer kept his calm as he gazed back at the old man, showing the rings on his finger. The old man nodded in satisfaction as he removed the barrier that had trapped Lucifer before he walked back to his seat with the crystal having Lucifer's energy sample in his hand.
"Maya, come inside." The old man calmly stated.
The entrance door opened. A young lady stepped inside.
Lucifer gazed back in surprise. She was also here? Didn't she say that she wasn't going to come with him?
Maya observed the surprised expressions on the face of Lucifer, but she didn't react. She walked past him to get to the old man with the stone.
Her hands weren't empty either, as she seemed to be carrying a small box in her hand. The beautiful golden box was only a few inches wide and had some strange markings on it that seemed to have life of their own. The peculiar markings kept moving and shifting places as if they were snakes that didn't like staying in one place.
Maya stopped before the Two Star General, who sat in the lead. She reached out her hand to give the small box to the old man.
"Is everything done?" The old man asked Maya.
Maya nodded. "I've fed the energy I collected back on earth in this."
"Good. You can step back now."
Maya stepped back, clearing the way for the old man.
The old man opened the small box and placed the small crystal that he had just collected inside the box before closing it.
"Lucifer, as I said, you might lie, but you can't fool us. The energy sample was collected on the site of the final battle where the Baltics King had died. We already have that. And now that we fed your current energy signature in it, the results should be out soon. The golden box will turn green as soon as both the energies are found to be the same. On the other hand, it'll stay golden if energies don't match."
"You still have time. Do you want to come clean? Accept your lies before they come out naturally." The old man kept his focus on Lucifer, who refused to answer.
Lucifer just stood calmly. He had faith that the two weren't going to match. What he had used while killing Licorice was purely the stolen energy source. On the other hand, what he used now was purely his energy since he had run out of the other source of energy already fortunately.
The energy was destructive for his body. It was so strong that it left a lifetime's worth of damage behind. His nerves were still damaged despite his healing. He couldn't even imagine what might have happened if he still had the destructive energy. His entire body might've been destroyed. That's why he was sure that the two energies weren't going to match.
"Huh?"
Shocked expressions graced everyone's faces as they all looked at the small box in the hands of the old man. Even the old man himself was shocked. "How is this possible?"
Many two-star members stood up from their seats. Even the Queen had almost stood up, but she forced herself to stay seated. She curiously gazed at Lucifer.
Even Lucifer seemed confused. Why was everyone shocked? Also, what was with the box? He was told that the box was going to turn green if the two energies matched, while it was supposed to stay golden if the two energies didn't match. However, none of the cases happened.
The box was neither green nor golden. Instead, it was an entirely different shade. The box had turned pitch black as if it wasn't even solid anymore, but something made purely of nonexistent darkness.
The old man gazed back at the queen with a Deep frown. "Your Majesty, this..."
The queen took a deep breath. "That's enough for the interrogation. There's no need for it anymore. We are done here. I command Lucifer to be freed. He isn't who we're looking for."
Lucifer didn't know what the box turning black meant, but if it meant that he was innocent, he was pleased. Fortunately, the box didn't turn green.
"Moreover, because we caused such inconvenience to a member of ours for no reason, I would offer him something in return." The Queen stood up. She raised her hand toward the sky. A beautiful orb appeared in her hand.
Lucifer's brows furrowed as he recognized that orb. It was completely identical to the one that was used against him by the two-star captain in the future.
The queen held the orb in her right hand. A black card appeared in her hand. The lady handed over the card to Maya by calling her closer.
"Y-your Majesty, this...?"
"This isn't for you. This is for Lucifer, who we inconvenienced for no reason. It's an apology from us. Give it to him and tell him about it. The High Council is dismissed."
After giving the card to Maya, the Queen turned around without even glancing at Lucifer even once. She left...
The Generals and the Captains also stood up and left, not forgetting to take another brief glance at Lucifer. Everyone seemed stunned at what they experienced today.
Even now, Lucifer didn't understand what had happened. Just what was the meaning of all this? How was he suddenly proven innocent? Was it because his energy signatures didn't match? But what about Bloodline? He had prepared an excuse for that as well, but he wasn't even asked about it. Something didn't feel right at all... Something was seriously wrong.
Before long, only Maya and Lucifer were standing in the hall.
Lucifer moved closer to Maya. "Can you tell me what the box turning black meant?'
Maya shook her head. "Even I don't know about that. I've never seen that happen, but it seems that everyone else knew about it. Whatever, it seems to be a good thing for you."
"You're not only free, but you got this as well! I'm so jealous?" She raised the pitch-black card. "Oh, how much I would've given to be in your place!"