Capítulo 28: Offer and Threat
The masked man stood at the center of the stage, scanning the crowd. His gaze traveled over each person, as if piercing into the depths of their minds. A faint smile appeared on his face as he raised his voice.
"I see that this ship is hosting some very distinguished guests tonight," he said, his tone a mix of mockery and authority. "Your presence here means you've all accepted to be the most crucial parts of this game."
The white-haired woman, sitting upright with a stern expression, stared at him without breaking eye contact. Her lips formed a thin line as she spoke, her voice sharp and disdainful. "Hey, stop beating around the bush and get to the point," she said. "Being on a ship with people of such low caliber is bad enough already. Don't waste my time."
The people around her remained silent at her words, but a faint tension appeared on their faces. The masked man met her challenge with calm composure, the smile never leaving his face.
"Ah, Sophia," he said, almost whispering her name like a secret. "Your impatience is as captivating as ever. But don't worry, the reason you're all here will soon become clear. And perhaps you'll find yourself questioning who the real 'low-caliber' individuals are."
Meanwhile, Nathaniel seemed unfazed by the rising tension around him. He slowly swirled his red wine in his glass before taking a sip, maintaining his usual calm demeanor while keeping an occasional eye on Seina. Seina, however, was entirely focused on Keiran, observing his every move and expression. When she finally spotted Keiran in the crowd, there was a mixture of unease and surprise in her eyes.
Aren, on the other hand, seemed oblivious to the masked man's words. His gaze remained locked on the man who had insulted Victoria, the smirk on that man's face still taunting him. Victoria's legs twitched slightly on Aren's back, her spider-like hairs brushing against his skin, intensifying the anger simmering within him.
The masked man, moving on from his tense exchange with Sophia, let his gaze sweep over the room again until it stopped directly on Keiran. His lips curled into a sly smile, his eyes glinting with excitement.
"Incredible," the masked man said, his voice laced with a mix of sarcasm and admiration. "I never imagined that a rebellious spirit like you would be on this ship, Keiran Frost."
Suddenly, all eyes in the room turned to Keiran. Those who didn't know who he was looked on in bewilderment. But among the Vex users, a silence fell as they recognized his name and his reputation. Even Sophia's previously dismissive expression was replaced by one of shock.
Keiran met the masked man's gaze with a patient look, a slight smile playing on his lips, though his eyes remained serious. "I didn't expect you to know who I am."
The masked man returned the smile with satisfaction. "How could I not?" he said. "Ignoring someone like you, a high-level Vex user, is impossible. But I always thought you preferred to act alone. So, it seems you've decided to involve yourself in the Ashar Tradition after all."
Keiran paused for a moment, the playful smile still lingering on his face. "Are you talking about the Ashar Tradition?" he asked, as if trying to decipher the masked man's intentions. "The competition that will determine the next emperor of the Nymar Empire?"
The masked man lowered his voice slightly, letting his words sink into everyone's minds. "Yes, exactly that," he said. "This ship is carrying the ten princes who will compete in the Ashar Tradition to decide the next ruler of the Nymar Empire. A bloody and merciless battle for the throne is about to begin."
The tension in the room intensified further with this revelation. Sophia's face turned to stone, while Nathaniel's eyes remained fixed on the masked man, analyzing every word.
The masked man looked straight into Keiran's eyes as he continued, "I have a proposal for you, Keiran Frost. I want you to support the fifth prince," he said. His words seemed to hang in the air, causing everyone to hold their breath. It was clear just how serious he was. Choosing which prince to back in the Nymar Empire's power struggle was no small matter.
Keiran studied the masked man for a moment before replying in a calm and measured tone. "Support the fifth prince?" he asked, his voice skeptical. "Why him? What sets him apart from the others?"
A mysterious expression crossed the masked man's face. "The fifth prince," he said, emphasizing each word, "has the potential to bring real change to the empire. He is not merely seeking power like the others; he aims to ascend the throne with a vision and strategic intelligence. And an ally like you could be the key to his success."
The masked man waited for Keiran's reaction, hoping to sway him with his proposal. But Keiran remained unruffled, his expression unchanged as he gave a light shake of his head.
"I'm not interested in your offer," Keiran said, his voice unexpectedly calm and decisive. "The only reason I'm on this ship is to be by my friend's side. I have no intention of getting involved in the Ashar Tradition."
This statement sharpened the tension in the room. The Vex users and other guests stared at Keiran in shock. Even the masked man hesitated for a brief moment. Meanwhile, Aren's eyes were still fixed on the man who had insulted Victoria. The man's smug expression had vanished, replaced by naked fear as he realized the dangerous company he was in.
The masked man turned his gaze to Aren, noticing his cold, emotionless demeanor. "Who is this man?" he thought, feeling a sense of unease at not knowing Aren's identity. His attention shifted to Keiran's mysterious companion.
Keiran, noticing the unchanging look on Aren's face, broke the tension with a playful grin. "Hey Aren," he said, with a hint of mockery in his voice, "what do you think? Should we become the fifth prince's bodyguards? Maybe we could keep him company."
Aren gave the masked man a cold, steady look before responding confidently, "If you want us to work with the fifth prince, I have one condition."
The masked man's curiosity was piqued. "And what is your condition?" he asked.
Without a hint of emotion, Aren pointed his finger at the muscular man who had insulted Victoria. "I want to kill him," he said, his voice calm and unwavering.
The atmosphere in the room froze instantly. The man's face turned ashen, paralyzed with terror. He understood now that he was nothing more than prey in the midst of these powerful individuals.
The masked man, briefly taken aback, quickly regained his composure, a smile spreading across his face. This was no ordinary threat; Aren's calm demeanor revealed that he was anything but average. The masked man's eyes lit up with curiosity, wondering just how far this mysterious man could go.
"That's quite an unusual request," said the masked man, lowering his voice. "But Aren, I'd like to know what I stand to gain from this. What does his death bring you?"
Aren's reply was detached, almost indifferent. "His death gains me nothing," he said. "But repaying the insult to Victoria is more than enough for me. Justice always has value."
Keiran's lips curled into a slight smile. He knew just how determined Aren was, even when seeking revenge with such composure. The masked man, intrigued by Aren's cold-blooded demand, nodded slightly as if acknowledging his resolve.
"Understood," said the masked man, his mysterious smile still intact. "If you agree to ally with the fifth prince, I will grant you his life as a gift. It will be interesting to see how your sense of justice plays out."
Aren held the masked man's gaze for a long moment, his face unreadable. Then, without saying a word, he gave a slight nod of acceptance. The fear on the muscular man's face deepened, fully realizing that his fate was now in the hands of these two formidable figures.
Presentes
-- Presente
recebido Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
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