Chapter 913 Nicest of the Bunch
Edward puts on an ironic smile, her sharp words are akin to a sharp knife.
It was quite obvious that the others would've hated him similar to Rex right now for deciding to stay behind, however, Gistella is the nicest of the bunch, and he didn't anticipate her to react this strongly towards him.
But then again, this wasn't entirely out of expectations.
Disregarding the cruel truth that came from her mouth, he remained silent and leaned back.
A friend who turned to betray is oftentimes more hated than even the most fearsome enemies. It was a saying that is depicted clearly through Gistella. Her eyes were sharp and intense, and she hadn't broken eye contact with Edward throughout the entire minute.
If eyes could kill, then Edward would've died multiple times already.
Waving his hand nonchalantly, he leaned forward in interest. "What games are you playing here, Gistella...?" He asked, squinting his eyes. "No matter how much I ponder about your whole situation, it's rather odd. Coming here willingly bears risks that outweigh the benefits greatly, and I don't see you as a reckless person. So, what is the real reason you are here?"
"Even if I'm here for a spectacular scheme, which I don't, I won't tell you" Gistella replied.
Upon hearing this, a smile appeared on his face.
"The Executor might regard others as nothing, but I don't. I grasped several cues to suspect you already" He replied, smiling knowingly. But then, he pointed around the room with an overbearing look, "As you can see earlier, I am number two around here. If you are truthful, I could definitely help you"
Gistella smiled slyly in response, showing that she was not tempted at all.
"Stop bothering me, Edward. I'm here and only here for the death of Calidora" She replied.
Contemplating for a moment, Edward summoned enigmatic black flames that developed in his right hand. Gradually, a purple hue ascended from his arm and merged with the black flames, intensifying their radiance and power.
Looking back at Gistella, he then offered, "How about I'll be the one to kill Calidora for you?"
"I'd rather trust the Executor or even die than ask you for help. Also, no matter what you ask of me, I won't answer you simply because I don't have anything to hide. Additionally..." Gistella added, standing convincingly on her stand. "I'm sorry to say this to you, but killing Calidora is not something you could do"
Deciding to not push any further, Edward pulled back and stood up.
Moving rather slowly, seemingly having something in his mind, Edward eventually glanced at Gistella before he asked with a whispering tone, "The word you said earlier, Traitor... Is it true that Rex thought that of me too?"
Not expecting such a question, Gistella was caught off guard.
But she quickly snapped out of her trance, nodding her head, "Of course. You are a Traitor"
Gistella find it baffling that he would still need to ask that.
Just the form he was taking, corrupted by the Executor's power is already enough of an answer. If Edward found it hard to know the answer, then he would only need to look in the mirror to be certain of what a Traitor he is.
Upon hearing this, Edward's expression darkened.
He kept to himself for half a minute, almost as if the answer came as a shock to him.
"Is that so? Hmm... I guess I was wrong to expect you to know" Edward uttered softly, almost inaudible to the ears. Taking a deep breath, he puts the chair back to where it was, intending to leave the room.
Seeing this, Gistella smirked at him mockingly as he gained nothing from this meeting.
'What was he thinking? Surely he wasn't expecting me to confess anything'
However, as she thought of that, Edward who was already turned around abruptly stopped in his tracks. It was then he raised his chin slightly and turned back over with a meaningful gaze before he approached Gistella with wide steps.
In response, Gistella frowns in worry, "What are you doing? Don't come close to me!"
Not answering the question thrown at him, Edward only etched a mischievous grin on his face. His hand burns again with the black flames, emanating a chilly heat. Reaching before Gistella, he stretched his blazing hand.
Edward grabbed her on the wrist and intensified his flame to a higher degree.
"Mmmphfh!" Gistella bit down her lips in pain.
Her arm was infiltrated with a contrasting pain from the black flames, a cold yet burning pain.
'Just as expected, she won't tell me anything. But I could still use this to make sure of my assumptions. If I'm correct, there should be a reaction of some sort' Edward pondered, his eyes seemed to see this through to the end.
Despite Gistella's wails of pain, unable to retaliate, he kept on going.
It was a painful sight.
As this hazardous, torturing process continued, Edward felt a cold wind hit his body.
Something odd happened a heartbeat later.
A peculiar look was etched on his face, he was forced to pull back his hand and take several steps back as different sensations overwhelmed his senses in an instant. It feels like motion sickness that rendered his senses incomprehensible.
'What's wrong with me? Is this the reaction?' Edward pondered, shaking his head.
On top of the weird, dizzying sensation inside his head, his vision was also impaired. Edward could see blurry doubles of all things inside his vision, and no matter what he did, his vision wouldn't go back to normal.
Deg...
Deg...
Deg...
Gazing down to his black armored body, he found that it was wobbling.
Provided by the corruption of the Executor, he became a vessel and gained this black armor-like skin that is said to be sentient and give him an extreme boost of power. But the very same black armor is right now, trembling.
Similar to a droplet that falls to a surface, a small wobbling depression was created.
Upon realizing this, Edward grasped his chest.
It was instantly evident that his heartbeat was gradually becoming faster, and additionally, he also found it increasingly harder to breathe. Almost as if there was a person choking him right now to the point of gasping, leading to asphyxiation.
