Chapter 1082 (1/2)

Randidly carefully considered the mysterious absence of Vualla from every angle. Originally, he had just vaguely thought that perhaps Vualla was also still recovering somewhat, but as that idea was exposed to the light of day it clearly disintegrated into nothing. There had to be another reason.

As Randidly’s tension mounted, Zauna and Salazar exchanged a knowing glance behind his back as though his behavior was extremely predictable. Which, of course, only served to infuriate Randidly further. Yet now that the possibility had been planted, the leafy shoots of doubt were springing up all through his subconscious.

Fuck, I wish I had a Nether Beast to tear apart…

Randidly continued in his rather grim brooding up to the point that he walked out into the badlands and witnessed that there was a rather noticeable difference from their previous visits to the area; a fence had been erected around the Commander Terith’s camp. The walls were four meters high and covered in spikes, but there was an open gate about halfway along the perimeter.

Standing at the open gate were two people talking quietly and although Randidly didn’t recognize either of the figures, he began to accelerate toward them. Despite their unfamiliarity, they represented a connection to Vualla. Even if all they would do is carry a message for Randidly, that would be enough.

The two uniformed, humanoid men noticed his approach but didn’t seem to make any sort of preparations for his arrival. They simply continued to talk quietly as Randidly strode briskly over toward them.

It was only when Randidly was a few meters away that the one individual straightened and held up a hand for Randidly to stop. “Sorry, Commander’s orders to no longer allow anyone from other camps inside. We are tired of associating with… well, let’s be honest. Riffraff.”

“Especialy all you fucking images,” The other man snickered.

There was a second where Randidly’s mind slowly mulled over this sort of response. Then the Grim Chimera’s fury burned like a forest fire through his chest, filling him with heat and ash. This time, Randidly was very willing to lose control and simply attack the two arrogant fucking guards. But to complete the emotional switch, the Grim Chimera held Randidly back. Its Grim Intuition howled foul play.

This was a trap, the Grim Intuition urged. They were trying to upset him on purpose.

That sudden clarity from the Grim Chimera’s instincts calmly Randidly immediately down. Although he had arrived while trying to see Vualla if these idiots were actually trying to harm him he would devote his full attention to their antics.

But why would they want to kill me? Randidly wondered as he considered the two sneering guards. Is it general hate against images…? Or is this targeted…?

God, Randidly dearly wished it was just prejudice against images. Because if it wasn’t, suddenly he would need to go through the very long list of people who wanted him dead in order to have any true hint as to what was going on here. And even then, the sad truth was that most of Randidly’s enemies didn’t bother to approach him directly; they simply manipulated the circumstances around him.

The guards settled back with smug expressions, perhaps accepting that Randidly wasn’t simply going to attack them. One raised his hand and waved it airly, as though shoo-ing a rodent. “Well, run along then. If you aren’t going to at least be a little entertaining, you better run on back to your- ah, you don’t have a body do you? What a sob-story. Imagine, an image without a body.”

Randidly just looked at the two guards, studying them, while engaging with an internal dialogue with the Grim Chimera.

Even if it’s a trap, they only possess a single star each. We might still be able to kill them.

Perhaps. Hard to judge between image and body.

We have the cores. With three of them, the power of Nether we can use to attack will take them by surprise.

And suddenly we have killed them with Nether. Which might come to light if the scene is investigated. Which could perhaps lead to an investigation that reveals our Nether Wells. No, better to be cautious. Withdraw for now.

The Grim Chimera image might be enough to kill them.

Survive first. All else is secondary. The Earth-

And what about Vualla while we are busy focusing on survival? What if this is a plot against her and I am just the soldier who made it back with her?

That silenced all of Randidly’s inner voices. Gritting his teeth, Randidly forced himself to turn away. Better to gather some more information before forcing the issue. Although they weren’t trustworthy, there were avenues in Lady Iellaya’s camp that he could sound out to find out the situation in the neighboring camp.

And at exactly that moment that Randidly was turning away, Salazar was stepping forward with a vicious expression on his face. “Bah, w-weaklings. We might all be images, b-but our C-Captain has condensed his third star already. He is a p-p-peerless warrior compared you r-rejects.”

As soon as the words left Salazar’s mouth, Randidly felt the mood in the air change. Where they had been opportunists before, now Randidly felt the abundant bloodlust rolling off the two guards. They stood again, but there was none of the lazy arrogance in their movements that had been there previously.

“We know that, you fucking puppet. We aren’t blind,” The meaner of the two hissed. “Which is why we won’t squash him, no matter how disrespectful he is. At least his body is worth something in this war. But you, you absolute sack of shit-”

Randidly spun around with a scowl on his face as the two guards advanced toward Salazar. Zauna stepped up to join Salazar in a show of solidarity. Salazar’s face was a strange mixture of satisfaction, shock, and absolute terror. The three emotions chased each other across his face as the guards came closer.

Randidly stepped forward between them. “Don’t you have a door to guard like good little doggies?”

It was, Randidly had to admit, profoundly satisfying to watch as the two guards’ faces contorted in fury. Thanks for that one, Lyra.