Deterrence

"No..."

"... So you're a spy?"

"No, not either."

Do you know the Blood Demon?

"Know."

"Then aren't you afraid of me?"

Warfarin a bit strange.

She couldn't see any Sarkaz features in Maria... Clearly, this girl wasn't Sarkaz.

And to come here during such a sensitive time, to walk so brazenly with us, even with a Blood Demon like myself—isn't she afraid?

"..."

Maria remained silent for a few moments.

She turned her head and met the other person's questioning gaze. After hesitating for a moment, she let out a helpless sigh.

"I'm not afraid..."

"Haha, you're pretty brave!"

Warfarin was unaware of anything; she was just laughing and even putting her arm around Maria's shoulder.

But only for a moment. Her hand suddenly turned into a claw, pressing against Maria's neck. She stopped walking, and her eyes turned extremely hostile.

"So what's your purpose in following us?"

"Without purpose."

"Ha, you think I'd believe your nonsense?"

Warfarin curled his lip in disdain.

"I'm warning you, if you don't honestly tell me your purpose, I'll snap your neck right now! Don't doubt it, I have that ability!"

Warfarin's voice was suppressed yet terrifying; in the darkness, her scarlet eyes were utterly frightening.

For a fleeting moment, she resembled the legendary Blood Demon, filled with violence and madness.

Of course, if she didn't tiptoe when she hooked her arm around Maria's shoulder, and didn't reach out so forcefully, her terrifying level would be even higher.

Maria turned to look at the other person, her eyes lowered slightly, and then her mouth opened slightly.

But she hadn't even uttered the words.

In the distance, the vanguard excitedly ran back.

"I see the camp!"

Chapter 256 Deterrence

In Maria's view, the so-called camp was actually just a temporary area, and many things around it were clearly made do.

The dejected crowd gathered together, not even glancing at each other.

The atmosphere was oppressive and somber.

Maria stood on the outskirts of the camp, watching the group she was with slowly enter. Beside her, Blood Demon was considering whether or not to have some midnight snacks.

After all, she had escorted the people to their destination, and she deserved some rest.

Only...

Aren't you going in?

Maria asked, somewhat curiously.

But the Blood Demon merely shrugged.

"I'm not welcome among them..."

"Even though you saved a lot of their people not long ago?"

"I've also abandoned many of their relatives... You're not Sarkaz, and I don't care what kind of place Sarkaz is in your mind, but I can tell you that even within Sarkaz, Blood Demon aren't the popular type... Most people actually prefer Banshees; they're similar to the Sankta you see."

Warfarin spoke, she opened her last remaining Blood Vial and gulped down a large mouthful after gulp.

"I saved their people, but in their eyes, it was just a deal with me. I took some of their relatives and then went to save the others... That's fair."

"Really?" Maria turned her head to look at the woman who was trying to appear calm, and in her mind, she recalled the woman's slightly trembling hand in the camp earlier.

She didn't meddle; she simply turned her head and silently watched this side.

But it was at this moment that a fierce argument suddenly erupted without warning...

"Shut up! I don't want to hear your cowardly excuses!"

In the camp, a tall Sarkaz man carrying a greatsword on his back and holding a man with bandaged hands, his eyes gleaming with ferocity!

"You bunch of cowardly cowards! If you hadn't run off and disrupted the entire camp's formation, none of us would have died so many times!"

"If it were you, so many people wouldn't have died!"

Despite being disheveled, weak, and even with an injured hand, the man who was lifted up still roared back fearlessly.

"Form ranks? You've placed our entire clan at the very front! You know perfectly well that there are no combatants in our clan! We're just throwing our lives away by standing there!"

"You think you're smarter than me?!" The tall Sarkaz warrior was even more enraged by the man's rebuttal.

He punched him to the ground, and amidst the horrified gazes of everyone, he forcefully grabbed the man's already broken arm and lifted it up, completely ignoring the man's screams.

"If we had followed our formation, we might have suffered some losses, but at least we wouldn't have lost so many brothers like we have now!"

"Bullshit!" Although his face was contorted with pain, the man still fought for his group. "You fucking warriors! You should be fighting those enemies! But look what you've done! Pushing a bunch of unarmed comrades in front of the enemy? Is your brain filled with garbage?! You expect those guys to show us mercy?"

"No! You bastard, you don't want anything! You just want to use our lives to buy you time!"

"You bastard!" Perhaps the man had pointed out his inner thoughts, the tall Sarkaz warrior was now trembling with rage.

