"Good, now shall we discuss some important matters" Edger spoke in a serious tone.
I laughed in my mind and smirked.
Did they decide to get out of the character finally?
"So, who is going to take the responsibility for James? The church is not going to leave any of us alone if we let it be and if Austin is caught by them we would be charged against treason for protecting him."
"I am making my stand clear, I will not intervene in this matter." Edger put his hands in the air, surrendering.
"Two choices, either kill the boy or anyone take the responsibility for killing James to divert the attention of church."
He didn't say it out loud but his meaning was clear as crystal if archangels find him regarding this case he going to spout everything.
Noir spoke worriedly. "Right, it will be unexpected if they didn't send an archangel to investigate the case."
Arthur took a deep breath before saying. " I think I ca-"
I interrupted him. "Don't worry about that and leave the Church to me. I can handle it."
"Don't be foolish even if you are powerful you can't fight Archangels especially Michael he is rumoured to be Dragon king level." Edger warned.
I grinned. "Leave that to me, I have my ways. "
Michael is powerful really? hehe, Can he even take my single strike. Still, I will be using another way, my aim is not to fight archangels for now.
Arthur spoke with suspicion. "Even if we believe you... I do not believe you will do it for free."
"Of course not."
My mouth curved into a wide smile. "There is no free meal in this world, I need Austin, leave him to me, I can train him and in return, he can do some small chores for me."
"After all we always have the second option to kill him and end this matter right here and now. Why bother so much?"
Arthur's expression distorted as I finished speaking.
"No way for-"
"Stop! Use your brain not muscles, Arthur." Edger stopped Arthur and spoke.
"Okay deal. But how are you going to handle the Church."
"You can announce I killed James, as for the Archangels don't worry they won't investigate after learning my name," I said with a convincing voice.
Edger pondered briefly. "Even if you can take care of church, how you are going to deal with public outrage. James was a public figure, many adventurers admired him."
I watched him with an amused smile.
"Haha, isn't it better than. I will get some flies to take care of in my free time."
Sigh, I must be sounding like a second-grade young master.
Edger made a thoughtful expression, considering my proposal.
But someone is more impatient than him.
"Edger you can't be seriously considering it. We don't know anything about his origins and I have a premonition he was evolved in James death, he could have planned it all." Arthur spoke hastily.
Edger face turned ugly.
Although you are right, learn some manners dude, the person you are speaking of is in front of you.
Smirking, I stared at Arthur and provoked him further. "What do you mean."
"It's exactly as you think. What about you giving Austin stage don't say you set all this up. You must have tricked the kid in all this." Arthur spoke overwhelmed by emotions.
Hehe...exactly.
"Bullseye, that's exactly as you said." I laughed scornfully.
"... FUCKER."
Arthur trembled with emotions. He lost all his reasoning and punched me.
*BANG*
I didn't defend against it and let myself get hit. I got smashed a few meters afar.
... Always keep your emotions under control or they will control you.
"Ahhh, ...that hurts *spit*."
I stood up with a few cuts and bruises gazing up at Arthur. I grinned evilly. "Haha, ...only this much, don't tell me you are a fragile kid and can't even hurt the murderer of your friend."
"Don't d-" Edger tried to stop him but failed.
"Ahhhhh"
Arthur screamed as he pounced on me.
*Boom*
Swoosh!
*Crash*
Sounds of crashing and explosions resounded as he continued punching me. I resisted my urge to fight back.
Bam!!
Eventually, he gathered all his mana and punched throwing me off the cliff.
*Crack*
A sound barrier cracking echoed.
"WHAT THE FUCK, Arthur." Edger immediately deployed another barrier.
Noir and Lux looked at Cliff anxiously, not concerning about me but fearing what next is to come.
Lux spoke restlessly. "Did he...die?"
"Are you idiot, there is no way he can die from this *gulp*" Noir shivered recalling the dragons. They wanted to escape and do not get involved in all this unfortunately it was already late.
Arthur glanced at the surroundings, he was startled noticing the destruction he has made. If not for the fact barrier was already deployed the whole cliff would have been destroyed.
