Chapter 202: Support

The day had been eventful; but the night was even more so...

What had originally begun with the anticipation of their breakthrough had quickly escalated into congratulations, only for those congratulations to evolve, within the span of a few moments, into complications far beyond what any of them had expected.

Besides that, what had initially seemed like a simple confrontation between the Black Stalker and Aelric had now evolved from a question of whether Regaleon would survive or not into something far more complicated.

Through Aelric’s logical and pragmatic standpoint, it had now become something that correlated to territorial disputes, political jurisdiction, and a diplomatic standoff.

And somewhere in the middle of all of it was the inexplicable offense that Regaleon had supposedly committed against a Sauryean Lord.

Honestly, Aelric wasn’t the only one who was quite bewildered by how the night had turned out.

Even the others, including Regaleon himself, were quite stumped and perplexed by how the events of the night had suddenly escalated into a political quagmire that none of them had any intention of stepping into.

For a few moments, Aelric’s serious question and accusations hung heavily in the air.

Even the group could feel the gravity of the situation, and they knew that every word spoken from this point onward was something that could carry severe consequences.

However, for now, they simply fixed their attention upon Vael’zhur and waited for the Black Stalker’s reply.

The person in question was just as impassive as ever.

It was as though it wasn’t the focal point of everyone’s attention, but rather a statue that had merely happened to be standing in the middle of their predicament.

Yet that outward equanimity wasn’t something that was going to fool any of them.

Eventually, Vael’zhur raised its head. The crest of its hood rose higher before a pair of gleaming emerald eyes stared chillingly into Aelric’s own.

It then opened its mouth beneath that hood and began to speak in that same serpentine-like tone.

"Aelrîc. Ëverythîng ȝou’vë saîd has nȇthing tø do wîth më. Lîke î saîd ëarlîer, all î’m here føŕ îs hîm."

It paused, pointing once more at Regaleon before continuing.

"Gîve hîm tø më, and î wøuld delîver hîm back tø my Lørd wîthøut tøuchîng the rest."

After saying that, Vael’zhur tilted its head before adding. "And îf ȝou feel øtherwîse, then we can sëttle thîs another way."

The darkness around Vael’zhur seemed to thicken the moment it made that blatantly threatening statement.

Instantly, it suddenly felt as though they had been plunged into an icy bath, chills crawling up their spines with an ominous sensation that promised nothing but death.

Sensing the Black Stalker’s hostile mood, Aureleah frowned before taking a step forward to question Aelric.

"What did it say?" she asked sharply.

Even Regaleon now looked at Aelric, obviously expecting the green-eyed youth to interpret whatever the Black Stalker had spoken.

As though trying to calm the building rage within his chest, Aelric took a few deep breaths before turning towards them.

"You see, Vael’zhur here is quite adamant about bringing Regaleon away from here. And that is despite my objections regarding Sanctuary jurisdiction."

Aelric explained it as calmly as he could.

Hearing that, Kaeloris adjusted his glasses once more before moving closer.

"But I thought you just said something about infringement and trespassing in the Crimson Forest. Shouldn’t those allegations be, I don’t know, a deterrent to get him to back off?"

Although Kaeloris didn’t understand much about Nether Lands politics, he could still infer little bits from Aelric’s words. And from his inference, territorial sovereignty was evidently something taken as seriously here as it was back in Valoria.

Hearing Kaeloris’ suggestion, Aelric let out a dry scoff before replying. "It is not as easy as you are making it seem."

He glanced towards Vael’zhur as he continued. "You see, the Sanctuary is quite far from here, and being its only representative here at the moment, it is not surprising if I do not hold as much bargaining power as you thought I did."

Aelric’s expression hardened.

"Also, Stalkers aren’t negotiators that you can simply talk reason with. Like soldiers, all that is on their mind is the accomplishment of their mission. Anything else is inconsequential when compared to that."

Actually, Aelric had known that trying to stand up to the Black Stalker with words alone was a useless endeavour, and the results were proof of that.

