บท 229: Chapter 288
[Third Person's PoV]
"A friend?" Claire arched an eyebrow, glancing at Cid with evident skepticism.
"You have friends?" she teased, folding her arms with a smirk. "I thought you only had lovers."
Cid met her mockery with a flat expression, his tone completely unfazed. "Hilarious," he said dryly as they continued their trek through the dimly lit corridors of the 80th floor.
The air grew heavier the farther they ventured, the distant echoes of clanging metal and guttural growls hinting at the dangers lurking ahead. Just as they neared their destination, the oppressive silence was shattered. From the shadows emerged a herd of monstrous, flaming demon horses. Atop their backs sat imposing Demon Knights clad in obsidian-black armor, their helms obscuring their faces entirely. The knights raised an arsenal of wickedly curved blades and spears, each pointed at Cid and Claire.
Cid sighed, raising his hands in mock surrender. "We mean no harm. We're here looking for Esil. We're friends—"
"Do not dare speak the Matriarch's name so casually!" barked one of the knights, his voice booming with fury. Their weapons inched closer, gleaming ominously in the dim light.
"Matriarch?" Cid tilted his head, his curiosity piqued.
Claire groaned, already weary of the delay. "This is taking too long," she muttered before vanishing in a blur of movement. In the span of a breath, she reappeared beside Cid, her sword drawn and humming with power. Before the knights could react, they crumpled to the ground, their weapons slipping from their grasp as they slumped unconscious.
"Claire," Cid said, rubbing his temples. "That was… unnecessary."
Claire ignored him, leaping onto one of the demon horses with an air of boredom. "I'm hungry," she declared, petting the creature's fiery mane as it neighed in protest. "I hope this 'Esil~' of yours has some decent food waiting for us."
Cid sighed, mounting another horse. "Let's just get this over with."
They galloped through the corridors at breakneck speed, the echoes of hooves pounding against stone reverberating around them. It wasn't long before they arrived at the base of a grand staircase leading to a foreboding black castle. The structure loomed menacingly, its spires piercing the crimson sky, which had darkened with storm clouds.
"A castle inside another castle," Claire scoffed, dismounting her steed. "How ostentatious."
Cid dismounted, his gaze fixed on the towering gates ahead. "Brace yourself," he murmured.
"For what?" Claire asked, turning toward him. Her question was cut short as an immense pressure suddenly enveloped the air. Cid had unleashed his Conqueror's Haki.
The crimson sky deepened, crackling with black lightning as the aura expanded. The oppressive energy caused the storm clouds to churn violently, and a rumble of thunder shook the ground.
"Could you not?" Claire muttered through gritted teeth, her will straining against the oppressive force.
Ignoring her, Cid pushed the castle doors open, his presence alone forcing the remaining guards to their knees. They trembled in fear, their weapons clattering to the ground.
The throne room doors swung wide with a resounding boom. At the far end of the chamber sat Esil, her striking purple hair cascading over her armored shoulders. Her crimson eyes glinted, and intricate black markings framed her sharp features. She sat rigidly on the ornate throne, her knuckles white as she gripped its arms, visibly struggling against the weight of Cid's Haki.
As Cid approached, his voice cut through the tense silence. "When I end my Haki, I want your knights to stand down. Nod if you agree."
Esil gritted her teeth, sweat trailing down her temple, but managed a curt nod.
With a small exhale, Cid released his power, and the room seemed to heave a collective sigh. The knights collapsed entirely, gasping for air, while Esil slumped forward, gripping the throne for support.
"Who… are you?" she demanded breathlessly, her voice laced with both fear and defiance. "Why have you invaded my castle?"
Cid lowered his hood, spreading his arms slightly. "Come on, Esil. You don't recognize me?"
Her gaze narrowed. "No."
Behind him, Claire failed to stifle a laugh, covering her mouth with her hand.
Cid sighed, scratching his cheek in mild embarrassment. "Fine," he said, materializing a long, familiar coat that concealed his face up to his nose. "How about now?" He asked as he wore the outfit of when they first met.
