Chapter 60: Show Down
Elizabeth was a member of the Starlight household, and many people tread carefully around her.
Leonard still remembered the first time he saw her during his father’s funeral. Onlookers had been awestruck as they admired her from afar.
Their caution was for good reason. The Starlight household represented one of the pillars that held Eternia City together. Even the acting King of the city would have to think twice before going against them.
On top of that, she also possessed a Mythical Bloodline and was, without a doubt, deeply involved in her family’s politics to a certain extent.
Gossiping about others, especially prominent figures like Martin and Russell, could shatter the goodwill Leonard had built and make her skeptical toward him. After all, regarding Martin’s past attempted murder, the only proof Leonard had was his own word. As for Russell, all he had was mere suspicion.
His status as an illegitimate heir of Gideon wasn’t much to fall back on.
"Perceptive as always... Though I suppose there was no attempt to hide my feelings on my part." Leonard let out a bitter sigh, carefully choosing his words.
"Right now, everybody is in the same party, and we will be fighting for our lives. Bringing up things that trouble you could potentially save lives by pointing out flaws in our plan, so I am always willing to hear everyone out." Elizabeth replied.
Although her gaze remained icy, it flickered for a moment, subtly noting the change in Leonard’s demeanor. Whether this was genuine unease or merely an act on his part, she didn’t know, but it was worth investigating nonetheless.
Leonard lingered for a few moments, his eyes scanning the party members.
"In the past, Martin made an attempt on my life. Neither of us was pleased to encounter the other here, and I believe I have good reason to suspect that he may come after me again. To make matters worse, he may target Winston and Harley as well to ensure no witnesses remain."
Elizabeth’s expression remained perfectly composed as she listened to his words.
"Now... that could just be my paranoia talking, but I saw Martin and Russell mumbling to each other. I don’t know what they were discussing, but we do know they arrived at the Silver Palace together and must be closer than strangers."
He scoffed.
"All I’m saying is that I can handle one awakener with a Rare Bloodline coming after me just fine... But if someone with a Heavenly Bloodline gets thrown into the mix? It might give me a little trouble."
If the situation ever got too dire, Leonard suspected he might actually stand a chance against Russell thanks to his summons. But he would prefer if things never escalated to that point. Therefore, he had spoken only the truth.
Elizabeth didn’t reply immediately, her eyes carefully examining him. She didn’t get the impression that he was lying to her. Additionally, making up the story would bring him no benefit.
"I see... I will take it into account. Worry not, I will keep this conversation between us." She reassured him with a slight nod.
Although most people regarded her as emotionless, she wouldn’t overlook her allies killing each other. If Leonard’s concerns proved true, she would put a stop to them immediately.
"The Orc Shaman!" A yell tore through the surroundings.
Brian, having recovered after Cassie’s healing, had spotted the vicious monster!
Almost trampling over one another, the awakeners rushed toward the source of the disturbance. They came face to face with the monster that had caused them so much trouble.
"Ohhh! There are more suckers than last time!" She sneered mockingly, her lips curling into a disgusted grin.
Reaching into her hood, she retrieved several Shards of Salvation. The golden hue of the spheres caught the party’s gaze as she played with them in the palm of her hand.
"So this is what you are after, huh? Spheres so fragile, yet your only hope of surviving the prolonged exposure to the corruption... Come and get them if you can!" She taunted, hurriedly retreating backward.
"Nobody is dumb enough to fall for that trap." Leonard reasoned.
"Get back here!" Russell unsheathed his sword and charged forward. With the party regarding him as their leader, most followed after him.
"Me and my big mouth..." Leonard massaged his temples, noticing that beside him were Winston and Harley.
"It might be better to follow. Whatever trap she has prepared, it won’t be worse than being separated from the rest." Winston exclaimed.
"And we can’t delay receiving treatment for our corruption. If we miss her now, who knows when she is going to show up again..." Harley reluctantly agreed.
The three followed after the rest. Leonard noticed that Elizabeth was running at the front. She knew the Orc Shaman was leading them somewhere, and she believed she could overcome anything the monster threw at them.
With each stride the awakeners took, they went deeper into the temple.
[Primordial Bloodline stirs in your veins.]
Oddly, Leonard’s blood grew hot with every step. For some reason, the pendant wanted him to follow after the Orc Shaman.
At long last the shaman halted as they came into a wide chamber.
"Good job on making it this far!"
She retrieved several spheres in her left hand. They were golden in color, while the ones in her right hand were pitch black before they suddenly altered, mirroring the golden hue of the Shards of Salvation.
"Here is your reward!" The Orc Shaman declared as she threw the spheres far, causing them to fall around the party.
Instantly, the breaths of the awakeners halted as they looked at the rolling orbs across the ground like priceless treasures.
Obtaining one meant lowering their corruption... It wasn’t an exaggeration to say they were as valuable as their lives.
"Farewell! My task has been accomplished and the vision fulfilled. May only the best survive and hope we never see each other again!" The Orc Shaman raised her staff high. "Though, I am keeping the communication amulet with me as a keepsake. HAHAHA!"
She threw a potion in her feet, causing a cloud to appear.
"Where did she go?!"
"Forget about her! Take the spheres before we all turn into Hollows!"
Before anyone could reach out and take the Shards of Salvation, dark mist started to seep into the chamber, obscuring their vision and making breathing harder.
[You have come into direct contact with corrupt gas! Your corruption has risen by 1%!]
[Corruption: 81%]
"Was the orc’s plan to lock us up in a room and slowly suffocate us with corruption? But we should be able to break free just fine." Leonard mused, summoning Joker.
Given the nature of the summon, Leonard hoped he could use Joker in his mist form to push away the corruption, though the plan didn’t work.
Joker drifted uncontrollably, slowly losing sense of his body as he dispersed amidst the corrupt gas.
"Figures, it won’t be that easy." Leonard clicked his tongue and recalled Joker.
His vision clouded as the black gas was too thick for his eyes to see through and discern his surroundings.
[Your corruption has risen by 1%!]
[Corruption: 82%]
"Not good."
His eyes darted across the floor, searching for a Shard of Salvation. At long last, he spotted a rolling orb and was about to grab it.
However, in the next moment, a thrown dagger pierced his palm, stopping him in place.
"Looks like luck is on my side." Martin smirked and lunged, ready to end Leonard’s life using the gas as a cover-up.