Chapter 13: The Most Adorable Among a Thousand Blossoms, Part 5

Time seemed to freeze.

Cynthia clutched the Eternal Holy Grail, which radiated a gentle halo, her mind utterly blank.

“Your Majesty!” Asathos growled fiercely, reacting swiftly. He spread his massive demon wings and soared into the sky with Cynthia.

Almost simultaneously, several attacks followed closely behind.

Boom! Crash!

Blinding explosions of energy and shockwaves erupted where they had stood, sending fragments of stone flying and dust swirling.

“Hand over the Holy Grail!”

“You Abyssspawn brats, that’s not something you can possess! Give it up now!”

“Kill them!”

Frenzied roars echoed from all directions. Every qualified contender aimed their weapons at Cynthia and Asathos.

Holding Cynthia tightly, Asathos dodged the incoming assaults with agile precision.

“Your Majesty! I shall descend and slay them!” Asathos declared, the armor adorning his body beginning to crack faintly, the horns concealed within his hair radiating a dense Abyssal power.

He was about to reveal his true form and go berserk!

Sensing Asathos’s intent, Cynthia immediately shouted to stop him, “I command you to halt, Asathos!”

“Your Majesty!” Asathos growled in displeasure.

“I order you to stop!”

Cynthia’s youthful voice cracked slightly. Feeling concern for her throat, Asathos relented and ascended higher into the sky, carrying her away.

“Holy crap! Holy crap! Holy crap!”

“What kind of Starborn contender is Lin Yan? This guy’s no joke—deflecting disaster eastward.”

“This is bad. Now he’s really the target of everyone’s ire.”

“Kid, just drop the cup! Protect your life first!”

“Throw it to Mars! Yes! Toss it to that bystander!”

Mars: Oh? Interesting. (Continues watching the show.)

“Throw it back to Lin Yan.”

“My suggestion? Auction it on the spot to the highest bidder.”

The live chat had gone completely mad, with all sorts of wild ideas pouring in.

[Beep! Detected: The host is under intense public scrutiny. This is the perfect moment to complete the Cute King Training Task 2. Updating Cute King Training Task 2...]

The pink notification box of the Cute King Training System popped up at an inopportune moment.

Cynthia clenched her chest, itching to curse the Cute King system, but the current situation didn’t allow her to swear out loud.

Boom—

Suddenly, a scorching dragon’s breath descended from the sky, forcing back some of the attackers temporarily.

Asathos seized the opportunity, flying with Cynthia in another direction.

“Hey! Give me the Holy Grail!”

A black-haired elf pursued them from behind.

Cynthia glanced back at the elf, guessing he was the supposed backup, but she had no intention of handing over the Holy Grail now.

It was easy to toss the Grail away, but asking for it back with confidence? Nothing in this world was that cheap.

“Asathos, put the real Holy Grail away and use Abyssal magic to replicate two more.”

As Cynthia spoke, she removed the star magic wand from her wrist. At the same moment, the replicated Eternal Holy Grails materialized.

“Catch the Holy Grail!”

She tossed one of the Grails to the black-haired elf, who caught it. Cynthia waved her star magic wand and chanted the embarrassing spell, “Hoo hoo~ pain be gone.”

The moment the words fell, a dazzling pink light flared, instantly healing all the injured contenders enveloped by its glow.

“That elf stole the Holy Grail!”

Following Cynthia’s words, the fully energized contenders shifted their focus, launching a barrage of colorful attacks and items at the black-haired elf.

“You fools! There was no proclamation from the Oracle! That Holy Grail is fake!” The elf crushed the fake Grail in his hand, gritting his teeth.

Cynthia had anticipated this and leaned close to Asathos, whispering, “Asathos, when I throw the fake Grail, make sure to replicate more.”

Asathos nodded.

“Fine, you’ve seen through it. The real Holy Grail is right here—go get it.”

Cynthia hurled the fake Grail, and Asathos began replicating. Countless Grails appeared midair.

“What the hell? So many Grails—how do we know which is real?”

“Who cares if it’s fake or not? Just grab one. The Oracle will announce the real one anyway.”

Chaos erupted anew.