Stalkers were obedient to a fault, and this quirk of theirs could make certain faculties, such as logical reasoning, difficult for them to exercise when their orders were concerned.

For that reason, it was no surprise that Vael’zhur stood its ground.

Simply put, trying to talk a Stalker out of its mission was futile, and Aelric wouldn’t normally have tried it.

The only reason he had in the first place was because of the group. Had he been alone with Vael’zhur, there was little to no doubt that a battle between the duo would have erupted.

Besides, Aelric was someone who would rather solve a problem using strength, unlike Asterion, who was the diplomat of the two.

Hearing Aelric’s explanation, Valmyr frowned.

His gaze then flicked cautiously towards the Black Stalker before shifting back towards Aelric.

"So, do you mean to say that we have no other choice but to surrender Regaleon to it?"

"Surely, there must be something else that we can do, right?" Caelestra quickly added. "We can’t just let Regaleon bear the consequences of something that we all actively participated in, can we?"

"Uh... Hello." Veyrath’s amber gaze suddenly snapped towards her. "We?"

His expression darkened as he continued.

"Excuse me, but have you forgotten that Regaleon was the one who suggested and led the expedition towards the Breeding Nest? So tell me, how did his actions suddenly become a responsibility that we all actively participated in?"

He folded his arms. "Left to me, I would say that I had no choice but to do it."

"Are you kidding me?!"

Veyrath’s attempt at shifting blame and self-preservation hadn’t even settled before Vaelorin suddenly shouted.

"Are you trying to acquit yourself of something we all did together and shift the blame upon Regaleon?"

It wasn’t only Vaelorin whose expression was an epitome of indignation. The rest of the group also stared at Veyrath with expressions that belied the disbelief, shock, and betrayal they felt towards him.

After all, the group could now be referred to as a small family.

They had literally relied upon one another for survival within the Crimson Forest. They had fought together, eaten together, cultivated together, and faced death together.

Suddenly hearing Veyrath trying to absolve himself the moment trouble struck was something that shocked, if not outright hurt, them.

However, Regaleon didn’t display those particular resentments that the others felt. Rather, he turned towards Aelric and spoke.

"Aelric, since there is no other way to settle this, then I guess I really would have to go with him."

His gaze briefly shifted towards Vael’zhur.

"After all, you already said that I’m the only one that he wants and no one else. And I’m not just about to sit back and watch a fight break out over something I did by myself."

Though Regaleon couldn’t deny that he was hurt by Veyrath’s words, he also understood where the failed Alchemist was coming from.

That day, he had been the one to lead them into the Breeding Nest, where they had almost died. Veyrath, especially, had come closer to death than any of them.

However, while they might have destroyed the Nest together, it was Regaleon’s probing and provocation of Lord Penemue that had invited this particular disaster. So, in that regard, it really had nothing to do with any of them.

Hearing the words of Regaleon, Veyrath knew that he had messed up. However, he didn’t apologize because he felt that it was already too late for one now.

Therefore, he could only remain silent and watch the exchange from there on.

"And why would we allow you to surrender yourself for something that isn’t entirely your fault?"

Surprisingly, it was Aureleah who spoke up in his defense.

Aureleah’s eyes were fierce as she continued.

"If anyone is to be blamed, then it should be whatever Lord that sent that assassin after you over something as petty as an insult."

Her gaze hardened. "Besides, I’m pretty sure that Aelric wouldn’t just stand by and watch you get taken away..."

She then turned towards Aelric and asked sharply. "Or would you?"

Aureleah’s defense of Regaleon should have been odd considering the fact the icy disposition that always seem to revolve her silver-haired Assassin.

However, as had already been established, the relationship that existed between the group had evolved beyond being mere acquaintances.

They had become something closer to a close-knit family. And for that reason, Aureleah was able to stand up for Regaleon without hesitation.

Even if she had deliberately maintained a certain distance from him previously. That was her own issue and has nothing to do with the rest of them.

Moreover, there were some lines that simply couldn’t be crossed due to the bond they shared. And abandoning one of their own when trouble finally arrived at their doorstep was one of them...