Chapter 282: The Last Vote (3)

Chapter 282: The Last Vote (3)

4.

Shouts were heard.

Family head!

Venomous Snake!

Until now, the audience had been quietly watching our fight. The Sword Saint had indeed shouted earlier, but that was excusable as an elder deserving of respect. It was natural for outsiders to stay silent during a duel.

But now that the duel was over, they rushed in urgently.

Stop!

You should be the ones unable to stand!

And those people immediately split into two opposing sides.

On one side was the Death King Family, with Estelle at the forefront. She was the Devil King of Fall Rain, a demoness, a daughter, and now an advisor to our family, always ready to counsel me on my rights and wrongs.

On the other side were the Oni, led by an Oni clad in a white helmet and full-body suit. This was the leader of the 256-color Oni squadron that had joined at the last battle against the Energy Dragon.

What are you trying to block! A bunch of clowns dressed in color-coordinated clothes at their ripe age!

And what about you? Going to play cards in all black? Youre nothing compared to our RGB code 000000 ~The Real Black-.

You lack even the sense to create a proper alias!

And whats your alias?

I was once called the Saintess of the Wilderness, the Devil King of Fall Rain, and a demoness. Now, Im known as the advisor of the Death King Family!

Oh thats actually pretty cool

The Oni squadron leader hesitated, scratching the back of his helmet, but Estelle paid no attention.

Therefore, I had to stop Estelle.

Estelle. Thats enough.

No, family head! I cannot!

Her immediate response was one of defiance.

Wondering if it was a sign of rebellion, I hung my head in mild shock, only to see Estelle gritting her teeth, glaring at the Chen Mu-mun leader.

From the beginning, what the Chen Mu-mun leader said to you, family head, was arrogant and rude beyond acceptance.

.

Theres always a possibility that you could go astray? Ha. Engulfed in Disharmony, slaughtering the common folk and nobles alike, creating a world where the widespread screams of humanity never existed, massacring all humans living under the sun, and gathering only those worthy to survive to create a small paradise. Thats the Chen Mu-mun leader. Is that your view of the family heads danger?

Yes.

The Venomous Snake barely managed to lift his upper body, supporting himself on the ground. His hand slipped on the grass, plunging into the mud.

Damn it.

He seemed embarrassed for a moment, but his breathing gradually calmed.

He said,

Just as you said. I think your family head is someone who could fall into Disharmony at any moment, unleashing an unprecedented massacre on everything under the sun.

You.

Estelle clenched her teeth.

How long have you watched over the family head to say that Not knowing the people gathered around the family head, what kind of people they are, and with what determination they have taken up the familys flag. Despite all of us swearing to serve the family head with all our life and soul

Its not about that.

The Venomous Snake coughed. He tried to cover a wound on his neck with mud, but it didnt stop bleeding.

Thats exactly it.

What?

If your family head falls into Disharmony and causes chaos, none of you will be able to stop him.

Estelle clenched her fist.

Ha. Although I may be fallen, I am the Devil King of Fall Rain. When my tears turn into raindrops and wield the three thousand, ogres, orcs, goblins, and many monsters turn into raindrops and form an army. Im incomparable to mere swordsmen who have slightly elevated their skills.

Yes, you are strong damn strong.

The Venomous Snake coughed up blood.

And then he smirked.

But with that, will you stop a family head fallen into Disharmony?

Yes. Of course. Even if it costs my life.

No, thats not it. You have to imagine the specific situation. Did you hear me properly? Huh? We are not talking about just anyone here; were discussing our own family head, Kim Gong-ja.

The Venomous Snake looked around.

Standing in the middle of the Colosseum, he seemed exhausted, shoulders slumped like an old swordsman.

Who is Kim Gong-ja? Huh? Who is the Heavenly Demon of our time? Take a good look. He didnt fall into Disharmony even when his master died. He simply accepted it with sorrow. Wondering why, among so many deserving death, it had to be his master, right? He couldve roared in anger, but he didnt. He just mourned and sent her off on her final journey. You see, hes a tough bastard.

Sitting in the middle of the jungle Colosseum, the Venomous Snake raised his voice.

Whether its the end of the world or witnessing the heart of his most beloved being torn apart, ah, he stays intact! He never falls into Disharmony. Firmly grasping his sanity, knowing that losing it means becoming nothing, he survives. No matter how hellish the situation, he remains a man who never succumbs to Disharmony.

Clap, clap, clap.

The Venomous Snake clapped his hands. Despite having small wounds on his backhand, he seemed to have used his rest time for emergency treatment, as bandages were already in place. Nevertheless, each time he clapped, fresh blood oozed from the not-yet-healed wounds.

An impressive level of endurance. His ability to control his mind is almost superhuman.

.

Miss, what kind of atrocious thing must Kim Gong-ja see to fall into Disharmony?

Silence fell.

Why do you think that?

Because that path is one I have already walked.

I thought of the clouds mixed with ash and the red rain pouring down.

Yes.

Thats it.

Thank you.

So, if it seems like you might fall, I we all will unite to persuade the family head, even if it means dragging you back by the hair.

I trust you.

We dont need someone like him

But its because I can go astray.

I stroked Estelles head.

Then, I looked at the Venomous Snake, roughly wiping his mud-covered face with his hand.

Liao Fan.

.

Thank you.

I bowed my head.

For your efforts for me. For spending time to defeat me. I truly appreciate it.

.

You said you were jealous of me, but thats not an ugly jealousy. You didnt slander me or plot against me. You simply faced me squarely, acknowledging your jealousy, striving to surpass me.

.

Im ashamed of my own naivety, thinking that by casting the Sword of the Drowned, I could charm you and dissolve your jealousy You had already overcome your jealousy long ago. Thats impressive.

I stood up. It was hard to breathe due to the dent in my heart, the size of a protruding bone in a fist, but I endured and walked towards the Venomous Snake.

.

Seeing me approach, the Venomous Snake seemed somewhat tense.

Yes.

I knew.

At this moment, at this time, what I needed to say.

Its natural to be tense.

When one finally confronts the person they have envied and admired, when they meet eye to eye as equals, what words would they wish to hear from the other? What fervent message would they hope the other would impart? What exactly is needed?

As someone who envied and admired Flame Emperor Yoo Su-ha more than anyone, I understand this.

Liao Fan.

I tapped Liao Fans shoulder lightly.

Youre quite the madman yourself, arent you?

.

I dont dislike kind madmen. I like them. After all, you even drove your fist into my heart Really, youve had it tough.

.

You seemed like the protagonist.

I smiled broadly.

But to strike down my neck when I fall into Disharmony, that effort is far from enough, dont you think? Strive harder. Dont neglect your training, thats the key.

Liao Fan looked at me in disbelief.

Listen to this guy. Man, anyone would think you just won the fight?

Hey. Think about the specifics, as you said. You know that combat strength increases when one falls into Disharmony.

What kind of logic is that

Liao Fan laughed helplessly. I too sat down in front of him and laughed.

Lets have a drink.

Soon, someone brought over alcohol. Glasses were prepared, filled with liquor.

And petals scattered from a branch fluttered down, settling on the table and glasses.

[Voting completed.]

The Oni who had been observing the stage made their decision.

[Vote for option 2: 00.00 percent.]

[Vote for option 1: 100.00 percent.]

[Stage cleared.]

Perhaps what they had been watching wasnt the stage, but rather the clear tears that had flowed down someones face.

Yeah, lets drink. Kim Gong-ja.

He said.

You crazy bastard.

Like that.

[The 47th floor stage has been cleared.]

The final vote was completed.