SHIKARI’S HUNTING GAME (13)

"You did what?" Leomold somewhat exclaimed, his voice filled with disbelief and a hint of astonishment. Leomold's jaw nearly dropped in disbelief as he struggled to comprehend the thoughts running through Arex's mind. Arex's rejection of Merfestina's proposal to team up with him seemed like a reckless idea.

But Arex casually responded to him immediately. "I posed a query, and to my chagrin, she purposefully provided a response that I am well aware she had solely come to discuss with me."

"What did you inquire of her?" Leomold asked. His eyebrows knitted together, brimming with intrigue. 

And in a flash, Arex responded, "I inquired whether her intentions were merely to deceive a fellow companion, and I must admit, I have never felt such profound disappointment as when she confessed her desire to assist me in this act of betrayal." I understand that your sole motivation for assisting me stemmed from our agreement. Braganza was just about wanting to team up on who's the winning end. Kiyo and Merfestina are despicable individuals, as they would back a stranger like me to bring down one of your own—a fellow comrade. So I had to decline. I refuse to be a pawn in someone else's deceitful game."

Leomold let out a deep sigh in response to Arex's answer. "Are you absolutely certain about that? Your decision holds immense power over your chances of emerging victorious in this game."

"I am fully aware," Arex eventually replied.

"It had become all too predictable that, in due time, one would inevitably witness the betrayal of a fellow companion, for such is the nature of this game from the very start. Lord Braganza's perspective on choosing the winning side was a strategic approach to playing the game. However, it is important to understand that aligning yourself with the blind would be a grave mistake, as every player is seen as the blind's adversary. It's either you win or lose. No changing of teams."

The gentle reminder that Leomold gave to Arex caused him to feel a twinge of guilt because he had previously declined Merfestina's offer to join forces. If Arex had not turned down Merfestina's offer, then the only people he would have needed to convince in order to defeat Roxina would have been Halze and Valkas.

Arex, on the other hand, was unable to accomplish his goal of convincing Merfestina and Kiyo to collaborate with him because of his pride. In addition, it seemed as though time was drawing nearer to Arex, particularly once Roxina started to pursue all of them more closely. 

"So are you suggesting that I should go and find Merfestina to accept her proposal?" After some time, Arex finally inquired of Leomold. He wore a sardonic grin before Leomold's presence, seemingly unable to comprehend the fact that Leomold was insinuating that Arex had foolishly turned down Merfestina's offer.

"It's not as if you'd do it had I even asked you to do that, aren't you?" However, Leomold effortlessly turned the tables and fired the question right back at Arex.

"Of course, not." 

"Well, it seems we are left with little choice but to make do with the resources at our disposal. No worries, Arex. I understand and respect your choices. I thought it would be more beneficial for you to learn things in your own unique way." 

Arex did not bother to object to that. However, instead of attempting to create flameshots, he picked up the sapphire sword that he had set aside earlier. 

"Oh, and with regard to that weapon, I believe that you ought to make use of that sword considerably more frequently than the flameshot instead, so that you will not have to exhaust yourself as quickly." After what Leomold had just said, the conversation eventually shifted.

The fact that Leomold did not want to further escalate the tension that was already building up between him and Arex was something that was in the back of his mind. particularly considering that the two of them were still participating in the game. 

They ought to place a greater emphasis on devising some kind of strategy in order to win the game, despite the fact that Arex was unsuccessful in getting the other lords of the black parade to join forces with him.

The two of them immediately heard a single explosion that sounded like a canon as it struck the sky, and this occurred while Arex and Leomold were still engaged in conversation. The sound quickly entered and exited Arex's ears from left to right, leaving behind a vibrating echoe that was left behind.

"What was that just now?" Arex asked very quickly as he clenched his hand tightly around the hilt of the sword. At the same time, he was attempting to look around so that he could become more cautious about his surroundings.

Therefore, that is the indication that they have at long last released lady Roxina. Her hunt will finally begin now. Temporarily, I suggest you avoid encountering Lady Roxina, Arex. It would be wise to entice her to a more open area and patiently await the arrival of our comrades before launching a coordinated assault."

"But what if she manages to catch up with me?"

"I've already told you that she would be impossible to defeat all by yourself. Lady Roxina has the eye of the future now. Once she sees you, she will instantly have access to every move you make and everything you have in mind. It would only be foolish to fight someone who has the ability to read your tactics before you could even execute them."

Arex vividly remembers Leomold briefing him about that last night. Naturally, he would take great care to steer clear of Roxina. 

"I am already aware of that. But if she dared to follow me, I would not hesitate to unleash a fiery blast to slow her down." Arex eventually replied, his voice dripping with a mischievous undertone.

"Take caution and keep in mind the instructions I gave you to entice lady Roxina into the open field once everyone has regrouped. This way, we can unite our forces and triumph over her together." Leomold replied, and Arex simply nodded in response as he prepared himself for Roxina's arrival.

"Alright, I'll do that." Arex simply replied, and the two of them parted ways once more.

Since Leomold's departure, Arex had been constantly on the move, as if there was an invisible force propelling him away from the forest. It felt as though time itself was ticking down, urging him to flee, for Roxina might be closer than he realized.

However, just as Arex was preparing to depart from the forest, he found himself unexpectedly cornered by the last person he would have expected to encounter in such a place...