My Substitute CEO Bride

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"You must have heard them mention a trade before," Val asked.

Sven nodded. "Yes, I have heard them mention it, but what exactly does this so-called trade entail?"

"In essence, the Illuminion's main goal is to awaken slumbering gods," Val replied.

"Awaken the gods?" Sven echoed in surprise.

"Yes, I know it may be shocking to you, but that's the truth. You've already witnessed the power of the God of Equilibrium, haven't you?" Val replied.

"Yes, he was a surreal existence, but is he really a god?" Sven asked. His confusion was a result of the stories he had heard from his father and his belief that gods should be gentle, powerful, and benevolent beings who saved people from calamities. "Certainly. Moreover, the God of Equilibrium is not the only god to have awakened," Val revealed.

Sven pondered for a moment before asking, "In that case, what's their purpose in awakening these gods?"

Val smiled knowingly and went straight to the point. "In a few years, they aim to rule the entire world."

"What?!" Sven was visibly shocked by Val's words.

"H-How... How is that..." Sven stuttered, but then suddenly realized that if these gods were as powerful as the God of Equilibrium or even stronger, it would not be impossible. Considering the level of humanity's current technological advancement, the gods could easily destroy them.

"But how are they even going to awaken the gods? And even if they do awaken them, how could members of the Illuminion then rule the world?" Sven questioned further.

"That's exactly what I want to talk to you about. It's also what happened to your sister. Let me share my own experience with you," Val said as he began going through his memories.

"Forty years ago, I was 18 years old. The village resided in was isolated from the rest and followed traditions as well as ancient beliefs passed down by our ancestors. My mother was the village's great sorceress and leader at that time. novelbin

"But one day, a mysterious merchant suddenly arrived in our village. The villagers adored him because he brought many novel things we had never seen before. Everyone bought a lot from him, and his prices were

unusually cheap. One day belongs to

him!

"Don't trust him! He's a demon! A demon!" Val's mother cried out in agony before dying in front of everyone. There were no visible

wounds on her, but for some net

reason,

she died so suddenly despite being a perfectly healthy person.

Val did not know what his mother had experienced. All he recalled was that he was suddenly afflicted with a high fever that prompted his mother to buy medicine from the merchant. After that, his mother died. However, no one believed him and continued to buy things from the merchant.

Val was not satisfied with the outcome and decided to look into the matter. He would not allow his mother to die like that without answers. When Val was 18, he vowed to take revenge.

A few days, several more people died. Despite that, the villagers seemed unwilling to do anything about it. One day, the merchant returned.

Val had made preparations. When the merchant left, he quietly followed him. Time passed, and when night fell, the merchant entered a wooden house deep in the forest. Val peeked in to take a look.

He saw two people tied up in the house. The merchant removed their blindfolds and asked, "Have you considered it? It's a good deal."

One of the men lowered his head in fear and pleaded, "Please... We really have no money! Please, give it back!"

The merchant shook his head. "No, no, no, that won't do. Once the trade is agreed to, it can't be stopped. Do you understand?"