Chapter 522 - 468: Emir (1/2)

”So, let me get this right. You wanted to test us so you attacked when we're aware, wielding harmless weapons to prove you held no hostile intention… Do you truly believe we're going to accept such a reason and warmly welcome you?”

Arthur coldly looked at the defenseless parasite, his voice toneless and hand unleashing threads of Dark Magic which danced in the air, slowly closing on the two bound parasites.

”Please! You have to listen to us.”

The female prisoner begged again, sounding quite miserable. She didn't try to free herself or resist the encroaching darkness creeping towards her.

”Nonsense! Finish them off, Arthur.”

Vyncent was totally against letting them live for another second. With hurried steps, he marched in their direction, his swords unsheathed and ready to strike.

”Up until this point, you haven't given me a convincing reason to stop him.”

Arthur didn't stop the incoming Vyncent, who's eyes were emitting unrestrained killing intent. His hatred for parasites was equal to Cthulhu, if not more. They weren't as numerous as their supposed allies, however, they chased him relentlessly and, more than one time, almost succeeded in killing him.

”You don't understand! We-”

”Yes, I don't understand and I don't need to, actually. You are enemies and I see no outcome where you get out of here alive unless…”

He took one step forward, stopping inches away from her. He crouched down, meeting her eye-level and ripping the excessively long hood hiding her face.

Under this weak disguise was a female, a very young one, in her teens, probably. But, parasites age differently, so, for all he knows, she could be well over a thousand years old.

The parasite, clearly terror-stricken by the scary undead staring at her, its eye seemingly peeping into her thoughts, clutching her soul. After an internal struggle which seemed to last an eternity, she bit her lips and hesitantly said:

”W-we're deserters.”

Maybe it was a hallucination born from her growing fear, the talking female parasite noticed the green flame burning in his socket twitch ever-so-slightly. She glanced at the approaching Vyncent, who was but a few meters away. Having no choice but to spill the entirety of the truth, she continued:

”We, along with a few others, didn't want to follow the orders so we left the base.” She was forced to stop talking as Vyncent's sharp sword was swung down at her sister, about to behead her.

Just as the head was about to be sent flying, the sword froze-mid-air, startling the bearded youngster.

”Arthur, why are you being like this?”

Without even looking at him, Arthur replied: ”My job is for us to safely reach the eastern resistance base. Whatever happens in the road is my responsibility so stay out of it.”

”Are you really going along with their nonsense? All because of the previously mentioned crystal?”

”It doesn't concern you, Vyncent. Politely back off.”

Hearing Arthur's chilling voice, the young man snorted but still complied. He withdrew his sword and took a few steps back, nonetheless, his eyes were still glaring daggers at the parasites.

”Our time short so you better be quick about whatever you're going to say.”

Unknowingly, the parasite let out a sigh of relief then scanned the desolate vicinities before speaking:

”You are aware of the crystal so I'll cut through the chase. They want us to summon but the process consumes the crystal and requires a big sacrifice from our part. The majority didn't object but a small portion of us didn't want to be sacrificed for what they call the greater good.”

”Whom do they want to summon? Zaarae?”

As she heard him mention their Goddess, the parasite became momentarily dazed. She didn't know how an undead knows their Goddess' name but she didn't question and kept her curiosity to herself lest it gets her killed.

”No, it's impossible to summon our Goddess with only one crystal. They want to call for a Calypso Parasite by the name of Emir. He's one of our Goddess most-trusted confidants and due to the nature of this world, he cannot descend on his own.”

”Calypso parasite Emir? Why do you want to summon him?”

”They called it greater good but in reality, they want, no… they need the Strategist's help. As we are considered lower lifeforms, he won't even speak us, much less hear our pleas. He would only consider talking to someone like Emir, a being from his time and worthy of respect.”

Arthur, facing the female parasite, glanced at the other bound and silent parasite. He couldn't believe them… to desert, it just seemed to cliche, a reason many would use to save their necks. However, he can't rule out the possibility of her saying the truth, or, at least, a portion of it.

It has nothing to do with him if this Emir is summoned. All he needs to do is pass through their base and get to the human settlement East of here.