"So, you know about us? About what kind of people we are?" I could sense a temper in his voice. Perhaps he was unhappy with the fact that I know his secret identity. "You know? You could have just written off that statement I mentioned earlier by not answering it. There was that option, you know?" At this point, I wasn't defending my conjecture but attacking him with hard, open, and clear facts. Facts that he couldn't deny if he possibly wanted to try. That was clearly the idea I was hooked onto, for now.
"Then, that means, I don't have to hold back anymore, right?" It was pretty clear that I wouldn't make it out of here without a scratch. But I wasn't the type that was going to back down from such a silly provocation. At least, not after what I've been through, and what I've gained from these past two painstaking weeks.
Look, I get the idea that me, who's been barely a week old, as an alchemist, can't even hold a candle to him, who's been alive for years unknown, in any way possible. But that's where I have to draw the line. If I were to face opponents further down the line who would harm her, my liege, then I must level up myself fast.
I may sound like a dork who's just acting like some protagonist of a cartoon after he suddenly found some powers that makes him unique but logically speaking, I didn't receive these powers because of sheer luck. These were given to me as a responsibility, and that was to protect Emily. It's not the fact that I have to do this because it's for her, but I have to do this because it's her.
Confused? Let me be clear. The pact that bonded us has a clause that mentions should one die, the person who is on the brink of death shall decide whether the partner shall live on or perish by their side. As much as I'd like to die on my own terms, the fact that my fate and her fate had intertwined in such an outlandish manner is a testament to it.
I can't die on my own. But I can't burden the other party to live on, with even a small hint of guilt within them. So, I must live and protect, till I'm able to find a worthy reason to die. A noble cause, as a warrior would say. I'm just a mercenary who has a contract that he's obliged to fulfill. At the end of the day, I'm expendable, and I know that better than anyone else. I've always been a quick fix.
She needs me now to save her, and help her achieve her dream. In other words, layout the pieces, and bring the puzzle closer than ever. I'm just a parasite living and feeding on its host. That's all there is to it. Once I'm done, it's over.
"You do say that but are you sure that's the right thing to do? You may worry your subordinates if they were ever to find the true side of you, and not to mention, in such an open place."
"You're backing out now, huh? After mocking me, and humiliating me to such a degree, do you think there's a way for you to escape? Even if you fall down on your knees, and ask me for forgiveness, you shall still face the wrath that I shall unleash upon you."
"Who said anything about asking for forgiveness? I'm just saying I've warned you to not pick up a fight with me in such conditions. Who knows, I may even have to crush you, and bring you down onto your knees?"
"You're going to make me go down on my knees?"
"Yes! Did I stutter?"
"Very well then. I think it's time I reconsider how I must treat arrogant brats such as you henceforth."
"Master, don't! You shouldn't fight against such a lowly human! It shall blight you! Let me do it for you."
"Well, well. We have an excited member who wants to join in on the action."
"This does not concern you."
"How about this? I'll take the two of you at once?" A suicide mission. Irrespective of what happens, it's my fault anyway. Besides, this lowers the chance of unwanted interference and an unlikely gain in any means. But, is that enough?
I did everything I could to avoid any unwarranted actions but now, I must face a 2-on-1 Handicap match. Not to mention with a sharp frugal lord and his emotionally sensitive butler. This could work to my advantage should they fail to keep themselves in check.
"Fine, let's do it, master! We shall teach him a lesson!"
"You insolent fool!" SLAP! He just slapped his own subordinate in front of me, which did catch me by surprise. "Don't you dare try to bite off more than you can chew! He's my prey! Anyone that tries to lay their hands on him shall have to deal with me first!" Hold on, the last line gives off homophobic and malicious intentions in every sense. No! I shall not agree to this!
"Awww...He wants it so bad, and yet you refuse to give it to him. How cruel! You're a heartless man."
"You think I can't look past through your conniving plan of using him against me and stealing a cheap victory?"
"Do you really think that I'd stoop to such a level?"
"You're a human after all, isn't that expected of you?"
"You dare to look down upon us even though you live among us and feed upon us?"
"Then let me ask you this!" He was charging some black lightning in his palms. I could sense a barrier-forming between this place and the outer world. A dome-like structure has finally been awakened to keep us away from the outer world.
"What is the difference between us and you? Who is the monster? And who is the victim here? Who's the right one, and who's the wrong one here? Answer me!"