Chapter 334 [Event] [Dolphian Kingdom Under Ruins] [20] John...

Chapter 334 [Event] [Dolphian Kingdom Under Ruins] [20] John...

"Here we are, James," Reiner's voice resonated within the confines of a secluded room. Accompanied by his wife, the Queen, he had summoned James for an important discussion.

"Your Majesty," James acknowledged, accompanied by Alicia, who remained silent behind him.

"You can drop the formalities, James. You're as much a member of the royal family as I am," Reiner said with a chuckle, presenting a document.

Despite James' royal status, he held a lower rank than Reiner Dolphis, who held the position of Head of the Dolphis House. James was just the son of the Head of the Raven House.

"I imagine you're quite pleased with the outcome," Queen Doria spoke up, her gaze sharp and accusing.

"I'm sorry... but your son wasn't the right match for my daughter," James replied respectfully.

The Queen sighed, her expression softening as she turned her attention to Alicia. "I don't know all the details of what transpired, but if my son caused you any suffering, I apologize on his behalf. We may have spoiled him too much."

"It's alright," Alicia responded quietly.

"Nevertheless, why involve Thomen's son in this matter? Are you planning to arrange a marriage between him and your daughter? Was that the purpose of the bet?" Reiner asked, his tone tinged with skepticism.

"Not exactly. It's... complicated," James replied evasively, choosing to keep the true nature of their agreement concealed for the time being.

"I hope Alea isn't involved in this, huh?" Reiner's glare bore into James.

"No, she's completely unaware of the situation," James reassured him with a chuckle.

"Good," Reiner acknowledged, his expression softening slightly as he produced the official document outlining the engagement agreement between Reiner and Alicia. The parchment bore the signatures, marked in blood, of Reiner and Lazarus Raven.

Upon James' confirmation, Reiner tore the paper apart and consigned it to the flames. "It's done."

"Thank you," James expressed his gratitude.

"I might have been insistent, but my son seems to have accepted the outcome as well," Reiner said with a hint of pride evident in his smile.

"Is he alright?" James asked, concerned.

"He's recovering. He's a Dolphis, after all. Never underestimate him," Reiner replied with a grin.

"I wouldn't dare," James reciprocated with a smile as he turned to leave, accompanied by his daughter.

"We should make our way. The Third Round will likely commence soon, my dear," Reiner's wife reminded him, prompting him to nod in agreement.

"I will get a look on Adrian, go ahead," she added and left.

...

...

As James walked alongside Alicia, an awkward silence enveloped them. Alicia maintained her usual aloof demeanor as she walked ahead.

"How is your mother, Alicia...?" James asked, breaking the silence.

Alicia's shoulders tensed slightly before she composed herself. "Fine."

"Don't masquerade as her, you sneaky bitch," John spat, his arm surrounded by a swirling mana circle.

Initially taken aback, Amelia—no, Nora—quickly regained her composure, a malicious smirk spreading across her lips. "You're obstructing my path once again."

"What have you done with her?" John's voice dripped with icy venom as he confronted Nora.

To assume someone's appearance, Nora had to touch and be near that individual, meaning she had likely encountered Amelia.

"Oh, are you concerned for her? She's alive, but she'll be disposed of once we've achieved our goals," Nora sneered.

"The Third Horn of Behemoth? If you're here, you're after either the King's or the Queen's appearance. Given your weakness, I assume you're aiming for the Queen," John deduced, his approach measured and cold.

Nora narrowed her eyes, sensing the shift in John's demeanor.

"This is your last warning. Where is she?" John's tone turned chillingly cold, his mana beginning to warp the environment around them.

Instinctively, Nora took a step back, realizing that John had grown stronger since their last encounter.

'He's become more powerful...' she noted silently to herself. If she had once been confident of overpowering him, that certainty had evaporated in the face of his newfound strength.

"Then I will torture the words out of you." John said and took a step forward but...

-Spurt!

"...!" John's eyes widened in shock as he felt a searing pain in his stomach, accompanied by a sickening sensation of paralysis creeping through his body. A purple substance oozed from the wound, staining his clothes crimson.

"What are you doing, Nora?" A cold voice pierced the air from behind.

Struggling against the debilitating effects of the sting, John managed to take a faltering step backward, his movements sluggish and uncoordinated. When he turned to face the source of the voice, his heart sank.

Standing before him was a tall, imposing figure, shirtless and emanating an aura of malevolence. Dirty blond hair framed his face, and dark eyes bore into John with a chilling intensity. Purple veins pulsated beneath his skin, and a long, writhing purple sting protruded from his back, poised to strike.

John stumbled back, his vision blurred with haze as he recognized the figure before him.

He was a Commander of [Behemoth] and... he was extremely dangerous.

'I... have to warn Edward...' John's thoughts raced frantically as he reached for his phone, but his trembling fingers fumbled, and the device slipped from his grasp, clattering to the ground.

"Lomar?" Nora spoke up.

"Losing your composure over an insignificant insect like him. We don't have time for such trifles," Lomar retorted disdainfully.

"I know... I know how to reach the Queen," Nora assured, annoyed.

With a nod of acknowledgment, Lomar turned his attention back to John. The wriggling sting extended menacingly toward John's head, but Nora intervened.

"No," she exclaimed, halting Lomar's actions.

"What?" Lomar frowned.

"You've poisoned him with your sting, haven't you? Let him suffer a slow and agonizing death," Nora suggested with a malicious smirk.

Securing John's arms, she dragged him into a nearby storage room and sealed the door behind her, leaving him to death's arms.