Chapter 858 Cold War Of Attrition



"My King, let me accompany you. I'm not comfortable with you going out alone"

"No need, I need to go somewhere alone"

"But still-"

"I said I want to be alone! Are you going to keep refuting my direct order?!"

Currently, King John was on his way to leaving the SCO main headquarter, he was wearing a large black trench coat that covered his entire body from top to bottom. But he was intercepted by the black messenger in the lobby.

Earlier, the black messenger saw King John from the side.

Albeit he was confused as to where King John was going to go at this late hour, the black messenger frowned when he saw King John walking weirdly. He was hunching a little and his hand is placed on his stomach.

It was almost as if he was hurt, but that's not possible, King John hasn't gone anywhere.

But the way he was acting made the black messenger worried, and it seems King John also wanted to leave without anyone knowing. However, that's not possible, the headquarter is swarmed with Black Hands.

Realizing that he had overstepped, the black messenger bowed in apology.

"Forgive me for my forceful behavior, I overstepped. Please notify me if something happens"

"It's fine, I'll be going now"

A moment later, King John is inside a car that he drove on his own.

Unknown to him, the black messenger is following him from behind. The black messenger tested something earlier, it was a risky idea but he decided to try to attack King John with his power, fully preparing to receive the consequences.

But when the attack was about to hit, King John didn't react and kept on walking.

Just from that alone, the black messenger sensed something is wrong with this, King John has never been this careless, he could sense an attack before it was even launched. However, he didn't react to the black messenger's attack right now, and the black messenger was forced to dissipate his attack.

Due to that test, he decided to follow King John from the shadows.

It didn't take long before the car King John was driving stopped at an empty parking lot.

King John walks out of the car before he pulls his hat down to cover his face and walks along the empty pedestrian street, there were almost nobody around. Another half an hour passed and the black messenger realized where King John was going.

'The Executor's castle? Did he get summoned by the Executor...?'

Unable to get close, the black messenger could only watch as King John entered the castle.

Meanwhile, King John went straight to the throne room.

Entering the throne room he finds the Executor is already sitting on the throne, looking down at him with an air of superiority and arrogance. For a brief second, King John saw a red gem in his hand which he puts away in an instant.

"What do I owe your visit this late at night, John?" the Executor asked nonchalantly.

Not answering instantly, King John kneeled in the presence of the Executor before he then answered, "I apologize for disturbing you at this hour, but I want to know what have you done to me...?"

After saying that, King John takes off his trench coat and exposes a gruesome sight.

Countless scratches and wounds adorned every part of his body, they were not healing properly and also looks very painful. Even King John's expression depicted the pain, he was enduring the pain for quite a while now.

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?.

Looking at this, the Executor grinned and shrugs his shoulders, undisturbed.

"I've awakened your bloodline and unlocked your suppressed powers," He said, crossing his legs before he leans his head to his fist. "Of course, there's going to be something you need to do in return, something to pay back what you received"

Upon hearing this, King John looks down to the floor with his eyes wide open.

Many thoughts flew past his mind when he heard the Executor's answer, he already prepared himself to pay anything but this is going to be troublesome. "Nevermind that, do you now have the rough estimate of that damned Werewolf's location?"

"Yes, the attacks we launched before give us some leads" King John replied calmly.

Launching the attack on the Supernatural territory with the small armies they collected is killing two birds with one stone. In that process, he managed to test the new power he bestowed on his people and also locate the Royal Black Prince's location.

Pinning the aim of attack from the armies that got annihilated gives them those cues.

Nodding his head in acknowledgment, the Executor then snaps his fingers and created a small soundwave that echoed inside the throne room. In the next instant, a couple of white glowing objects appeared from thin air. 

Taking a closer look, King John finds them looks to be some sort of pendants.

It takes the shape of a white glowing crescent moon with a thin two-headed dagger piercing from below, the tip rests at the center of the crescent moon making the pendant look more like a staff instead.

"What are these pendants for...?" King John asked.

Upon hearing this, the Executor's grin bloomed even wider. His eyes flashed with murderous intent before he eventually replied, "Nothing spectacular, these are only used to find the weakest link. It's a bait. Go engrave this on the Great Barricade's wall nearest to the leads, I'll lure him out"

~

Meanwhile, the Silverstar Pack castle.

Naela has been cramped inside the room taking care of Kyran with all her heart, she was down realizing that it would take a long time before he would actually wake up. But then again, Rex did promise her that he would do anything to wake him up quickly.

Right now, she stepped outside of the room to get some fresh air.

Just as she stepped outside of the bed chamber, she instantly felt the suffocating air.

It feels like something is going on inside the castle that she was not aware of, the tension inside was quite high and the others also couldn't be seen anywhere. "I hear a crowd outside, did we take in more people?"I think you should take a look at

Due to having Kyran in her mind constantly, she didn't know about the refugees.

