Rex was taken aback when he heard her words.
Previously, he had contemplated whether he should be distancing himself until the matter with the Executor reached its conclusion. Obviously, the silhouette of blood's suggestion tugged at him, compelling him to consider it seriously.
Maintaining his distance, especially given his low sanity stat is a matter of urgency right now.
But he was now put in a spot due to Evelyn's words.
Almost as if she was able to read his mind completely, she said the exact right words to him.
"I don't think that me staying here is safe for you and the others"
"Nevertheless, you're a part of this, a part of us. Also, it's not like we didn't stop you-"
"I was weakened, Evelyn. If not, this could end very badly"
Upon hearing this Evelyn was at a loss for words as she didn't expect that. She assumed that they managed to stop him fairly, but that seemed to be incorrect. In addition, if it's not for Rex retaining his consciousness and giving Flunra the Herald Mark, it might still end badly.
Sure enough, the gap between them was very wide.
However, Evelyn wasn't going to give up that easily, this is a part of Calidora's scheme.
"Don't forget that Adhara is not here, so it's difficult to suppress you. But with her and Flunra having the Herald Mark, it wouldn't end like this next time. It would be easier for us, there's no need for you to take extreme measures to distance yourself"
"I... I don't know about that, Evelyn"
Finding that Rex was still hesitant, fixed on distancing himself, Evelyn bit her lower lip.
It was perfect, Calidora's scheme is flawless.
"Rex, trust me! Just this once! I'll make sure that I stop you next time!"
Locking his eyes with Evelyn's, he saw a radiating fire of determination in her eyes. Even if he doesn't want to accept this, knowing that he might end up hurting her, it would've been a lie if he said that her expression is not convincing right now.
It also helps that she was relentless earlier, not giving up until the very end.
"Okay, let me think about it"
"Are you still going to the Dwarf Kingdom? Even with your condition?"
"Yes, the world doesn't stop when I'm resting. After I talked with the citizens, I would depart"
Upon hearing this Evelyn could only remain silent as she watched Rex walk away.
Rex heads over to the citizens who definitely heard the commotion and prepares something to assure them that it's nothing. Equipping the royal red cape once again, he sighed while his mind was weighed with multiple burdens.
'For fuck's sake, why did she suddenly get weakened now out of all times?'
Out of frustration, he cursed inside his head.
Subconsciously, Rex knows that he is a dangerous entity even to those close to him.
Due to that subconscious mind, he had always been precise in his actions, being meticulous. However, the timing of this particular incident became increasingly unsettling as he contemplated it further. It began with Evelyn's weakening, the sudden decline of his sanity stat, and the resurfacing memories of his deceased parents.
All these elements align in a disconcerting synchrony.
It almost seems like it was planned, the time is too neat and gradual to be a coincidence.
But he quickly shakes his head as that shouldn't be possible.
'No way, how can I, reminiscing about my parents be planned? I must be tired right now...'
'Also, I need to thank Calidora for saving me earlier'
On the other hand, Evelyn seems to be certain that it was planned.
Standing beside what seemed like a magnificent tavern, she was motionless as she arranged the thoughts inside her head, the information that she gained from this incident that surely directed her suspicion to Calidora.
Evelyn was shrouded in silence as she stood on her spot, eyes traced forward.
Her heart sped up as her mind was in chaos.
Realizing that this was the work of one woman who somehow managed to intervene in their relationships, her body trembled a bit as she was evidently worried, the root of this usurper's influence was deeper than she thought.
Akin to facing a master puppeteer, Evelyn feels like she is dancing in her palm.
Calidora is plucking the strings in the shadows, manipulating the way she and the others think and act. If she was left unchecked, without realizing it, they would be steered towards her ultimate goal.
Unconsciously, she clenched both of her fists in frustration.
But it was then her ears perked up before her expression turned sour almost instantly.
"Feeling a little stressed, Luna? Or should I now stick with only 'Evelyn' for you now...?"
A teasing voice creeps from the back.
Evelyn momentarily lifted her gaze, a wry chuckle escaping her lips before she pivoted. Leaning against the wall behind her was Calidora in the flesh, adorned with the most saccharine of smiles she could muster for her calculated conquest.
It was an extremely annoying and frustrating sight to behold after the incident.
"How are you here, Calidora?"
"Oh, this...? It's nothing but a blood illusion, one of the abilities of my eyes"
"Nevertheless, how are you here without him knowing?"
Calidora straightened her body before she approached steadily, her heels made a clanking noise against the ground with each step. "My curse with him bound us together. I have the upper hand against him in this curse. It allows me not to only stop him if I wanted to and mask my presence from him, but also other things such as feeling what he was feeling" Casting a sharp glance at Evelyn, the corner of her mouth then irked up into a smirk. "I'm more connected to him than you..."
Like a dagger, her words stabbed Evelyn's heart and her body began to tremble.
Obviously, Calidora managed to get on her nerves.
"So, the constant provocation to make me understand his fear, is this what it was for?"
"Wonderful! Now you're catching up, Evelyn. Yes, I took a gamble, and it paid off beautifully"
With a graceful flick of her flawless, ink-black hair, Calidora turned towards her with a mischievous smile on her face. It brought along a feeling of dread to Evelyn, and it was intensified by the foreboding air and the mystery of a question that loomed in her mind.
