Chapter 2063: Change in Odds

Seven against four.

Just a few minutes ago, it had dropped to six against four.

And now, with High Millinar Angela’s death, it dropped even further to five against four.

A battle that many believed would be a one-sided total domination has now started to get even; no, the tide was already moving for the opposite side. It was starting to look like High Lord Rashal’s side would be the dark horse.

More surprisingly, it happened because of one person.

Someone who many thought was a nobody became the variable that changed the odds so much.

It was bad news for the High Lords who supported High Lord Ursa.

High Lord Leenim could feel the change in the air.

"Heads up, dear..." his wife tapped his bicep and whispered. "Leeches."

Even without needing to turn his head, High Lord Leenim already knew what his wife meant.

"High Lord Leenim," A fat High Lord, donned in a silken robe with one hand above his belly, came down from his seat and stepped into High Lord Leenim’s view. "It’s quite an exciting battle, isn’t it? Anybody would’ve been surprised by how this was going."

"Strange to see you walk all the way here, High Lord Dandro." High Lord Leenim glanced at his belly, and then looked forward again. It was a subtle punch to the fat High Lord’s ego. "As you can see—the battle is far from over. Care not to disturb me until it’s over?"

"Fat is the fuel for the body, you know, so this much fat meant I’m full of energy."

He shamelessly created a simple seat with his power, and lowered himself.

A heavy, satisfied breath escaped his mouth once his massive buttocks reached the makeshift chair.

And then, he pointed at Rex down below, who was watching High Millinar Angela get eaten alive.

"That man... He’s quite a unique one. First, the Cluster Custodian pardoned his brazen act; he showed his capabilities by easily beating two High Millinars—and now proved to have the power to devour the divinity of others." High Lord Dandro cast a glance at High Lord Leenim. "For such an individual, it’s hard for him not to get noticed until now, am I right?"

Unlike the other High Lord that has a business empire, High Lord Dandro was quite different.

He’s extremely rich, but didn’t have any business empire.

Instead, he dabbed his hands in the murky waters of the underworld, investing the bulk of his capital into illegal weapons, a premium contract killer agency, and, most importantly, his intelligence agency. He was the person everyone searched for when they needed hard-to-get information and also assassinations.

Someone extremely dangerous despite his appearance.

His eyes that were always curled in crescent moons, finally opened, revealing a pair of sharp golden.

Under them, his lips also curled into a smile.

"But it seemed like you knew about this person," He continued. "Or else—why would you even side with High Lord Rashal? He’s formidable, yes, but he has too many advantages. After all, he reigned as a High Lord for a long time when most could barely scrape a few centuries."

"I knew nothing about Sir Rex." High Lord Leenim shook his head.

Even then, High Lord Dandro had no urgency to believe his words.

People can lie.

"I see... But you can’t deny that suddenly volunteering as a witness is quite suspicious on your part."

"..."

Of course, High Lord Leenim couldn’t deny that.

Stepping forward to volunteer in order to trigger the Purgation Duel Law meant siding with High Lord Rashal. And that meant endangering everything he held dear. His wife. His children. His relatives. Even his own life would be on the line.

Not because High Lord Ursa would personally finish him, but because he has too many supporters.

Every single High Lord would certainly lower their contact with High Lord Leenim—had the Purgation Duel ended up with High Lord Ursa’s victory. No need to associate themselves with someone who went against the top dog.

Doing so would only hurt themselves.

For someone to do that without any certainty would be foolish.

In High Lord Dandro’s eyes, he must have a legitimate reason to step forward like that.

And naturally, that reason should be knowing about Rex.

"Just think whatever you want, but I’m telling the truth. I don’t know anything about Sir Rex. I simply believed in High Lord Rashal more, and my gut feeling—something that always helped me in dangerous situations told me to side with him. Anything more than that, like Sir Rex’s mysterious background, is a bonus after I made the decision."

High Lord Leenim decided to put it plainly.

Every word that came out of his mouth was the truth.

He knew nothing about Rex before the Purgation Duel.

All he knew was that High Lord Rashal favoured him, and that meant he was someone outstanding.

Nobody gained High Lord Rashal’s praise without being extraordinary.

Of course, he also realized that his reasoning for siding with High Lord Rashal sounded like nonsense. Nobody would actually risk their own life, family, and wealth because of a gut feeling. But for him, that gut feeling was everything.

It rarely appeared, but whenever it did, he always trusted it and was always glad later that he did.

Just as simple as that.

Seeing no trace of cunningness or guile in his eyes, High Lord Dandro finally decided to trust him.

No need to press further.

’Someone who has a military background is always like this.’ He thought inside, remembering that both High Lord Rashal—and High Lord Leenim came from a military background. It wasn’t that much of a surprise for them to stick close like this. ’He’s telling the truth.’

It was a reason that might sound silly to him, but for High Lord Leenim, it was enough.

Just something someone like him wouldn’t understand.

"Of course!" High Lord Dandro laughed festively and then slapped his thigh. "When we have nothing else to cling to—we can only rely on ourselves. That is the lesson esteemed military people like you learned. I envied such a thought, really."

He stood up again and dissolved his chair.

