Chapter 252 [Summit Of Unity] [5] [Trust And Betrayal]
Chapter 252 [Summit Of Unity] [5] [Trust And Betrayal]
I screamed in my mind as I snapped out of my daze.
\'What the fuck does she mean?\'
Why did Christina become Anastasia\'s Avatar all of a sudden!?
In the first place, how is that even possible!!
She had no connection with Anastasia in the game.
Then fucking why!?
My frozen body jerked back to reality as my gaze landed on Christina walking towards the second floor.
My stomach twisted, anxiety I had been trying to suppress surged once again.
\'Stupid idiot!\'
I bit my lips in frustration as I rushed towards her, pushing aside those who stood in my way.
A commotion rose around me, and soon every gaze was on me.
"Christina!" I yelled, making her halt halfway up the stairs.
But she didn\'t look back, just stood motionless.
Two knights blocked my path. I stopped, my annoyance growing further.
"Move," I ordered, glaring at them.
One of them pointed his sword towards me. "The Holy Lady called her, stop interrupting—"
"I said move," I cut in, my voice low.
They both didn\'t budge. I glanced up and saw Helena grinning widely.
My patience burst like a bubble, and I stepped forward. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Without hesitation, the knight rushed towards me with the intent to subdue.
He drew his sword up over my head and snapped it down.
Neplh!
A cold mist escaped my mouth, a sword of ice forming in my left hand.
I brought it over my head, rotating it so the handle was up high.
Clatter!
His sword sloped down to the left, like a raindrop.
I sidestepped. Curled my fist.
"Argh!"
A powerful right aimed at his ribs connected. A dent formed on his beautiful armor.
He curled up like a cat, gasping for breath.
Another right swung, connecting to his head. His skull visibly shook, knocking him unconscious.
I stepped back, gazing at the other knight, who, momentarily frozen, came back to his senses.
He charged directly at me, hollering at the top of his lungs.
His movement more fluid than the other\'s, legs shuffled to confuse me about his attack.
His sword cut and slashed towards me.
"Arghh!!"
I parried the attack, turned around, and cut both of his legs off just above the knees.
He collapsed. I grabbed him by the back of his neck, squeezing it.
My gaze moved up. Tens of knights surrounded me.
I squeezed the knight\'s neck further, glaring at them.
"Stop."
A soft voice echoed, and they all looked up.
Irisveil walked beside Helena, her gaze on us, "Step back."
Every knight obliged, retreating to their original positions.
I loosened my grip on his neck as I walked up the stairs.
Christina still didn\'t look back at me, her head lowered.
"Come with me," I said, grabbing her wrist tightly.
She didn\'t resist, letting me drag her away from the main hall.
"Azariah," she called me, her voice tired, "...You are hurting my wrist."
"..."
I didn\'t reply, instead tightening my grip more.
Arriving quickly at the guest room, I pushed her in before locking the door from the inside.
Closing my eyes, I drew in deep breaths to keep myself calm.
She is the only person I genuinely don\'t want to lash out on.
I slowly opened my eyes.
She came into my view, smiling.
"....Why?" I asked, my voice low, barely holding back my anger, "Why did you become her Avatar?"
"...It\'s, uh, complicated." She replied, never looking into my eyes.
"What complicated!?" I snarled, stepping closer, "...I\'m asking you why, just tell me the fucking reason."
"...That won\'t change anything now," she whispered softly, looking up at me, "...I made my decision long ago."
"Fucking why!?" I yelled, grabbing her arms, pulling her closer, "What forced you—?"
"Nothing." She cut in, "I knew what I was doing and what I was getting myself into—"
"You don\'t, idiot," I said through my clenched jaw, "...You don\'t know what you have done."
"Tell me, then." She replied, staring into my eyes.
"That won\'t change anything now!?" I yelled, pushing her back, "...That fucking monster didn\'t leave his daughter, let alone you!"
"..."
She quietly looked at me, her lips sealed tightly.
"You could have at least asked me, Christina." I walked around the room, messing my hair in frustration.
"In the first place, you weren\'t supposed to be her Avatar!"
"How do you know that?" my steps halted as she asked, her voice tired, "Tell me, Az."
I sighed, rubbing my temples in frustration. "...Just why, Christina?"
"Az, I know what—"
"You fucked up!?" I yelled, making her flinch, "...You made the stupidest decision for what!?"
