Chapter 525: The Declaration (3)
"Why?" Gavid chuckled at Noir’s question while refilling his empty glass. "I've always wanted to fight Hamel."
"But there's a difference between a fight and a duel," Noir responded with a laugh. She was well aware of what kind of man Gavid Lindman was. He had served the Demon King of Incarceration the longest out of any other Blades. He stood as the strongest and most loyal among his predecessors. Cheêck out latest novels at .com
"Your sought-after duel directly contradicts the wishes of the Demon King of Incarceration. He desires Hamel to ascend Babel, so shouldn't you be waiting there for Hamel, in alignment with the Demon King of Incarceration’s will?" Noir's voice softened into a seductive whisper as if to probe into Gavid’s intentions.
"Yet, you've declared a duel with Hamel, and on top of that, it’s not in Babel. You did it before he even set out for Babel,” Noir continued to probe.
"That's how it turned out," Gavid murmured while swirling his drink.
Noir smirked and leaned back in her seat.
"If you simply wanted Hamel dead, opportunities were aplenty before. Very easy chances, even,” Noir continued.
"Not as easy as you would think,” responded Gavid.
Gavid vividly recalled the end of the war in Hauria. He had drawn Glory and employed the Demoneye of Divine Glory. Hamel had been powerless. Despite the other humans who shielded Hamel with their bodies, Gavid’s demonic sword could have cut through all obstacles to kill him.
But he hadn’t. He had stopped his strike because of Hamel’s mocking smile. Yet, even if he had ignored it and struck, killing Hamel would have been impossible.
Such was the extent of Noir Giabella's power. She had been hidden and unforeseen as she took to his behind. Had Gavid followed through with his strike, Noir would have somehow intervened.
"Back then, I was too emotional,” Noir admitted.
She had been afflicted with unwanted memories, those belonging not to her but to the Twilight Witch. She had been confused with affection for a beloved man. But now those feelings had settled. It was possible that the memories might resurface when she and Hamel were about to end each other, but she would leave that moment for when it came.
"My actions do indeed defy the King's will," Gavid admitted while emptying his glass. "But, Duke Giabella, as you said, even if you devoured the millions in this city, His Majesty the Demon King of Incarceration will remain silent. The same applies to me. Even if I defy His Majesty’s will by dueling Hamel, he will likely watch my rebellion with amusement."
"It's curious and intriguing to see someone as loyal as you, who served the Demon King of Incarceration for centuries, rebel in such a manner," Noir remarked.
She did not finish her drink, instead, she swirled it as she scrutinized Gavid. Her beautiful violet eyes emitted a bewitching glow.
"Who would have thought you would defy the Demon King of Incarceration's will to such an extent."
Noir's voice transformed and resonated with the space itself, sending a dizzying sound through Gavid.
"You wish to kill Hamel to that extent?” questioned Noir.
This ability of Noir Giabella diverged from her original capabilities. They weren’t in a dream. Even so, her voice and will were manipulating the very fabric of reality.
As a Night Demon, she stood at the apex. Her illusions were capable of manipulating one’s perception, and this was something Gavid was already aware of. However, he had never imagined that this Night Demon had transcended even past that.
"Do you seek to test Hamel?"
Her whispers seemed to coax Gavid's true intentions. They blurred the lines between reality and illusion.
At that moment, Gavid was certain. Had he not traversed the wasteland and clashed swords with the mysterious man, had he never reached that mysterious man with his sword, a confrontation with Noir Giabella would have been inconceivable. Even with the Demoneye of Divine Glory and Glory at his disposal, he couldn't have escaped the merged boundaries of reality and dream that Noir had collapsed.
"That is my role, Gavid," Noir said while standing up. She set down the glass she had been gently swirling and stepped past the small table between them. Gavid's gaze didn't follow her. Instead, he silently brought his glass to his lips.
"It’s me that Hamel has to face before he ascends Babel. You are a servant of Incarceration. It’s fitting for you to await Hamel in Babel. That’s the proper course for you,” continued Noir.
"Duke Giabella," Gavid said as he set down his empty glass. "I simply want to fight Hamel."
The dream wavered.
"Throughout my life, I've been loyal to His Majesty the Demon King of Incarceration. I lived without defiance. But, in the end, it seems I'm just another demon and a swordsman,” Gavid said with a sigh.
"What do you mean?" questioned Noir.
"His Majesty the Demon King of Incarceration desires Hamel to ascend Babel and reach the throne," Gavid explained. "Naturally, His Majesty the Demon King of Incarceration won't just leave the door to Babel and the throne wide open. Like three hundred years ago, Hamel will have to overcome trials to reach Babel."
"Indeed,” agreed Noir.
"If that happens, I will stand before the throne as the final trial imposed by His Majesty the Demon King of Incarceration.... As the Blade of Incarceration, I will block Hamel’s path," said Gavid.
His lips twitched slightly before he worded the question buried deep within his heart. "When I face him, will Hamel truly be at his full strength?"
Noir decided to stay quiet in the face of this question.
"I desperately want that battle with Hamel. I want to fight against Hamel when he sees me and me alone. I want to fight him as he charges at me with the sole purpose of killing me. But if I meet him in Babel, he won’t be any of those things. He can’t be since he will have to surpass me to enter the throne room,” Gavid explained.
The wavering of space ceased. Noir, who had vanished as if it all were but a dream, now sat before Gavid as if nothing had happened.
"You said it’s your role to test and kill Hamel,” Gavid continued.
He refilled the empty glass.
"Then all the more reason I should be the one to do it first. It’s the same for me. I don't want to lose Hamel’s life to you. If you were to kill Hamel first.... Haah, I would regret it for a lifetime. And live with the sinking feeling of defeat forever,” Gavid admitted with a carefree laugh.
Defeat.
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login