Chapter 1180 (2/2)
Soon enough, Randidly would see the realization dawning in their eyes. Someone had seized the core energy that was within that place. It was the only explanation for why the dream had ended so suddenly.
However, Randidly used that moment of confusion to glance sideways at his doppelganger. Honestly, he didn’t think the other three would end up suspecting the truth, especially after feeling the changes in Lady Iellaya and Randidly’s look-alike. And obviously Randidly knew why Lady Iellaya suddenly felt much more potent, albeit even though even he was surprised by the degree of the change, so he focused on the change in Lord Miln’s companion.
Their eyes met. Just like last time, it gave Randidly a physical jolt. They truly looked very, very similar. And the aura around the look-alike… it had shifted slightly. More than slightly, although the effect wasn’t overt. Randidly’s hand twitched as he suppressed an impulse to reach for the Philosopher’s Key so he could get a better understanding of the change.
This man absorbed some of the image too, Randidly reflected lightly. ...did they succeed at taking the shortest path? I’m just surprised Lord Miln didn’t take the strength for himself…
The confusion in the surrounding eyes turned toward suspicion. Lord Miln’s eyes were on Lady Iellaya while Lady Iellaya narrowed her eyes and looked at the look-alike.
Everyone was brought back to the actual moment by Ileot Swacc walking forward and chuckling. “I see that it was a very fruitful journey… How… interesting. But I don’t believe we have time to gossip about our gains, do we…?”
“...no, of course not.” Lord Miln shook his head and took a few steps back from the group while continually staring at Lady Iellaya. Then he turned and smiled up toward the Great Rift that loomed above them. “Everyone is dismissed back to their posts. It looks like today’s work isn’t done.”
“Thank you for the opportunity,” Lady Iellaya said frostily as she bowed. Then she spared Randidly a glance. Randidly nodded and followed her out toward the entrance of the tent.
To his annoyance, Ileot also came behind the two of them. “Ah, Mister Ghosthound, a brief word, if you please.”
“Meet me back at the camp,” Lady Iellaya said bluntly. Then there was the sound of a raven’s wings and she vanished, leaving Randidly alone outside of Lord Miln’s tent with Ileot.
Could have at least waited around to make sure I wasn’t about to get kidnapped… Randidly thought with a sigh, but he still turned around toward Ileot. “Is something wrong?”
“Oh yes,” Ileot said with a giggle. “I’m afraid I must confess that… ah, this is quite awkward. Well, some of what I told you previously turns out… to not be true. You won’t have much time to make the decision about Vualla; basically, you must choose now. Due to the circumstances of the Nether King attacking… my energy will be depleted much more quickly than I had expected. It was an honest mistake, I can assure you.”
Randidly’s eyes narrowed. “Weren’t we friends? Strong-arming me moments before a battle is about to break out is hardly a friendly move.”
“We both know that you never intended to be my friend, despite my genuine efforts,” Ileot had the nerve to sound reproving as he spoke to Randidly. “You are a cold and calculating creature… I should never have expected you to act against your own interests. So let me stress that the ritual will take no time at all, and will not affect you in any way. And once we are working together, this Vualla that you have developed feelings for will continue to live. Is that not what you want?”
At what cost? Randidly glared at Ileot, but he didn’t answer out loud. What would be the point? He could only grit his teeth and allow his mind to whirr into action, trying to decide how to proceed.
“Do you have the time to think about this, Randidly Ghosthound?” Ileot asked sweetly.
Randidly didn’t need to look to feel huge masses of Nether forces dropping down toward the frontlines. Within ten minutes, the battle would erupt into a chaotic mess. At that point, lives would be extinguished by the hundreds as the fighting began. His chest trembled with tightly controlled anxiety. If he was present, perhaps-
Randidly pressed his eyes closed. Vualla. I… I don’t want you to die. I don’t want to fight against the System alone.
And yet…
And yet Randidly opened his mouth and said, “No.”
It should have been a difficult decision. But it turned out to be extremely easy to say that word. Then Randidly turned and hurried away. Heading not toward Lady Iellaya’s camp but to move before Ileot Swacc could do anything else. Behind him, Ileot Swacc just laughed as Randidly rushed outward across the preparing battlefront.