A deafening silence settled between Eren and Rhea, each aware of the weight of their words.
Rhea couldn't shake the feeling that Eren's words held a truth she had been unaware of until now—a truth that cut deeper than she could have anticipated. She had always believed in the integrity of Edinburgh's higher-ups, but this revelation shattered her naivety.
With a furrowed brow, Rhea locked eyes with Eren, searching for any sign of deception. But there was something in the depths of his gaze that made her pause. His emerald green eyes were scary and hypnotizing. She sensed a glimmer of truth, a flicker of sincerity that resonated with her instincts.
"Even if what you say is the truth," Rhea said after mulling over the matter for a while, her voice tinged with a mix of determination and concern. "I still haven't received any recall order from Master Sorin. So, as the captain of the rapid response team, I have to investigate and ensure Brewmaster's Bounty's safety."
Eren's lips curled into a sinister smile, a blend of amusement and anticipation dancing in his eyes. He stretched his hands, causing a chilling bone-cracking sound to echo through the silence. His gaze turned predatory, fueled by a thirst for battle that had long gone unquenched.
"Expert Rhea," Eren's voice carried a warning, his tone laced with an undertone of danger. "I strongly advise you against proceeding further. There are forces at play that transcend beyond your understanding, and getting involved could lead to dire consequences."
Rhea stood her ground, her determination unwavering. She knew the risks ahead, but she couldn't let fear guide her choices. She had sworn an oath to protect the loyal citizens of Edinburgh under her jurisdiction. She would fulfill that duty, even if it meant facing the unknown. This was a matter of her individuality.
"I appreciate your concern, Eren," Rhea replied, her voice firm. "But I cannot turn a blind eye when there's a potential threat to a reputed House's merchant ship. It would be terrible publicity for the city of Erbaia if we let anything happen to Bremaster's Bounty under our watch. And I fear I might be held responsible.
I will proceed with caution, but I won't abandon my responsibilities."
Eren's predatory gaze intensified, a glint of admiration shining through. He respected Rhea's resolve, even as he prepared himself for the clash that loomed ahead. In his heart, he yearned for the thrill of battle, a chance to test his skills again.
To Eren, Sansara World battles felt like a distant past. His work had kept him busy since he got out of Sansara World, making him slog his ass through work and more work. So it was only natural that he thirsted for some action - with blood and gore involved.
It could be said that Alephee described Eren's condition aptly in the past. He really felt like this was his withdrawal symptoms telling him to abandon talking with Rhea and go straight for a kill. His fingers shivered and stretched unnaturally at the prospect of yanking someone's vocal cords out. He controlled his hunger by clenching his hands and his fists released bolts of electricity and orange flames.
"Very well, Expert Rhea," Eren conceded, his voice a low murmur. "If you insist on this path, I will be your opponent. Brace yourself, for I don't know what I'll do next."
As the tension thickened between them, the air crackled with anticipation. The stage was set for a clash of wills and Brewmaster's Bounty hung in the balance.
With their resolve firmly in place, Rhea and Eren took their first steps toward the impending battle.
***
Eren's main force, a formidable assembly, had taken position aboard the colossal ship gifted to him by Roth Riverine, a symbol of their alliance. Utilizing this grand vessel as a decoy, Eren cunningly approached Brewmaster's Bounty, avoiding any hint of suspicion.
But he was not alone in this clash against House Slughorn. House Remus had been unwillingly drawn into the conflict, coerced into active participation by the butcher, who promised reconciliation between the White Raven Guild and House Remus in exchange.
Nina, Jiana, and Levine volunteered to be part of the first strike team to tackle Brewmaster's Bounty. Therefore, as he surveyed the forces aboard Freya, he realized the absence of true powerhouses. Sylphie stood by his side, supported only by a handful of skilled subordinates ranked as Aces and Adepts.
Yet, Eren remained undeterred, confident that his own abilities would suffice to face Rhea. 'I'm a powerhouse as well,' he mused to himself.
"Remain uninvolved. I shall handle them all," Eren commanded his subordinates, instructing them to stay clear of the impending conflict as he stepped forward. In the next moment, he stood on the ship's deck railing, a surge of crimson and violet lightning enveloping his form. The unleashed power danced around him, accompanied by a menacing aura that grew ever more threatening. Furthermore, Eren unleashed his soul sense, intensifying the gravity of his presence.
Bzzzzt!
Rhea and those with her felt like they had just heard a noise-less sound that made them deaf. It was as if their world had turned upside down while they were forced to remain in their positions. The noise-less sound also affected their perception of time. Some of them even started hallucinating as their consciousness was summoned inside a bloody world where flesh flowers bloomed.
A wave of dread washed over Rhea's teammates who stood behind her. Eren's soul sense surged forth, overwhelming their minds and causing them to collapse to their knees. Their bodies felt unresponsive, as if their souls had been suppressed into inaction, and their spiritual force rapidly dwindled.
Amidst the chaos, Rhea stood resolute, her senses intact in the face of Eren's formidable soul sense. It remained unclear whether she possessed the strength of will to resist or if Eren, of his own volition, chose to spare her. Regardless, it mattered little to Rhea. Her attention turned to her fallen comrades. A mixture of concern and determination etched upon her face.
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