Chimaera's Conquest: The Legend Of The Devourer
Chapter 144: [Weekly Bonus - 1/6] Poised For Battle (1)

Chapter 144: [Weekly Bonus Chapter 1/6] Poised For Battle (1)

Three days later, a meeting was being held amongst the council, Adrian and the girls. Although Amelia and Sophia hadn’t recovered completely, they were more than eager to fight.

Adran was against it, but under a predominantly female council, there was no way he would win a vote to have them kept out of the upcoming battle. Besides, something A’Mila said struck a chord within him.

"They deserve their revenge as much as you do."

Adrian wasn’t pleased with the decision but had no points left to argue. With a sigh, Adrian admitted defeat, and their meeting finally began. Akila was the first to speak, informing them about the location of the nearest outpost.

"It took the elves three days to reach there on foot," he commented. "If we ride the wolves without prolonged breaks, we can reach there in a day."

"A day’s journey, huh?" A’Mila added, nodding in agreement. "They are closer than we expected."

"It’s logical for them to be nearby," Adrian mused. "Easy access would streamline the flow of goods, slaves, and whatever else the Church may be sending to the Tulkas. That reminds me... did you-?"

"Nothing," Akila replied. "Skaha is as tip-lipped as the rest of them. They wouldn’t reveal anything."

"I see... well, they had their chance for redemption; if they aren’t so keen on taking it, then it’d be a waste to keep them alive," Adrian remarked, his tone as casual as if discussing the day’s forecast rather than the fate of hundreds.

Sophia and Amelia exchanged glances, somewhat startled by Adrian’s indifferent demeanour towards the Tulkas. They also hated them but wouldn’t go as far as killing them.

But Adrian wasn’t the same man who once protected a goblin’s child when everyone was hellbent on killing it.

They hadn’t taken the tribe seriously when they recounted the tale of Adrian’s fight with Ahuli, but now it seemed they were telling the truth. But the two were struggling to wrap their heads around the fact.

"...I’ll see to it," Akila mumbled, looking at A’Mila.

It was then that someone else from the council interrupted, asking Adrian why he was making all the decisions himself. Adrian looked around and realised most of them thought the same thing, which made him chuckle.

"Did any of you witness the atrocities committed by those Tulkas? Did you endure the horrors inflicted by their hand?" Adrian scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Let me tell you, if I had my way, I wouldn’t kill them. No, I’d subject them to a fate far more torturous than anything you could even imagine. The way I see it, killing them is an act of mercy."

He continued, "If anyone still has any objections. We can settle this matter in the old-fashioned way, just like before."

The council went silent after that, mainly because even A’Mila didn’t object to Adrian’s proposal. Her silence was seen as agreement with Adrian’s words.

But eventually, objection came from an unexpected place. Amelia threw her knife at him, which Adrian caught without bothering to turn around. The Banurs were taken aback, thinking the elf wanted to hurt him, but that wasn’t the case.

Tossing her knife toward him was a silent declaration of a duel. The heroes were aware of the elven way of challenging someone to a duel. Even in her condition, she had more courage than the tribals, who were stronger than her, to do the right thing.

"What are you doing?" Sophia urged, but Amelia’s gaze remained fixed on Adrian, awaiting his response. And respond he did, by throwing the knife back at her.

"I’ll be waiting outside," Adrian mumbled before leaving the room.

Amelia turned to join him, but Sophia grabbed her again, and this time, the elf responded to her.

"He’s losing his path, Soph," Amelia said with sadness in her eyes. "Maybe you can watch him turn into someone heartless and not be disturbed, but I can’t do the same."

Saying so, she pushed Sophia’s arm off hers and marched outside to see Adrian warming up. With a deep breath, Amelia joined him as the rest of the council rushed out along with Sophia.

Amelia already knew she was going to lose, but she couldn’t give up without trying like the rest of them.

"Are you sure about this, Amelia?" Adrian asked, his voice void of emotion. "You know I don’t want to hurt you."

"I know what I’m doing, Adrian," she replied firmly. "But I’d understand if you’re scared to continue. You can even surrender now if you like."

"Haha, I’ve missed these talks from our training sessions," Adrian chuckled. "You can use a weapon if you want to even the odds."

"I won’t let my disability hold me back. You should know it better than anyone," Amelia retorted. "Besides, since I’m the one who challenged you, it’s only right for you to use a weapon, not me."

"Still as stubborn as ever," Adrian sighed, knowing he could not change her mind. With a resigned nod, he assumed a defensive stance.

Amelia lunged forward, her only hand poised to strike, but Adrian sidestepped with ease, letting her momentum carry her past him. Amelia whirled around, her eyes blazing with frustration as she launched a kick at him. Adrian, anticipating the attack, jumped back and evaded the blow.

"Do you plan on dodging like a coward or fighting back like a warrior?" Amelia taunted, but her tactic might have worked against someone like Vincent but not Adrian.

"I don’t remember you ever being so delusional before," Adrian mumbled, ducking to evade another attack.

He watched the elf move with concern and newfound admiration. But he knew it was time to end the farce, and that’s what he did.

As Amelia charged at him again, Adrian feinted to the side before sweeping her legs out from under her with a swift kick. She hit the ground with a thud. Her breath knocked from her lungs as she struggled to regain her footing, but Adrian promptly held her to the ground.

He offered her a hand once she stopped struggling, but Amelia wasn’t having any of it.

"I don’t need your pity, Adrian."

"I’m not pitying you, Amelia," Adrian held his hands in surrender. "I respect your bravery and your strength. But this fight is over."

Amelia sighed, taking his offer. She knew Adrian would win against her, but it didn’t alleviate the guilt she felt at the moment—not until Adrian spoke again.

"You don’t want me to kill them, right?" he asked with his back turned. "Fine, I won’t. But you will have to punish them instead."

With that, he walked back inside the room as if nothing happened.

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