The Duke's Passion



851 End that monster

Meanwhile...

"That guy..." Kristina's eyes sharpened as soon as they reached the land, gazing at the person standing in the fort motionlessly.

Alphonse.

"What is he doing here?" Charlotte ground her teeth, marching in Alphonse's direction while the rest of the troop were rushing to the land. Riding the boat was hectic. They didn't have time to observe their surrounding as they were all busy trying to reach the land. So now that they were away from the Kraken, did they notice Alphonse's presence.

Some members of the Divine Order Charlotte, Kristina, and Ramin, to be exact didn't have a good memory of Alphonse. They couldn't just disregard everything that had happened before the regression; they wouldn't even buy Stefan's so-called sincerity.

They knew that Stefan could go so low as to deceive them by acting sincere and humble. The only reason they agreed to assist him was that they knew Lilou and Samael would be in this place. If ever Stefan colluded with Zero, Charlotte, Ramin, and Kristina would be a valuable addition.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Charlotte grumbled, stomping her way to Alphonse. "I knew Stefan had another plan -"

"Claude told me to relay his message to the divine orders." Without looking in Charlotte's direction, Alphonse spoke. "His exact words are 'to tell the Divine Order to scatter and cleanse the land."

Alphonse slowly turned on his heel, facing Charlotte and Kristina, who rushed to stop the former from attacking him. His eyes fell on Kristina's hand, which was holding Charlotte's arm, before raising his eyes back to them.

"Claude rushed in here to tell you that message," he repeated with certainty. "You must've known by now that this land reeks of nothing but blood and death. Even vampires like us couldn't stand the smell. What I am saying is, you will understand these orders from him once you go on your way"

Charlotte scrunched her nose up in dismay, sizing Alphonse up from head to toe. "Why would we listen to you?"

"Where's the Earl?" Unlike Charlotte, who was taking things too personal, Kristina maintained a sharp mind. She followed his hand as he raised it slightly, pointing at the ocean where they came from.

"Underwater," said Alphonse. "He's helping me assist His Majesty to take down the Kraken much faster."

Kristina and Charlotte gazed at the water, ignoring the roars behind them as the soldiers reached the land one after another.

"Why would he have to do that?" Charlotte's voice shook, lifting her bloodshot eyes to Alphonse. "I don't see any reason he had to help the king since the latter is so amazing and strong. We hadn't forgotten how he held up until the end, causing problems for all of us even after he took his last breath."

"I am not here to convince you of our agenda." Like a wall, Alphonse returned her accusatory gaze with coldness. "However, berating me will not make us any progress. I am simply relaying Claude's message. It is up to you to believe it or not, but if you truly care about your masters, then you better hurry."

"The longer we stay in this land, the more dangerous it will be for us," he added solemnly. "For what reason? I am not sure myself. However, I am certain you subconsciously know that as well, since you were a part of the Divine Order, the bearers of light. This land doesn't have any light at the moment... it was just darkness."

Charlotte opened her mouth, but the words were stuck in her throat. Meanwhile, Kristina pressed her lips into a thin line.

"He's right," said Kristina, rocking her head in agreement. "Berating him won't fix the problem." Kristina faced Alphonse squarely. "Did the earl say anything else?"

"That's all."

"Do you need our help?"

"No" Alphonse shook his head. "Take all the Divine Orders and even the knights with you. Use the back of your weapon; make sure you spill less blood as possible."

"Why is that?" Kristina furrowed her brows, confused. "What do you mean by using the blunt side of our weapons?"

"I'm afraid Quentin, the mad king, had captured a demon. A real one!" Alphonse's remarks made Charlotte and Kristina freeze, looking back at him with wide eyes. "I haven't confirmed anything for sure, but what I am certain is that he simply turned his subjects into undead to stall time. After all, monsters like the undead will not hesitate to attack anyone. And by that, I meant the ones they were attacking, which would be us, would have no choice but to retaliate. In other words, we are doing the work of sacrifice for him."

"That is why I am telling you this. It might just be a theory, but it is not impossible. It's better to prevent more crippling problems later than choosing the convenient way of slaughtering his sacrifices," he added solemnly.

Kristina and Charlotte took time for Alphonse's confession to sink in. It was true that they could feel the dangers in this land. They didn't have time to dwell on this previously, but now that they reached the land, their stomach turned at the pungent scent in the air. Adding what Alphonse said didn't relieve them.

"Then..." When Kristina recovered, she snapped her eyes at Alphonse. "... don't blame us if your king died fighting against that monster"

"Don't worry. Stefan and I might die, but I give you my word Claude will get out of here alive!" Alphonse looked straight into Kristina's eyes, nodding reassuringly. "I hold nothing for you to believe me, but just this once, even if it sounded shameless, put a little faith in me."

There was a moment of silence between the three of them before Kristina turned her back on him.

"The earl is the precious nephew of the Madam and the master. If he doesn't return alive, I'll do my best to return their pain a hundred folds," warned Kristina without looking back. "Let's go, Charlie. Relay the message with the rest of the Divine Order. Each of us will split with one member of the Order leading each unit Ramin come here quick"

Alphonse watched Kristina's and Charlotte's backs and tilted his head down. And just like that, the two of them spread the word and formed groups with each being led by a divine bearer. Seeing how efficient Kristina was, Alphonse couldn't help but wonder what sort of role she had before the regression.

'I bet she became a part of the army for her quick response; he thought, peeling his eyes away from them as that was resolved faster than he thought. 'Now, I have to focus... and end thatn/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

monster.'

Alphonse closed his eyes ever so slowly, standing motionless in the same spot while everything around him moved as if he wasn't even there.

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