Hero Of Darkness

Chapter 981 Deception and Reality

Before the battle even commenced, Maximus abruptly questioned Atreus about his true identity.

This unexpected revelation left Kahn in a state of shock, as no one could anticipate such a direct and incisive inquiry at that moment.

The tension and intrigue surrounding the impending conflict were further heightened by this sudden turn of events.

[What do you mean?] asked Kahn in return.

[I've known you since before you even became a member of the Hero's party.] Maximus declared with a stern demeanor.

[The circumstances of your victory in the Elysium Tribal tourney and your subsequent inclusion in this group are well-documented.

Your remarkable feat of defeating everyone on the very first day of your commemoration has not gone unnoticed.] stated Maximus in a stern voice.

[However, ever since we entered Babylon, you have done things that shouldn't be possible.

Whether it was finding and killing the guardian of the 2nd region by yourself or leaving that Chimera and Melisandre's illusion techniques… you have achieved those things at the same pace as me, a chosen Hero.

And just a few minutes ago, you skillfully neutralized the last guardian's divine ability as if you knew its weakness from the very start.] he revealed his reasons for doubt.

[Those are things that even I can't achieve without going all out with my other 2 divine abilities and my divine weapon. And now, you already have a plan to execute despite seeing this divine ability by Marcus for the first time.

You even used that suspicious invisible attack that cut off their heads in an instant as if you were not a brawler but a swordsman or an assassin.

It's almost as if you already know a lot of divine abilities and heroes despite not being one.] he declared in a suspicious voice.

[Do you expect me to believe that you're just a normal member of the Hero's Party and not someone with ulterior motives?

I'd rather charge into the battle blindly than fight beside someone who might backstab me when I least expect it.] declared Maximus without hesitation in Kahn's mind.

[So tell me, who are you exactly?] he asked one more time while clenching his fist.

Even Kahn could feel that if he didn't answer Maximus right now… things would become complicated to the point that he might end up fighting the hero instead of Marcus Brutus.

[My my, looks like you have caught onto my truth.] responded Kahn with an incredulous countenance.

[Who are you and why are you here?] questioned the Hero of Nature again.

[Consider me as someone who was supposed to keep you in check in case you… a human, decided to work against our Nadur Empire.] revealed Atreus in an almost threatening tone.

[What nonsense is that?] asked Maximus with a bewildered tone.

[It is exactly as you heard. I am a hidden card of the empire who was secretly trained by the Empress and my Master, taught the weaknesses and overall knowledge of Divine Abilities as well as Divine Weapons.

All so that if one day you decide to betray us and your role as a summoned Hero of Nature… I will be the one to take you on and capture you.] stated Atreus in a tyrannical voice.

[What the hell is that supposed to mean? I would never betray my responsibility and the people I'm supposed to protect.] replied Maximus.

[Don't fret over it. I'm not necessarily your enemy.

I am just a failsafe of the empire since we can't trust you humans who once enslaved us.

Looks like you don't know what happened to the Heroine of Nature who was summoned 300 years ago.] he iterated mysteriously as if revealing an unknown truth of the past to Maximus.

[What are you even talking about?] questioned Maximus in bewilderment.

[That bitch was a human too and just like you, she too was shunned and discriminated by the people of our empire in the beginning.

During the Conclave of Heroes that happened 300 years ago, she almost betrayed the empire and tried to join hands with an empire run by humans. 

If not for already taken precautionary methods, that human bitch would have joined an enemy side after she sacrificed all of the party members to these guardians.

That's why I joined the Hero's Party in the most unsuspecting way.

I met you that day when we fought the mythical Cherufe and then won the tribal tourney just to put up a show in front of the whole empire.

Everything was planned by our great Empress and no one, not even these baffoons besides you know anything about it.] explained Atreus in a serious tone, revealing his grim truth.

[This… is that why you know all these things about divine abilities?

Is that all you are… a spy of the empire?] asked Maximus in disbelief.

[What? You expect me to be some righteous man like you?

Not everyone fights for the sake of people, Maximus. Some people like me live to serve the ruling powers of the empire.