Esil's eyes widened in shock as recognition dawned. She rose abruptly, nearly toppling over. "Stand back!" she barked at her knights who had stood up and grabbed their weapons ready to charge towards Cid, her voice regaining its commanding tone. "Do not engage! He's a friend of the Radir Clan!"
Before the stunned silence could linger, Claire's stomach growled loudly, breaking the tension. All eyes turned to her.
Blushing furiously, she muttered, "Sorry…"
Esil sighed, waving to her knights. "Take her to the dining hall and ensure she's fed. And you," she pointed to Cid, "come with me."
As they left, Claire shot Cid a cheeky grin. "Don't take too long."
Cid only shook his head, following Esil through the winding halls of the castle. She walked briskly, her face unreadable. Cid, however, noticed the stiffness in her movements. Something was off.
Before he could comment, Esil pushed open the door to a secluded room and gestured for him to enter. As the door shut behind him, he turned to find her standing there, her crimson eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Without warning, she threw herself into his arms.
"Uh…" Cid hesitated, caught off guard.
"I couldn't show weakness in front of the others," Esil whispered, her voice trembling. "But it's really you… isn't it, Jinwoo?"
Cid smiled faintly, resting a hand atop her head. "Yeah. It's been a while."
Esil stepped back, hastily wiping her tears. "How… how are you alive? I heard you were killed. You… you even look different. Did you reincarnate or something?"
Cid nodded, his expression darkening. "I was ambushed. But who told you I died?"
"Lord Baran," she whispered, her voice cracking. "After He came… and killed my father…"
"What?" Cid asked coldly, his gaze sharp and piercing, as though it could cut through steel.
Esil faltered for a moment under the intensity of his glare but then smiled, even as fresh tears traced paths down her cheeks. That gaze—it was the same one he had given her when they first met, one that had somehow been both terrifying and reassuring. It reminded her of the strength he radiated back then, a strength she desperately needed now.
"When Lord Baran appeared, we were utterly paralyzed with fear," Esil began, her voice trembling. "He claimed that despite being controlled by the Shadow Monarch, we had failed him—betrayed him by aiding the enemy. As punishment, he announced he would annihilate our entire clan. We all thought that was the end… but my father stepped forward."
"My father offered his life in exchange for the clan's survival. He argued that we could still be of use, that killing us all would be wasteful. For a moment, I thought Baran might reject the offer and slaughter us anyway, but he… accepted." Esil's voice cracked, and she paused, struggling to maintain her composure. "Baran executed my father right there, in front of us. He said it was a mercy and left us alive under the condition that we serve him without question."
She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. "Afterward, I confronted him—I told him you would return and make him pay for what he'd done. But he only laughed. He laughed and said you were already dead. He warned me that if I spoke out again, he wouldn't hesitate to kill the rest of us, my father's sacrifice be damned."
Cid's eyes remained cold, and a shadow seemed to fall over him, amplifying the cold fury in his eyes. "And so, you had no choice but to submit," he said, his voice low and icy.
Esil nodded, her eyes downcast. "I had to. If I didn't, my father's sacrifice would have been for nothing. The clan needed me. The others voted to make me queen in his absence, and I've ruled under Baran's thumb ever since."
Cid took a step closer, his hand lifting to gently wipe the tears from her cheek. His touch was surprisingly tender, a stark contrast to the deadly energy that seemed to radiate from him. "I'm sorry you had to endure that," he murmured, his voice filled with genuine regret.
Esil's face flushed slightly at his unexpected gentleness, and she quickly turned her head away, composing herself. "Thank you… but it's been years now. I've come to terms with it. My focus has been on protecting what remains of my clan."
Cid scoffed, the faintest smirk tugging at his lips. "Well, you won't have to serve him for much longer. We're going to put an end to Baran—permanently."
Esil's eyes widened at the conviction in his tone. Slowly, a smile broke across her face—a genuine one that chased away some of the lingering sorrow. "If anyone could do it, I know you can," she said softly. Her voice was filled with hope, the kind of hope she hadn't dared to feel in years.
Cid nodded, with a smirk "Count on it."
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