Pulhart straightened his back, his towering figure almost level with the Banshee Queen on the Bone Horse: "When does Lady Windrunner intend to release our people?"
"Wait until you've all evacuated to within one kilometer."
Pulhart frowned. A kilometer wasn't far, but he was still a little worried.
At this moment, his adjutant interjected, "Madam, could you release a few people first as a sign of sincerity?"
"Haven't I shown enough sincerity today?" The Queen's tone revealed dissatisfaction for the first time, and the faint anger in her words sent chills down one's spine.
"Haha, today I've witnessed the true face of the Silver Hand," a black-robed ranger beside the Queen suddenly laughed angrily; the voice was surprisingly male. "The legendary, Paladins of light are nothing but unpunctual, scoundrels, no different from thieves who burn, kill, and plunder!"
Although what he said was harsh, it was all true. The Argent Dawn's "scorched earth" policy of looting and burning everything on the island seemed to have angered many of the Forsaken.
But mercy to the enemy is the greatest cruelty to oneself. Unas felt that the Argent Dawn's actions were justifiable; this guy was simply provoking them.
"Today I've also witnessed the true face of the Forsaken. Just as the legends say, they only know how to steal chickens and dogs and ambush from behind!" No one expected that Hans would jump out and fiercely exchange insults with the male ranger.
In war, there's no such thing as a sneak attack; suppressing the opponent is the key. However, Unas thought Hans, that simpleton, was right to criticize, and mentally gave him a thumbs up.
"Hans (Nathanos), step back!"
The voices of Pulhart and Sylvanas reprimanding their subordinates rang out almost simultaneously, neither wanting to fall out at this crucial juncture.
"Then we'll wait for your good news a mile away," Pulhart said, backing down first.
The Dark Lady softened her tone. "Your people will all return to your side."
"That would be best." Pulhart nodded slightly, then turned around, waved to the people behind him, and walked ahead in the direction the main group had left.
Unas searched high and low but couldn't find Enya Xingyu; she must be hiding behind the crowd.
"Enya, are you there?" Unas called out affectionately on purpose.
There was no response, but almost everyone's eyes were fixed on him. Unas, shameless as ever, raised the Elf sword in his hand and shouted again into the Dark Ranger formation, "Next time we meet, I'll prepare a real gift for you!"
He was flirting with women in public, and the male ranger Nathanos let out a cold snort, glaring at him fiercely, his two scarlet eyes beneath his cloak looking like they wanted to devour him.
Hehe, I'm going to ride your coattails and pick up your girls, let's see if you still dare to spew filth from your dog mouth!
Another intense gaze fell on Unas's face. He turned his head and saw Sylvanas looking at him with great interest, a slight upturn of her lips.
Unas felt a pang of guilt, like a new son-in-law meeting his mother-in-law for the first time, or being caught seducing someone else's wife? He couldn't tell which feeling it was.
His colleagues all gave him a thumbs up, Erigor even slapped him on the shoulder, teasing him. "Brother, well done! The work of turning the Forsaken rebels can be handed over to you from now on."
"Go to hell!" Unas shoved Erigor aside with his elbow, picked up a few bags of grain, and left.
Give up your soul, and you will gain eternal life.
Submit to me and you will receive eternal power.
Unas awoke abruptly from his dream. The dark Tent was chilling, and the words that had been repeating in his dream were still deeply etched in his mind. Could it be that the Dreadlord had truly possessed him?
He touched his still throbbing heart and tentatively asked in a low voice, "Who are you? Where are you?"
"Have you forgotten me so quickly, you little bug?" A familiar voice suddenly rang out from his chest—it was Bessarius's voice!
Unas cried out in surprise and sprang up from the thatched roof, causing the marching Tent to sway violently.
Several footsteps sounded outside, and someone hurried over, lifting the Tent. A torch and a helmeted head poked their head in. "Lord Unas, what has happened?"
Unas quickly composed himself, trying to appear calm, and made up a reason. "It's nothing, a mouse just startled me."
Seeing his embarrassed expression, the soldier looked on with a mixture of amusement and restraint. "Sorry to bother you, we'll take our leave now."
"Yes, thank you for your hard work."
After dismissing the soldiers on night watch, Unas stood frozen in the Tent, waves of fear washing over him. He asked again in a low, tentative voice, "Bessarius?"
"Snort!"
This time, he heard it clearly; the voice was coming from his chest. When did Bessarius get inside his body?
He couldn't help but recall the black ray that pierced his chest when he killed the Dreadlord. Could it be that he was hit then?
"How... how did you get into my body?"
"Do you still remember my curse?" Bessarius broke her silence and asked in return.
Those who kill me will die with their hearts shattered.
"I originally thought I was really going to have to go back to my hometown this time, but you didn't die of a broken heart, so I have a glimmer of hope."
The Dreadlord's death curse is similar to a causal spell; killing the Dreadlord is the cause, Demon Slayer's heartbreak and death is the effect.
Every cause has an effect, and no effect has no cause. Since Unas did not die from a broken heart, the Dreadlord was able to retain a wisp of his soul.
This curse also linked the two souls together, with Bessarius's remnant soul taking the opportunity to possess Unas's body.
Unas understood the cause and effect, he was no longer so afraid. He channeled the Holy Power between his brows, twisting it into several arrows, and tentatively stabbed them toward his heart—the place where Bessarius's voice had come from.
A piercing pain shot through my heart; was the demon's curse still in effect?
Bessarius's maniacal laughter rang out. "You still want to kill me? Our lives are now intertwined; if I die, you die too!"
"I'll take you down with me!" Unas channeled all his Holy Power, condensing a blazing Holy Light Spear within his body, poised to pierce his heart.
"No!" The demon's desperate scream made his chest ache.
The Holy Light Spear suddenly stopped before reaching his heart. Unas had no intention of dying with the Dreadlord; he wanted to enjoy a little more of life.
He put on an act, hoping to scare the demon away, but he failed.
Bessarius's screams didn't seem like acting. This demon was definitely not the type to face death without fear. The only possibility for it to cling to its body even in death is that it was sealed inside itself and unable to move freely.
To verify this hypothesis, Unas softened his approach. "Demon King, you see, I'm just an ordinary person, still attached to this world. How about this, I'll find a secluded place and let you go, we'll go our separate ways, and we'll owe each other nothing."
There was no response. Perhaps this cunning demon realized that its lapse in composure had exposed its predicament and was now reflecting on its actions?
A demon possessed him, like a lump of shit stuck in his chest. Unas looked up to the sky and sighed, "Damn it!"