The Rich Cultivator
Chapter 184 - 183. Lutz’s Resolve

Chapter 184: 183. Lutz’s Resolve

Lutz stood near the altar, his heart pounding as he took in the sight of the chamber. Every vine, every flicker of light seemed to mock his hesitation, daring him to take the plunge. Astrid’s life depended on him. Her golden hair gleamed even in the dim light, splayed out on the bed as though she’d been placed there by some cruel god. Her face, normally so calm, now twitched in pain, likely a reflection of the battle raging within her.

Lutz swallowed hard. "Astrid... I’m sorry." He wasn’t sure if the words were for her or for himself. A pit of guilt had opened inside him, widening with every step that led him toward his decision. His mother, Evergreen, had caused so much suffering, not just to Astrid but to so many others. And now, this was the only way he could atone.

"You can do this... We are all counting on you..." Lutz heard a faint voice.

"Are you guys watching?" Lutz muttered under his breath, slightly annoyed.

"Huh? No... No!" Little Mathilda’s voice stammered in a panic, like a child caught with her hand in the cookie jar.

*Smack*

"Ouch!" Mathilda yelped as Tyler’s voice chimed in, stern and chastising. "I told you, no peeking."

Lutz let out a breath of relief, but his hands were trembling. He wasn’t going to touch Astrid, not like they’d all assumed. Instead, his eyes turned toward the second altar, one that had been dormant since they entered.

With deliberate movements, he began to remove his dress, piece by piece.

---

Meanwhile, Mathilda rubbed the back of her head where Tyler had smacked her. Grumbling, she reactivated the observation array. She and Tyler both watched in fascination as a small cylindrical device, dark and glass-like, emerged from the floor near Astrid’s bed.

"We need to insert the life orb into this," Mathilda explained, her voice tinged with excitement. "It will concentrate the energy and activate the array. The energy will be directed at Astrid, strengthening her lifespan and soul. Lutz just needs to focus on Evergreen’s soul."

But something was wrong. As the mechanism became fully visible, Mathilda’s face paled. "Wait... there are three slots?"

Tyler frowned. "So we need three life orbs? You’ve already used one, and Lily only has one left."

Mathilda bit her lip. "It looks like this array needs even more life energy to work properly. Without three orbs, we won’t be able to give Astrid’s body the energy she needs."

Tyler didn’t hesitate. He pulled out a life orb and inserted it into one of the slots.

"That’s not enough—" Mathilda started to say, but her words trailed off as Tyler produced a second orb and placed it in the second slot.

Mathilda’s eyes widened in disbelief as he revealed a third orb and pushed it into the final slot. She stared at Tyler, her mouth slightly agape. Tyler made a huss gesture with teasing smile.

"Looks like you’re finally starting to trust us," Lily teased, grinning at Tyler. Mathilda turned away, but a small smile tugged at her lips as well.

It means Tyler is ready to reveal his secret to them. Tyler’s actions were a clear sign that he was putting his faith in them. It was a moment of silent acknowledgment that their bond had grown stronger.

The cylindrical tube began to hum as concentrated energy surged through the room. Light streamed into the chamber, filling the air with radiant, almost ethereal power. The energy entered Astrid’s body through her eyebrows, and her life span immediately began to grow. Inside her, the two battling souls also started to gain strength. Both Evergreen and Astrid’s soul began to strengthen.

---

In the tranquil village where Astrid’s consciousness resided, she stood calmly, plucking fruits from the trees. Behind her, her pure white wings fluttered slightly in the warm breeze. She smiled, feeling a sense of peace. But that peace was short-lived as she heard a familiar voice behind her.

Opposite her, a woman stood, tall and proud with an air of authority. It was Evergreen, her expression one of disdain. "A princess of a kingdom, and this is your mental world? How... quaint," she sneered.

Astrid smiled, undeterred. "I don’t care about kingdoms or castles. These things give me peace."

Evergreen’s lips curled into a snarl. "That’s why I hate you. People like you. The ones who say that wealth doesn’t matter—rich people. The ones who claim beauty doesn’t matter—those who are born beautiful. And you, claiming status is meaningless. It’s revolting."

Astrid shook her head, unphased by Evergreen’s outburst. "I never did anything to harm you. You’re just... jealous."

