Chapter 120: Yanagi Rena

"Let go of me!" Rena screamed, thrashing wildly as she clung to my shoulders, her small fists pounding against my back with all the force she could muster. The blows were barely noticeable, her strength nothing compared to mine. Her voice was filled with desperation, echoing off the cavern walls.

"Release Rena-sama, you bastard!"

"Let her go!"

"Don't you dare lay a hand on the princess!"

Her three loyal companions were shouting, their voices full of anger and fear, but they were powerless to help. Medea, who had followed us into the cave, had already restrained them with her magic. They struggled in vain against the invisible bonds, their eyes wide with panic as they watched their beloved princess in my grasp.

But it was Medea's expression that caught my attention. Her gaze had turned ominously dark, her eyes filled with a murderous intensity as they locked onto Rena. It was astonishing how much hatred could burn within her for someone she had just met. But then again, it wasn't difficult to understand.

Medea was a woman who had once killed her own children out of spite and jealousy for her unfaithful husband, Jason. Her anger, if not properly controlled, could easily spiral into violence.

"Secure the perimeter and feed him," I ordered Medea. I didn't know what exactly dragons ate, but I trusted Medea would figure it out. For a moment, it looked as though she wanted to argue, but instead, she clenched her fists, her lips pressed into a tight line.

"Yes, Lord Samael," she finally replied, her voice tense with barely suppressed emotion. She turned and left the cave, leaving Rena and me alone.

Rena glared at Medea's retreating figure, her eyes narrowed in suspicion and anger. "What's her problem?" she spat, her voice dripping with irritation. She was seated on a jagged rock, her posture stiff with annoyance and a hint of fear. I hadn't bothered to bind her—there was no need. We both knew she wouldn't escape unless I allowed it.

"She wants to kill you," I stated matter-of-factly as I approached her, my steps slow and deliberate. An ice throne materialized behind me, and I lowered myself onto it. "And believe me, she will, if I decide you're no longer useful to me."

Rena's expression faltered, shock replacing the anger in her eyes. She stammered, "I... If you really wanted to kill me, you wouldn't have kidnapped me!"

I tilted my head, considering her words for a moment before replying coldly, "That's right. But now, it's up to you to prove your usefulness to me."

Her face twisted with disgust as she spat, "You bastard!"

From behind, her three companions renewed their outcries, their voices shrill and desperate.

"How dare you speak to Rena-sama like that!"

"I'll kill you!"

I leaned back, processing the information. So, Kaguya was their Khione, their orchestrator, but the real force behind everything was Amaterasu. This meant that in the grand scheme of things, Amaterasu was the true enemy, the one pulling the strings from behind the scenes.

"What do Kaguya and Amaterasu think of you?" I asked.

"What?" Rena looked confused, clearly not understanding where I was going with this line of questioning.

"If I kill you, will they retaliate?" I clarified, my voice cold and unfeeling.

Rena's eyes widened in fear, and for the first time, they shimmered with unshed tears. "W-What did you just say...? Wait! Please!" She was trembling now, her earlier bravado completely shattered.

"Answer the question," I demanded. "I killed one of your classmates, and none of them reacted. I suppose they don't care about the weaker ones among you, but what about you? Or that guy with the two swords?"

Her expression shifted to one of anger at the mention of the swordsman. "Ryuuki? Hmph! If you harm him, they'll definitely kill you!" Rena retorted, a hint of pride in her voice. "A-And they won't let anything happen to me either!" she quickly added, as if trying to convince herself of her own importance.

I considered her words carefully. Ryuuki was undoubtedly the strongest among them, the one they couldn't afford to lose. But Rena... What was her value to them? Would Kaguya or Amaterasu intervene if something happened to her?

My gaze bore into Rena, trying to gauge the truth of her words. Was she worth enough to them that they'd risk retaliation if she died? Or was she just another expendable pawn in their game?

"Are you finished with your questions? Release me then!" Rena demanded, her voice filled with a mixture of anger and desperation.

"No," I replied calmly.

"What do you mean by 'no'?" She asked, her voice trembling with both fear and frustration.

"Not yet," I said.

"Lord Commander!" a voice called out from behind. I recognized it immediately as Semiramis. She approached.

I turned slightly to acknowledge her. "They're still at the border, right?"

"Y-Yes," Semiramis confirmed, her eyes flicking nervously toward Rena. "They've set up camp, and I fear they're preparing for another attack to retrieve her..."

It made sense. Rena was obviously important to her classmates, and I couldn't see Ryuuki, or my former stepsisters, abandoning her so easily. The real question was whether they'd receive reinforcements—and if Kaguya or even Amaterasu herself would be among them.