Read Novel Full Chapter 262: Warm Welcome
Chapter 262: Warm Welcome
Ten minutes passed in silent anticipation.
This eerie tranquility was only interrupted by a cold, domineering waft of foreign Aether rushing through the dungeon.
’They’re here...’
Steadying his leg and leveling his chair, Vale closed his eyes and waited for the announcement from the voice.
After a few moments passed, it came.
[A challenger has entered the dungeon]
A few more followed.
[A challenger has entered the dungeon]
[A challenger has entered the dungeon]
[A challenger has entered the dungeon]
[A challenger has entered the dungeon]
Yet, it stopped there...
’Thank the gods!’
Vale took a deep breath as he listened to the uneven rhythm caused by the sabatons smashing against the dungeon floor as the small group descended the ramp.
The first to reach the bottom of the ramp was...
’Scarface.’
The old man showed only a hint of confusion upon seeing Vale sitting in a chair, waiting to greet him.
Following him were two knights who appeared to be Bloomed. Behind those knights was an older gentleman with long white hair and beard, wearing a robe. Next to him was a knight who looked to be wearing a suit of armor that didn’t quite fit them.
It seemed Greed’s notion that they would try to bargain was correct, though Vale expected that a preliminary force would have been sent to convey their intentions.
So, they either trusted the Vice they’d never even met to an odd degree, or they had no need for such a force...
As much as Vale wanted to exhale a sigh of relief, he felt that relief would be misguided seeing as the second part of that statement was probably the truth.
Exposing both his hands, he placed his elbows on the table and interlaced his fingers.
The group of five approached at a steady pace, their gait betraying no fear or hesitation even in the face of a Vice. Though the small knight and old man started to shiver as they grew closer.
As for the general...
His existence made Vale’s skin crawl. This feeling was more invasive than when he’d been faced with Lor or Greed. No, this man seemed above both of them. He was Elevated.
Vale leaned forward and swallowed his fears.
"Hello, Akkuron emissaries. To what do I owe this unannounced greeting?"
The scarred general looked over at the old man.
"It seems we have no use for your talents, Roderic; you may leave. Send Sandra in your stead."
The old man bowed, then turned and walked away.
’Was he a translator?’
Not that such a thing mattered.
The general coughed, then said:
"We’re here to establish a connection with you, Master of Lust."
Vale scoffed as he gestured for the general to take a seat.
"Sorry for this dull greeting, but I must say... Are you not aware of how the world sees Vice? How they see someone like me?"
The general inspected the chair, probably looking for traps. Then he pulled it out and sat down.
"We are well aware. But we are also well aware that others are rash and lack insight. We can gain much more from the Vice by working with them."
The Bloomed knights stood on either side of the general, lining themselves up with Ximena and Sivian. The third stood a little way away, their eyes drifting all over the place.
His eyes sizing up the small force, Vale said:
"You’re a peculiar man. What’s your name?"
"Grady Belinshire. You may leave it at Grady. But I’d like to say you’re the peculiar one. We came in here expecting to subdue you in some capacity in order to have a discussion. But it seems you’ve already prepared for one. You either have a superb spy or a fearsome intuition." The man’s gaze slightly softened. "I’d like to know your name as well. Not the title the world calls you, but your true name."
Vale let out a quiet chuckle.
"That’s a little pretentious to say you planned to subdue me to my face. Let alone bringing merely five to accomplish that is quite the insult. But if you insist on knowing my name, it’s Vale."
Grady smiled warmly. Though it was clear his warm smile was nothing more than an act to lull Vale into a sense of security.
"I apologize for our rudeness..." His stare slightly hardened. "But I’m sure you’re well aware of the difference in our strength."
Vale wanted to click his tongue and spit venom-laced words back at the man, but he was too aware of the truth of the man’s statement to dare deny it.
[A challenger has entered the dungeon]
’Sandra, huh...’
Vale leaned back in his seat.
"Yes. Your aura is quite palpable. But tell me, what is it you seek from me? You say you’re strong enough to take what you want, yet settle for discourse. With a Vice no less..."
Grady chuckled as he dragged his shoulders back.
"You speak as though your own kind is intolerable and unable to be reasoned with."
Vale thought back to Greed...
"That notion is not entirely ill-conceived. We Vice are more civil than the world would like to believe, but we’re also more insidious than you all could ever imagine."
Grady laughed boisterously as he straightened his back.
"Truly, it seems we’ve stumbled across quite the man! Well, Vale, since you seem like a man much too smart to trick with such equivocal methods, let me be honest..."
Grady leaned forward, placing his forearm on the stone table.
"We came here to use you."
Vale showed no reaction to his words. Instead, he responded in a even tone.
"That much was obvious. But I was curious what use you could derive from me?"
The general smirked, a delighted expression sitting on his face.
"Ah, not much. We only want to rile up Celestia even more. There’s more than that as well, but that’s the main point."
’Huh?!’
Vale squinted.
"Could you elaborate?"
"You said it yourself, the world hates the Vice. We have recently gone to war with a nation called Celestia. They are the largest proprietors in claiming hatred upon your kind. So, we wanted to enlist your help."
The benefit gained from the action eluded Vale, but this was much better than signing away his right to life! That’s not to say that the threat wasn’t coming, but that he could have a slight relief that it wasn’t their primary goal.
Vale smiled.
"Your words are quite interesting."