Chapter 173: The Third Option (1/2)

”It seems you're more than a group of rats,” The Paladin smiled after he glanced at the destruction his spear had left. He stretched his arm out as his palm faced upward. A buzzing was heard amid the cries of the crowd and the spear took itself out of the rubble and flew to the paladin's hand.

”Careful, space is locked. We have no way out of here.” Zas said, appearing to have tried using his ability. Hua was silent but seemed to be looking for a way out as well.

”It's futile to try escaping, we've used a space-locking- artifact.” Jumana tried again. ”Surrender now and we'll guarantee your safety.”

It seems that she didn't want to hurt Mistletoe's members because they have already helped end the war between the two nations. However, today's events were different.

As he stood there, Arthur weighed his options. There was the first option of surrendering, but he didn't even have to think before rejecting it. The second was to reveal his identity as Arthur Silvera, but this would have dire consequences.

The first consequence is that the Ilios Empire would know he was still alive, making his earlier efforts a waste. He'd have to run away again even if he managed to convince the association that he was truly Arthur Silvera and that the Ilios Empire was trying to harm him.

The second consequence is his identity being revealed as a Mistletoe's member. This would endanger whoever had ties with him, including the other members and Master Ronin. Not to mention, his family is safer if he died as a hero than to live as a villain.

He was a villain to the Ilios Empire and the Enders, after all. For these reasons, Arthur had to choose option number three.

Arthur stared at the Paladins silently and couldn't help but laugh. His laugh turned from a chuckle until it was loud enough to echo throughout the arena.

”You make me the villain, but is not the Ilios Empire that has worked with the Nether Beings to activate the Calamity Spider?”

The moment those words were out, the tension rose in tides. Mummers echoed through the crowd as the confusion took hold of their hearts. The knowledge that the traitor prince was a fallen one wasn't known to many.

The Enders were a manifestation of forbidden magic. That's the general idea of the fallen ones, those that practice the forbidden magic and allow themselves to turn into monsters. Whoever is found to be working with these fallen ones is shunned by the world.

”Your lies have no place here.” The paladin raised his spear as if ready to deliver divine justice. ”We've already caught you red-handed. Isn't the fortress in your possession now?”

Another confusion was thrown as a question popped up. Was the crazed prince a member of Mistletoe? However, that didn't explain the footage of Mistletoe's members trying to get into the fortress. Were they there for their friend?

This would answer a question of how Mistletoe's members were able to control the fortress. However, it was a contradiction as their behavior didn't match. They attacked the Union first then they attacked the empire? It didn't add up. Why start a war if you were going to end it?

”You deceived the people by playing the hero after starting the war yourselves.” The paladin pushed forward. ”Chaos is what you seek!”

”Oh, how noble you are!” Arthur spread his arms. ”We've started the war, you say? Was it us that attacked the Union in a moment of weakness, or your Ilios Empire?” His voice was dripping with sarcasm. ”You sin and blame it on the devil! I was lured, you'd say!”

”Silence, Nether Being!” The Paladin's face contorted in rage as he pulled on his spear. ”Perish as a price for your sins.” The spear vibrated in the air as it again shot toward Arthur.

Dread filled his heart as Arthur braced himself for the impact. Before the spear could reach him, Li was already in front of him. His broken blade slashed again but was unable to push the might of the Astra-ranker back.

”Li!” Ivy appeared by their side in a moment as she punched at the spear. The spear shook before it flew away again and was grabbed by the Astra-rank Paladin.

”I guess we need to weed the weak ones,” The paladin grinned and threw the spear again, this time more destructive than the last. ”Your disrespect was the reason for your death.” The spear flew directly toward Ivy.

The spear tore through space as it crossed the arena instantaneously. The spear was in front of Ivy before Li could slash again. She lifted her hands and clapped them together, using all of her mana with the defensive aura.