Taking advantage of the confusion, Asathos searched for an opening to escape with Cynthia.

Hum!

An indescribable, terrifying pressure descended again.

This time, it wasn’t aimed at everyone, but precisely targeted at Asathos and Cynthia.

Asathos’s forward momentum suddenly halted as if hitting an invisible wall, his speed plummeting. Cynthia, cradled in his arms, suffered worse—unable to breathe freely, the oppressive force reddened her small face.

High above, the Throne of the God of Destruction appeared once more, seemingly out of nowhere.

Mars rested his chin on one hand, snapping his fingers with the other. The fake Holy Grails being fought over instantly vanished into nothingness, and a mocking voice echoed into every contender’s ears: “The real Holy Grail is still in that kid’s hands.”

“That madman Mars!”

Feeling Mars’s malice, Cynthia bit her lip and struggled to utter a sentence.

[Beep! Cute King Training Task 2 updated. Please act cute toward Mars to achieve the “Cutest Among All Flowers” achievement!]

Act… act cute?

And toward that lunatic Mars?

The system had finally gone mad.

Cynthia strongly resisted the task, and the Cute King Training System sensed her reluctance.

It forcibly took control of Cynthia’s body.

Terrified, Cynthia realized she no longer controlled her movements. She felt tears streaming from her ruby-like eyes, and then, through her lips, came a soft, trembling, childish voice filled with sobs:

“Uncle Mars… help me! They’re— they’re all bullying Cynthia! Boo hoo hoo…”

Though quiet, the voice strangely cut through the explosions and shouts, ringing clearly in everyone’s ears.

The entire battlefield seemed paused.

All contenders attacking, chasing, and fighting froze, stunned, staring incredulously toward the voice’s source.

That little demon who had just been wreaking havoc was now seemingly acting cute and pleading with the terrifying God of Destruction, Mars.

Was this some new psychological attack?

“?????”

“Kid, what’s wrong? Scared silly?”

“This vibe’s all wrong! Why the sudden cuteness?”

“Calling Mars ‘Uncle’ for help?? My little Cynthia, are you trying to die faster?”

“This is over. The kid’s lost her mind.”

“Wait… but… kinda… adorable? (I repent).”

“So cute it makes my heart flutter… but the target is Mars, damn it!”

Even Asathos, holding her, was utterly petrified. He felt the subtle tremble of the young queen’s body, but that soft, pleading voice sounded genuine.

A storm of confusion, fury, and a sour tinge like biting a lemon churned inside Asathos. The queen must have been scared to death. It was all the fault of these ants and that damn Mars!

“Your Majesty! You…” Asathos began, but a stronger pressure gripped his throat, silencing him. He could only glare furiously toward the throne.

Mars, seated upon his throne, paused the amused and teasing smile. A faint flicker of surprise passed through his crimson eyes before turning into inscrutable interest.

He regarded the delicate little figure with the purest, most innocent gaze, as if the child truly was a trusted elder.

Such an experience was strange yet fascinating to him.

“Oh?” Mars’s deep, magnetic voice sounded, tinged with barely concealed amusement. “Little one, now you know how to call me uncle?”

As he spoke, he slowly raised his hand.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

All contenders who tried to approach Cynthia and Asathos—regardless of race or strength—were forcefully blasted away by an invisible power, screaming as they tumbled into distant ruins, their fates unknown.

The entire plaza fell silent.

With a casual gesture, Mars wiped out all obstacles trying to disrupt his emotional exchange with Cynthia.

[Beep! Cute King Training Task 2 completed! The adorable little one truly wins everyone’s hearts; even the God of Destruction plays uncle! Congratulations on achieving the “Cutest Among All Flowers” achievement!]

[Task rewards: 1 Cute-themed flying item; bonus cuteness points +5; current cuteness points 202/200 (level 1)]

[Congratulations! Cute King level increased by 1. Current level: 2. Reward: Cute-themed coaxing set, +20% success rate in acting cute.]

The system’s notification sounded as Cynthia regained control of her body.

Overwhelmed by shame and the hollow relief of survival, her cheeks flushed red and pale in waves. She wished she could disappear, but reason told her the performance had to continue.