[Oliver’s POV.]
’Man, this place sucks.’
With a glass of wine in his hand, Oliver grumpily thought as he looked around.
The place was already brimming with people who were talking about what just happened.
’Is he really that stupid?’
Oliver thought, taking a sip of his wine.
’Why reveal that to everyone.’
Even though he wasn’t that knowledgeable about what those energies were, he could tell they were far more important for the elves.
Yet... he still told everyone about it.
[«He might have sothing in his mind.»]
Lilith’s voice echoed in his mind as he stopped.
[«Or maybe he is confident enough to bear the consequences.»]
Oliver smiled slowly as he closed his eyes.
’Are you saying that he can stand his ground against an entire race?’
[«Perhaps.»]
’...That’s ridiculous.’
He clicked his tongue as annoyance kept on building within him.
Oliver still rembers the weak little boy who looked like a twig.
The one who used to bully others with the Aljanah na.
Even though it’s been so long, he still rembers that asshole of a friend.
’It’s not even been three years and he feels so far away.’
Even though Oliver was a year older than him...
’I am still far behind him.’
His hand subconsciously tightened around the glass as he opened his eyes.
Despite how he shows, he doesn’t like being so weak.
Ti and ti again, his weakness has made him lose all those close to him.
[«You are still better than millions, don’t undermine yourself.»]
’...Yeah.’
Simultaneously, a solitude ford beside him.
The figure of real Aimar appeared, whom only Oliver could see.
"The fuck is happening now?" he asked, eating a pack of chips. "Are you at a party?"
"Yeah, Azariah got engaged." Oliver replied, smiling. "With Siersha."
"I knew sothing was going on between them." Aimar said, grumpy. "Fucking manwhore."
Oliver chuckled as he glanced at him. "How is your training going?"
"It’s good," he replied. "I just feel bored here all alone."
"That’s good, don’t let others distract you." Oliver replied, slumpily. "Be the strongest—."
"Fuck you." Aimar threw a handful of chips at him. "Fucking dead ass bitch."
Oliver flipped his finger, only to stop awkwardly when an elf glared at him from behind Aimar.
He let out a sigh as he looked forward, finding a group walking towards him.
"What should we do?" Elijah said, walking closer. "The elves are super pissed right now."
"The vampires are no different." Elise replied, standing beside him. "They are questioning the engagent’s real purpose."
Aimar glared at Oliver when Elise grabbed his arm.
"You guys don’t have to worry about that," Oliver said, awkwardly removing her hand. "I think Az—Himl knows what he is doing."
Elijah gave him a look but didn’t say anything to him.
Heather, who was standing on his side, whispered. "Don’t you guys think, they are giving us pretty bad looks?"
’Hmm?’
Oliver glanced around the place, finally noticing their eyes.
’Ahh, no way.’
Oliver recognized the look on their faces...
"Are they thinking of using us as bait?" Elijah said, his voice guarded. "To use us against him?"
Oliver smiled softly, trying to get away from Elise, who was glaring at him.
"They won’t do anything," Oliver replied. "Even if they want, they can try."
"Is Pasithea not going to co?" Elise asked, trying to change the subject.
"I tried talking with her," Elijah replied, scratching his cheek. "She seems busy with her work."
"It’s good that she didn’t," Oliver mumbled. "Otherwise, things wouldn’t have been good if she t the Demiurge King."
"...Yeah." Elise replied, nodding her head. "The elves’ condition isn’t good."
Just when Oliver was about to reply,
He stopped in his tracks.
A man now stood in front of him, looking down at him.
"Aimar," Edel said, his voice cold and distant. "We need to talk."
---
I rubbed the back of my neck as I walked down the empty hallway.
The words that Esray said kept on echoing in my mind.
’I just hope things go well without any problem.’
I can’t afford for things to go on like this.
If the elves fall now, the consequences would be bad.
’In the ga, the elves were supposed to win the war without any problem.’
But now, things have co down to a point where they can lose everything.
’If the elves fall now, then so will fall the world tree.’
If the world tree falls, then the gate of hell that’s present inside will also open.
That way, I would have another headache to worry about.
But...
My main problem is my mother.
If the elves fall now, then things will go as Esray wants it to be.
With the fall of elves, the Aljanah will fall just after it.
And when Aljanah falls, then the next house of Akasha will fall after it.
’This all will start with the massacre of the Gerald Family.’
It all starts with Nerissa losing herself and killing her entire family.
Even though this was supposed to happen later on, but maybe....
