266 Olrich’s Bills (1/2)
What was shame, what was loss? As Olrich's unconscious body tumbled onto the ground, deep within the recesses of his mind, a voice wondered why those words applied so well to him. It was almost as if on this night, he redefined them all.
”You lost.”
The voice stated, then faded in the darkness of his mind, and in a resounding thud, Olrich's body landed.
”Hey, adoptive father, why are you dozing off? The game is barely getting started.”
Konrad chortled then waved his hand. Lifted by his irresistible telekinetic powers, Olrich flew back into the air, hovering before Konrad.
*PAH*
And with a resounding slap, Konrad shoved consciousness back into his body.
”You!”
”Me, me, me. What about me? Sorry, but today is not about me.”
Konrad cut, and while keeping Olrich trapped within the air, flew back to his chariot.
”Nils, come here.”
Konrad beckoned, and Nils obeyed, rising from her seat to stand by his side.
”Today is your day. Your opportunity to avenge all slights. One against one. Father against daughter. Fight and defeat Olrich, his life will be yours to do with as you see fit.”
Konrad declared, then pressed his index on Nils' forehead. In a red light surge, the Valkyrie Mark appeared and vanished within her forehead. Instantaneously, Nils felt her body refined, strength, speed, and resilience all rising to brand-new heights. Although her cultivation remained at the Transcendent Rank, she could effortlessly rip a Rising Saint to shreds. At the same time, her Soul Worm was wiped out.
However, so what? Olrich was a peak-stage Fate Wrestling Saint with a battle-power rivaling those two ranks above him. None on the scene doubted that she was not his match.
But then, the ability Valkyrie Surge appeared within her mind. Understanding Konrad's ploy, Yvonne activated the Valkyrie Mark she'd received from Konrad on the way here. And shockingly, her presence appeared within Nils' mind in the form of a red flame.
Following her instincts, Nils activated the ability.
”Valkyrie Surge!”
Bright red flamed erupted from her body, channeling the might of Yvonne's cultivation and adding it to hers. Now, although outwardly her cultivation remained at the same level, it completely eclipsed Olrich's.
His eyes widened in disbelief.
What was this? A glaring attempt to devastate him through shame, that's what it was.
Veins beat on his temple, and though the situation looked grim, he could not restrain a feral outburst.
”Can a man possibly be this wicked? Not content of robbing us of all we have, you now want to add insult to injury by having us battle our youngest? Even if you plan to slay us, does it need to be in such a callous manner?
Recalling all we did for you, don't you feel the least bit ashamed?!”
He roared, hoping to appeal to a sliver of Konrad's humanity. However…
”Nope. Not the tiniest bit.”
Konrad leisurely replied while sitting between his beloved consorts.
”Adoptive father, do not misunderstand. I'm not a righteous person, and this is not your due retribution. In fact, on the scale of immorality, I don't dare claim myself much better than you.”
Konrad stated while wrapping two arms around Yvonne and Else and patting the silent Verena with a third.
”However, you made the mistake of harming my beloved. My people, no one can harm, my women no one can touch. Whoever infringes on those rules must pay a corresponding price.
And since you dared, suffering a tragic fate is only natural. I believe it doesn't get any more tragic.”
On the scene, Konrad and Nils aside, no one bothered to spare Olrich a glance. Yvonne, Else, and Verena all acted as if he didn't exist.
The naked display of disinterest further harmed his crumbling dignity, and he couldn't help but wonder when things went so wrong. This was supposed to be his era. He was supposed to trample all and become supreme. Invincibility, authority, all were meant to be his.
Why then was he finding himself in such an abysm? Konrad, that unfilial traitor of a ”son.” It was him; it was all his fault!