Chapter 118: Lazare VS Belgaroth (part 1)
The heavy silence that followed Lazarus’s words seemed to warp the air itself, stretching it like a thread ready to snap. Belgaroth slowly rose from his nonchalant position on the boss’s corpse, a predatory smile spreading across his lips. His glowing red eyes narrowed slightly, and a guttural laugh escaped his throat.
- "I see..." he murmured in a rumbling voice that resonated through the hall like rolling thunder. "So this is the human warrior I absolutely must kill? I must say... I’m pleasantly surprised and half disappointed by your weakness."
Lazare did not respond immediately, his sharp eyes fixed on the red dragon with icy intensity. A tense silence settled, each side measuring the other, calculating weaknesses, analyzing postures. Then, without a word, Lazare slightly spread his legs, one foot sliding backward, his hands rising slowly into a fluid, perfectly balanced position. Isaac noticed it immediately: he wasn’t taking a defensive stance, but an attacking posture, sharp, honed like a blade.
- "Ah... I see we want to take things seriously," Belgaroth mused, his aura suddenly intensifying. "Perfect... I was getting a bit restless."
His free arm rose lazily, the chain connected to Akane’s collar vibrating slightly. An imperceptible whisper, a silent command traversed the air. The collar illuminated with a reddish glow, and Akane, until then prostrate and silent, slowly raised her head. Her eyes were empty, completely devoid of free will. Isaac felt an icy shiver run down his spine. She was being controlled.
- "Amuse yourselves with my guard dogs," Belgaroth declared, his voice dripping with contempt. "Akane... kill them."
A simple word, a simple injunction, and Akane abruptly straightened, her gaze fixed, expressionless, but terribly dangerous. Her muscles tensed, her body reacted immediately, assuming a guard position, fists clenched, knees bent.
Naesha, still as silent as ever, slipped slightly back, her daggers gliding between her fingers with the suppleness of a snake. Isaac felt his heart beat painfully, his rage boiling again. She didn’t deserve this. Not her.
- "Naesha, cover me," he said coldly.
Naesha did not respond, but her gaze gleamed with understanding. The two launched forward simultaneously, moving in perfect balance. But the next instant, flames erupted throughout the room.
Meanwhile, Lazare remained motionless. His gaze was riveted on Belgaroth, his expression still impassive. The red dragon stepped forward, each footfall resonating like a hammer blow in the silent hall.