THE HIGH LORD’S GARDEN

"Why? Isn't that how you usually act? You act all grumpy, and it makes me wonder what could be the root cause of your bad temper. And then I saw this. Perhaps you're just trying to act all tough while trying to teach them your so-called drills." Arex begins as he plans to mock even the way Halze trains the shikaris.

Halze, however, attempted to maintain a composed expression in Arex's presence, even though he strongly desired to silence Arex by more drastic means. Nevertheless, he made an effort to control his emotions because the high lord had previously advised him not to injure Arex under any circumstances. 

But looking at the situation now, it seemed that Arex was determined to push him to the edge of his patience.

"What are you trying to imply, human?" Halze asked through his gritted teeth.

Seeing how his taunting was having an effect on Halze, Arex continued to further trigger Halze when he said, "Your training is no match for someone who grew up having street fights as his daily routine." 

Halze, feeling a bit antsy, suddenly inquired, "Are you talking about yourself?"

"Who else?" Arex responded with confidence.

Halze simply couldn't take the arrogance that Arex was exuding. Arex went a bit further this time, even taunting Halze and humiliating him in front of other Shikaris. This only made Halze release his scythe from the ground and forget his promise to the high lord about not harming Arex.

"Forgive me, high lord." Halze muttered before he exclaimed, "Activating, Raquor!" and once again, the deadly large formation of stone erupted from the ground, causing a stir among the other shikaris who were in training.

Halze had neglected the presence of the other shikaris and was resolute in his decision to initiate his assault on Arex. "I will make sure to eliminate you once and for all, you aberrant." Halze let out a piercing cry as he brought down his scythe on Arex.

As his scythe was about to strike Arex, Leomold suddenly interrupted the ongoing battle between Arex and Halze by shouting, "Amorgan, fortress!" This caused a wall of liquid to emerge between Halze and Arex.

It prevented Halze's scythe from penetrating through to harm Arex.

"Why did you stop me, Lord Leomold? Are you siding with this aberrant now?" Halze complained the moment he realized what Leomold had done.

Leomold quickly manipulated the liquid with his scythe and shielded Arex behind him. He shot a disapproving look at Arex, clearly showing his disappointment. Arex felt uncomfortable and fell silent while standing behind Leomold.

Later, Leomold gazed at Halze and finally responded, "I always remain neutral at all times, as you are aware, Lord Halze. Nevertheless, I need to bring back the human unharmed, as our high lord is anticipating his arrival. Unless you want to visit the high lord and inform him that you have successfully eliminated this human, instead?" His language may be subtle, but it clearly conveys the high lord's command that Halze must ensure not to harm Arex at all costs.

Halze, who felt defeated by Leomold's answer, retreated, and as he turned his back on them, he left, saying, "Take that fool away from here then."

Following Halze's retreat, Leomold looked at Arex and said, "Don't test my patience, Arex."

Arex scratches the back of his head while laughing. "I was just testing my powers. Sorry," and it didn't even sound sincere at all.

Yet Leomold chose not to put up with Arex for his actions. "Since you're keen on testing your skills, then how about we try another challenge to assess them?" Leomold finally spoke after devising a plan to reprimand Arex.

Arex, on the flip side, found it to be quite exciting and eventually gave his consent. "Challenge accepted," he responded confidently.

"Okay, the chamber of the high lord is located on the tenth floor. I'd like you to arrive there before I do. If you emerge victorious, I will grant any request you have. But if I win, I have the right to ask you anything that you cannot turn down. How's that sound?"

"Piece of cake." Arex responded with an air of arrogance. Little did he realize that when the competition began, Leomold would use his ability to control water and form a bubble sphere, enabling him to ascend to the tenth floor faster than Arex.

Arex was breathing heavily as he greeted Leomold, who had been waiting there for him for almost an hour, and said, "You're a cheater! You used your power to cheat.

However, Arex's statement was suddenly cut off when, all of a sudden, the door of the high lord's chamber opened to welcome them.

"Later with that, Arex, follow me." Leomold eventually said, instructing Arex to follow him.

Following that, Arex followed Leomold towards the garden at the top of the tower, where the high lord, Grecko, usually has his afternoon tea. 

"Apologies for the little delay, high lord." Leomold eventually said as soon as they arrived at where the high lord was.

The high lord waived his hand as though it meant it was fine towards Leomold, and then Grecko eventually said, "You're finally here, Arex Carceri. Tell me, how do you find my garden?" Grecko, who was sitting on the white tea table inside a small cream pavilion, promptly asked the Arex the moment he saw him.

Leomold and Grecko both recoiled when they noticed the shocked expression on Arex's face. He perspired profusely, not from ascending the tenth floor but due to the sight before him.

"What seems to be the matter, Arex?" Leomold found himself unable to resist whispering next to Arex. He pondered the reason behind Arex's frozen stance, as his body was shaking with fear.

"You call this a damn garden?" Arex finally cried out. His face was still in shock while looking around.

Leomold, positioned behind Arex, felt perplexed by what Arex might be witnessing, as all he could see were the exquisite array of flowers that the high lord had been tending to in this tower. 

He attempted to explore the same corner that Arex was fixated on, but ultimately, Leomold could not perceive what had caught Arex's attention.

"Yes, this is my garden, Arex. Do you have a problem with it?" Grecko responded, and then he asked a question to try and understand what Arex actually saw.

"Yeah, because I've never seen a garden this horrifying!" Arex screamed piercingly as he approached Grecko, who was standing in front of his garden with a variety of alive and dead bloody Jinnxes restrained and bound like animals.