Endless Debt Chapter 1071 - 110: The Day of the Flood
Previously on Endless Debt...
The Sea of Mist within the Great Rift was commencing its churning, an unsettling power surging in waves that brushed against everyone's skin, imparting a sharp sting.
"It appears the final confrontation has commenced," Red Dog stated, his eyes narrowing as he gazed into the depths of the Sea of Mist. He then slowly turned his head towards Lebius, who stood beside him.
"Calm yourself, Lebius. We stand as allies for the moment. Cease that expression as if you wish to slaughter me... You have no intention of disobeying orders, do you?" Red Dog taunted, dancing on the edge of Lebius's nerves and piercing his consciousness.
With a whistle, he continued, "That is a fine set of armor; is it prepared for me?" Red Dog meticulously examined the Iron Armor Lebius was wearing. It was distinctively Alchemy Armor, enhancing Lebius's capabilities comprehensively and even masking his physical imperfections.
Lebius maintained his characteristic silence, his gaze sweeping over Red Dog and the other King's Secret Swords. Apart from a contingent of King's Secret Swords led by the Fourth Seat, numerous others were positioned at the periphery of the Great Rift. According to Red Dog, these individuals formed the backup team, tasked with providing support and acting as guards once Xilin's body was secured.
Observing Lebius's stoic demeanor, Red Dog grew increasingly bored. He crossed his arms, his fingers rising and falling gently.
Red Dog was aware that the Fourth Seat was merely a diversion; the true assassin was the First Seat, infiltrating secretly. Judging by the ripple of expanding power, the First Seat had already engaged the Shadow King. Within mere minutes, the Shadow King was expected to fall to the First Seat.
Then...
Contemplating the impending events, Red Dog could not suppress a surge of inexplicable excitement, his very blood boiling.
"Poor Fourth Seat... Poor all of them..." Red Dog murmured softly, fully cognizant that everyone had been deceived. He was one of the few sober individuals among the King's Secret Swords, yet what good was awareness? Red Dog could alter nothing, only revel in this end-time carnival.
"Lebius," Red Dog suddenly spoke, "Do you not find this tedious?"
"What do you intend to do?" Lebius finally inquired, his words causing Red Dog's expression to brighten.
"How about we engage in combat? Do you not wish to slay me?" Red Dog proposed.
"Are you serious?" Lebius questioned, acknowledging Red Dog's reputation as a madman but not anticipating such a challenge at this critical juncture.
"I am serious... After all, mortals eventually meet their demise, do they not?" Red Dog stated. "Whether you perish here or elsewhere, I perceive no fundamental difference."
Red Dog appeared eager as he spoke, placing a hand upon his sword hilt.
"Do you intend to instigate a war?" Lebius asked, a hint of bewilderment in his voice.
"I simply desire to kill or be killed." Red Dog displayed indifference towards the possibility of starting a war.
Lebius remained highly vigilant, suspecting Red Dog was devising some stratagem. Having witnessed Red Dog's malevolence firsthand during the secret war, he was determined not to fall into the same snare a second time.
"You are truly uninteresting, Lebius." Seeing his provocation yield no reaction from Lebius, Red Dog experienced profound disappointment.
Lebius struggled to comprehend, "Is this world, to you, merely a game?"
"Toying with the mundane? I find it quite pleasant," Red Dog nodded in agreement, then added, "Do you not wish to ask if I fear death?"
Lebius accepted Red Dog's words, listening attentively as he continued.
"Toying with the mundane is not solely the prerogative of the Undead. Furthermore, for the Undead, does this world truly offer the exhilaration of a game?" Red Dog questioned. "The Undead possess infinite chips, yet this world is finite. The measure of time holds no significance for them; whether they act now or in ten thousand years, the outcome remains the same."
As he spoke, without any prior indication, he drew the Secret Sword from his waist. Lebius maintained his composure, but the others stiffened. Geoffrey promptly raised the Bone-breaking Knife, and other members readied themselves for combat.
Red Dog, as if engaged in a jest, twirled the sword a few times before firmly sheathing it once more.
"Without the threat of death looming, do you not agree that many things become exceedingly tedious?" he murmured.
Lebius remarked, "You are a born lunatic."
"Not at all. I too was young once, much like many youths, harboring rebellious notions, believing myself to be unique," Red Dog stated, then fell silent, as if lost in the recollection of some brutal event.
Indeed, the incident that had shattered Red Dog's psyche.
Inhaling the surrounding murky air, Red Dog suddenly experienced a sense of ease he had never known before. Reminiscing, he uttered, "How wonderful, I have returned to this place."
Red Dog addressed Lebius meaningfully, "It was here that I embarked upon the detour of destiny."
His gaze swept across Lebius, Geoffrey, and others, as uncontrollable laughter erupted.
"We have all embarked upon this detour."
Red Dog retained a vivid memory of that fateful day. Though their side had suffered a loss in the clandestine conflict, they were welcomed back to the Kagader Empire as celebrated victors. Their arrival was marked by an extraordinary summons from the Pillar of Royal Authority, an audience granted by none other than the King of Slaughter. In that moment, his spirit burned with a sense of pride, stained crimson by battle. He saw himself as a warrior destined for greatness, a pawn of fate... A reflection of youthful hubris. Red Dog frequently chided himself for that brash arrogance. He often mused that a touch more humility might have altered the course of events. Indeed, had he not rashly ventured into the enigma that was the Pillar of Royal Authority, had he shown proper reverence for that formidable power, had he refrained from probing the abyssal depths of that blood-darkened chasm...