Chapter 291 New Game (2)

When the call ended, Shanifa released the breath that she didn't know she had been holding. Hadrian looked at that Shanifa and smiled wryly. He understood well how she felt. He had also been like that when he first met Layland. Layland had looked at him like he was an open book. He had to remain reserved, so he didn't give away anything.

It was, of course, in the past. He no longer had anything to hide from Layland, so he wasn't afraid to talk to Layland any longer. He still felt nervous from time to time, though. The way Layland stared at him dead in the eyes as if threatening to kill him should he say something false was terrifying.

"That man can not be played with," Shanifa remarked. "He is a dirtily brilliant bastard. You can play a game against him and you will end up suffering."

"Indeed. He is that kind of man," Hadrian replied with a light, prideful smile.

"I didn't expect a Demon would have an equally terrifying mind and power. If I didn't know any better, I would have sided with the Temple and tried to kill him. He will be a terrifying Demon King."

"In your vision…" Hadrian began slowly. "Does he do what he claims to do?"

"Creating a society where everyone can live together? Yes, he managed to achieve it."

"Is everyone happy?"

"Who knows?" Shanifa shrugged. "A lot of people are quite content with their lives now, but there are also some who abhor it. You can never satisfy everyone."

Nodding his head in agreement, Hadrian hummed to himself as he thought about something. Looking at Shanifa afterwards, he stared at her silently for a few seconds before eventually speaking.

"Lord Layland may have asked you this, but I am still intrigued. Why must Lord Layland? You have plenty of ways to keep yourself alive as long as you let go of Cresundia. I believe Lord Layland won't chase after you if you pull out of the game."

"Game, huh? What a bunch of scary people," Shanifa muttered with a shudder. "Well, I can't see any future with the Temple in the vision. I have tried countless times, but I couldn't see anything. That can only mean one thing—someone ends the Temple's rule one day. That person happens to be Layland…I guess."

"What do you mean by 'I guess?'" Hadrian asked in confusion.

"There is a chance that something else destroyed the Temple. Whatever it will be, though, Layland will still come out on top."

"Is there a chance that the future will change?"

"That is the reason why I join his side. I want to make sure the future doesn't change. Should Layland fail to realize his dream, whatever destroys the Temple will rule the world. I can tell you it won't be a pleasant future."

Shanifa stood up after explaining her reason for joining Layland. She pulled her hood down and then walked to the door, ignoring Hadrian's gaze on her back.

"I know the rule. Your Merchants will be able to tell you if something is wrong, won't they?"

"Glad to know you are aware of your position." Smiling gladly, Hadrian reminded, "Don't forget about what Lord Layland told you earlier. Prepare your most competent men and send them on a joint mission with other Kingdom's troops."

"Just to remind you, I don't control the minds of those soldiers. I can't order them to do something crazy, lest I want them to realize there is something wrong with the King."

"Don't worry. Lord Layland knows what to do."

Scoffing lightly in amusement, Shanifa remarked, "Your trust in him is very commendable. Do you know what he did to your stepfather in Brontes? I wonder if you still can—"

"I know and I still believe in him. I didn't figure that out myself—he told me about it," Hadrian interjected. "As he said, they were forced by the situation. No one was to be blamed for what happened. I just have to move on and see the bigger picture."

"It is weird seeing all of you so unfazed by your father's death. You even work for the one who killed him. I wonder if you still have respect for your father."

"He took away my light but he gave me a star. I was upset when he admitted he killed my father just to take over the Dukedom, but there is no reason for me to hate him forever. Life is much more than that. Losses are something you should get accustomed to. You shan't forget about what you lose, but don't be occupied by them."

Shanifa stopped looking at Hadrian from the corner of her eyes and turned her head to the door. Saying nothing to respond, she got out of the room. She felt stupid. As expected, the mindset of the people in this world was different. Only the strong could think about their selfish desire.

Click.

