319 A Simple Game
The aftermath of the battlefield was a mix of destruction and eerie calm.
The scent of the wet earth combined with the metallic tang of blood, creating a heady atmosphere.
Amelia, Rachel, Emiko, and Yui found themselves in a vulnerable position, kneeling, incapacitated, and defenseless, before the three demon figures: Isola, Ceti, and Merina. Each of them had their sharp gazes on this bunch of defeated Hunters.
Off to the side, the sight of Callisa gleefully playing with the corpses of the fallen Draconians, like a child with dolls, added a grotesque touch to the scene.
Jael, in stark contrast, was the picture of relaxation as he lounged against a tree, his lips curled into a satisfied smile, seemingly unbothered by the carnage that surrounded him while enjoying the scent of the rose in his hand.
Now was as good as any time to heal up.
Emiko and Yui huddled closer, their eyes darting nervously between these 3 demons. The duo exchanged a brief, covert glance, both silently curious about these 3 who work together with their Master.
Amelia suddenly broke the suffocating silence, “Just get on with it,” she hissed, her voice heavy with disdain, “If you’re going to kill us, then at least have the dignity to finish us without messing around,” Amelia felt uneasy, feeling that these demons were planning something sinister.
Rachel’s expression was dark, trembling with a mix of frustration and anger, shot a glare at the demons, “You might have the upper hand now,” she seethed, “but remember this: My father will come for all of you, and when he does, not even Hellbringer will be able to save you.”
Isola, with a look of indifference, merely raised an eyebrow, while Merina looked as if she was pondering about something far away.
Ceti, however, let out a mocking chuckle, “Dream on, little girl,” she scoffed with crossed arms, “Our queen alone could obliterate your measly president.”
Rachel’s eyes flashed with anger, “You wish,” she spat defiantly, refusing to back down. She still couldn’t digest or believe the fact that they still failed after all this preparation.
Why was he always getting the upper hand?!
*THUD!*
Suddenly, the tense air grew heavier as a bloodied body thudded into the clearing.
Dust and mud kicked up, the misty aftermath making the scene even eerier. Rachel and Amelia’s eyes widened in shock as they realized the body before them was Victor’s.
Beaten, battered, and defeated, his once proud stance was reduced to a feeble kneel, gasping for breath.
Amelia’s mixed feelings bubbled to the surface. A part of her, deep down, found a sense of relief seeing Victor in this state. The world would indeed be safer without this evil bastard, she thought.
However, any satisfaction she may have felt was quickly overshadowed by the looming figure that entered the clearing.
Hellbringer’s approach was announced by the heavy, deliberate sound of his footsteps, each step making the earth beneath him quiver. The other demons gave way, an unspoken acknowledgment of his authority.
Victor, despite his weakened state, managed to push himself up slightly.
But his pitiful attempt to show strength only highlighted his vulnerability.
His mana circuit, once a roaring river, was now a mere trickle, rendering him almost powerless.
Asher, meeting Rachel’s eyes, smiled coldly, a smile that sent chills down her spine, “You should reconsider throwing your father’s name around so carelessly,” he warned with a tone dripping in menace, “Time will come when that very name will be spat upon in disgust…by everyone.”
Rachel’s face drained of color. The weight of Hellbringer’s gaze and the malevolent promise in his words pressed on her.
She tried to muster her courage, drawing a shuddering breath, “Y-You might think you have power over me,” she responded with as much strength as she could muster, “But I won’t fall for your lies and tricks again…Kill me if you must, but I will never do whatever you tell me to do.”
Just from that one experience alone, she learned never to trust the words of any demon, especially Hellbringer.
Amelia watched the exchange with narrowed eyes. The desperation in Rachel’s voice, the way her body trembled, and the very look on Hellbringer’s face, all raised questions.
What did Rachel do for her to look so shaken?
Asher sighed, a feigned expression of pain decorating his face, “Why, Rachel?” he began with feigned innocence, “Why would you ever think I’d want to kill you?” His eyes locked onto hers, “After all, I can’t just end the life of our esteemed president’s precious daughter so easily. If I wanted, you’d be dead already,” His gaze then briefly shifted to Amelia, his smile lingering for a while.
Amelia stiffened. Why did she feel like prey being watched by a predator when Hellbringer’s gaze fell upon her? What was it about that brief, chilling glance that gave her an odd feeling?
Emiko and Yui exchanged worried glances. Their loyalty to their master made them fear the worst for Amelia, a woman they’d come to admire despite her hardened exterior. They knew, deep down, that she was a woman of honor and dignity.
But they knew only their Master got to decide her fate.
Asher simply smiled and, in a swift motion, threw a finely crafted blade onto the ground before Rachel, Amelia and Victor, “A simple game,” he mused. “Kill or be killed. One of you uses this blade to end the other’s life, and the survivor gets to live. If nobody does anything, then I will just kill you all right away. I will count till 5. 1…”
Amelia’s voice, strong with defiance, broke the tense silence, “We will not bow to your sick whims. Rachel…don’t listen to him. He is trying to mess with your mind.”
“2…”
ραΠdαsΝοvel.cοm “I know…” Rachel said with gritted teeth and spat out, “None of us is going to listen to you. So you better use it to stab yourself, demon.”