’The Core One of the ga will end faster than it did in the ga.’
And right now, we are heading to a bad ending.
[]
’...’
I let out a sigh as I rubbed my temples, a bitter feeling crawling under my skin.
’I am such a hypocritical person, aren’t I?’
I still don’t understand why my entire goal revolves around stopping Esray.
My work and life isn’t always about stopping her....
’I still don’t know who I am, huh?’
I exhaled a breath as I stood outside of a hall room.
Strengthening my back, I walked inside and was imdiately greeted by malice.
The demigod of the House Atretic and their Princess sat on one side of the sofa.
Mariam stood close to the window, her cold golden eyes on them.
But....
My gaze remained fixed on an unwanted guest.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, looking at the blue-skinned creature. "Kryllios."
The King of Demiurges smiled softly. "The deal concerns the future of my race," he said. "Of course, I would be here."
"We allowed him here," the demigod said. "He won’t do anything here."
I coldly stared at him before my gaze landed on the boy standing by his side.
"Oh, this is my youngest son," he replied, patting the child’s back. "Say hi to uncle, Axl."
The child waved at , his eyes filled with raw fear.
I kept on staring at him without any words.
There was no doubt about it, he is Kryllios’ son.
I have done my research on him and I know full well about Axl.
’He is the youngest son of Kryllios’ main wife,’ I thought, staring at him. ’Kryllios loves him more than his other children.’
But still....
...Sothing just feels wrong about him.
’His mana is uncannyingly unstable.’
"Are you going to keep on standing there?" Nariya, the princess, barked. "We don’t have all day."
I shifted my focus away as I moved and sat down opposite to them.
"I never got your na," I said, looking at the demigod.
"Renwick."
I nodded as I felt Mariam quietly walking and standing behind .
The Princess looked agitated as she glared at . "Where is my brother?"
I rested my arm on the edge of the seat, not breaking eye contact with Nariya.
With a wave of my hand, branches of trees appeared behind .
Along with it was the youngest son of House Atretic, Vadanis.
Nariya’s eyes softened as she looked at her brother before they turned hateful.
Perhaps she noticed his missing finger?
Not that it matters.
"What do you want?" Renwick said, folding his arms. "And you are brave enough to take him out."
"You can try snatching him," I replied, wrapping a branch around his neck. "Let’s see whose reaction is faster."
Renwick’s eyes turned cold as he glared at . "What. Do. You. Want?"
I looked at Renwick without flinching.
"I won’t be asking anything out of your reach," I replied, as I raised my hand. "I only want two things."
Renwick gestured for to speak.
"First," I replied, folding one of my fingers. "Give back the mark you placed on Zenith’s soul."
Renwick’s eyebrow twitched, but it seems like he was expecting it.
On the other hand, Nariya frowned. "Who is Zenith?"
I looked at her in surprise.
’Oh, yeah.’
As far as I rember, she isn’t that much involved in the works of her family.
’...That’s why she later betrays them for Arthur.’
What a nasty bitch.
"Granted," Renwick said, nodding his head. "It will be returned to Yennefer."
I nodded as I folded my other finger.
"Next, I want you to stop supporting Demiurges," I said firmly. "Do not let them continue the war."
There was a pause as Renwick leaned back slightly, eyes narrowing.
"You’re asking for too much."
"No," I said calmly, "I’m asking for what’s necessary."
Kryllios let out a soft laugh, tapping his fingers together. "You act as if you’re the one in control."
"I wouldn’t say that," I replied, giving him a cold smile. "But you wouldn’t be sitting here with a fake smile if you weren’t worried."
"Why do you care so much?" Nariya snapped. "What do you even gain from protecting the elves?"
I didn’t answer right away.
Because the truth was... I didn’t know anymore.
Maybe it started as guilt, or responsibility.
Maybe it was just the fear of what my mother would do if no one stopped her.
Or maybe...
"I don’t need a reason," I said at last. "I just know what’s right."
Renwick exhaled through his nose, his expression unreadable.
He finally said, "Granted."
I let myself smile a little as I leaned back. "Alright then, all we need now is a proper—"
My words halted abruptly as Axl ran towards .
Tears trickled down his eyes as he hugged my leg.
"...Axl?" I asked, unsure if I should touch him or not.
He looked up at .
Then...
It happened in a split second but... I saw it all.
His body inflated like a balloon, reddish mana burst out from his eyes and mouth.
Then—
BOOM!!!
The explosion ripped through the room.... Enough to kill an Eternal.
User Comments
0 comments from readers