Just how many of the factors that caused this incident was she responsible for?
"It was thanks to your little stubborn incident that I managed to get inside his heart. It took a little bit of time and finesse, but I eventually did it. Maybe you are not aware since Rex probably also loves Adhara yet it didn't affect your powers. But if he ever feels anything to those outside of his pack members, this happened..."
Raising her hand, Caldiora showed the Luna energy that she managed to steal.
A sizzling purple hue that dances on her fingertips.
Evelyn's expression turned hideous when she saw this purple energy that hovered around her fingertips, it was supposed to be hers and hers alone. But through Caldiora's wicked wits, it manages to slip from her hands.
"Rex would feel this, but he has a strong mind. So I don't expect him to go berserk just yet"
Calidora waved her hand gently, dissipating her Luna energy.
Advancing with a couple of powerful strides, she positioned herself squarely before Evelyn. Her sadistic red eyes, adorned with swirling black patterns of the Eyes of Terror, bore into Evelyn's very soul, dismantling her defenses.
"But that's precisely why I provoked you in finding out his fear..."
Listening to this unsettling confession, Evelyn felt goosebumps traveling her entire body.
"Since his parents just died, what could be more perfect than using them to send him into rage...? I don't know how to trigger those memories inside of Rex, but I don't have to, because you or Adhara would be the one to do it for me!"
Rumble!
It was akin to a lightning strike hitting her mind when she heard this.
Evelyn had already suspected that she was manipulated by Calidora to some extent, but the depth of Caldiora's influence was shocking, she was manipulated this deeply. Her thoughts raced in realization, 'She forced me to unearth Rex's new fear that was caused by his parent's death, anticipating that I would treat him better. And subconsciously, I played the role of his mother, all to trigger his memories...?'
'M- My god... she's insane!' She screamed inside her head.
Absolutely everything that had transpired in this incident was orchestrated by Calidora.
Even Rex himself thought that this was a coincidence.
However, this was not a coincidence, the very basis of this incident was all done by her.
Knowing that Rex is comatose earlier, it's the perfect time to execute her plan.
Obviously, Calidora was well aware that this could potentially backfire on her, considering that the memories Evelyn had unearthed within Rex might serve to stabilize his psyche, pushing the possibility of him going berserk further out of reach.
But that was a risk that she was willing to take.
If this plan failed to make Rex go rampage beside those dear to him, she could try again.
No matter what happened, the mere fact that she had entered Rex's heart marked a significant step for her, and her success was basically imminent. Calidora is prepared to persevere through countless attempts if necessary, but it seems there is no need.
The plan worked phenomenally, and it was smooth to the very end.
Calidora withdrew with a triumphant grin, her hand waving gracefully as her form began to liquefy into a crimson stream of blood. "Hold on tightly, Evelyn," she taunted. "If you persist in being careless and puerile, he might just slip through your fingers. Don't make it too easy for me, will you...?"
Upon her disappearance, Evelyn gazed down in utter disbelief.
"Damn it..." She cursed, finding this situation surreal. "She wasn't aiming to kill us..."
Knowing full well about Calidora's intense desire to be with Rex from the sight of her yearning for him that day during the massacre of the Delarosa Vampire Family, an extreme obsession that was aligned with her unhinged and sadistic nature, Evelyn thought that she was going to get rid of them by killing them.
However, it seems Calidora has learned her lesson and changed her way of approach.
Realizing that no matter if anyone tried the murderous approach, Rex would always come out on top, she decided to take the softer approach. Killing those close to him, Evelyn, Adhara, and Gistella could be done in more than the direct approach.
'Killing' them through manipulation of emotions is also an option for her.
It was not clear that this was the best approach, and Calidora was also unstoppable in this.
'Just how did she know about the recent death of Rex's parents...?'
Clenching both of her fists, she realized Calidora's method. 'Naela, she approached Naela...'
Having a snake inside the castle is definitely a bad thing to do.
Unconsciously, Evelyn shed a few tears for a brief moment before she quickly wiped them away. Her eyes turn resolute once again, this is not the end, she could still do something to prevent Calidora from getting what she wants.
'Right... I still have the help of Gistella and Adhara. No matter what, Calidora won't win'
~
Meanwhile, in another place miles away from Dargena City.
"Lady Adhara?"
"A- Ah... Yes? Did you call me?"
"Yes, I've been calling you for a couple of times. Is there something wrong?
"Nothing... Nothing is wrong"
Sitting inside a humble parlor inside the territory of the Dwarven Kingdom, Adhara was dazed for a moment when she sensed that Rex had gone out of control, the burning sensation in her chest clearly indicated that.
It would be a lie if she was not worried, and she even almost went back to check.
However, she stopped when she sensed that the battle was over, and Rex had calmed down immensely. It didn't take that long, and she wondered about the reason behind this, but she couldn't go back now.
On top of that, Rex would also come here, so she could ask him then.
No matter the situation, it's very unlikely that Rex would abandon coming here himself.
"I just got a report from the Elves"
"Elves...?"
"Yes, we found them. Just like what Lord Rex expected, they were not that far away"
"Rastrikan Demons..."
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