Chapter 929 Pressured For a Chance
Swoosh...
A subtle wind swept the entire place, an obvious backdrop of the fierce exchange.
Silence encompassed the entire place at the sound of Ryze's shocking ultimatum which crackled the battlefield with an electric tension, intensifying the onlookers' heartbeats in an echoing war drum that stiffened their bodies.
Instinctively, all of them know that this could end very badly.
Between two monsters that could even shake the entire world and reign down catastrophe beyond imagining, the onlookers were nothing but a particle of dust that could be blown and erased from existence in a snap of their might.
Had Rex and Elder Rancaladra fought, they would have been the ones suffering the most.
Due to that, it's natural for them to feel cold feet.
Adhara who was watching this in silence quickly signals to Huvuki with her hands.
Nodding his head at the sight of this signal, he quickly commanded the Dwarven Army with hand gestures to slowly back away as the situation might escalate, because if it did, then they wouldn't want to be anywhere near here.
One more Rastrikan Demon legion is left to defeat.
Being caught in the blazing flames of the fight between two monsters would be very bad.
Losing more would be detrimental, especially since the next legion is the strongest.
Even now, the Dwarven Army has lost many already.
Rex was the one who mostly killed the most Rastrikan Demons as he was mainly the one to clean up the entire legion to let out some steam, but that doesn't mean the Dwarven Army has been doing nothing along the way.
Out of their original robust numbers, they have now been reduced to almost half.
Due to that, they would need to avoid loss as much as possible.
Like a thunderous boom, Ryze's words shake Elder Rancaladra's ears in a raging storm.
"W- What did you say...?" He asked, his voice trembling.
Not even showing any sign of wavering despite the obvious signs of Elder Rancaladra, furious at his declaration, Ryze continued, "Didn't you hear? Okay, then, let me recite it again to make it clearer. Rex can turn anyone into a Werewolf, and if you force me, then I'd rather be turned into a Werewolf than come with you"
Shatter!
A sudden lightning strike reformed in Elder Rancaladra's mind when he heard this again.
He then turned to look at Rex who was still with his indifference.
It was clear from Rex's reaction that what Ryze was saying was not a lie, and this brought a sense of doubt inside of him. "No, you wouldn't do that, it's not possible. The Lord of Red is the most prideful even amongst the heavenly dragons, even though you own his power, the power itself wouldn't let you do something that atrocious!"
"Do you want to give that a try?" Ryze said, his eyes were burning with the same flames.
Upon seeing this, Elder Rancaladra's words got stuck in his mouth.
Elder Rancaladra grimaced in return, lowering his gaze down to the obsolete ground.
A tinge of hesitation and unwillingness could be seen decorating his face, there was absolutely no way he would take Ryze on and risk actually losing the power. Eventually, he breathed a sigh as his body returned to his normal humanoid form.
It was futile to be forceful about this.
Rex also lowered his energy when he saw Elder Rancaladra returning to normal.
"Okay, I'll respect your decision" Elder Rancaladra mused, raising his gaze back at Ryze once again. "However, you can't run away from your fate and lineage, and I hope you will adhere to that when the time comes"
Seeing that the tension had de-escalated, the onlookers breathed in relief.
No fight would occur, thankfully.
On the other hand, Rex shifted his gaze towards Elder Rancaladra and spoke, "My objection is solely to your force in this matter, I hope you understand that. Also, this doesn't mean you wouldn't be able to see him forever"
gaze.
It lasted for a fleeting moment, yet Rex couldn't ignore the eerie "Hmph! You better allow me to meet him" Elder Rancaladra said frostily and walked away.
As Rex's eyes traced Elder Rancaladra, he met with Elder Tilrith's gaze.
It lasted for a fleeting moment, yet Rex couldn't ignore the eerie coldness emanating from her gaze. But this didn't seem to be killing intent. If it did, the System would've picked it up and issued a killing intent quest but it didn't.
Rex becomes even more confused, the meaning behind her look remains a hollow mystery.
"Well, we'll leave you for your hunt then" Elder Tilrith said and turned around.
Just as her body was slowly devoured by her own demonic energy, intending to leave alongside Elder Rancaladra who was also already preparing to leave, "Wait!" Rex stopped her, halting her steps. "Elder Rancaladra's reason for coming here is clear. But you, are you here only to see what I'm doing?"
Now that Elder Rancaladra's matter was finished, his mind traced back to Elder Tilrith.
Aside from her banter, she didn't really have anything of importance.
Coming only to visit is not the relationship between Rex and Elder Tilrith had, neither of them was close enough to do that, and thus there must be something of importance that made her come here herself.
Upon hearing this, Elder Tilrith raised her head skyward and smiled.
"I've come here to inform you that I already did my part, that's all" She glanced over her shoulder and replied, the sweet smile on her face made it hard for Rex to believe the words that came out of her mouth.
Obviously, her answer is nothing but a lie.
Informing him about the deal between them could be done through other means.
Coming here personally when he was taking care of the Rastrikan Demons is not necessary, and thus, he suspected that Elder Tilrith lied to him, "I see, then I'll try and finish my part of the deal quickly too..." Rex eventually said.
Elder Tilrith then pivoted her body around, "We'll be taking our leave"
"I'll wait for the great news of the Rastrikan Demons completely eradicated, Royal Black Prince" She continued as her body dissipated. But then, her gaze weirdly shifted to Adhara with a crooked smile, "Be careful..."
Swish...
Just like that, Elder Tilrith vanished from her spot.
Following that, Elder Rancaladra cast one last look at Ryze before he flapped his wings powerfully, cracking the ground beneath and as he zoomed into the sky, also disappearing in an instant on the horizon of the bleak sky.
