Chapter 339.1
The crimson-eyed mouse stood frozen, its stance far from that of a typical creature, with both front paws raised and hesitant steps backward. Gradually, it distanced itself from Kasser and then leapt over Aldrit’s body, nimbly climbing up his shoulder.
Kasser found Mara’s reaction intriguing. Like a frightened dog tucking its tail between its legs, he half-buried himself in the nape of Aldrit’s neck, exposing only his head. Mara’s attempts at self-preservation seemed feeble, as though he believed Aldrit could serve as an impenetrable shield.
According to the information Eugene had gleaned from an old woman of the ancient tribe, both Mara and Sang-je were formidable monsters with lifespans beyond measure. It was possible that even she wouldn’t stand a chance if she were to confront these monsters head-on.
“Is it an innate instinct for larks to fear the king?” Kasser wondered, likening it to a frog encountering a snake, freezing in place. If that were the case, any powerful king would have the upper hand. Momentum was half the battle in combat, and those who retreated in fear couldn’t fully harness their strength.
Kasser’s speculation was nearly accurate, but not entirely. Mara remained oblivious to the wealth of information Kasser possessed. Consequently, he harbored a deep fear of the king’s ability to instantly discern his true identity.
Mara had never been in close proximity to the king, nor had he ever engaged in conversation with him. Faced with his ultimate adversary, capable of obliterating him, he couldn’t afford to be careless. Compared to Sang-je, Mara appeared as innocent as a child.
His Majesty appears to see through everything, Aldrit thought, gazing at Kasser in astonishment. In his mind, a clamorous inner voice echoed.
“Hey, what’s your game here? Step forward and make a move. You’re not planning a betrayal, are you? Loyalty is a must if you want to be of any use. Humans should uphold honor!”
Discussing human concepts like loyalty within the context of larks seemed ludicrous to Aldrit. At times, he found this monstrous creature’s chatter irksome. Despite knowing the truth about these beings called larks, he couldn’t entirely despise this bothersome creature. While he wouldn’t make the slightest sacrifice for Mara, he could still utter something like, “He’s not such a bad guy.”