"You've got to be kidding me, Vera. So you're actually planning to sacrifice yourself just to ensure that my plan goes smoothly? I mean, I admire your dedication and loyalty, but I can't risk losing someone who means so much to me. It's better for all of us to share the burden and face the consequences together than to abandon you."
"But this is the only way, little brother. You've worked so hard for this moment, and I don't want it to fail.. Besides, it's not like I'm going to be defeated easily."
Cian sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know you're capable of fighting them off, Vera. But that's not the issue. I just can't leave you here alone. Can't you understand how much you mean to me?"
Vera remained silent. She was still locking eyes with Celia even now.
"...I won't abandon you, Vera. I've said it multiple times already. No matter what the circumstances, no matter how dire the situation, I won't abandon you."
Cian's grip tightened around the timer in his hand. There were only seven seconds left.
"...I don't want to abandon you. I love you, Vera."
He paused, letting his words hang in the air as time ticked away. Cian spoke again. "You're more than just a soldier or a weapon, Vera. You're my sister, my confidante, and one of my lovers. There's no way I could ever abandon you."
Vera's body trembled slightly, her back turned to Cian, but he could sense the tears welling up in her eyes.
With only three seconds left on the clock, Cian made his decision. He rushed to Vera's side and wrapped his arms around her in a tight embrace from behind.
"I love you, Vera. Come with me. I'm not Father. I won't abandon you. Ever." he said closely to her ear.
Then, at that precise moment, the timer reached zero. The world around them erupted in chaos. A deafening explosion tore through the direction where the inn stood, sending shockwaves through the air.
"W-What's happening?" Mila stammered, her voice filled with confusion. Everyone present, except for Maya, Vera, and Cian, looked around in bewilderment.
Their eyes turned toward the source of the explosion, but instead of chaos and destruction, they were greeted by a breathtaking sight. A shower of vibrant red flowers cascaded through the air, painting the scene with an ethereal beauty. Petals floated gracefully, performing an enchanting ballet in the sky above the city.
Vera, overwhelmed by the spectacle, turned to Cian. With a teary-eyed expression and puffy red eyes, she removed her mask. "I-I love you too, little brother. If you don't want to leave me behind, I promise to stay by your side, no matter what. I'll do anything for you, whether it's helping you gather your allies or even conquering the entire world. Whatever you desire, even if it means having every woman in the world, I'll assist you in making it a reality."
Cian, taken aback by her declaration, stammered, "Well, that last part may be unnecessary, but I appreciate your dedication. Please take care of me in the future."
As the vibrant red flowers continued to rain down, providing a veil of privacy, Cian gently removed his mask and placed his palm on Vera's cheeks. He pulled her close and their lips met, an intense and passionate kiss that spoke volumes about their unspoken desires. This time, Vera didn't resist but instead embraced the moment, allowing their tongues to entwine and savoring each other's taste.
Surrounded by the gentle cascade of flowers and petals, time seemed to stand still for them. It was as if the world itself conspired to prolong this tender and affectionate interlude. They reveled in the taste of each other, their tongues intertwining, losing themselves in the moment.
Finally, Cian slowly withdrew his lips, leaving a glistening trail of saliva. Vera looked at him with intoxicated eyes, craving more. Though tempted to indulge in their desires, Cian knew it was not the time or place.
"Let's go now, everyone!" Cian exclaimed. "With the flowers obscuring the enemy's vision, we can make our way to the car without being discovered. Quick! Charlotte, do you remember where the car is parked?"
"J-Just 30 meters away from here! East!"
"Perfect! Let's move. We only have about a minute before the flower rain subsides."
They all began running towards the east, with Cian and Vera holding hands tightly. As they ran side by side, Cian couldn't help but steal a glance at Vera's profile. He noticed a newfound radiance in her complexion, and even though her face remained impassive, he could see the spark of joy in her eyes. She was truly happy.
A smile spread across Cian's face. 'It seems like my plan has worked,' he thought to himself.
While the revelation of their organization to both the underground and surface societies held a genuine purpose, there was another motive at play.
Cian had meticulously set the wheels in motion by sending a discreet letter to Duke Horselle. Within its lines lay a carefully crafted anagram, intelligible only to the cunning duke himself. It conveyed a chilling message: "I'm going to eliminate those devils you hold connections with in the capital. Try to impede me if you dare." Given the duke's aspirations to seize control of the kingdom, such a message would undoubtedly fuel his wrath. Cian foresaw that he would dispatch someone possessing extraordinary abilities, a heightened human, in response.
'The woman must be the one he sent,' Cian surmised confidently. There was little doubt that the mysterious woman was the duke's chosen emissary.
Cian had also factored in the inevitable involvement of the royal family and the Church. With chaos rapidly unfolding, it was only natural for the Paladins and the Knight Order to intervene on their behalf.
He had orchestrated this grand scheme to ensure that the individuals he desired would play their parts. After sowing discord and pandemonium in the capital, Cian planned to retreat to a different location and seek refuge in an inn for the night. Deliberately selecting an inn known to be affiliated with the Black Dogs Mafia, he intended to reveal their presence to the criminal underworld. Furthermore, due to the escalating turmoil, the paladins, the Knight Order, and the formidable agent dispatched by Duke Horselle would inevitably converge upon that very inn.
