Read Novel Full Chapter 329: An Awful Stench
Chapter 329: An Awful Stench
A week had passed since Vale had agreed to Mias’ dreadful plan. A plan that had already yielded to the very fears upon which Vale had founded his apprehension.
The daily death toll of his scouts and foragers, which had been either few or zero before, rose to ~9-to-13. Thankfully, none had been captured, but there were a few who had to unceremoniously impale themselves.
Mias himself had even executed a few…
Not that those fears being realized dissuaded him from continuing down this treacherous path.
Mias had already reported instances of those who’d been helped by the Legion of Lust showing some apprehension about attacking, even given prime opportunities.
However…
‘Those instances have been almost too frequent and abundant. Too convenient.’
It didn’t take Vale much contemplation to realize Mias was staging incidents left and right to speed up the cause. Nor was it hard to notice that his methods inflated the death toll.
Still, Vale maintained his silence. What’s done was done. There was no turning back.
As for the second prong to the plan, making them realize their leaders’ true ambitions…
That task seemed a bit harder to accomplish.
It sounded a bit counterintuitive, but from what Mias had detailed, they seemed readily aware of their ambitions. Or more so, they knew the law of the jungle. They knew damn well their lives were forfeit to the powers above them.
So, Mias had pivoted his strategy a bit to deal with that. Mias had said:
“I’ll turn them into an imminent threat instead of a looming one.”
‘Whatever that meant…’
And whatever that plan entailed…
Sighing, Vale began to count the stars in the sky, of which there were oddly few, even with no clouds to block his view.
“Life really is hard as of recent. Don’t you agree?”
The pink flames surrounding him gave off no light, yet still added to the ambiance of the horrific Scar.
His conversation partner gave no reply.
“Awilix is still knocked out. Envy has snuck more spies in. And we could die any day the moment Riva-fuckin-nia decides.”
It was a dismal prospect, but Vale’s life was constantly dangling by a thread. Celestia had the might and means to wipe him off the face of the planet in a matter of minutes.
On the other hand, they were scared of Akkuron’s retaliation, so they did nothing.
After all, especially after last week’s theatrics, it wasn’t too hard to figure out Lust was both an enragement tool and bait.
“It’s hardship after hardship, no matter what world I’m in.”
Vale sighed, then shook his head.
“I’m sure it’s the same for you as well. I mean, you wouldn’t be in this situation otherwise, no?”
Whistling, Vale let his head roll side to side.
Finally, his visitor replied.
“Don’t sully… the Holy Maiden’s honor… by desecrating her name.”
“Ah, my bad, my bad.”
Shaking his head, Vale pushed at the ground and yawned.
His eyes lazily rolled around the scene. Mias’ form frozen in the midst of corporealization. Ximena studying the scene from afar with a confused look on her face. Sivian with a dubious smile on her face while steadying her bow.
Finally, Vale looked down on the battered and blood-soaked man slumped against the rocks.
“So, then, what brings you down here?”
The man spat out a splotch of blood. Then, after a few ghastly coughs, he replied:
“I fell…”
“You… fell?” Vale glanced up, then mockingly added, “From up there?”
The man’s lips parted as he let out laborious breaths.
Not only was the fall near certain death, but it wasn’t a straight shot to the bottom. One would need to fall multiple times to reach where this adventurer had.
Let alone…
Mias only noticed this man once he appeared in this state, not during his descent. So, while not confirmable, he was most likely a spy of some sort.
“Just kill me… monster.”
Vale crouched down and chuckled while inspecting the man for weapons, only to find none.
“Monster? Well, that’s a bit rude, don’cha think?”
Once again, all Vale got returned was a glare.
Letting off a few pattering claps, half copying Greed’s third-rate villain act, Vale questioned:
“Now, why are you here? I know you didn’t fall… at least not by accident or without cause. So, state your exact purpose.”
The man sneered.
“Why else? You’re here…”
Vale smiled warmly.
“Of course I’m here! I’m asking why you’re here!”
The man’s scowl tightened at Vale’s flippant response. Then, after a lengthy silence, he said:
“I came… to deliver a message.”
Scratching his cheek, Vale stood and began pacing around the frozen world.
“Ah, but you’d think a messenger would, you know, politely present himself and relay his message… not this derisive contrariness. But, come on, spill. What message do you have for me, man who is definitely a messenger who fell while descending into the Scar?”
Closing his eyes, the man leaned back, spat out more blood, then chuckled.
“Ah, oops… I can’t exactly remember. I must have hit my head during the fall.”
“What a shame! What a shame! I guess we’ll just have to wait until you remember. While I can’t promise the best treatment during your tenancy at Hotel Lust, I can promise your eyes a wonderful feast! Only your eyes, of course. But, man from above, what is your name? It would only be right to treat a guest with some dignity. Or have you forgotten that too?”
‘It wouldn’t happen to be Lucas, would it?’
The man’s bloodstained glare lifted until his eyes met Vale’s.
“I know better than to tell anything to you.”
“Ah, but you see… you probably should tell me. I brought you in here to save you. Was hoping, for your sake, you’d comply without a fuss. Don’t worry, we won’t rob you of your free will and mind. But, by tomorrow, you’ll probably wish we had.”
Vale glanced toward Mias, remembering one of the first things he said when this Celestia soldier inexplicably showed up: “perfect.”
“You smell awful.”
‘Huh? What…?’
Well, that was a first!