"I know the battle is far from over. But should High Lord Rashal emerge victorious, can you please put in a few good words to him?" High Lord Dandro’s smirk widened. He made a coin with his thumb and index finger, swaying it left and right. "I can give you proper compensation, of course. And as you know already, doing business with me is very profitable and secure, you know."

Even before High Lord Leenim said another word, High Lord Dandro already turned around to leave.

Not giving time for him to answer.

"Already trying to secure his position, huh?" High Lord Leenim shook his head.

But then again, he didn’t blame High Lord Dandro.

Seeing how the battle developed, with two dead from High Lord Ursa’s side and no casualties from High Lord Rashal’s side, one would be a fool not to accept that the chances of either side winning were about even, not overwhelmingly one-sided.

In fact, the chance of High Lord Rashal’s side winning could even be higher now.

Nobody could deny that.

Making sure that one would not be hurt too much by the result is practically inevitable.

And as the only one serving as a bridge to High Lord Rashal, High Lord Leenim became the sole target.

Someone who could offer them a flicker of safety.

"I never thought he’d be the first one to approach you like this." His wife glanced at the retreating back of High Lord Dandro. "The military has always sought to eradicate his dark organizations. It’d only be natural for him to despise anyone tied to them. Yet he’s the one who lowered his pride and came to you for security."

"You’re underestimating him." High Lord Leenim shook his head. "Someone like him who could dwell in the murky water most certainly could do anything to survive and grow stronger. Not even High Lord Ursa would want to go against him. And besides, when High Lord Rashal wins, he won’t punish every single High Lord who sided with High Lord Ursa. He’ll only need a few examples to make his point."

"All High Lord Dandro needed to do was not be too close to the bottom."

Despite the obvious, there would be some High Lords who refused to admit their wrongs.

Some of them would keep retaliating.

High Lord Rashal was a new High Lord, after all, and there are many who don’t like him.

And those people would be the sacrifices High Lord Rashal needed to make an example. Just talking like this and showing slight willingness to bow his head—meant High Lord Dandro would not be near those stubborn High Lords.

Lowering his pride to curry favour from High Lord Leenim was nothing for him.

However, High Lord Dandro’s move changed the atmosphere instantly.

High Lord Leenim and his wife glanced toward the others and saw them already scheming. Both could see the gears turning in their minds. Each one was quietly searching for a way to do exactly what High Lord Dandro had done.

If one had already bowed and accepted the possible reality, the rest would soon follow.

All shame was already soaked by High Lord Dandro, and now they could make their move.

"It’s going to be troublesome, indeed." High Lord Leenim sighed lightly.

Meanwhile, back on the battlefield.

"Angela!" High Millinar Julas crawled to the edge of the golden disc. His eyes watched in horror as his comrade was being eaten alive by the countless oceanic creatures that were once his to command. "Angela! No! Angela!"

His cries did nothing.

No matter how hard he shouted, there was no saving High Millinar Angela.

She died in ten seconds after being dropped inside the dark ocean infested with abominations.

Seems like the abominations gave her a few seconds to savour her death before completely eating her.

"Stop humiliating yourself," Davina said, looking down at him, with glowing eyes. Her form was radiating a bright light, but her face wasn’t radiating. It showed disgust. "You’re a warrior. Someone who had spent centuries fighting. Death is a natural thing for the losing side."

In her eyes, High Millinar Julas’ wailing was only humiliating other warriors out there.

Including herself.

Feeling sad is not forbidden, but never show weakness to the enemy.

And when she saw the evil grin spread across Rex’s face, she could only sigh. Showing weakness would only feed the enemy’s pleasure—and now, that pleasure bloomed. Euphoria stirred in Rex’s eyes as he stared at the broken face of High Millinar Julas.

"Such a pitiful sight—" Rex approached High Millinar Julas, still staring at where High Millinar Angela drowned, and bent forward. He grabbed a fistful of High Millinar Julas’ hair and lifted him up. "You’re alone now. Nobody to help or protect."

His eyes shifted to the red shore.

Seeing the other two High Millinars trying to break Diamantona out while Vadyn tried to stop them, his grin only stretched even further. "Your remaining comrades are busy; your High Lord is still stuck with mine. Nobody is coming to save you."

Like a bag of trash, Rex threw him to the other edge of the golden disc.

Slowly, High Lord Millinar rose to sit up strugglingly, still feeling the pang of sadness in his chest.

And then, he saw Rex spread his arms wide.

"Come on, attack me. Don’t give up. Keep fighting." Rex said as his aura grew more intense, becoming a dark flame around his body, swaying powerfully with the heat of fury inside him. "I want you to keep resisting me."

Hearing this, High Millinar Julas gritted his teeth.

He rose to his feet with a roar in his throat and charged forward.

Rex’s lips curled even wider as the Red Dawn of Kaiser manifested in his hand again, gleaming with a power that could end a Demigod with one hit. As High Millinar Julas came closer, he thrust his claws forward with lethal force.

Blood sprayed as his claws burst from his back.

For a second, Rex revelled in the moment.

But a frown crept to his face the next second, sensing that something was wrong.