"....Az." She walked closer, grabbing my hands, squeezing them. "...I know you\'re being protective—"
"You are a fraud, Christina!" I yanked my hands away, glaring at her. "You are a liar! Stupid!"
She stepped closer, a gentle smile on her face. "You can say whatever you want. I don\'t mind."
"You should have just stayed like a normal human—"
My words abruptly stopped as something clicked in my mind.
Everything started to fall into place.
"....You did it for power?" I whispered weakly, and she closed her eyes.
I stumbled back, staring at her in disbelief.
"...Why—?"
"I love you, Az." She confessed, her eyes still closed, "And I never want to be a burden—"
"You aren\'t a burden!" I yelled, suppressing my boiling emotions.
"But I am weak—"
"I can protect you."
"That\'s the problem, Az," she replied, standing in front of me. Her hand gently caressing my face,
"I don\'t want to be protected. Instead, I want to protect you from everyone."
"....I am stronger than you," I replied quietly, my forehead touching hers.
"Not for long." She replied, smiling.
"You are stupid," I mumbled, closing my eyes.
"...I know." She replied, nodding in response.
"..."
"Anyway." She stepped back, grabbing the hem of her gown before twirling around, "How do I look?"
"Ridiculous." I groaned, feigning a repulsive look.
"Really?" She asked, taking a step before grabbing my tie to pull me closer, "Well, that doesn\'t seem to stop you from nutting inside me every night."
"Not every night—"
My words halted abruptly as her soft lips met mine.
She kept on kissing me, not letting me get a hold of her.
"...From now on, trust me a little more," she whispered softly, while gently kissing my lips, "...And I will do everything in my power to make you the happiest."
***
***
The main hall buzzed with murmurs from the nobles.
The two knights beaten by Azariah were swiftly taken care of, removed from the scene.
Everyone\'s gaze remained fixed on the Holy Lady Irisveil.
They all waited for her reaction to the blatant disrespect shown to the church in front of everyone.
If any other noble had done it, he would have been executed on the spot.
And even though the same couldn\'t be done with Azariah, a severe punishment was set in stone.
"Anyway, the three royal families will have a talk about the summit."
But much to everyone\'s surprise, she said this, completely ignoring Azariah.
"The younger generation should also gather together—"
"Are we going to ignore that boy?" a voice echoed.
Every head turned towards Regan, who angrily whispered, "Are we really going to forgive him?"
The murmurs spiked, and some people also voiced agreement just to stay on Regan\'s good side.
Regan nodded in satisfaction.
For so long, he had wanted to see Azariah humiliated the same way he had been humiliated in front of everyone.
And he wasn\'t going to let go of the chance.
"We should—"
"And who are you to tell them what to do?" A chilling voice echoed, cutting through his words, "Have you forgotten your place, Regan?"
Everyone turned to look at Esmeray, who sat lazily on a chair on the second floor, looking down on everyone.
"Who are you to say—"
"Shut up, Regan." She cut in once again. "You have no right to speak here."
Regan glared at her furiously, his chest heaving in anger.
His head snapped to complain about her to his son-in-law.
"Huh?"
But his expression crumbled as he looked at Ethan.
...The boy wasn\'t even looking up. His body trembled, cold sweat running down his back.
...He was frightened.
And everyone noticed it.
"Esmeray." Irisveil glanced at Ethan before turning to look at her. "...Can we talk?"
"Not now." Esmeray replied as she stood up from her seat.
Without even looking around, she moved forward, in the opposite direction of where Azariah had gone.
"Like I thought." Esmeray mumbled to herself, "...You are trying too hard, Anastasia."
She quickly arrived at the room that had been assigned to her in the royal palace.
Opening the door, she walked in.
Two people were already present inside.
"My lady." Adaliah bowed as Esmeray walked towards the chair.
"Delete everything about Azariah from the internet." Esmeray ordered as soon as she sat down.
"Before the sun rises, I only want people to know he exists but with no proof to back it up."
"Yes, my lady." Adaliah replied, nodding her head in acknowledgment.
Esmeray\'s cold gaze turned to the other girl in the room.
She wore a one-piece dress that covered her knees, her long chocolate-colored hair tied down.
"Report." Esmeray ordered.
"Yes."
Ruby nodded in response.