"EDWARD!!"
A haunting light voice entered his ears, unclear if it was real or only in his imagination.
Regardless if the voice was real or not, its impact was undeniable.
Edward experienced a chilling sensation that rippled through his entire body, caused by this voice calling out his name from afar. He lifted his gaze once more to observe Gistella and noticed the presence of an ethereal aura behind her.
Something sinister, a silhouette of blackness that seemed to glare at him.
Despite his situation, Edward couldn't hide his light smile, 'Seems like my guess is correct...'
While Edward was taking his time to recover from the reaction that struck him, and Gistella rubbing her burned wrist, glaring at the Traitor hastily, the door into the room suddenly burst open as a figure stumbled inside.
Gistella was surprised as she was pondering about Edward's intention deeply.
Looking at the figure that stumbled inside, she widened her eyes when she realized that it was King John. One glance is all it takes to tell that he is not fine, the pale complexion and blood drenching his shirt and vest indicate that vividly.
It was clear that he was extremely wounded.
Edward was late to realize it thanks to his motion sickness, but he eventually glanced back.
Only then that he see King John leaning on the door weakly.
Compared to Gistella who was shocked upon seeing King John's condition, Edward doesn't seem to be that much surprised. He was looking at this situation with an indifferent gaze, "What are you doing here, King John? Be grateful for your condition, it means you are still useful to the Executor"
Raising his gaze weakly, King John's eyes widened, not expecting Edward to be here.
"C- Can you let it slide this once?" He pleaded.
Upon hearing this, Edward squinted his eyes sharply. He glanced back over to Gistella with a meaningful look before he walked away, "Just the one time, I still don't trust Gistella yet. So If I were you, I would refrain from being too close to her" he stopped beside King John before leaving the room.
As soon as he left, King John quickly stumbled toward Gistella with immense difficulty.
Falling to his knees, he then looked at Gistella with begging eyes.
"It hurts... I can't take it anymore, it hurts..."
Gistella quickly caught King John's body and was about to fall to the ground, she then helped him lie down on her lap. It was then that she saw tears drizzling down King John's eyes which was shocking to see.
"It... hurts..."
Realizing what he wanted, Gistella nodded and smiled tenderly.
Gracefully, she activates her suppressed energy and dances her fingers above King John's face, drizzling specks of energy dust to his face, "I understand, I'll help you ease the pain. Go to sleep, you'll wake up when it's over..."
Just before the door closes, Edward takes one last look inside.
He saw King John being consoled by Gistella, and this somewhat made him feel bitter.
~
Meanwhile, back to the Dwarven Army.
Harnessing the scare tactic against the Rastrikan Demons has proved to be effective.
With the combination of the element of surprise and scare tactic, Rex and the Dwarven Army have been on a rampage streak, taking out the divided Rastrikan Demons legions that were spread out and unaware of their incoming attacks.
In addition to this, the Dwarven Army's morale is at an all-time high.
Knowing the horror their ancestors suffered from the Rastrikan Demons, the fear of these creatures from the blackness is ingrained deep within them. However, that natural fear has started to gradually lessen as the battle continues.
Now, none of them were fearful of the Rastrikan Demons thanks to Rex's onslaught.
Currently, they were in another fight.
Since now they were fighting another Demon Lord, the same tactic as before was assumed.
Elves surrounded the area and created the formation barrier once again, blocking the rampaging energies from the fight. On the other hand, the Dwarven Army confronted the legion while Rex fought against the Demon Lord, leading this legion.
Due to their collective efforts, the battle is nearing its end.
Huvuki was standing amidst carcasses of Rastrikan Demons with two other captains.
At the far distance was the vicious battle between Rex and Demon Lord Olgaroz, smaller than Demon Lord Ranath but have four wings, allowing him to fly with incredible speed while sending barrages of hellfire towards Rex.
Boom!
Crash!
Kaboom!
"My King..." A Dwarf Captain approached and stood beside Huvuki.
While still keeping their eyes glued on the fight between Rex and Demon Lord Olgaroz, the Dwarf Captain then continues, "I know that this is a bit late to say this, but shouldn't we pause the attack and continue tomorrow night? We could take two more tomorrow and Demon Lord Kirgil the day after tomorrow"
"Hmm...? Is the army tired already? We didn't even do much" Huvuki asked back.
But the Dwarf Captain shakes his head, that is not why he asked this. Glancing over to Adhara to make sure that she was far away enough and was not listening, he then continues, "Even though Lord Rex is very strong, I don't think he would be able to sweep the entire Rastrikan Demons. The First Breath will take a toll on him. Also, the other captains fear that something might go wrong if he keeps going. If he got defeated, then we'll be in trouble"
"I agree, the Demon Lords should not be underestimated" another Dwarf Captain chimed.
Upon hearing this, Huvuki sighed.
Since his captains already voiced their opinions, he would need to bring it up to Rex.
Just as their discussion ends, a voice creeps from the back.
"What are the three of you talking about...?"
Huvuki and the other Dwarf Captains had their bodies stiffened when they heard this dulcet voice that could only belong to one person. Looking over their shoulders, the three saw a woman standing not far from them.
It was Adhara, and she had her eyes on them. "Do the three of you have something to say?"
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