Striding along the hallway with a dejected look, Naela suddenly heard someone at the end of the hallway. Peeking to the left, she realized that it was Gistella and Flunra that seemed to be talking with each other.

"I know you're nervous, but this is for the best. Be natural and be careful, this is detrimental"

"Yes, I'll try my best..."

But as the two were talking, Flunra's eyes darted to Naela peeking at them from the junction.

"I'll get going. It seems like out of the methods anticipated, he's using that thing. I'll look after the two while you are away, the scent might affect them too hard. Keep your head strong or you'll be affected too"

Upon hearing this, Gistella bowed slightly before Flunra walks away.

After seeing Flunra off, she then turns around to find Naela walking towards her,  "How long have you been listening there, Naela? I thought you were not going to come out from Kyran's room"

"Just getting some fresh air" Pausing a second, she then asked, "What's that about?"

"Oh, I was only talking with Flunra about the refugees that we've taken. If you want to get some fresh air, why don't you go out and check the city? It's getting more lively with the refugees and the Elves" Gistella offered.

Pondering for a moment, Naela was interested, "Will you accompany me?"

"Sorry, I need to do something. Go ask Adhara and Evelyn to go with you, I think the two of them also needed some fresh air" Gistella replied before she waved her hand, walking away and headed to the throne room.

Looking at this, Naela frowns as she could tell that Gistella is hiding something from her.

On top of that, Flunra consoles her for being nervous. If the two of them were talking about the refugees that the city has taken in, there's no reason for Flunra to console her like that. It doesn't make sense.

Deciding to not think about it, Naela went to search for Adhara and Evelyn.

A moment later, the three is walks out of the castle.

Evelyn and Adhara decided to accompany Naela to stroll around the city as the two really does seem to need a stroll from their exhausted expressions, it was weird to see considering both of them hasn't done anything strenuous.

At the first moment of entering the city, Naela was utterly mesmerized.

Most of the buildings except for the stores were now functioning, and the resident houses were full of people that were still uncertain but nevertheless felt safe and happy to live in such a wonderful city.

In addition, Naela was also shocked to find an Elf talking to a Human without hostility.

"W- Wow... I've never thought something like this will exist"

Due to the thousands of years of war between races that always ended up with blood and corpses, the hatred between them was thick and strong, and would probably last until the end of time.

But in this scenery, hostility and hatred were not present at all.

Naela almost mistakes this place to be an unbelievable utopia, Supernaturals, and Humans shouldn't be able to co-exist, at least that is what she was told. But this city, Dargena City that is built by Rex was capable of destroying that stigma.

Such a sight is fresh to see, and filled with many would consider a miracle.

"Path of vengeance always leads to bloodshed and agony, I think Rex finally realized that after he exact his revenge for his parent's murderer. I don't exactly know where his determination comes from, I don't exactly know what motivates him to create this place, but I can say that I'm happy that he did..." Adhara commented from the side, smiling lightly.

Upon hearing this, Naela glanced at her with sparkling eyes, this place is beautiful.

Albeit that was the case, Naela frowns when she saw a hint of sorrow and despair in Adhara's eyes while she watches the people talking and bantering with each other. Her expression and her words expressed doesn't match up.

It troubles her to see Adhara like this, especially remembering what Rex said to her.

'He wanted me to become their friend...'

Deciding that she would also try her absolute best to fulfill Rex's request, Naela then leans to Adhara's vision with a smile and asked, "Why do you look sad when you're supposed to be happy? Is something bothering you?"

"H- Huh...? Oh- nothing is bothering me, it's okay" Adhara replied and also smiled in return.

But Naela didn't let up that easily, "Tell me, I'm a great listener"

"Well, if that's the case... I'm just sad that maybe I wouldn't be able to see the city develop into something even greater. After all, this city is probably made in honor of his deceased parents. I'm irrelevant" Adhara replied with a deep sigh.

Not expecting such an answer, Naela frowns as she doesn't know what she means.

Just then her eyes were attracted to Evelyn on the side, she was looking at the far distance with a frown on her face, "Evelyn, is there something wrong?" Naela asked again, the two seemed off right now.

"I don't know. But is it only me, or does the two of you smell that scent?" Evelyn asked.

Upon hearing this, Adhara also frowns, "I think I smelled it too, it's pleasant"

"Huh...? I didn't smell anything, what are the two of you talking about?" Naela commented in confusion, she doesn't smell anything in particular in the air. But it seems Adhara and Evelyn could smell whatever it is.

But then, Nalea suddenly remembered what Flunra said earlier to Gistella.

'I'll look after the two, the scent might affect them too hard'

Realizing that Flunra was talking about some scent with Gistella earlier, Naela frowned as there seems to be something going on that she was not aware of. Just then, she glanced to her back and finds someone on top of a distant roof, looking at her.

It was Flunra, he was watching them. But when Naela saw him, he simply disappeared.

"What's going on...?"