Chapter 162: Pride
"If they are not letting me in, we can leave. Why should we be begging these pointy-eared buffoons? It’s not like we don’t have support!" Arioch said, his chest puffing and his eyes filled with pride.
"Whose support do you have?" Alexandra asked, knitting her brows. There is one adage that is true forever—Pride comes before a fall. And Arioch is the living example of that. He learned nothing from his past life and still is very prideful. But she wanted him to revel in his pride. She wanted to crush his pride in front of others and make him feel shame that he would prefer death, to living.
Arioch gulped as he almost revealed his plans of using the Choshech Orb for the final battle before Maximus and get a hold of the entire realm in his hand. She should not know his plans.
"I know we can get the support of the chiefs of the desert clans, Arioch," Alexandra added, "But wouldn’t it be better if we get the support of the elves? Maximus has Ithildin and with just bolts of lightning, he can win a war. And who knows how many summoned beasts he is hiding? He alone is an army."
"But you have Kefir and Sekwi.Ithildin is nothing compared to-"
"Oh, I am not going to use Kefir and Sekwi in the war, Arioch," Alexandra grimaced. "Did I not mention it before?" She scratched the back of her head.
"It’s what you wanted, Arioch. Remember the past when you would always advise me not to use the summoned beasts against those unsuspecting weaklings? You were right. I decided to follow your advice this time around. You were the one who always looked out for me, Arioch. I am glad that I have you in my life," she smiled seeing the petrified face of Arioch as if she didn’t understand his true reaction.
[I love seeing him tongue-tied when he wants to snap!]
Arioch clenched his jaws. When she does that with that innocent-looking eyes wide, he would have the urge to spill the beans and tell her that he is not Maximillian, but Luke.
"Although I still have reservations in having the Chosheck Orb with us, I am sure that we cannot use it without the help of a Lukyan. That was the reason I agreed to take the orb with me on this travel. So... just listen to the elders, Arioch, and wait for me right here. I’ll..."
"Who is that old man? You were hugging and..." Arioch furrowed his brows. He wanted to smile to make it seem like a casual questioning, but he couldn’t hold his smile and the corners of his lips trembled.
"Oh, he... he is an old friend..." Alexandra’s eyes ended up at Iorhael and a smile bloomed on her face naturally. "He used to not look old before..."