But why did Cian go to such extreme lengths? Why did he intentionally expose their locations to his enemies? Cian's motive was actually quite complex. He deliberately exposed their locations to his enemies to create a situation where Vera would have to face her trauma head-on.
As Maya had pointed out, Vera may have appeared strong with her abilities, but deep down, she was actually quite vulnerable. Her past experiences had left her with emotional scars, particularly due to her father deeming her worthless and throwing her away, which led to feelings of abandonment and anxiety...which also led her to have attachment style.
Vera's attachment style was anxious-preoccupied, which meant she constantly sought reassurance and worried about being abandoned. She would often ask Cian if he loved her and plead with him not to leave her. These were clear signs of her attachment style, and Cian was well aware of them.
He was actually surprised when Maya, who have a keen sense of observation, accurately identified Vera's mental state without him ever explicitly sharing it. Maya even mentioned that her love for Cian might be platonic, which actually surprised him, as he was no idea of that fact. However, even if that were the case, Cian's love for Vera remained unwavering. Despite being unable to physically touch her, he would never abandon her because he loved her deeply. That was the undeniable truth.
However, Cian realized that Vera's anxious preoccupied attachment could have negative consequences in the future. He knew that in order to help her, he had to break that attachment. So, he orchestrated a plan where Vera would willingly put herself in a position to be abandoned. The idea was that by facing her fear of abandonment head-on, the fear would eventually fade away, replaced by a determination to see Cian's plan succeed.
In a moment of desperation, when it became clear that Cian's plan was not going as intended, Vera made a sacrifice. She declared that she would stay behind and hold off their enemies. This was a significant breakthrough for Vera because it showed that she was finally breaking free from her anxious attachment. However, Cian knew that her sacrifice alone wouldn't be enough to completely release her from the clutches of anxiety.
In that critical moment, Cian took action to prevent Vera from carrying out her selfless act. He spoke to her with utmost sincerity, expressing just how deeply he loved her and emphasizing that he could never abandon her. His words were meant to reassure Vera that she could trust in his unwavering commitment to her.
Cian actually felt guilty for playing with her emotions, but he believed it was the only way to free her from the grip of abandonment and break her attachment style. His actions may seem extreme, but his intention was to help Vera overcome her emotional trauma and attachment issues. He wanted her to grow stronger and more independent, ultimately leading to a healthier and more balanced relationship between them.
After a few frantic moments of running, the group of six finally reached the safety of their car. The air was still filled with falling petals, but it wouldn't be long before they all settled on the ground. Vera took her place behind the wheel, inserting the key and bringing the car to life with a roar. The others quickly piled into the car, relief flooding their faces.
As they settled in, Maya couldn't help but notice that this car was different from their previous one. It was perfectly suited for all of them, but it also meant she couldn't sit on Cian's lap anymore, which disappointed her. She glanced at Vera, who seemed to have chosen this car with that very thought in mind. An irksome smirk played on Vera's face, but Maya sighed, accepting the situation, and climbed into the vehicle.
"Get down!" Cian urgently instructed, just as a bullet pierced through the car's window. Fortunately, none of them were hit.
"Is everyone alright?" Maya asked, concern etched on her face. The three women nodded silently, their heads bowed low.
"Okay, let's get out of here," Cian declared.
With that, Vera pressed her foot down on the pedal, propelling the car forward. Their relentless pursuer continued to fire shots, but with their heads lowered, it was impossible for the bullets to find their mark.
Cian let out a sigh of relief, taking a moment to appreciate the sight of the rising sun on the horizon. Its gentle rays were beginning to illuminate the city, signaling the start of a new day.
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The once-floating flowers now lay scattered on the ground, a stark contrast to their graceful dance just moments ago.
Sienna slowly lowered her anti-material rifle, realizing that continuing to shoot would be futile. The car she was targeting had already disappeared into the distance, making it impossible for her to hit.
"I'm sorry, creator. It seems I have failed."
A voice crackled in her earpiece. [No, Sienna, it's alright. You've done enough. Now, I need you to return and provide a report on what transpired there.]
"Understood. I will comply," Sienna responded, her voice devoid of emotion.
She cast a final glance at the motionless figures sprawled on the ground before her. It was none other than Veronica, the valiant paladin, and Celia, the captain of the esteemed Knight Order. When she had heard the roaring engine of a car, Sienna swiftly knocked them unconscious with a single punch. Thanks to the metallic enhancements in her arms, the impact had been enough to render them senseless.
Sienna bent down, gently picking one of the fallen red flowers from the ground. As she straightened herself, she gazed down at Celia and Veronica.
"If only you had kept to your own affairs, none of this would have happened," she murmured. Her voice, lacking any inflection, seemed almost robotic. "But since my creator beckons, there is no purpose in ending your lives now. Consider yourselves fortunate that I have spared you."
With those words, Sienna vanished as quickly as a passing breeze, leaving the two behind.