“How long have you been there?” Grant asked before collapsing on his chair again.
“The entire time,” Silas replied while giving a little wave toward Grant.
“As a wise man once said, I’ve mastered the art of standing so incredibly still, that I become invisible to the naked eye.” Silas chuckled before walking over to Grant.
“But everything I just said is beside the point. I believe we have bigger fish to fry.” Silas smiled at Grant and placed the book on his table before turning it around for him to see.
“Wait, how did they not recognize that you’re not one of them?” Grant asked with narrowed eyes.
“I can ask the same of you.” Silas shrugged, causing Grant to look down for a moment before sighing.
“What are you showing me?” he finally asked while pulling the book closer.
“That page tells you everything you need to know about enchantment beetles, however, what I need to know is not what they are, but exactly when they first appeared.
How long have you lived in this city, and if you were here before they appeared, how long ago did they appear.” Silas asked.
“Am I being interrogated… By a child, no less?” Grant chuckled.
“A child who was capable of negating the effects of an enchantment capable of brainwashing the entire city within seconds… Or at least that’s what she wants us to think.” Silas muttered.
“Us?”
“Everyone who wasn’t affected. From what I understand, she doesn’t know that I haven’t been affected, but she knows about you.” Silas explained.
Grant began to think about it for a few seconds before a smile crawled up the corners of his lips.
“Why should I join your little rebellion when, in reality, this could be very beneficial for me?” He spoke before narrowing his eyes and letting out a chuckle.
“Why would I need to join you when I’m almost certain she will choose me to become the next Judgement? You know, before today I saw you as nothing but a publicity stunt. A person I can show mercy to gain the favor of my people…
Yet, now I see that you might be a bigger threat than I would have imagined, and if there is a chance that you might win our battle, and that’s only IF, wouldn’t it be better for me to simply follow her orders and get the life I truly deserve?” he asked while slowly walking around his table.
“Oh really?” Silas raised a brow before giving him a mocking scoff.
“You see, you might be strong… But in the end, your just as stupid as I predicted.” Silas sighed and walked toward the balcony of Grant’s office.
“You see, every general has a place in this city. Every general has something that they bring to make this society greater… Better. Sure, you imbeciles haven’t been doing your jobs in a while, but you still have a part to play.
Life is the healer… The scientist. She creates the potions. She trains the new recruits and makes sure they can do her job when she’s not around. She is priceless to this city. Eclipse works in espionage. He brings information, so he’s just as priceless…
Death runs the Assassin group. He is our shadows. His entire faction is crucial in times of conflict. They are all well-trained, and that is very clear. On the other hand, Archie is the mind of the group. The strategist. Without him, the city would fall at the first conflict, or at least after a few attacks.
He makes the plans. He thinks ahead, whether that is 10 or 100 years ahead, it doesn’t matter. He is crucial too…” Silas explained.
“And finally… War… We all know no one can touch her, but she and her faction are the army of this city. Sure, most people here could fight, but her soldiers are trained beyond anyone in this city right now…”
“Enough of this! What is your point!” He shouted before clenching his arm and reforming the pieces of the armor to create a long spike that he immediately pointed at Silas’ throat.
“My point? It’s very simple… Where does Judgement fall into this? Think about it. Your entire faction has one job. To uphold the law. Why would she need someone like that if she’s brainwashed the entire city?” Silas asked before grabbing the spike with his bare hand.
And in the same instant, his other hand sped forward and gripped around Grant’s throat with so much power that it create a shockwave that scattered everything in the room.
“Sir? Are you okay?” A voice shouted from outside, yet Silas didn’t even flinch. He continued to look into Grant’s eyes with a cold and calculating stare.
“Everything’s fine. I j-just tripped.” Grant spoke with a raspy voice.
“O-Okay… Do you want help?”
“NO!” Grant shouted again, causing the person on the other side of the door to jump before scurrying away.
“Good.” Silas let go of him.
“You’re stronger than I anticipated.” Grant muttered.
“You’re weaker than I anticipated.” Silas retorted.
“You just took me by surprise. I thought you were mage…” Grant coughed to return his voice back to normal.
“Then you understand…” Silas slowly turned back to Grant.
“That you’ve seen nothing so far.”
***
“Hello my kind guests. How may I help you today?” Greed asked as two men walked into her new and pristine office.
“You’re the one who called us.” One of the sneered.
They both seemed to be wearing royal red robes, just like the man who had talked to Archie about kidnapping Nymira a few months back.
“Oh yeah. My apologies…” Greed chuckled before placing her feet on her desk.
“What do you want?” The other man asked. He was also wearing the red robes, however, there was something inherently different about them…
However, it was clear that this man was the more serious of the pair.
“I’ve talked to one of your princes about this… You know how the Darkless organization has been a thorn at the kingdom’s side for a few decades now?” She asked before a mischevious grin appeared on her face.
“So I have an offer…”
“Get to the point.” The man sneered.
“What do you think of…
Buying the organization?”
——————
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