As the door closed, Hadrian chuckled lightly. Shanifa's reaction to the choice he had chosen made him rethink his decision. Now that he thought about it, it was quite absurd to side with the one who killed his family. His stepsister and his stepfather had died in Layland's hands. It was unpleasant, but he didn't have any right to complain.

He had done the same thing. He had killed someone's husband, wife, father and mother. He didn't think much of it until he experienced loss himself. It was soul-crushing. He had sworn to kill whomever the bastard who killed his father was, but he discarded the thought when he figured out it was Layland.

He didn't want to kill the person who brought hope to the world. Of course, the other reason for that was his inadequate power. Did he hate Layland for what Layland had done? No, but he still condemned his act. Would he kill Layland should he get the chance? That would be tempting, but no. The day Layland died would also be the day he did.

Each one of the people Layland led had seen his quality that they had never seen in anyone before. Many of them had sworn to remain loyal to him and Layland was unaware of this.

….

As Shanifa began to push the agenda of having the first joint mission to the human alliance army that they named Rectusomine; Layland, Lunea and Celia were standing before a lone grave that was located on the small field behind the former palace of Antares—Layland's office. It was the grave of the previous King, Celia's father.

It was Lunea's first time visiting the grave and Layland's third time. They had been on their way to hang out when they spotted Celia going to her father's grave. Lunea decided to postpone their hang-out and went with Celia. Since the reason why Layland even went out was to apologize to Lunea for using her like that in the negotiation with Shanifa, he followed them.

It had been five minutes since the two women stood there and prayed and Layland was getting impatient. He had never believed in God once. He didn't believe in the afterlife and this world further assured him that he didn't need to. He was a strong believer that death was the end of everyone's story. Praying for the dead was as useless as teaching Einstein subtraction.

"Sorry for making you wait."

"Were you bored?"

"No, I am fine."

Layland, of course, did a very good job of hiding the fact that he was bored. He had killed Celia's father, so he should at least respect her belief.

"What did you pray?" Layland directed the question to Lunea.

"Nothing, really," Celia answered, surprising Layland. "I was just consoling myself—telling myself that I have forgiven my father. It is the last thing I can do for him as my way to repay him for the kindness he had shown me."

"I see…" Layland didn't want to pry any further, so he just nodded his head.

Celia smiled at him brightly before asking, "Where are you going anyway? Will I bother you guys if I join you on your date?"

"I am sure it will be fine," Layland answered as he turned to Lunea.

He was met with her red face and that made him chuckle in amusement. Amongst the girls, she was the only one who remained pure enough to blush at the mention of "date."

"Y-Yeah, we don't mind."

Then, they left the palace's complex. Layland didn't want to attract people's attention by riding the luxurious carriage Antares had that he could use anytime, so they walked to their destination.

His decision unsurprisingly attracted more attention, but no one dared to make a fuss as he passed by them with the two women. The citizens couldn't treat them like anyone else, but they didn't get crazy over their appearance.

"Woah, I am famous," Lunea remarked.

"No. Layland is famous," Celia rebutted with a light chuckle. "Anyway, none of you has answered my question. Where are we going?"

"Well, I want to show Layland around the capital. He knows everything, but I am sure he has never explored the capital once."

"Oh, that is a good idea. We have a lot of good stuff at the capital."

"Do you mean fruits?" Layland asked, sounding unamused.

"Eh, no. Did Vibiane give you a lot of fruits recently?"

Layland remained quiet, but Celia knew the answer. She chuckled lightly as she imagined how reluctant Layland was to receive the fruits Vibiane gave him that he had plenty already.

Midway to the cakeshop that Celia recommended, they were stopped by Millonia, Gabriela, Abigail, Winerva and Valeria. Millonia didn't look too happy since she had to take Lunea's place as Valeria's punching bag. Therefore, she needed something to restore her mood. Fortunately, exploring the capital with Layland and everyone was enough for her.