Evergreen’s eyes flashed with anger. "The timid girl speaks up, finally." With a swift motion, she grabbed Astrid by the throat, lifting her effortlessly into the air. The wings on Evergreen’s back flared out, majestic and terrifying. They flew toward a looming, illusory castle that hung in the sky. Astrid struggled in her grip, trying to break free.

"This is my mental realm," Evergreen hissed, her voice dripping with malice. "All I ever wanted was wealth, power, and glory. And you... you’re in my way."

Astrid gasped for air, even though she is soul, everything felt real. Her vision blurred as Evergreen’s grip tightened. But in the physical realm, light continued to pour into Astrid, strengthening her soul. Even as her consciousness struggled in Evergreen’s grasp, a warmth was building inside her.

---

Outside the room, Mathilda’s face turned. "Oh no..." she whispered, her Little hands moved as she reactivated the array.

"Hey I said ’no peeking’." Tyler said. But he stopped his joking tone when he saw her serious expression.

"What’s happening?" Tyler asked, alarmed.

"It’s bad. Look." Mathilda pointed to the screen. Astrid’s body twitched violently on the bed, her face contorted as if caught in a terrible nightmare.

The altar in the room had activated, sending out an ominous red glow. Lutz stood in the center, fully exposed, as his life force was being siphoned into the array. His body had already begun to show signs of aging, his once-youthful features now lined and haggard.

"What the hell is he doing?" Tyler asked, panicking.

Lutz’s voice echoed faintly through the array, calm but resolute. "Don’t worry about me. I’ve thought this through."

Even inside her mental world, Astrid heard his voice. Her eyes widened in horror. "Lutz... What are you doing?"

Evergreen’s brow furrowed. "That voice... My idiot son. What is he up to?"

In the physical world, Lutz continued speaking, his voice growing weaker as the array drained his energy. "Astrid probably hates me by now. Because of my mother’s selfishness, and my foolishness, she lost everything. I don’t want to add to her pain."

"No... Lutz, that’s not true..." Astrid’s voice cracked, tears forming in her eyes. Even as she struggled against Evergreen, she couldn’t help the ache in her heart for him.

Tyler slammed his fists against the door, trying to force it open. "We need to stop him!"

Mathilda shook her head, despair in her eyes. "We can’t. If we interfere with the array now, it could harm Astrid."

Lutz’s voice grew softer, almost a whisper. "I’ve made my choice. If this works, I’ll be reborn as Astrid’s child someday. I hope... she won’t hate her own child. Knowing her, she’ll be a better mother than mine ever was."

Evergreen’s expression darkened. "You idiot..." she muttered.

"No, Lutz..." Astrid sobbed. Inside her mental world, her strength surged, her soul growing brighter and brighter. Her wings flared out with newfound power, and suddenly, she broke free from Evergreen’s grasp. The oppressive castle faded, replaced by the tranquil village once more.

Astrid turned to face Evergreen, her voice steady and filled with resolve. "Goodbye, Aunt Evergreen."

Evergreen’s eyes widened, her confident facade crumbling. "No... Astrid, wait—"

But it was too late. With a simple motion, Astrid waved her hand, and Evergreen’s soul shattered into countless pieces, dissolving into nothingness.

---

The light in the room dimmed, leaving only silence. The door to the chamber creaked open, allowing Tyler and the others to rush inside.

Tyler’s gaze fell on the altar, now cold and dark. Where Lutz had once stood, there was only a pile of ashes. His heart sank as he turned to the bed.

There, lying peacefully, was a small girl, no more than twelve years old. Her face was calm, her breathing steady. She looked like she was merely sleeping.

"Did it... work?" Tyler asked, his voice hoarse.

Mathilda hesitated, then nodded slowly. "I think so."

Tyler said softly, " Let’s take her back."

Lily stepped forward, gently lifting the small girl into her arms. "She’s safe now."

And they all left the chamber in silence.

---

(Probably in future)

Years later, high above the clouds, A mature-looking Astrid flew through the clouds, her face serene. She placed a hand on her swollen belly, a soft smile spreading across her lips.

"Lutz W**** " she whispered, feeling an unexplainable warmth fill her heart, her voice carried away by the wind.