Felix's annoyance simmered beneath the surface as he listened to Rustin's voice resonating through the gathering.
With a self-assured grin, Rustin took the stage, relishing the opportunity to speak as a "Low Rank" human servant. His eyes darted between Lin and Felix, clearly aiming to provoke a reaction.
Felix felt his shadow stir within him, its darkness threatening to spill over. He wrestled with the urge to unleash its power, but a moment of clarity washed over him.
He chose to restrain himself, refusing to succumb to anger or engage in a display of aggression. Instead, he met Rustin's challenge with a mischievous grin, a silent acknowledgement of the tension between them.
"Master, he's becoming too audacious with his speech. We need to make our escape as soon as possible," Lin urgently whispered, his expression filled with concern.
However, his words trailed off as he noticed a surprising sight—Sole sitting beside Felix, wearing a smile on his face.
"Quite the speech, isn't it? I've never heard someone so brazenly shame their own 'master'," Sole chuckled, clearly finding amusement in Rustin's boldness.
There was a shared quality between Sole and Felix, a similarity in their personalities, but Felix leaned more towards a laid-back demeanor.
Felix's smile masked his simmering anger and annoyance as he glanced at Sole.
Sole, appeared confused and uncertain. Sensing the tension, Sole subtly inclined his head downward.
"What?" Sole asked, his voice filled with arrogance as he locked eyes with Felix.
"You insolent child of a demon, call off your servant now, or I will drive my lance through his heart," Felix's threatening voice echoed through the air, causing a ripple of unease among the gathered gods. The 5th god instinctively sought shelter behind the protective figure of the 4th god.
"Artum, it's alright," the 4th god reassured, attempting to pacify his fellow deity. He fixed a firm gaze upon Felix, akin to that of a lion assessing its prey.
"Don't frighten a child, Felix," Sole taunted with a mischievous grin.
"And yet you, too, are nothing more than a child. What sets you apart from this god?" Felix retorted sarcastically.
"Nothing. He may be weak, but I..." Sole's words trailed off as Felix's shadows morphed into the shape of a menacing lance, its tip pointed menacingly at Sole's throat.
Sole, aware that he couldn't employ his wind manipulation in the midst of the gathering, and unable to raise his voice to call for help without alarming his sister, felt a surge of fear grip him tightly.
"Master, please refrain from such violent actions," Lin pleaded urgently, his concern evident in his voice as he witnessed Felix's impulsive display. The other gods remained oblivious to the tense moment that had just happened.
Felix, though initially amused by his own mischief, reconsidered his actions upon seeing Sole struggle to catch his breath. With a sigh, he commanded the shadowy lance to dissipate, releasing Sole from its constricting grip. Sole, gasping for air, shot Felix a glare filled with a mixture of anger and fear.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Lin's nerves heightened. He anxiously implored Felix, "Master, we mustn't escalate things any further. Let's find a way to navigate this gathering without causing more trouble."
"I know, I freaking know! I want to end this gathering already, I will kill them all," Felix exclaimed, abruptly rising from his chair and causing a scene that interrupted Rustin's speech.
"You, low-ranking, ungrateful servant to your master! I'll slit your throat right there!" Felix menacingly threatened Rustin, conjuring a shadowy lance poised for attack. However, before he could make a move, Sole's voice rang out in a shout.
"You foolish, impulsive man!" The force of Sole's anger manifested as a powerful gust of wind that lifted Felix and Lin off their feet, slamming them forcefully to the ground.
As Felix winced in pain from the impact, he cast an annoyed glance at Sole, who appeared consumed by rage and madness, his face flushed with anger.
"Ugh, M-master, please don't cause a scene," Lin exclaimed, struggling to regain his footing and helping himself stand. His back ached from the impact of the fall, and he stretched his arms to ease the discomfort.
"I did that... intentionally," Felix said, his innocent expression contrasting with Sole's raging face.
