Chapter 213: Devil’s Companion - One (II)

But now... he had to bow down under the terror of the Elder Princess in order to maintain the Tower of Babel, he had to participate in factional struggles that he was not accustomed to and could not possibly like.

He needed to make connections with many powerful nobles or extraordinary forces, providing them with weapons or some inexplicable alchemical tools, to ensure that the Tower of Babel could still protect itself under the threat of the Etheric Academy when Evora was too lazy to manage them.

How pitiful...

"Since Mr. Rundell thinks so, I'll just say it straight."

Ansel changed his posture, leaning slightly forward, and said in a rather serious tone, "About the purpose of my invitation to the manor this time."

His serious look made Hendrik a little nervous, the pitiful leader of the Tower of Babel sat upright, "Please... please tell me."

"For all the people of the Tower of Babel."

The evil serpent, with sincere eyes, looked at Hendrik and said firmly and decisively:

"Mr. Rundell, please choose to give up, to surrender voluntarily."

"..."

Hendrik was stunned.

He thought he had heard something wrong, but looking at Ansel's unbearable yet serious eyes, he began to think carefully about what he had just said.

"Surrender... voluntarily?" the man murmured softly.

"Yes, surrender voluntarily."

Ansel explained softly, "Voluntary surrender can prevent this meaningless war from happening, and it won't put your defeat on the table. In this way, Her Highness won't swing her butcher's knife at you out of excessive rage."

The man, perpetually under immense pressure, half-covered his eyes, "My apologies, I... I seem to have lost my composure."

Ansel chuckled softly, soothingly saying, "I understand the burden you bear now, Mr. Lundell. You need not provide me with an answer at this moment. Before the impending war, I will do my utmost to alleviate the tension between Her Majesty and Her Highness. When the time is set, I will notify you. All you need to do is make a decision before then."

"To fight to the death for ideals and glory is admirable, but to retreat for preservation and the future is not shameful."

The young Hydral stood up, patting Hendrik's shoulder, sincerely saying,

"After all, I have no right to make choices for you."

These words solidified the resolve of Hendrik, who had never had a choice before.

"...No, Sir Ansel, there is no need for you to wait."

He lifted his head, looking at Ansel with unwavering determination,

"We... choose to surrender. Even if the Tower of Babel collapses, even under the oppression of the Etheric Academy, even if we can never rebuild the Tower of Babel, as long as the young ones, my friends, my companions can survive, then everything... is acceptable."

"Are you certain?" Ansel asked gravely, "Won't you discuss it with the other members of the Tower of Babel?"

"No, there's no need. They will surely agree."

Hendrik laughed as if a weight had been lifted, his smile tinged with bitterness, but mostly, it was relief.

"These years... we've always had it tough. Perhaps, the Elder Princess's brutality, Her Majesty's game, are all signs from fate... The Tower of Babel might never have been meant to exist, we might all just be fools chasing illusions."

"Just because of one failure, there's no need to belittle your own ideals, Mr. Rundell."

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