Chapter 249: Everything Requires Proof!
Ghast's Dilemma
Luke's speech completely shattered Joel Nash's composure. He had endured for four years, waited for four years, and plotted for four years. Everything was ready, and yet, at the very end, his secret had been exposed.
His identity was compromised, and that was a monumental disaster for him.
The FBI, CIA, Department of Defense, Secret Service, and Senate would never allow a demon to serve as President. They were likely already plotting how to eliminate him.
At this thought, Joel Nash nearly lost control of his surging killing intent.
No, I can't let this happen. I must regain the initiative.
What should he do?
Should he abandon years of meticulous planning and seek a new host?
If he did that, years of effort would be wasted.
"Your Excellency Ghast, your expression tells me you're struggling. Are you thinking: Should I run away? Or seize the chance for a fatal blow? If you ask me, you should choose the latter."
Luke spread his arms wide and declared loudly, "You were the ruler of the galaxy in the ancient era, one of the most ancient demons in existence! Your lineage is so noble, your bloodline so powerful, and you command virtually all magic! How can a powerhouse like you run? You should resist! Use your immense power to brutally kill all those who dare oppose you, turn every living creature on Earth into a slave, ascend to the planet's apex, and become the absolute ruler!"
"Only that is worthy of your noble birth."
"Come on, Mr. Ghast, fight! Since your identity is already exposed, what are you waiting for? Use your magic to burn the city to ashes and tell all Americans: The demon Ghast is back! Your ruler has returned! I shall be crowned king right here!"
"Come on, Mr. Ghast, don't hesitate! Do it now! If you don't act fast, it'll be too late!"
Luke cackled strangely, his voice impassioned. The mockery on his face was like a knife plunging into Joel Nash's chest. As an ancient ruler, he had never been ridiculed like this before.
"Damn human!"
Joel Nash gnashed his teeth. A dense, black-red light flickered on his forehead, and a mountain-like pressure emanated from him. This aura was even stronger than that of the Gray Robe in the Swamp Forest.
Luke watched him with intense expectation, green flames beginning to seep from his body, forming a fiery shield.
Time seemed to freeze. An instant passed, yet it felt like forever.
Finally, Joel Nash stopped, letting the black-red markings on his forehead dissipate, and the pressure around him vanished. He fixed Luke with a deep glare.
"Sly Earthling. I won't fall for your trap. As long as I am the President, you cannot and dare not make a move against me. You call me a demon? Where is your proof? Who can testify to that?"
Luke sighed dramatically. "Your Excellency Ghast, I'm practically pissing and shitting on your head, and you can still take it."
Joel Nash just snorted, not bothering to reply.
Luke gave him a thumbs-up. "You truly are a thousand-year-old snapping turtle." He pushed himself up from the chair. "Since you choose to be a coward, my mission here is complete. I'll leave the rest to the Department of Defense and the FBI."
With that, he slowly left the study. Just before exiting, he looked back and said,
"Oh, and I'm taking your daughter with me tonight."
Joel Nash's jaw muscles twitched violently. His right hand clenched, as if wanting to crush the air, but he ultimately held back. He couldn't make a move here. If he did, his identity would be fully exposed.
While this situation was troublesome, it wasn't insurmountable. If he succeeded in being re-elected, he would seize the reins of power and win everything.
In fact, Ghast's restraint far exceeded Luke's expectations. He hadn't imagined that an ancient demon ruler could be so patient. Just as the saying goes, A little impatience spoils great plans—if he was determined to "play dead" and live as a human at all costs, Luke truly had no easy way to stop him. He couldn't very well send an assassin, could he?
Assassinating a sitting President is no small crime.
The Two Souls
After the conversation, Luke left Blair House with Vanessa. Joel Nash stood by the window, glaring fiercely until the Ferrari disappeared around the corner. He then turned, picked up the phone, thought better of it, and set it down. Pressing his fingers to his brow, a low incantation began. The mirror in the room rippled like water, and a young man with vertical black-and-gold pupils appeared.
"What is it?"
Joel Nash said heavily, "My identity has been exposed."
Hearing this, the young man in the mirror was extremely shocked.
"How is that possible?"
"It's all your fault," Joel Nash growled. "If you hadn't been so careless, how could they have deciphered the secret of the stone jar and uncovered our identity?"
The young man roared, "Is talking about that useful now? The question is, how do we handle this? Do you have a plan?"
Joel Nash sneered. "It's exposed; what can I do?"
"You're going to run!"
"What else?"
Joel Nash yelled, "The FBI, CIA, and Department of Defense all know my true identity! What do you want me to do? They aren't moving yet out of caution about my position, but that doesn't mean they'll tolerate this forever."
The young man in the mirror scoffed. "You're still as timid and weak as ever. If we had followed my plan and occupied Earth by force, we wouldn't have all this trouble."
"Idiot! You want to provoke all the Ancient Gods on Earth?"
The young man in the mirror instantly fell silent, his face contorted, a hint of fear showing in the depths of his eyes. Earth was far more terrifying than they had imagined. If they hadn't feared those hidden Ancient Gods and demigods, they would have long since conquered the world by force.
After a moment of silence, Joel Nash continued, "That human, the one who killed you, just came to see me."
The young man instantly snapped to attention, roaring, "Luke Shaw?"
"Yes, him."
Joel Nash narrowed his eyes. "I finally understand why you were defeated by him. He's a very formidable character: powerful, fearless, cunning, and smart. He kept using insults to provoke me, forcing me to strike. I wouldn't be surprised if Blair House is surrounded by FBI eyes, all waiting for me to expose my identity. Laughable humans, how could I fall for that? And my daughter..." He paused, and under the young man's gloomy stare, he hissed,
"Vanessa is his woman."
Boom!
An explosion sounded in the mirror. Black demonic power surged out, forming a huge vortex. The air tore, making a hissing sound like a viper.
"I warned you! Vanessa is mine! No one else is allowed to touch her!"
Joel Nash sneered. "He already has. More than once. They're probably in bed right now."
The churning black demonic power immediately stopped. The half-demon young man materialized.
"Where are they now?"
His low voice was devoid of emotion, like the stillness of a deep, dead pool.
"Idiot!"
Joel Nash cursed him without reservation. "Haven't you considered why he approached Vanessa? Human society requires proof. Even if he has deciphered the secret of the stone jar, so what? Does he have any evidence? Who can prove that I am the demon Ghast? Don't forget, I am currently the President of the United States. To accuse a President, you must provide irrefutable evidence."
"They need evidence. Where will they get it?"
🗒️NOTE:
Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/MistaQuartz
Explore up to 20 chapters in advance!