Looking at the Sarkaz around him with their varied expressions, he felt even more enraged.

"If you're not satisfied with my command, you're welcome to leave!"

He lowered his voice, and his whole demeanor became even more suppressed and frantic.

"You're nothing but a bunch of mixed-race bastards! We kindly led you toward the Royal Court, and how did you repay us? You deserted your posts, letting those Allied Forces soldiers slaughter our brothers... Is this your reward?"

"I'm telling you, now you only have two choices!"

"Sever your ridiculous clan ties, scatter everyone and integrate them into other Royal Court forces, and obey orders."

"Otherwise, get the hell out of here! Stop trying to cover up your cowardly actions with your ridiculous words!"

A deep, hoarse voice rang out, and the words that came out left everyone present looking at each other, somewhat at a loss for words.

Long ago, the Sarkaz were connected through clans.

This primitive tribal structure often resulted in many different races living and developing a sense of belonging within a tribe.

But in the long course of history, a demon king implemented reforms.

He abolished the clan system and began to divide different Sarkaz into different Royal Court based on their lineage and characteristics.

It is impossible to distinguish which is superior or inferior, but it is undeniable that as time goes by, the Royal Court has gained more and more power, while the clans are gradually disappearing.

Although those present were not particularly loyal to the clan, as some of the few remaining Sarkaz clans, even if they were to disappear, they should have declared their own dissolution, rather than being humiliated and forced to announce their disbandment as they are doing now.

But the facts are right in front of us.

Behind them, the horde of Allied Forces demons continued their pursuit, and they had few combat personnel among themselves. Without the support of the Swarm, they had no chance of surviving until they reached their destination.

The group can be disbanded here...

For a moment, the man's face turned extremely unwilling.

But this tall Sarkaz warrior didn't want to give his opponent much time to think.

Or perhaps, by making this suggestion, he intended to humiliate these self-proclaimed orthodox figures of ancient tradition.

Ignoring the stares of those around him, he lifted the man up and growled threateningly.

"Now, give me your answer!"

"I..." The man's face turned extremely pained.

As the clan leader, his parents, uncles, brothers, and sisters, who were ahead of him in line, had all been killed by the Allied Forces while covering their retreat.

He knew that, as someone without leadership talent, the clan wouldn't last long under his leadership.

Even so, he understood the immense responsibility he bore.

Turn your head and look around.

Among this large group of several hundred people, there were still more than a hundred strong young men.

Although they didn't speak, their clenched fists and furious gazes were fixed on him.

They knew that clans wouldn't last much longer in this era, but they also knew that they had grown up in this family since childhood.

Even if it is destined to perish, it should at least have a dignified funeral!

Instead of being forced to announce the end like this!

As clan leaders, at the mere word of a man, even knowing they are outnumbered, they will rush forward without hesitation and bite off a piece of his flesh to uphold the clan's honor!

But...

If they actually do that, it means they've lost their eligibility to continue operating within this large group.

This time, they only encountered a small squad of Allied Forces soldiers, yet they suffered dozens of casualties.

What if we encounter more than one team next time?

Who will be able to protect them then?

All the resentment, all the frustration, all the indignation, were ultimately extinguished in the face of that cold and cruel reality.

The man was the chief of this weak and nameless clan, but he was also the elder brother of those who trusted him.

He couldn't let these people suffer any longer...

"Let him go!"

Within the clan, Audena could no longer bear to watch this scene. She gritted her teeth, wanting to protect her elder brother, the clan chief.

But the result was that he was punched and sent flying, blood flowing from his nose and lips.

"Don't get in my way."

The man looked down at the brat, then glanced at the group of angry young men around him who dared not act without their chief's order, before turning his gaze away with a cold smile.

"My patience isn't very long." Seeing the man's humiliated expression, the Sarkaz soldier moved his face even closer.

"You'd better give it to me now..."

Before he could finish speaking, a crimson blur instantly filled his vision.

What followed was a deafening roar.

Several breaths later, the stinging pain surged into his brain like a tidal wave.

"Ah--!"

A piercing scream rang out instantly, causing an uproar among the surrounding crowd.

The groups following the man also nervously drew their weapons.

Following the gaze of the projectile, two women, one tall and one short, were slowly walking towards them.

"How ridiculous..."

The Blood Demon, dressed in blood-stained white robes, spoke first, arms crossed, coldly watching the man struggling to his feet.

Is that all you've got?

"That bloodsucking bastard!"

The man was both shocked and furious.