Chapter 66: You're Lying to Me! |
....
These two magic cards appeared somewhat blurry, likely due to being hastily copied.
Deslar clenched his fists so tightly they emitted cracking sounds.
When he first met Katdera, her beauty had left him utterly stunned. That exquisite face became permanently etched in his mind, surfacing in his thoughts constantly. From that moment, he had decided Katdera would be his future woman.
He had cared for her meticulously, sparing no effort - not only supporting her cultivation with all the Destiny Army's resources but personally guiding her training to help her grow stronger.
Yet despite his deep affection, between Katdera's need for revenge and the Destiny Army's demands on his attention, he had never made a move on her. He knew only after securing victory in war would he have proper time to properly pursue her.
But how could she do this to him after all his devotion?
The deep rope marks and red imprints on Katdera's pale arms, her soaked clothing - they told a clear story of what she'd endured.
Why?
She had never even shown him any emotional expression beyond indifference!
....
Artes watched Deslar's furious state - gripping his sword hilt so hard it might deform - and couldn't help trembling in fear.
Truly terrifying!
If Jonas were here now, Deslar would likely cleave him in two with his great axe.
Any man would explode seeing the woman he cherished treated so brutally while appearing so...enthralled by another.
Truthfully, the magic cards showed Lady Yaoluo displaying behavior completely opposite her usual icy demeanor. Even now, Artes could scarcely believe the cold Lady Yaoluo could transform like this.
Not just Artes - others who glimpsed the cards also widened their eyes before quickly looking away upon seeing Deslar's terrifying expression.
No one dared make a sound.
Hiss...
That the leader remained this composed already showed remarkable restraint.
Had it been them, they'd have exploded already!
...
Seeing the others' evasive yet curious glances only fueled Deslar's rage further. Gnashing his teeth, he barked at them:
"All of you - OUT!
GET OUT!!"
"Yes! Commander!!"
...
After everyone left, Deslar took several calming breaths before addressing Artes:
"Where...where did you copy these magic cards?"
Artes licked his lips nervously: "Deep within Thunderkeep...in a certain room."
"With Yaoluo's abilities, how did you escape after copying this?"
Artes swallowed hard: "Sir, you know...Lady Yaoluo, she...uh...wasn't in a position to stop us. And there was a heavy rain..."
"You!!! I...
Continue!"
Artes gulped - never had he seen the normally composed commander so enraged.
"An entire assassin squad died covering our escape. I barely survived a flying dagger from Lady Yaoluo. If not for sheer luck...I wouldn't be reporting to you now."
He lifted his shirt, revealing a horrific knife wound on his abdomen - the distinctive mark of Jonas's throwing daggers.
...
Seeing the wound made Deslar's expression darken further. He instantly recognized Yaoluo's handiwork.
Damn that Jonas!
An overwhelming urge surged through him to mobilize the entire army and raze Thunderkeep.
His ominous gaze fell upon the two men, making their blood run cold.
Forcing himself to calm down, Deslar considered: The magic cards couldn't be faked. Had Yaoluo truly betrayed them?
Wait...
Nightshades had notoriously low drug resistance. Could...could Katdera have been drugged? Otherwise, how could his always icy and noble Katdera transform so drastically?
But that didn't make sense either - Katdera's eyes still showed awareness in those images...
The more he thought, the closer Deslar came to exploding.
Normally rational, just seeing those images made him want to pulverize Jonas. That despicable noble!
Yet he forcibly suppressed his rage, clenching his fists.
Suddenly he declared: "So only you two returned? You're lying to me. Katdera was forced. You two are the real traitorous scum."
His tone held no doubt - absolute conviction.
Artes immediately protested: "No! How could I side with nobles—"
"You know my methods well."
"Never, Commander!"
Deslar's methods? Compared to a demon like Jonas, what were they?
Wordlessly, Deslar picked up a small knife. As he raised it, dark flames flickered along the blade - his preferred tool for interrogating nobles.
The blade would sear wounds with unbearable heat, creating living agony.
An entire squad died attacking Jonas, yet these two returned so late? Regardless, they would die - he'd rather kill mistakenly.
As for Yaoluo...he still couldn't believe she'd betray them. There had to be another explanation. She was instrumental to Destiny's rise.
Seeing Deslar's movements, Artes trembled: "Lady Yaoluo...she said something as we escaped! A message for you, Commander!"
"Hmph...whatever she said, you die today!"
"She...she said: 'The poisoner was you, Deslar. For what happened then, I'll repay tenfold!!!'"
The words froze Deslar in place. The dark flames on his knife extinguished instantly.
"You...what did you say?"
...