"I-I didn't mea-"
He wanted to speak something but was interrupted by a crooked voice resounding from the cliff.
"It's been a long time since someone injured me."
A man was hovering above the ridge. Blood was flowing downing from his head. His clothes were stained in dirt and blood.
It was me and my real blood. I snapped my fingers and all blood got sucked back inside my body.
"!!"
They stared at my figure in shock. The sight of blood getting sucked back was disturbing and frightening.
"It would be a shame if I didn't return this debt, isn't" I stared at Arthur with an evil grin.
"Hahaha....."
Gradually, I started gliding in his direction.
"Hey, Leon it was misunders-"
"Shut your mouth old man." I summoned void chains binding Edger.
Mana started enveloping all the area. The space fluctuated and we were teleported inside a void.
Inside the space was inverted, like a mirror reality. The mirrors around me kept shattering every step I took. The reality itself was cracking. Cracks were visible in the space.
Edger glimpsed around him only to see everyone blinded in similar dark black binds as him.
He tried to force his way out, but the chain wasn't bulging a bit.
Noir attempted to mobilize his magic, but all his mana was sucked out as if it was never there. "...What's this??"
He immediately tried to reach the pendant near his neck but was unable to wield it due to the absence of mana.
He looked around as his eyes met with Lux who was looking towards him holding a similar pendant in his hand, both can see one thing in each other eyes... FEAR.
They surrendered their body helpless. Hopelessness was apparent on their faces
Shortly, I hovered down and descended in front of Arthur.
Smirking, I waved my hands removing the shackles on his mouth. "You can speak"
"Hey, man I di-.....Argh!...." Huh, that's not what I want to hear.
"Enough." I sneered.
The chains began to circle his arms and legs.
He was hanging cross-shaped, his arms and legs were gradually being pulled apart by the void chains.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhh...."
All his powers are sealed. He must be experiencing the same level of pain a normal human will feel while being his arms and feet torn apart.
*squish* *...squish* *squish*
Blood spurted out from his joints. Finally, his arms and feet got amputated and fell to the ground.
*splurt*
Arthur's or what's remaining of him was hanging in the air. He was covered in blood. He raised his head to speak something but wasn't able to.
His face was distorted in extreme pain and agony. Not only did he endanger himself but others life as well.
All because of him, nothing would have happened if he was able to control himself.
"..Argh! ....Huu...huff..." He struggled to breathe.
"Would have to appreciate your resilience, a normal person would have collapsed till now. Ok, will give you chance to speak." I removed the shackle.
His remaining body fell to the ground.
*thud*
"Ahhhhhhhh..." He cried out in pain. He was anguished but now is not the time. He must muster up the courage to speak today or else he won't be able to carry the burden even after his death. After struggling for a while finally he was able to whisper few words.
"...Leave the...others..." A bit startled I looked at him and chuckled.
"Awe, trying to be a nice man in face of Death."
I pretended to be disappointed and sighed. "Huh, it doesn't seem like my day today. Though I wanted to kill others as well, but will have to fulfil the wish of dying man, isn't it?"
I glimpsed at others, everyone was looking towards Arthur with worry.
Their faces were twisted in despair and helplessness.
Ultimately, they realised their idiotic assumption. If I wanted to kill I can just slaughter everyone, barely with any difficulty.
Why would I bother with so much planning?
What they didn't know was I had a lot of time to play games with them.
"Hahaha... Do not worry. I will grant you your wish"
I manipulated the chains to shape them into a spear, gradually, a large spear was formed above my head.
"Let's put an end to this." I waived my hand, sending it straight towards Arthur's skull.
*swoosh*
Edger closed his eyes, he was partly responsible for everything that happened today.
Noir and lux gasped in terror.
Arthur closed his eyes waiting for death. [ Is that how I will die, forgive me, everyone, whoever I have hurt unknowingly. Forgive me, Edger, Lux and Noir I dragged you in all these.]
As the spear touched his head everything blacked out.