It goes on for what seems like an eternity.
Grave silence heavily weighs down on them. Neither had said a thing, and neither had looked away from the other. It was a moment of truth - with new colors showing through and painting one surreal image that Drystan would never have dreamt of nor pictured.
He would have never thought that Ercilia would be capable of something so cruel.
"Don't worry, 91408..." she finally began after what felt like a long while, stunning him even more when she called him by that goddamn string of numbers.
"Those people up there? They're pursuers, and they're part of the plan - my plan, that is."
"H-Huh? What...?" he breathed out shakily in confusion and disbelief.
"What're you saying, Ercilia-"
"I've got to thank you for all of these, you know. I'd long been yearning to blow up this place. It's really hideous and disgusting. However, it's only this place - and this place alone. As for the mafia as a whole? Oh, how I yearn to take over it once and for all~"
Drystan went frozen still as Ercilia grinned crookedly.
Now, he understands. She did want to get rid of this underground laboratory, but that didn't mean that she also wanted to completely wipe out the organization. Yet at the same time, he doesn't get it at all. She's too pure, innocent and kind to lead a group of criminals. They don't only engage in human trafficking, after all.
Contract killings, thefts, kidnappings, and other illegal activities - the Viatrix clan also orchestrates those.
"You're lying...!" Drystan bolted out, not buying any of what she said.
"Why're you lying?!"
"You see, 91408, I'd never been a huge admirer of my dad. Actually, I despise him. I want him dead, and thanks to that big brain of yours, I suppose he already is..." Ercilia continued while she started to step closer to him, making him step back.
"That whole lab was meant for the purpose of scientific advancement - a leap forward in science, or so what Daddy kept saying. They wanted to mass produce artificial humans, and just recently, they decided to use the DNA of a specific individual. That is you, 91408. If that had worked, then it'd be a huge change for the world-"
"Bullshit! You think I still haven't figured that out?! I already did when they began tracking my brain for whatever reason! What I'm asking now is why're you being like this! Quit messing around already!"
"You didn't let me finish, 91408-"
"Stop calling me that!"
Drystan couldn't stand it.
He didn't want to hear her addressing him like a merchandise, especially with that apathetic expression on her face. This can't be who she truly is. For the past two months and a half, she'd been nothing but kind to him. He wants to believe in that side of hers.
But she isn't letting him.
"You are my pawn, Drystan Allaric..." Ercilia muttered vehemently, dead serious and unfaltering.
"By pretending to befriend you and making you do all the thinking, I didn't only manage to get rid of my father and this lab, but I'd also be able to prove that I'm more than qualified to be the next head of the family."
She tightens her grip around her gun then, preparing to pull the trigger.
Unnerved, he kept himself from shuddering. As much as he wants to think that this is all just an act, he can see how serious she is. It's more than apparent that she's going to shoot at any given second. If he doesn't do anything now, it'll probably be too late for him to evade the bullet.
"You know how I'm going to prove that I'm worthy of that position, smartass...?" Ercilia quipped with a mischievous smirk.
"After using you as my pawn, I'll use you as my sacrificial lamb."
"Are you... going to surrender me to those people...?" Drystan speculated, scowling menacingly.
"You'll try to put the blame on me and lie about catching me before I can escape?"
"That's right! Gosh, you really are brilliant!"
"You think they're gonna believe that you had nothing to do with this at all?"
"Well, between you, a livestock, and me, the heiress, who will they believe more?"
That does it.
That's enough.
Drystan can't take this any longer. He still believes that Ercilia is lying, and he's more than willing to take a huge risk just to prove it.
"Stand back, Drystan Allaric."
He began to walk towards her, challenging her. Even though he's still being threatened with a gun, he continues to draw closer and closer - slowly and calmly. He has to know if she's not making all of these up and pretending to be a villainess.
"I said stand back..." she ordered sternly, already losing her patience as he continued to take steps closer to her.
"Stay away, you bastard!"
And Ercilia shot.