paranoianovel Chapter 632 Artist and Monster - II
Chapter 632 Artist and Monster - II
"Do you know the purpose of strategy, Lord Sapphire?"
Ansel asked leisurely.
"...To compensate for a lack of strength," the Duke of Sapphire exhaled slowly and replied in a deep voice.
"Correct."
Bang!
The deafening gunshot and Ansel's answer rang out simultaneously. The blaze and destruction spewed from the muzzle of Gleipnir instantly covered the shield with a web of cracks. Although the cracks vanished in an instant, the Duke of Sapphire's drastically changed expression indicated his situation was now quite precarious.
"Because you answered correctly, I used a relatively ordinary bullet."
Ansel explained considerately. "Now, the next question—Lord Sapphire, do you think I cannot see through your strategy?"
"...Please forgive our clumsy performance."
Edward Sapphire bowed deeply. "We are willing to pay for this foolishness, Lord Hydral."
The implication was unmistakable—prolonging this conflict would be detrimental to both sides. What do you want? We will compensate whatever it is, but let's end this now.
"That's not what I asked, dear Duke of Sapphire."
Ansel sighed and pulled the trigger once more.
This time, however, after the violent roar, the shield protecting the Duke of Sapphire remained intact because the Dukes of Triumph and Reverie behind him had intervened simultaneously to intercept the shot.
"Lord Hydral," the Duke of Triumph said gravely, "we—"
He was about to explain something, but his words were cut short by the terrifying aura rising in the grand hall.
Endless darkness spread behind Hydral, forming the twisted, writhing, and fearsome shadow of a nine-headed serpent.
"So, you see, even now, you still want to test me according to your original plan."
A helpless smile, like that of an adult indulging a child's prank, appeared on his face.
Even without voicing these words, the dukes already sensed this meaning from Ansel's fierce demeanor.
Thus, they were even more perplexed, bewildered by Ansel's current behavior, which starkly contrasted... with his past demeanor.
Fools were puzzled by this drastic change, while the wise were confounded by this unrestrained display.
The youth who once arrived bathed in light, like a savior of radiance, had suddenly transformed into a sovereign descending from the abyss.
For the disloyal, death is the sole recompense.
This was a scenario no one had anticipated.
Not only the Duke of Sapphire, but the other dukes also couldn't believe that Ansel would be so resolute, displaying such a ruthless stance as if he intended to kill all three dukes of Eastport right now.
Where did he find such courage? Such confidence? Was he not worried about the other dukes uniting against him? Was he not afraid of the fifth-stage extraordinary beings who might already be lurking in the capital, seeking his life?
If he truly possessed such power, why had he remained dormant for so long after the empress's disappearance?
Was he merely bluffing... or not?
Under this pressure, almost equaling that of the empress, the Duke of Sapphire slowly bent his knee.
He knelt to the ground, bowing his head deeply, declaring his submission with the humility of a sinner:
"Please... forgive me."
No superfluous embellishments, no additional words, no longer speaking of "paying the price," just a simple plea for forgiveness.
The meaning was entirely different.
That last shred of autonomy had completely vanished from the Duke of Sapphire's grasp, he relinquished the right to control to Ansel, placing his life in Ansel's hands.
The other two dukes of Eastport, after a brief hesitation, also knelt down like the Duke of Sapphire, seeking Ansel's forgiveness.
At this moment, everyone's minds and bodies were taut to the extreme, even the ether flowing through the air seemed to freeze.
-->