Novel Full Chapter 1263: Death Is Not An Option
Chapter 1263: Death Is Not An Option
“Death is not an option…” Count Eric repeated after the man. He understood very well… There was no option given to him. Not even escape through death.
He would become the Primordial Villain’s pawn, and that was the end of the story.
But still. Eric might not have had a clean hand, but he took his duties seriously. In his mind, he was representing the Winterwood bloodline in this moment, perhaps the family’s most important moment.
Thus, instead of begging for a mercy he knew would not come, he asked, “What of my subordinates?”
“They, too, will join.”
Now this answer shocked the man more than anything. He understood the barons and their families, but… “Even the servants?”
“Even the servants,” Quinlan nodded, then raised his voice, ensuring all heard him. “You will be spared today as long as you submit willingly.”
Then, all at once, the people present were shown a notification before their minds’ eyes. It was a systemic message, identical.
[The Primordial Subjugator wishes to Subjugate you! Do you accept?]
“The Primordial Subjugator…?” Eric repeated with a ghostly expression. Why not the Primordial villain? Did that kid who struggled against level 10 greenskins less than a year ago gain multiple such ominous-sounding titles?!
He didn’t quite understand the implications, but he didn’t need to in order to know the situation was grim. Very grim.
“I do NOT accept!” Baron Mallor screamed with outrage. “Do you know who you are? A damned criminal upstart, that’s who! We’re nobles of illustrious bloodlines, born for greatness! You, a mud-blooded peasant, dare-”
The baron could not finish his screams. The man before them snapped his fingers together, and a sharp pillar erupted from beneath Mallor, impaling him from beneath and coming out of his throat.
But the man was not finished just yet; he was twitching while impaled, leaving gurgling sounds from his throat.
“Now, while I’d love to chat, I’m not here for a leisurely visit,” the man chuckled darkly.
“Agh! Heeeelp!!” Cries erupted, first Mallor’s wife, then the rest. Chaos was about to ensue, but then Eric’s voice sounded. “Stop! Let’s just stop…”
He sounded helpless as he turned around and said, “I’m sorry for having failed you.”
“Lord Eric…” some servants cried.
“We have no choice. Look, Lord Mallor wasn’t even killed… He’s being tortured.”
“Oh, you noticed? He’s pretty much a goner, but I believe an Arch Priest can get him back on his feet if he’s treated quickly. Truly, those people are miracle workers,” the man mused, then cast, “[Subjugate],” on Lord Mallor.
Quinlan’s Subjugation spell worked as such: he had a certain capacity, namely, a hundred points to work with. The more people he subjugated, the more points he spent.
But there were other factors at play as well. Such as the willingness of the target to be Subjugated. Those who were unwilling cost more points and had to be first defeated in battle.
Second, the difficulty of the Subjugation also played a big role. He couldn’t Subjugate Vex when he first tried because of the strength gap between them at the time – and she was even willing to be Subjugated.
Quinlan, thus, had three options. One, kill the witnesses. Two, have the witnesses accept being Subjugated, costing him less. Three, refuse being Subjugated, forcing him to either kill or defeat them.
Ideally, he preferred option two because today, this was only his first stop. There were many more to go.
It was at this point that Eric Winterwood turned around and stared deep into his eyes for a good couple of seconds. Quinlan held his gaze without having a cocky expression.
Despite his attitude, he did not have a problem with Eric Winterwood; he was just one of the many ideal targets for his next move.
The count underwent a myriad of emotions, experiencing them all in the span of their short staring session. But then, his shoulders lost their tension.
“I accept.”
And just like this, like a wave, people accepted one after the other. Partly because of their leader’s attitude, and partly because of the gurgling groans of utmost agony the baron emitted.
“Your first set of orders: clean up and work together to create the perfect story of how the Elites, first led by Garrett, who went outside to confront us, and then by Sarra, worked hard and offered their lives up to protect you.
Sarra was the last line of defense before the reinforcements from the barracks arrived, forcing the invader, whom you identified as Devil, the Primordial Villain, who was working together with his lover, Vex the Hexblade…” he paused to reach behind himself and pull the redhead up close so they can all get a good look before adding, “and the blue skinned soldiers to make a hasty escape, just like this.”
“[Warp Gate].”
At his intonation, a swirling mass materialized, forming into a doorway of doom. At least so it appeared to the observers.
Quinlan began to walk toward it, looking as if he was done with his job, even though his new slaves were as confused as possible.
As he departed, a feminine voice sounded in all of their heads, making them all flinch. <I have only one advice for you: don’t ever assume that you are free just because you can’t see us.>
Eric realized that the telepathic words came from Vex, who did not follow after Devil just yet, electing to continue looking at them with an ominous pentagram sigil being visible in her red eyes.
<My husband, the Primordial Villain, is everywhere and sees everything at all times. He might appear to have a human-like body, but don’t let that fool you; he is a being far above the understanding of mortals. He is an immortal entity who will one day eclipse the woman you call your Goddess.>
“What…” Eric couldn’t help but become speechless. Surpass the Goddess? That was the highest form of blasphemy. No one – literally no one – dared to say such things. The Goddess was above it all, the creator of life and the overseer of the afterlife.
Disrespecting her was as good as accepting that your life after death will be one of eternal damnation.
<But I have good news.> Vex continued, losing the heavy edge in her tone as she purred, <My love is a generous man who treats everyone with respect, as long as you accept his way, that is…> She looked toward the still twitching body of Baron Mallor and giggled, the sound of which made them all shiver involuntarily.
What kind of a woman finds such a sight amusing…?
’The wife of the Primordial Villain…’ Eric realized with a grim expression.
<Now, where was I? Oh yes. My man’s generosity. He is not a sadist; he derives no joy from torturing any of you. You will be allowed to continue your life as you had before. You will be allowed to have your careers, to continue your family lines. You can marry, have friends, birth children, everything. You can even go on vacations if you so desire. But there’s only one thing you must do.>
Vex turned around and began walking after her beloved.
As she did so, she declared,
<When your master calls, you answer. Then, you do whatever it is that he desires of you.>
And just like this, she was done.
Or so Eric thought. But just before stepping into the door of doom, she turned her neck to look back and smirked. <Oh, and don’t pull that fat loser down. He’ll die instantly. Call your best healers to ensure he will live long enough so he can be taken to an Arch Priest. Your master will require his service in the future. Heal him.>
She tossed a potion to Eric and left, flanked by the soul soldiers.
And just like this, Quinlan and co continued their mission, arriving at the next destination.