Chapter 71 - [Bonus ] Stupidest

The 'fight' went on. Sometimes, Allecto would slow down on her attacks, seeing that Nebarius have no way of fighting back and was only taking a beating which was natural. It pacified her anger a bit.

But, who said she's a good person? In so many years that she had been angered, this was the only time she can truly let it out. Since this is an official punishment for Nebarius, she would release some contempt that wasn't against the general.

This was unfair for the Nebarius but it was already mercy. To anger a God, there was only eternal suffering. Tartarus is the first example. For Nebarius, the worst thing that could happen was only death and that was already enough.

Soon, Allecto began laughing as Nebarius' blood spilled on the darkened sands. Explosions upon explosions could be heard like a gigantic firecracker was set off.

"Her blows are getting weaker…" Megaera said but all of them knew that this was intentional.

At this point, it all depends on Nebarius whether he can handle the beating before the ten-minute mark had passed.

As of now, he wasn't even halfway through. As immortals, a year was short for them. However, each minute was like a century for the underworld general.

He could only raise his hands to defend. But he never made a gesture of counterattacking even once. This shows both his loyalty and knowledge. In the very end, he doesn't want to go against his master at the same time, he's aware that it will only be a futile attempt to fight back.

The best-case scenario would be for Nebarius to survive and be recognized for his loyalty. But, it doesn't seem like it will turn out that way.

Allecto has even dropped her weapon and just barehandedly beat him down, punches by punches. Even then, his consciousness was barely holding on. Only the pain and his strength will enable him to stay on his feet and reduce the impact as much as possible.

He didn't even turn his back as it would be the most stupid thing he can do.

Nebarius could only swallow his pain. The spectators were not Hades and his family alone. There are other ghouls, monsters, beasts, and demons who were witnessing the once-in-a-century incident. More and more of these beings began to gather.

But they are still far from the nearest neighborhood or populated area. The scene was just too big that it caught some attention.

"Keep it together…!"

The left head said to the other two, letting them stay awake. Yet, that doesn't mean that can hold on for a little longer.

Meanwhile Joren finally arrived to where Hades and the others were standing,.

"W-what's happening!?" he huffed to which Kidrith asked-

"Why are you tired, I'm the one who carried you?"

Earlier, instead of getting out of the palace himself, Joren went to where the servants are to ask for directions before he coincidentally encounter Kidrith. Kidrith was about to go there herself so she let Joren follow her.

However, she found out that he was slower than sher thought so she carried him.

Megaera remembered how she carried Joren back then too. This time, Kidrith properly carried him on her back.

"You didn't properly hold me… I have to hold onto you with all my strength, of course, I would be tired."

"So pathetic…" Megaera whispered to Joren with a teasing smile. He ignored this and asked what happened.

"Nebarius is given ten minutes to survive Allecto's beating as a form of punishment." That was the shortest summary Megaera can give.

"Wait… are you saying that crow will die if he did not survive?"

"..."

The answer was so obvious that none replied to him. Realizing this, Joren stood up and went to Tisiphone.

… three minutes have passed and Nebarius could feel his life drifting away from him. Only by sheer willpower could he stand up!

By then, he even forgot why this was even happening. At the same time, he could feel that this is some sort of fate, something inevitable.

Another minute had passed… Nebarius had finally fallen onto his knees.

Three more minutes remain before this would all be finished. However, it seemed that Nebarius is on his last line of life.

Allecto walked towards Nebarius to end this when suddenly, something fell from the sky!

When that something, no, someone landed, he couldn't take the impact so he was brought down onto his knees.

"Argh…" he groaned.

Allecto knew who this person was. Of course, it was Joren!

"I didn't know he had that kind of character…" Hades muttered, "I know he's stupid but not to this extent."

"Maybe, he and Allecto do fit each other with their naivety. Only if he's not a lesser undead." Persephone replied.

Back to the scene, Allecto lifted an eyebrow, "Joren? What… what are you doing here?"

The spectators talked to each other. They were too far away to see who dropped from the air. They only knew it was Allecto due to her war hammer and power and the other Nebarius because of his transformation earlier. However, for the other person, they could only think 'her' as Tisiphone 'she' flew, right?

"Honestly… I have no idea." Joren lightly laughed as he stood up, "Maybe, to see you?"

"H-huh!?"

Allecto got flustered as the mood changed. Joren was suddenly flirting!

'She's reacting differently than I thought?' he didn't think that first greeting would have any affect.

'Wait, he did say he find this side of mine cute… is he here for that? He's so strange!' she thought and became bashful at the next second as if she wasn't in the middle of trying to kill the Underworld General, Nebarius.

"Sorry for that, I don't know what I was thinking." Joren scratched his head in innocence.

"No… it's fine."

There was a brief silence as they both look the other way around with eyes glancing at each other from time to time in embarrassment.

"... what's happening?"

Tisiphone asked and looked at the others to see that they didn't know the answer as well.

"This is so different from what I expected to see." Persephone replied.

"Does Allecto actually… like Joren?" Megaera asked with a frown.

"I don't know if this is bravery or stupidity. But, I know one thing for sure, Joren just sacrificed something very valuable just to enter that scene."

Hades couldn't wrap his head to what Joren's motive was. He shouldn't go that far for Nebarius who doesn't even like him, right?

"I didn't expect you to suddenly show up." Allecto said in a coquettish manner.

"Yeah, I just had the urge." Joren wasn't lying, "I don't even know if what I'm doing right now is right. I know it sounds stupid but I thought I should just do it. If I didn't, I would regret this. I didn't want to go back there."

His intention was not to flirt in the first place so he just said some things that was in his mind for a while now, hoping that this would distract Allecto.

"That's confidence for me. I will never know the results of my actions if I just stood there and did nothing."

'So, he's just following his heart, huh…' Allecto viewed it on another perspective as Joren went on.

"Being able to do what I want…"

[Chainless]

At this moment, Joren was talking to himself.

"... had always been my dream." he strongly said with a great smile.

Allecto was a bit stunned by his words even though she couldn't understand where he was coming from.

"However, that's just a dream. To make it real, I need power. Right now, I'm already risking everything just to act on my decision, on what I want. If only I have the power, I wouldn't go through all this, I could just will it and it will happen."

At that point, Allecto realized that Joren was saying something else she couldn't understand.

One and a half minutes have already passed since Joren arrived. If Allecto was still unable to understand what Joren was trying to do, then she would be dumber than a human.

After some time, Allecto felt so stupid.

"You… are you stalling time for Nebarius?" the bashfulness she had earlier was gone and Joren was only met with the icy cold stare.

Joren wasn't surprised that the convenient setting earlier was dropped. It was only a matter of time before Allecto's mind went back to reality. His words were able to distract her a bit but that's the extent of what he could accomplish with his power right now.

"Are you trying to fool me?" Allecto pointed at Joren to which he replied.

"I've never said a single lie since the beginning." Joren continued with his smile, "But yes, I am stalling time."

"So… you didn't see me here because you think I'm cute?" Allecto's face turned red once again, but this time, from rage.

"No-" Joren moved his arms up when he saw Allecto stepped forward. He had only followed his instincts. If not, he could've directly received Allecto's punch.

A crisp sound echoed from the impact. Joren could even hear his bones crack. It was not Allecto's full strength but it already took most of his vitality.. However, he remained to where he stood.