Chapter 998  So Different

Arthur stared at how Seraphine struck the dragon after pa.s.sing through its flames. The legendary monster let out a heaven-shaking growl as the blood-mist tore through its scales. However, through unknown powers, it regenerated almost instantly.

"This fight won"t be easy," said Arthur as he witnessed the dragon preparing another fire attack. His black lightning crackled, ready to defuse its flames, but Seraphine shot him a threatening glare. "I guess this is her fight."

The black lightning returned to his body as Arthur began to think about what the knight said about him. Although it amused him greatly, it seemed that the knight was convinced he was something as childish as a "demon king."

Seraphine did not comment on the matter, although Arthur expected her to laugh as well. Her relentless desire to accompany and learn more about him made Arthur suspect that she had a similar notion. Her accusation of Arthur either being a demon or a G.o.d also supported this theory.

As he watched the two clash midair, Arthur wondered if he was actually as they claimed. He had been accused of many things over the years, and those accusations had often proved to be right. If he was indeed such a character as a demon king, then it would explain the G.o.dslayer art he obtained alongside Nightmare.

Once again, the forest was engulfed by flames. Arthur gazed at the surroundings, looking at the fleeing enemies before spotting the injured dragon. It seemed to be worn out, sprawled on the ground while gazing toward its parent.

In its eyes, Arthur saw Lilo. Although it was still within his soul, Arthur could not summon the dragon to aid him inside the tower. The similarity made him sigh before he turned toward Seraphine, who was still fighting the dragon.

"I won the last bet," he said toward the demon, who turned toward him mid-battle. The dragon slammed her with its claw, sending the demon flying toward the ground. Seraphine crashed beside Arthur before rising toward him with confusion. "I don"t want to kill this monster."

"Are you showing mercy to a monster?"

"The ones we killed on the first floor were not real monsters, but the tower"s own creation," said Arthur. "Dragons are intelligent species. I"m sure that you were the one to fight its child before this one arrived. We should not interfere in the power struggle before understanding anything."

"…is this your request?" asked the demon, to which Arthur nodded. After sighing, she lowered her guard. "Fine."

The fight ended just like that, but the dragon did not understand such a thing. It remained vigilant as it gathered its flames, ready to unleash another deadly attack. However, Arthur raised his hand and spoke into its soul.

"We no longer wish to fight," said Arthur to the dragon, and it paused. "Your child has been injured and might die at any second. I also have a dragon and don"t wish to see one die. Go and treat it."

The dragon was silent before it opened its maw. An ancient voice echoed in his ears, "I never thought… a dragon rider would appear inside this tower. My child was injured because of your friend."

"You can hold a grudge against us, but treat your child first," said Arthur before he lowered his hand. "We have no desire to fight anymore."

The dragon was silent as it stared at them leaving. Then, Arthur could feel it gathering flames again, making him sigh. However, when he turned around, the flames were different. These ones were green in color and full of life.

"This is a healer dragon," said Seraphine with surprise. "I never thought I would see an extinct type in this tower."

The two watched the dragon breathe fire over its child, and the wound began to heal. Once it recovered, the two stared at Arthur and Seraphine before flying into the distance. The valley was once again quiet except for the sizzling flames burning down the forest.

"You just let a lot of reward points go," said the demon as she watched the dragons disappear into the distance. "It would have been a good boost to contend against the challengers on this floor."

"I doubt we would have a hard time against them," said Arthur with a smile as he turned back toward the camp. "I found a place for us to stay. They helped me find you, and they are looking for the others. We can rest there until we learn more about this floor."

Seraphine said nothing as she followed him out of the valley. As the two entered the forest, Elinor and her husband jumped down from the trees. The demon was ready to fight, but Arthur stopped and explained their ident.i.ties.

"Is she the friend you mentioned?" asked Elinor with visible fear as she saw the scarlet eyes and horns. "I mean no offense, but the other huntsmen in the camp would be wary of her…"

"We can keep her ident.i.ty a secret," said Arthur as he shot Seraphine a glance, and the demon changed her appearance to be human. Then, she wore her hood, and no one could see a thing. "Can I trust you with that?"

"Of course, Seika," said Haldor as he placed his hand on his heart. "We will not tell a soul. We understand how normal people view demons."

"She is a friend and would not harm anyone that does not harm her. Please rest easy."

"Don"t talk about me like I"m your tamed monster," said Seraphine with displeasure. The two chuckled and then guided them back to the camp. Once they arrived, they found the Chief waiting for them.

"Welcome back, Seika," said the camp leader with a smile. "I see that you managed to find one of your friends. Can we have the pleasure of getting to know them?"

"My name is Seraphine," she answered, and the Chief nodded with a smile. After introducing his camp as the Huntsmen Clan, the chief guided her to one of the tents. Arthur got separated from Seraphine before he returned to his quarters.

Once again, he found the masked woman inside. Arthur walked in without saying a word before pulling a chair and sitting opposite of the woman. Her eyes fluttered before she raised her hand to remove her mask.

Arthur did not stop her, and she removed her mask. Her hair fell over her face, but it could not hide the beauty underneath. Her long eyelashes fluttered as her green eyes stared at him. The woman was of unparalleled beauty, almost as beautiful as the Princess of Ice and Fire.

As soon as his eyes saw her face, Arthur felt an unknown force try to infiltrate his mind. His eyes grew hazy as desire swelled in his heart. However, it soon disappeared like smoke, and Arthur returned to normal.

"Your seduction skill is truly powerful," said Arthur with surprise as he placed a hand on his chest. "If I was a different person, I would have fallen for you instantly. I have a friend who is considered the G.o.ddess of l.u.s.t and Temptation, but she never managed to cause a ripple in this stony heart."

"…you know about my skill?" the woman asked with widened eyes. "Even more, it has no effect? Are you immune to skills?"

"Only ones involving the mind," said Arthur before Nightmare appeared in his hand. The dagger made her flinch before he stabbed it into the table. "I know that your father

 asked you to use the skill on me, so you have to choose."

"Choose?" asked the woman with fear as she shrunk away from the black dagger. Her eyes could not avert from the blade that seemed to threaten the world itself.

"Your life or your father"s life," said Arthur with a stone-cold expression. The woman froze in place before she began to shake in fear. "If I did not resist your skill, I would have become a mindless fool. This is an unforgivable crime."

"Take my life," said the woman after a few moments. Her choice surprised Arthur and made him frown. "My life is worthless anyway. If someone had to die, it has to be me."

Arthur was silent as he heard those words. The woman did not consider who deserved to die between the two, but who had more value alive. It might be because of the life inside the tower, but it probably had more to do with how her father treated her.

"If I kill you with this blade, there is no hope for you to revive," said Arthur, making the woman stunned. "Death has a different meaning outside this tower."

"Even still, my life has the lesser value," said the woman with a smile before she grabbed her mask and placed it over her face. "In reality, I wished that the skill would not work. I hated to be used in such a manner. This death… came at the perfect time."

Arthur sighed when he saw the conviction in her eyes. Even after her father wronged her in such a manner, she still chose to die for him. This was something that he did not understand, given what his father has done.

"My father used me as a tool, too," said Arthur. "Even if it was for the greater good, I still choose to do as he desires. If I ever meet him… I will kill him. How can we be so different?"

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