And if it meant keeping an eye even on the representative sent by our God of Nature… so be it.] declared Atreus again in his icy tone.

Now, everything made sense to Maximus. Not a single encounter he had with the blue wolfkin was due to coincidence.

The empire planned everything, trying to make Maximus trust Atreus as his close ally that he would divulge secret information to once their friendship became stronger.

[If I hadn't been suspicious of his actions since the beginning, I would have almost thought of him as my true comrade in arms.

That damn empress… she still has her threads binding me no matter where I go.] he though with an incongruous countenance.

[Now tell me what it will be, Maximus? 

I have already told you that I will act only if you show any signs of betraying the empire.

But if you do what you are supposed to do, then I'm your strongest and most capable ally.

So make a decision now.] spoke Atreus as he gave the hero a final intimation.

After a few more seconds of thought, which was a couple of minutes for a saint, Maximus finally came to terms with their current situation and affirmed his compliance.

[Fine. But after we are done with this whole Conclave of Heroes, we are definitely not allies.] spoke Maximus as he prepared himself for the battle.

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As for this entire narration… it was a big fat white lie.

Whether Kahn had been operating as an undercover spy or his covert training in divine abilities, he had deftly woven a narrative on the spot that leveraged his wits and cunning.

Crafting an effective deception required a keen understanding of psychology, and Kahn was well aware that the most believable lies were those mixed with half-truths.

Kahn had chosen to acknowledge that he had a secret identity only after Maximus had already become suspicious. This strategic move was calculated to maintain a semblance of trust. Because if he tried to act innocent, then the Hero would pry more into the truth than Kahn could let on.

He intentionally started this lie with the time when he first encountered Maximus during the battle against Cherufe, redirecting the Hero of Nature's focus toward past events and the surprise they had elicited.

Kahn also mentioned his victory in the tournament as part of the larger plan, adding credibility to his narrative.

As for the matters concerning the previous Heroine who had entered the God's Altar 300 years ago, it was Marcus Brutus who had casually revealed that she had used her allies as shields to escape.

This detail was a crucial component of Kahn's deception, serving to corroborate his own fabricated story and make it more convincing to Maximus, giving a logical explanation as to why he was sent here as a member of the Hero's Party.

The diversion created by Kahn in the story was a masterful stroke that served to bolster his narrative of being an undercover spy tasked with monitoring Maximus due to the alleged treason committed by the previous Heroine of Nature.

Also, Kahn could not reveal that his knowledge of the divine abilities came from his memories since he too was a chosen Hero and neither could he speak about Rathnaar, the former Peak Saint of Vantrea who had faced and overcame the Necromancy divine ability.

So his entire narrative was carefully constructed to divert attention away from Kahn's true intentions and his source of knowledge.

In the end, what Kahn had provided Maximus with was an even greater adversary, the Empress Kaali Adisesha.

By doing so, Kahn effectively framed himself as a mere pawn in a much larger and more intricate scheme.

This strategic move was calculated to refocus Maximus's attention on the Empress and her potential machinations, thereby diverting suspicion away from Kahn and his true objectives.

It was a brilliant maneuver that showcased Kahn's adeptness at manipulation and subterfuge.

In the end, Kahn emphasized that Atreus would not be his enemy unless Maximus' actions showed signs of treason.

This declaration allowed for a potential resolution that hinged on their actions rather than mere assumptions.

As any mature adult would do when faced with a conflict of interests, Maximus considered the possibilities and recognized the need for compromise in this situation given that they had to fight a powerful enemy in just a few seconds.

With the few details he already possessed and a touch of his own imagination, Kahn formulated this elaborate narrative on the spot, showcasing the extent of his strategic thinking and his capacity to adapt to complex situations.

It was a testament to Kahn's quick wit and resourcefulness in navigating the intricate web of alliances and betrayals that surrounded them.

The Art of Lying stated that…

A liar knows that he is a liar, but one who speaks mere portions of truth in order to deceive is a craftsman of destruction.

If you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed.

Thus, Kahn used Deception and mixed it with Reality to hide his true identity as Hero of Darkness.