Chapter 661 Dissent

Chapter 661 Dissent

"I refuse!"

Rey's answer was the same as the last time, and for good reason.

'I still don't trust this Oracle character. If Esme becomes like that... will she really still be Esme? There's a lot we don't even know, so making an informed decision right now is impossible...'

There was also the fact that he already knew of another way to get The Oracle to do what he wanted. All he had to do was find Adonis and convince him to ask her to save Alicia.

'The easy part is convincing him. I'll have to find him first.' Rey thought to himself, but still considered that to be a much more solid plan than literally selling Esme off.

The last reason—certainly not the least one—on his mind was that Esme would no longer be with him if she became The Oracle.

Yes, it was a little too selfish, which was why Rey didn't want to give it so much priority.

But... that was just how he felt.

'Will she be stuck in this place for the rest of her life? I... I don't want that for her!'

All of these things were happening too fast, and rather than jumping right on it—taking The Oracle at her word—it was best to have a proper conversation with Esme about it.

'At this point, we should just leave this place, and—'

"I wasn't asking you, Rey Skylar." The Oracle's voice woke Rey from his thoughts, and that was when he noticed her gaze was on Esme.

He also noticed that Esme was yet to give a coherent response. Based on how she looked, though, he could already guess what she would say.

"Esme, wai—!"

"I accept your offer." Her voice flowed very fluidly, and her blue eyes shone with determination as she looked ahead.

In a flash, Rey rushed towards her, holding her by both shoulders as he shoved his face close to hers in an attempt to reason with her.

"What are you doing? You can't make such a decision on the spot like that!"

"Well... you left me first." Esme responded, her tone almost as detached as The Oracle's as she looked away from him.

Rey couldn't as much as croak as he heard those words.

He wanted to stretch out his hand to reach her, but his hands wouldn't budge. He wanted to speak, but his throat was too sore. Even when he opened his lips, only hollow air proceeded out of them.

Perhaps all of this was because Rey knew he was right.

'I have no excuse... no reason or justification that could outweigh her current choice.' His thoughts trailed.

He didn't want to be too selfish. How could he tell her to abandon her own dreams, especially if he also got something out of it.

Who did he think he was? How dare he do something like that?

And yet... yet why did he feel a strong feeling in his heart that he should just open his mouth and scream at the top of his lungs that he wasn't going to let her go?

Why did he feel this burning desire? This overwhelming feeling that supposedly granted him the right to refuse her?

Was that enough justification, though.

"I... I..."

Of course, it wasn't.

"The deal has already been established in my eyes. There is no room for any dissent or disagreement on your part, Rey Skylar." The Oracle's voice interrupted his hollow, pathetic excuse for a response.

"Since there is no further use for you, I will now be evicting you from my domain. Once you return to the Shrine, I shall provide you with the means to cure your dear friend."

"No..." Rey's whisper was so faint that not even The Oracle picked it up the first time.

"What was that?" She asked.

"I said no." Raising his head high, while staring hard at The Oracle, he controlled his quivering lips and let his words flow straight from his gut.

"I'm not leaving here without Esme!"