“3…4…”
Amelia and Rachel held their breaths with a quivering yet determined gaze.
But just as Asher was about to count down to the last number, the world around them seemed to slow. Victor, in a sudden and unexpected move, lunged for the blade. His intent was clear as the sharpened edge moved towards Rachel’s heart who happened to be the closest to him.
“Victor!” Amelia’s scream was raw, filled with horror, as she lunged forward to prevent the impending tragedy.
Rachel’s eyes were wide with disbelief, the face of the man she was supposed to marry, now unrecognizable.
But before the blade could pierce Rachel’s heart, Asher’s hand shot out, effortlessly grabbing Victor’s wrist and halting the blade mere inches from its mark.
“Ugh, you’re too predictable,” Asher murmured with a cold smirk. “Did you really think I’d let you do it? Or did you truly believe, Rachel, that your beloved fiance wouldn’t hesitate to end you?”
Victor’s voice was rough, filled with fear, pain, and frustration. “You… mother-” But his words were cut short as Asher’s elbow connected with his face, the brutal impact sending teeth flying and painting the ground with splatters of blood.
Victor’s body crumpled, unconscious from the sheer force. Asher glanced at him with disdain. “Take a rest. You are going to need it later,” he sneered. Merina, without missing a beat, dragged Victor’s limp form to the side, leaving the rest in a chilling and tense silence.
Ceti was shaking her head, not expecting Asher to have a sadistic side, toying around with these Hunters. If it was her, she would have already finished them and gone about her business.
However, she had to admit seeing these Hunters sprawling on the ground and in such distress was satisfying to see.
Rachel was left reeling, the weight of Victor’s betrayal pressing heavily on her heart.
Amelia’s anger was palpable, a cold fire that threatened to burn through her restraints.
Every fiber of her being was crying out for vengeance against the man who’d disgraced them, their cause, and humanity.
Asher, always one to seize a moment, crouched before Rachel, his eyes cold and calculating. “How does it feel, Rachel?” he asked with feigned concern, “To have your fiance willing to kill you for his own salvation? Then again, perhaps it’s not too surprising. After all, yours was a marriage of convenience, wasn’t it? A mere transaction brought upon by your father.”
Asher scoffed as he added with a scornful smile, “I bet he must have said Victor was the prince charming for you or…was it the other way around?”
As his cruel words washed over Rachel, tears brimmed in her eyes. The pain of betrayal was one thing, but having it thrown in her face was another.
Each word felt like a dagger, twisting deeper and deeper.
Could her father have…?
Wait…How could he have known her father always saw Victor in such high regard? Or the fact that he always said Victor would be the best for her?
But Asher wasn’t done, “Oh, I almost forgot,” he said with faux cheerfulness, pulling out a familiar-looking phone.
Rachel’s heart dropped, “No…” she whispered, her voice filled with dread, “D-Don’t you dare!” Rachel tried to snatch the phone from his hands in desperation.
But Merina was quick to react, securing Rachel’s arms firmly behind her back to prevent any sudden moves. The air was thick with tension as everyone waited to see what Asher had up his sleeve.
Amelia, confused by Rachel’s reaction, could only wonder why a demon would be in possession of a phone.
As Asher powered up the device and navigated to the gallery, his wicked smile widened, “Amelia, you might find this interesting,” he said, thrusting the screen in her direction.
Amelia’s eyes grew wide as she took in the images displayed. Photos of Rachel and Hellbringer, in various romantic and erotic poses, smiling and looking deeply into each other’s eyes.
Was that really Rachel?? Hugging and kissing a demon like a lover? What kind of black magic created these images?
And as if that was not the worst, her eyes shook upon seeing a short video of Rachel sucking on this demon’s…Amelia didn’t even dare to finish the thought in her mind since it was too repulsive and shocking.
She even took his entire disgusting thing down her throat!
Ceti pursed her lips and took a quick peek like a curious cat, only to have her eyes widen.
He really did such perverted things with a human??
Ceti’s nostrils flared, and by now, she had lost count of the number of times the highly respected consort of the queen had broken decorum.
But since he did it to humiliate her, it won’t be officially against the law and people might even praise him.
Still, the queen may not like the fact that he sullied himself by touching a human like that.
“I see you’re surprised,” Asher mused, watching Amelia’s reaction closely, “It seems you didn’t know everything about your best friend after all…The lengths she would go to protect herself.”
Rachel’s tears flowed freely now, “It’s not what it looks like, Amelia…Please…” she begged as she felt Amelia’s gaze slowly landing on her, her eyes shaking with disbelief and shock.
Rachel could hardly try to form coherent words as the shame and fear of somebody else seeing those things had paralyzed her.
It was one of the main reasons she was desperate to cut down Hellbringer and stop having to worry about it getting exposed.
But now that Amelia saw it, what would she think?
Amelia, her mind racing, tried to process the unfolding revelations.
But seeing how broken Rachel was, she gave a cutting glare at Hellbringer and said, “You…You must have forced her to do these disgusting things. You are really one sick demon!”
Asher narrowed his eyes and suddenly clutched Amelia’s hair as he moved her ear towards his lips, whispering to her, “Maybe I am, but you still have yet to understand what your best friend is capable of…just like how her father is. Allow me to prove it.”