Chapter 1047 (2/2)
“Of course,” Randidly said with a small smile. But what he didn’t say was whispered by the Grim Chimera in his ear.
But if there was no terror, these enemies wouldn’t even cause me to struggle. And I crave struggle.
Iellaya blinked. Then she laughed. “Indeed? So at least you admit that you are afraid? Well then, fine. If no others come, you will be my lone representative into the Great Rift on this night. Abiodun, please take Mr…?”
When Iellaya looked at Randidly in askance he said. “Ghosthound.”
Nodding, Iellaya continued. “Please take Mr. Ghosthound to the staging area. I wish you the best of luck. I will not forget this favor.”
*****
After Randidly had been led away by the rumbling being of granite, Zagnal still remained in Iellaya’s tent with his hands clenched at his sides.
Iellaya looked at him with obvious amusement. But for several minutes, she didn’t attempt to break the silence. Instead, she stood and walked over to the side of the desk. Pulling on a drawer, Iellaya removed a tea set and delicate set it on the table. A snap of her fingers set the kettle to steaming and she poured the scalding water over pink leaves.
Zagnal’s arms trembled from the exertion of staying still.
After another few minutes, Iellaya raised the glass of tea to her lips. From her vantage point, Zagnal could see that the water was still completely transparent. However, the pink leaves had completely dissolved.
After taking a sip, Iellaya’s attention turned finally to Zagnal. She returned to her seat behind the desk. The small feathers of her eyebrows twitched as she examined him. “So? It won’t solve my problem, but I appreciate you sending such a promising image of yours to die in my defense. You have my attention.”
“You never know,” Zagnal said slowly, as much for himself as for Lady Iellaya. “He could survive. He sustained almost no damage in the earlier defensive battle. Perhaps his aptitude is quite high, for an image.”
“Offensive battles and defensive battles are very different,” Iellaya waved her hand. “So much so that I didn’t even bother to lay out how they are different for the fool. And you didn’t speak out at all either. So let’s not pretend like the outcome is in doubt; that image will die and be consumed by the Nether. Still, that’s not a knock against it; many better individuals have met the same fate out here.”
Leaning back in her chair, Iellaya pulled a pile of papers on the corner of her desk in front of her. With a quick flick of the wrist, she made a quick note underneath a page featuring a picture of Randidly Ghosthound’s true body. “Still, two more images were extracted from this body, so all is not lost. And even if he fails spectacularly, it will buy us a tiny amount of time. So please, tell me what you want.”
Zagnal’s mouth was dry. He huffed out a smoky breath from his nose. “I… I wish to arrange passage to the Nexus for my world. I hear you already possess Tier 2 Citizenship in the Nexus. I’m willing to throw my support behind you… assuming my world becomes a portion of your Realm if you reach Tier 3 citizenship with your accomplishments on the front lines.”
Lady Iellaya chuckled. “If you know that much, you’ve certainly done your homework on me. And if that’s true… I suppose you know that throwing your support behind me carriers with it certain additional requirements.”
Nodding slowly, Zagnal took a step forward. His knees almost buckled underneath him as the took that step. “I… I am aware. I am willing.”
The air within the tent began to change. Suddenly, Zagnal could barely breathe as a heavy energy swirled between them. Under the influence of that abrupt weight, even the visual cues from the destabilized space were somewhat restricted. The very air seemed to tremble in the presence of that energy.
Slowly, Iellaya stood. With a certain ritualistic cadence, she took slow steps around her desk to stand before Zagnal. As she slowly turned, Zagnal could see how the ebony feathers stuck out of her body all along her spine, giving her a black trail of feathers leading down her slender back. When she settled only a meter away from Zagnal, those feathers began to flare outward like a cobra’s hood.
Iellaya was now wreathed in darkness.
“Then you also realize that this means your own potential will become mine,” Lady Iellaya said quietly. “You will still grow… but only in proportion to my own strength. This is the end of your Path.”
“Yes. But…” Zagnal panted. “I’ve served twelve of my twenty-five-year sentence on the frontlines. I have seen too many individuals far more powerful than I die to think that it is anything but luck that I’ve made it this far. And if I die, my world…”
“I know… hush, child.” Lady Iellaya reached out and brushed her fingers against Zagnal’s cheek. “It is for exactly those reasons that so many lost pilgrims have made the very same decision you now make. So… do not regret. Instead, relax. As soon as you kneel, your woes will become mine. And I will not forget the petty burdens of those who dedicate themselves to me.”
Trembling, Zagnal went to his knees. His hands were twitching. The weight was growing too much to handle. His entire body was oozing a mixture of sweat and ash from his pores. “Lady… no, Queen Iellaya. My life is yours. My will is yours. My image… is yours.”