Chapter 96: Sociopathic Hypocrite (2/2)

”Obediently allow yourself to be captured, or else your friend will suffer a fate worse than death.”

Leonel stood somewhat at a loss, giving the units who had been surrounding him more courage.

”Leo! Don't listen to them! Just run!”

”…”

Leonel didn't say anything for a long while. In reality, it was barely five seconds, but those five seconds somehow seemed like an eternity.

However, to those watching, it only seemed natural. Wasn't he just struggling, trying to decide whether to escape with all his might or save his best friend? But, the words Leonel said next left them at a loss.

”James. Are you sure you want me to kill him?”

Leonel's voice was calm and even. This was already shocking enough, but the words he said were even more ridiculous. What did he mean by that?

James suddenly hesitated, his face painted with confusion.

”I've never seen your father before.” Leonel started slowly. ”But, this only makes sense. My father retired from his Tier 5 position and I don't come from a large family, so it only makes sense that I'm not worthy of rubbing elbows with the Bennett's too much.”

The more Leonel spoke, the paler James became.

”People about six feet tall aren't rare, but those who could be as tall as you are quite a small percentage. You have an A-grade defensive ability, compared to others, what you should fear the least are low class guns that can function without Force disruption. Lastly, it would be quite stupid for Miles to turn on the nobles that help him keep everyone in line, don't you think?”

Leonel continued to calmly speak as though not sensing more and more units closing in on him.

”So, I will ask you again, James.

”Are. You. Sure. That. You. Want. Me. To. Kill. Him.”

Leonel's words were like a hammer taken to a stake at James' heart.

Seeing that James didn't respond, Leonel shook his head.

”I'm disappointed… I really… took you as my closest friend…”

”Bullshit!” James suddenly roared. ”You pretend to care about so many things, you pretend to be kind hearted, but all you really care about are things ending up exactly like you want them! You don't like killing only because you don't want to deal with the guilt! You don't like playing football only because you didn't get to choose it! You only want to do things your way and nothing else matters!”

Leonel frowned. He couldn't make sense of the jumbled mess James was speaking. He could feel that this 'friend' of his had had this on his mind for a long time, but he wasn't eloquent enough to put them into words in any sort of short and concise way. Even more so, Leonel didn't know where this was coming from.

Yet, somehow, even without a true cohesive line connecting his thoughts, James' words seemed to stab at something deep within Leonel's heart.

”You're a fucking sociopathic hypocrite!”

”…”

Leonel looked toward James who was bordering on hyperventilation. There was a slight hint of pain in the depths of his eyes that he was unable to hide.

”… I don't know whether or not the things you said are true.” Leonel finally responded. ”I really don't care about many things. Goals? I don't have any yet. When my father mentioned the fact that my mother was actually still alive… I didn't feel much. In all my life, I never even asked him about her.

”There are very few things that I am certain of. The first is that I love my dad. The second is that Aina is the woman for me. The third was that you were the person closest to me outside of my own dad… but it seemed that this was me being too naive.

”What I do know, though, is that regardless of what reasons you have… At this moment, you're trying to push me toward my death.”

James' face became as white as a sheet. No matter how hard he tried, he simply didn't have a response.

Leonel turned toward the man holding a gun to James' head.

”I hope it was worth it using your son like that, Mr. Bennett.”

Leonel turned and left. Of course, there were numerous attempts to stop him, but they were all foolhardy. Miles even grit his teeth and fired the canons once more, not caring for the damage that was done to the walls, but Leonel simply used his shoes to leap out of the range of the explosion.

Without the burden of Aina and her ax, and being so close to the walls thanks to Miles' mad volleys, Leonel survived within his five minute timer.

With that, he vanished.