Chapter 346: Collecting the spoils of war (1/2)

Chapter 346: Collecting the spoils of war

Han Shuo was in no rush to leave. When Emily saw Cecilia and the Dark Mantle members slowly making their way over, she felt like she needed to a bit cautious, maintaining an appropriate distance from Han Shuo to avoid rousing suspicion.

After all, Emily was the daughter-in-law of the Betteridge family. No matter what she felt towards Hand Shuo in private, they couldn’t let outsiders know of it. Be it Emily or Han Shuo, that particular bit of information would only bring them unnecessary troubles in the foreseeable future.

After he saw the bone staff in Han Shuo’s hand, Ancient Lizard King Dagassi’s attitude towards the latter had grown considerably better. His long years of life had also seemingly forged an incredible level of patience. His expression remained unchanged as he watched Cecilia and the others slowly inch their way over.

“I can just take care of these people if you think they’re in the way, it won’t take me too long.” Dagassi casually remarked. A wicked grin crossed his face as he saw their timid approach.

Dagassi’s attitude towards Cecilia and the others could only be described as extreme contempt. He wasn’t afraid to let them overhear his conversation with Han Shuo. For a demi-god existence like himself, Cecilia’s group were no different than ants, an eyesore that only needed a flick of a limb to eradicate.

Cecilia and her team had only approached the group because they saw Han Shuo and Emily getting along well with the Ancient Lizard King. Cecilia’s face blanched when she heard Dagassi’s offer. She couldn’t help but take a few steps back and stare nervously at Han Shuo.

“No need, they are my colleagues.” Han Shuo’s answer allowed Cecilia to heave a sigh of relief. But only when she saw the Ancient Lizard King nod at Han Shuo did she slowly walk over to their side. She first nodded at Emily and then spoke to Dagassi, “Powerful being, I am of the Lancelot Empire and in charge of dealing with the enemy this time, I…”

“I have no interest in your words.” Dagassi interrupted before Cecilia could make much headway, let alone finish, “Puny human girl, those who dared to invade lie dead. Whatever happens in this area is under my control, and the underground world is not a place for you humans to set foot in. I won’t kill you since you are his colleagues, but if you value this temporary amnesty, I hope you leave this world as quickly as possible.”

“I…” Cecilia was about to say more, but was quickly stopped by Emily, “Alright little sister Cecilia, as far as I can see, we’ve successfully completed our mission. Even if it wasn’t exactly due to our actions, the name of the Redbud Knights will no longer be spoken on this continent. We should definitely leave. We’ve accomplished a great deed here.”

Emily desperately winked to signal Cecilia while saying this. Cecilia was no fool, she caught Emily’s signal and nodded. She then turned to Han Shuo and said bitterly, “I know you spent a lot of effort on this, and I will report it in detail to the higher-ups. However, our private grudge isn’t over.”

Shrugging, Han Shuo smiled blandly, “Whatever you want!”

Han Shuo didn’t care, but the Lizard King immediately rolled his eyes upon hearing that they had a private grudge. A mass of energy as weighty as a mountain emanated from his body, rapidly spreading out. The Ancient Lizard King didn’t even need to transform into his massive appearance to bring pressure down on Cecilia and her group.

“I think I’ll still help you kill them. She and you seemed to have some grudges. If they never leave the underground world, your words will simply become truth. Then, all your problems will be solved, how about that?” The Lizard King loudly laughed and looked at Han Shuo as he offered his help once again. His powerful presence alone made Cecilia feel great discomfort.

Han Shuo felt no goodwill towards Cecilia, however it wasn’t to the point of wanting to take her life. Moreover the relationship between Emily and Cecilia was very good, so Han Shuo couldn’t kill her in front of Emily.

Therefore, he again shook his head, “They’re my colleagues. Although there are some misunderstandings, we are not enemies. Just let them leave.”

As Dagassi took back his aura, the sweating Cecilia and her team were able to resume their regular breathing. This time, Cecilia didn’t wait for Emily’s wink before she turned around without another word. As she left, she glanced back at Han Shuo and whispered a sentence, “Thank you!”

Cecilia understood in her heart that if Han Shuo hadn’t stopped him, Dagassi, who had killed enough Redbud Knights and dark elves to form a river of blood, would definitely have exterminated them all with a single gesture. Although she still had some negative opinions about Han Shuo, he’d definitely saved her life this time. Even if in she didn’t want to thank her in the depths of her heart, she still had to.

Unconsciously, Cecilia’s resentment for Han Shuo had dissolved a bit. Her heart was full of doubt, she didn’t understand how Han Shuo could forge a relationship with such a powerful creature, or how he could make the Ancient Lizard King listen to his words so easily.

Her mind flashed as she suddenly remembered something else. As she left with Emily, Cecilia pulled on Emily’s arm when no one was next to them and asked in a low, suspicious voice, “Are you with that Bryan?”

Emily’s heart pounded, her cheeks uncontrollably flared with red. She pretended to calmly tell off Cecilia, “What nonsense are you sprouting? I only worked with him on a couple of occasions and developed a friendship.”

“Is that so?” Cecilia stared at Emily, puzzled, “It feels odder the more I think about it. Bryan’s relationship with me is selfish and unfriendly. He shouldn’t have helped us last time Kassel pursued us, I only discovered later that it was because of you, big sister.”

“It’s the same this time. He went to the underground world, going through Chrissie just to look for you. He protected only you in the fight before, even that big lizard didn’t target you with his murderous intent. I know that Bryan is no saint. I kept wondering what kind of relationship you two have to make him so concerned about you. I think he only did so because he loves you, isn’t that right, big sister Emily?”

“Of course not. What are you guessing madly for? It’s just that he wasn’t as powerful before and I saved his life once. That’s why he’s helping me now. You can stop spouting random nonsense now.” Emily strongly denied everything with all her might. She knew that she had to deny things no matter what, or the outcome wouldn’t be good for either Han Shuo or her.

“Big sister Emily, look at yourself, why do you still not admit to things?” Cecilia stared at Emily in surprise. Her hand rose, holding a small mirror in front of the latter’s face.

In the mirror, Emily’s face was embarrassed and red with a secret delight, an unconscious response to when Cecilia said Han Shuo only did what he did because he loved her. Emily couldn’t help the feelings in her heart from showing on her face. Looking at this bashful and flushing appearance, no one would believe her if she said she had nothing to do with Han Shuo.

Seeing that Cecilia’s face showed absolute confidence in her theory of Emily and Han Shuo’s intimate relationship, Emily softly sighed and said, “Little sister Cecilia, I do have some goodwill towards him. However, you know my situation. I’m the widow of the Betteridge family, and my age is greater than his. Even if I harbor affection for him, he won’t bother with me. My identity dooms me to be forever avoided by men, aiii!”

Emily heaved and sighed pitifully. Hearing her explain, Cecilia was stunned and came to a sudden realization. To think her big sister Emily’s love for Bryan was one-sided! Her thoughts spun to a close, and seeing Emily’s desolate expression, she hastily spoke, “Big sister Emily, I’m sure this Bryan is far from ordinary. With his strength, sooner or later he will grasp immense power. You know that as long as he has enough power, nothing is impossible for him in the Lancelot Empire, rest assured. By then we will also have my grandpa, he can help you too!”