The outburst had been a deliberate provocation, and Felix enjoyed the chaos it caused. Sole's attempts to lash out were quickly thwarted by his own servant, who managed to restrain him and prevent him from causing further damage. Sole's fists flailed through the air, but his movements were futile as his wrists were firmly bound.
As the tension escalated, Sole's sister swiftly arrived at the scene, her presence commanding attention and diffusing some of the turmoil.
Sole's nervousness was palpable as he met his sister's gaze, aware that his actions had drawn unwanted attention and disrupted the gathering.
"Get Sole out of here," Sole's sister commanded with authority. The servants swiftly obeyed, bowing respectfully before proceeding to seal Sole's powers and induce a deep slumber upon him.
With his abilities subdued, Sole was carried away from the scene, his presence no longer a threat to the gathering.
The atmosphere in the garden began to calm as the immediate danger was removed.
The other gods watched the events unfold, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern. Felix, with his nonchalant demeanor, observed the situation with a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. He wondered what would come next.
Felix turned his head towards Lin and grinned mischievously. "A kid is a kid, Lin. When we provoke something that's important to them, they're bound to cause trouble," he remarked with a hint of amusement in his voice.
He leaned back in his chair, seemingly unfazed by the chaos that had just happened.
Lin sighed, his expression a mix of worry and exasperation. "Master, sometimes I wonder if you intentionally seek out trouble," he said, shaking his head.
Felix chuckled lightly, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Indeed, Lin. Life would be dreadfully dull without a little chaos and excitement, wouldn't it?"
The event continued.
"As for me, Cluster Dome really needs to be liberated. A city without a god is quite disturbing, especially when you are all more powerful than most of its inhabitants," Rustin gasped for air before continuing, "The five of you can liberate this city without relying on that foolish god."
Felix felt a chill run down his spine, his anger building up once again. Rustin's words struck a nerve, igniting a fiery rage within him.
Lin, watching Felix closely, could see the turmoil brewing in his master's eyes. As a servant without mana, Lin felt a mix of helplessness and concern, unsure of how to handle the escalating tension.
"That's all I can say. Oh wait, and also, thank you, Master Felix, for the 'kindness' you have shown me for almost five years. I'm here to announce that I will be returning to serve Master Sole. We still have a contract while serving you, Felix," Rustin bowed, his words dripping with a twisted sense of gratitude. While the other gods might perceive it as a show of respect, both Lin and Felix found it deeply unsettling and repulsive.
Felix's eyes narrowed, his expression hardening with a mix of annoyance and disappointment.
Lin, standing beside him, shared the same sentiment. The revelation of Rustin's loyalty to Sole struck them as a betrayal, a harsh reminder that their trust had been misplaced.
"I will not let this betrayal go unpunished," Felix seethed, his eyes burning with an unsettling intensity. A thirst for retribution that could not be quenched.
"Felix, halt your thoughts. The other gods may question your intentions," Lin called out, his voice firm and resolute. His earlier nervousness had dissipated, replaced by a determination to intervene.
Startled by the direct address of his name, Felix turned to face Lin, his eyes narrowing slightly. The intensity in Lin's gaze mirrored his own, urging him to reconsider his course of action.
Felix paused, the heat of his anger momentarily quelled by Lin's unexpected intervention.
He realized the weight of his actions and the potential consequences they could bring upon them. Reluctantly, he took a step back, his expression softening.
"One day, I will be able to deal with him, along with that kid," Felix muttered under his breath, his tone laced with a mix of determination and subtle menace. He reclined back in his chair, consciously willing himself to calmness.
"This is where the event finished, but the real 'conclave' will start tomorrow," Felix furrowed his brows as he listened to the girl's announcement from the stage.
"What the heck? This is not the gathering?" he muttered in disbelief, his voice tinged with frustration.
The girl nodded, her expression remaining composed. "Indeed, this was just the opening ceremony. The true conclave, where the important matters will be discussed and decisions will be made, will take place tomorrow."