Compared to Rex who was looking at the horizon, Adhara's eyes fixed on an empty spot.
It was the spot where Elder Tilrith stood earlier.
'Be careful...'
Adhara frowned in contemplation, her intuition telling her that Elder Tilrith's final words weren't meant as a warning for Rex against Demon Lord Kirgil, but rather, they were directed solely at her for some unknown reason.
Seeing his feat against the other legions, she wouldn't be too worried about Rex.
It was more believable because of that.
'But what could made her say that to me? Is there someone out there that wanted to get to me in order to get to Rex? Who? I couldn't think of anyone aside from the Executor' Adhara pondered, he couldn't find the answer regarding this.
She was so engrossed that she failed to realize that Rex was talking to her.
"Well, it surprisingly ended in a peaceful way" Rex muttered, still keeping his gaze on the horizon. He has a lot on his mind right now, "I thought Ryze would for sure accept and go with Elder Rancaladra, did you say something to him, Adhara?"
Even after a moment, Adhara didn't reply, and this forced Rex to glance at her.
It was then Rex found that she was looking to the void, spacing out, engrossed inside her mind while biting her nail. He then reached for her shoulder and pulled her attention to him, "Are you okay, Adhara? What's wrong?"
Rex was worried that Adhara might've sustained injuries from the fight earlier.
But in an instant, she snapped out of her daze and realized this almost instantly, "Oh, it's nothing. I was only thinking. I'm not hurt or anything like that" She smiled assuringly, trying to convince him that she was fine.
Shifting her gaze back, she continued, "Anyway, shouldn't you talk with Ryze now?"
Upon hearing this, Rex nodded his head and approached Ryze.
Now that Elder Rancaladray has already gone, he already assumed a regular form, the blazing eyes as well as the thick armor-like scales that covered some parts of his body earlier have returned to normal.
It was then when he saw Rex was approaching that he returned to meek once more.
For some reason, he couldn't act anything but reverent in front of Rex.
Rex stood towering in front of him with a peculiar gaze, he didn't know what to say for a brief moment before he decided to be direct and upfront, "Why didn't you take his offer? If you did, you could become strong and free"
Even though it was a pleasant surprise, Ryze's decision that is, he still needs to be thorough.
Coming back from Ratmawati City, he is still a suspected spy.
"Y- Yes, you are right. But like I said earlier, I know you more than him" Ryze replied truthfully.
Pausing for a second, Ryze could still see Rex squinting his eyes, trying to see through his mind. It is obvious that Rex still doesn't trust him, "Back then I was scared. I was scared of you so much that I was late to make a decision. All of you already left, and Edward was all that was left beside me"
"Now I remember, it was you who helped me the most. So give me a chance to prove myself"
Upon saying that, his face threatens to break.
Seeing that a fierce heavenly Dragonman, on the verge of crying is quite a foreign sight.
Adhara who turned out to be eavesdropping from the back quickly heads over, she grabs Rex by the arms from the back and puts on a pleading look, encouraging him to pardon Ryze for once as he's not more than a kid.
It shouldn't be that surprising for him to be scared at that time.
Even adults would be terrified shitless if they saw Rex's savage rampage back then.
Pressured by her feminine charm of compassing, Rex could only massage his creased forehead as his decision wavered. I really shouldn't, but okay, I'll give him a chance. Not that I would trust him completely though.
"I was wro-"
"Okay, I'll forget about what happened. In return, work hard. You'll be following me"
Ryze who was on the verge of tears suddenly stopped and looked at Rex.
He heard what Rex said but it was too surprising for him that he doubted his own ears.
Waving his hand with a light sigh, Rex turned to the side before he repeated, "I'm saying that I'll give you the chance to prove yourself. You can work together with me, so make sure you do not make me regret this choice, Ryze"
His face blossomed into a radiant sunflower, bathed in the warmth of pure joy.
Deciding to not waste a single second, he quickly nodded repeatedly in response. Visible excitement could be seen in his reptilian eyes, and he quickly replied with fierce enthusiasm, "Y-Yes! I'll- I'll do everything I can to help you and make sure to not disappoint you again"
Seeing this, Adhara also bloomed in joy.
Approaching Ryze, she quickly wrapped her arm around Ryze's neck in a headlock.
She playfully scolded him, emphasizing, "What did I say? I told you that this is your opportunity. You're a Heavenly Dragonman now, not a child. So, be more proactive" The difference in height made Ryze bend down slightly as he laughed joyously.
"Thanks for the help, Adhara" Ryze said, he was genuinely happy right now.
On the side, Rex quickly cleared his throat. "Stop that, Adhara. He's not a kid anymore"
Upon hearing this, Adhara raised her eyebrow in question.
But she then realized that her breast was pressing against Ryze's cheek due to the headlock, she was too excited that she didn't realize this. 'Hahaha... Right... Although he has the mind of a kid, his body is not a kid anymore'
Ryze, on the other hand, doesn't seem to get what Rex meant.
Adhara lets go of Ryze from the headlock and approaches Rex with a teasing smile.
Likewise, the spectators couldn't help but let out a collective chuckle, grasping the humor of the situation that had eluded Ryze. Despite the fearsome side, this moment made them see the other side of Rex when he's not in battle mode.
Adhara covered her mouth, muffling her teasing laughter.
Bending her body to lean toward Rex who was trying to hide his own blush by turning his head away in embarrassment, she teasingly asked, "Is that jealously in your voice? I was not thinking about that. But clearly, you don't like it"
"If you admit it, then I'll consider being more careful" She poked his stomach with her finger.
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