Chapter 82: Hard Choices (1)
For the first time in many years, King Gray felt existential fear. He could barely register anything after hearing that question. His mind went blank.
He had thought of killing the assassin to dispel the spell, but he was afraid. What if killing him drove the knight to kill Celine? He couldn’t risk it.
"P-please..." King Gray pleaded, looking over his shoulder to the assassin on the ground. "Don’t do this...She has nothing to do with anything. Please."
The assassin, despite being in the state he was in, managed to laugh derisively. He could almost feel the fear coming from the king, a sight never before seen. It brought a level of satisfaction he didn’t think was possible.
’For the price of probably getting crippled for life, this is a good bargain.’ He inwardly grinned. ’But who says we should end it here? Let’s take this a bit further...’
"Cripple yourself with that sword of yours." The man ordered sinisterly and in a satisfied tone. "Do that and maybe your precious daughter might come out of this alive..."
Of course, King Gray recognised that it was utter nonsense. Yet, what choice did he have? The only course of action available to him was to buy time and pray against all odds that someone would come to intervene.
Lifting his sword vertically, he looked at his reflection and noticed the despairing look on his face.
’This is the end of my rule.’ He mused silently. ’For a simple command of leaving commoners alone, my own nobles would go this far...’
It was still a mystery how they were able to get their hands on all the palace knights. Even the assassin had the spell for turning the knights over to his side.
’As if that was not enough two demons are on the loose, and I have no idea how all this came to fruition.’ He sighed miserably. ’Oh goddess, oh goddess... Is this the path you set out for me? Is this what was meant to happen when I followed that directive?’