Chapter 70 - Surrender and Vengeance (2/2)
It's both simple and complex at the same time. The simplicity lies in the process itself. All one has to do is click with a finger and what they want to do will be done. The larger and more complex the job the longer. Letty had been given a lot of points by Will and had put them to good use. Repairing a lot of the infrastructure of the city.
All around one could see the city magically repairing itself as if time was turning backward. However, due to the sheer size of the city, it was happening slowly, barely visible to the naked eye.
Will was crouching by the beach, with his right hand dipped in the water. His face was downcast and he sighed from time to time.
”What did you think would happen?”
Modus spoke from behind Will, but the latter did not even bother to turn around. He just ignored him and kept his hand dipped in the water, concentrating on what he was doing.
”Did you think that it would be one big happy adventure?” Modus took a few steps forward and stood beside Will, staring into the distance. ”Did you think that there would be no consequences for your childish behavior? Did you think the universe would mystically prevent bad things from happening to those around you?”
Modus turned to look at Will with a stern face. ”There will be more to come in the future. Those around you will suffer. Countless will be affected by the consequences of your actions and the stronger you become the worse it will be. There are no shortcuts, no easy ways out. Do you still want to tread in the path of ascension?”
Will stood up and looked at Modus. Modus narrowed his eyes, curious as to what the young mortal would say.
”Hanzo…is a dead man walking.”
”You sound confident.”
”My sword is still sharp. You don't have to worry, my plans haven't changed. I will traverse the path of an immortal.”
Will started walking away slowly back to the city, ”It's just that my path will have a bit more human blood than I thought.”
Modus stayed silent as Will disappeared into the city. Adelda's form materialized right beside him, a worried look maiming the beauty that was her face. ”I am worried, perhaps his heart is now burdened with guilt. That could affect his abilities.”
Modus grinned devilishly and said, ”There is no guilt there I assure you. Only more resolve.”
”Forgive my tone, but how can you be so sure?” Adelda looked toward him confused. Modus grinned even wider. ”A sharp sword does not mend what it has cut, there is no room for regret in that young man's heart, there is only desire.”
…
Part of the reason why Will was so downcast was the way Alice reacted, at first she was at a loss for words, but after some time she smiled and said she didn't mind and was just happy she was alive. Will could tell that she was lying, trying not to depress him, but he had no intention of calling her a liar, so he simply apologized and consoled her as best as he could. After some time he left the room. Despite her best efforts, Alice could not prevent Will from hearing her cries, even when he left the building.
Every tear that dropped from her eyes had a connection to Will. This was the first time that Will felt an emotion from water before. He was not someone who was empathetic, but he had no doubt in his mind that he could feel her pain.
…
Will had placed Alice in the suite of an abandoned hotel on one of the upper floors. After his brief discussion with Modus, he headed back there, only to receive dire news from Alice. Letty was still distraught from earlier events, however, the news was too great for her to ignore. Thus she sucked it up and did her duty.
For a while, the room was filled with silence until Will finally spoke. ”Do you have any idea where they will attack from?”
”Since they plan on conquering an entire continent its safe to assume nowhere is safe. However, as we are on the east coast we will be among the first to be hit. The areas of South America they control are far to the south, thus a land attack is highly unlikely. Their South American forces are also too weak to mount an attack and will most likely not be involved as they will be expanding the territory on that side. Factoring this and the time frame given I suspect they are preparing for an aerial invasion and naval warfare.” Said Letty.
”Timeframe?” Asked Will
Alice wanted to be of use so she picked it up from there, ”Invading a place that is an ocean away from you means you will need to find a way to traverse that distance and the time to do so. One month is how long it will take for them to prepare what they need and get here in full force.”
Letty nodded in approval, ”It is also there to give others time to surrender. The claim that they will not accept surrender after a month is to pressurize the more cowardly Lords into submission. Not to mention it would make the invasion much easier for them if we were to give in. Even if only a handful of Lords agree it would be an advantage because it would give them a base to invade from. The Dragonheart Empire is no easy foe.”
”Well, that settles it. Letty, I have an ingenious plan, but it must be executed perfectly, otherwise, it won't work.” Said Will with a grin.
Alice and Letty looked at Will, eager to know what his plan was.
”Yes, Master!”
”Um, what's the plan?”
Will snickered and praised himself in his mind for being so devious. ”Letty, get into contact with the Empire and tell them that we surrender!”