You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 697

He moved us while I tried to overcome all of these overwhelming sensations invading me that could have knocked me off if I didn’t fight it. We started walking hurriedly... but when I came to my senses, it didn’t seem like we were close to arriving where I had left Karina and the others.

"... why are we taking this path instead of the second floor’s?" — I got myself to ask when I recognised the hall.

"I want to take a short detour to make sure everything is going as planned. Do not worry, my dearest, the audience hall should be right around that corner."

"What do you mean? Why are we going there?"

"If someone is key to our freedom, it is the Emperor. Better said the new one."

The unbothered tone froze me yet the thought frightened me further. Zeleskiaz had gone to his parents before we met at the dining hall, which is why he also brought Dioclecià with him. The Emperor would be a target for sure, however... a new Emperor. Who could be the one? I knew but... would he truly take this so far?

"If it’s him he will not send a troop in search of us. Yet he also needs to dispose of the men who will go against it first." — Once we turned on the hallway we saw a ton of rubble piled up and three figures could be found between the dust. — "... it’s halfway done." — Paul scoffed after reigning in the surprise I let out as a gasp. Behind a protective stance, I recognised the Emperor’s distinct hair without the crown it usually carried. Beaten up so badly that blood was surrounding him while breathing weakly and across them stood a man who shared his blood.

"A dog’s dog. How long are you going to stand in my way, Biel? You could do much better if you obeyed me instead of Zeleskiaz. Once you let me kill Francois you won’t need to follow such a worthless scum. Isn’t my offer a good one?"

"Hff... shut tha f*ck up, scaredy c*nt. I prefer that madman over a p*ssy like you ordering me ’round."

"This won’t end nicely for you."

"Then so be it. Even if I don’t get the job done, I can still cut some of you off. I’ll make sure to die with your d*ck in my hand. Without heir and a virgin you’ll die... at least from the front." — Harshly, Biel smirked. — "Oh. How about you use your own stick to get your rear a debut. Wouldn’t that be awesome? You’re already a loose sh*t so it won’t be boring for sure."

The conversation was certainly amazing and Biel’s smile was quite reassuring even if crazy.

"That sounds like you might need some help, Sverre." — Paul interrupted, amused as I was by the reply of Zel’s right hand. — "I was going to get Marianne to the witch but... want me to help—"

"Get lost." — Sverre said without giving it any thought. Looking at me quietly. — "Mind your own matters. This is mine to take care of."

"... lady Marianne..." — Biel’s surprised eyes narrowed after seeing me holding hands with Paul and all I could master was a slight shake of my head so he wouldn’t try anything hasty on behalf of the prince he served.

’If he involves himself with Paul, his hands will truly be full... what matters is that he protects the Emperor at whatever cost right now.’

"If you are so sure, I will not meddle... just make sure that the man who wears your crown stops breathing properly. Otherwise, I cannot comply." — Silence was Sverre’s answer, for a second later, Paul decided to get us moving.

I looked back, hoping to get a better peek of what was the state of the Emperor and I managed to see him follow us with his swollen eye.

I bit my lower lip knowing that if I was to fight... it shouldn’t be now. It shouldn’t be against Sverre but against the one that if defeated everything would be cleanly solved.

’Please don’t die Sir... sorry Sir Biel...!’ — I thought as I turned away. Getting to hear a last warning from Sverre before we got into the next corridor.

"If you go after her the Emperor’s dead and it’s your d*ck that will be cut, Biel."

"Ha. You would love that, wouldn’t ya. I’m sure you would enjoy mine better than that small one between your legs."

... Sir Biel was truly something else. Were the circumstances not as dire as they were I would have laughed at his comebacks... nonetheless, the time was no good for that.

Something was telling me that it was best I went back to Karina’s place. It was the most logical ending in my head. Escaping in the first place felt like a way of making time that was already up. While I moved around many lives must have been lost in the cities of the Empire. My home and family were attacked like that so how much worse would the chaos be in the towns where people barely knew what this sudden war was about.

’... I doubt it was for this that the gods brought me from another realm.’ 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Karina’s story... I am sure there’s more about it than just rivalry with Calla...

*******

Where the little prince hid, an older sister arrived with the knight and maid the umbra had left behind to save their master.

"Sister?!" — The child jumped, running towards the girl once he recognised her long strands. — "Sister Jasmine! A-are you a-alright? B-b-brother, d-di-di-did you meet hi-him?!"

"I am fine and Zeleskiaz as well... who is not alright is Marianne’s sister. We need to treat her properly."

"Over here... lay her so I can tend to her wounds." — Theodore said, helping Vitor.

"Theo, where is our lady?" — Paige asked while looking around.

"... she went inside that wall."

"What? And you let her go on her own?!" — Vitor, as quiet as he always was, raised his voice, enraged at the mere presence of the umbra. — "Didn’t I tell you to protect her?!"

"! Vitor... Do not..." — Paige, stopping the man, glanced with her red eyes at the other member of her lady’s guard as well as the scared child holding onto Jasmine’s arms. — "... it was our lady who probably ordered it."

"....."

"Am I correct?"