Chapter 695 – Game of Thrones (1) #PART1

In the end, a variable appeared.
So, I couldn’t stop it.

Agares had planned to eliminate the variable, Lee Yerim, with his full power.
But he failed.
Even the sudden appearance of the Shadow Mercenary Corps hadn’t been the problem.

It’s proof that he’s been watching everything all along.

Lee Hoyeol.

As suspected, he had been observing the situation in silence.
If Agares let his guard down even slightly, his senses blurred.
He could feel it instinctively.

‘Was I already within his sphere of influence without realizing it?’

A trick beyond comprehension.
To have walked into a trap without even knowing—
And yet Agares did not panic.

Because nothing has changed.

On the land of anomaly, seated upon the throne of Seoul—
it was still him.
From the throne, Agares gazed at Yerim, fleeing under the Shadow Mercenary Corps’ protection.

“Urgh…! I-I’m alive…!”

She didn’t even know she was being protected.
How fitting, that a lowly insect with such a narrow view should receive such an undeserved luxury.

At last, Agares’ eyes fell on Hisagi.
Hisagi’s body twitched and convulsed.
Even in that state, he was still rejecting Agares’ command.
A willpower beyond common sense.

Suddenly, a forgotten word resurfaced in Agares’ mind.

So that’s the “pride” we feared so much.

Yes.
When he thought about it, pride itself was like a mental force greater even than his Word Command.
No—because it was voluntary, pride stood above his own authority.

But still—

As I said, nothing changes.

More negative emotions were needed.
Now that the plan to wring them out of Hoyeol and Grandfell had failed, Agares had only one choice left:

To consume all of Seoul.

Although he had activated Seoul’s [Authority] functions, he had failed to absorb the Magic Tower or even the many guild bases scattered throughout the city.

He didn’t ignore the inspiration rising in him.

“Look upon the one who rose for your sake, coward.”

Coward, Lee Hoyeol.

That was the epithet Agares gave him.
He recognized the greatness of pride—
and so he tore into Hoyeol for turning his back on it.

Because time had stopped, your sister’s plea never reached the people.

A shame he could not show Seoul’s citizens that tearful spectacle.
But Hisagi alone was enough.
The adventure world already knew this man to be Hoyeol’s closest aide.

“Even under my Word, this man writhes and resists for your sake. Yet why do you still not show yourself? Is this the ‘pride’ you’ve spoken of so often?”

Pride.

The moment that word left his lips, he felt negative emotions surge.
Yes. The silent masses of Seoul had realized it too.

That your every action is riddled with contradiction.

You long for the throne yet never step forward.
You desire the ending yet abandon every seat.
You speak of pride, yet only stand by and watch.

Proof that you are nothing but Grandfell’s puppet.

That you are only a shadow chasing after Grandfell.

Agares could feel his power skyrocketing.
And with it, certainty bloomed.

Lee Hoyeol.
Even if you appear, the outcome will not change.
Even if you succeed in hunting me—

My dominion will not end.

[Eternal Suggestion].

A power unknown even to the other Ten Thrones—
he still had one more authority.
Of course, he did not wish it to come to that.

Vasago.

It would do no good to reveal his cards to that sly creature.

Arrogant? Overconfident?
Agares swallowed his laugh.
No—at this moment, he was making the most correct judgment of all.

The only thing I must be wary of is the [Natural Enemy] relationship.

So long as he did not underestimate demon hunters, and did not overestimate the fake Lee Hoyeol, who busied himself imitating Grandfell—
then surely…

I shall become the pinnacle that even Bael could not reach.

—Swish.

This act would be the torch that lit the path to that great purpose.
Agares’ gaze turned back to Hisagi.
His finger twitched.

“O lowly worm who dared defy my command…”

Come forth, Lee Hoyeol.

“Die in agony, more than anyone else.”

Now, when everyone doubted you, was this not the perfect moment?

“Ghhkkk…!”

Fssshh!

Thick veins bulged at Hisagi’s neck.
Blood began to gush up his throat.
His heart thundered as if it would burst.

Just as Agares’ torch was about to ignite—

A sly grin curved his lips.

“Well, you’ve finally shown yourself… coward.”

Silver hair scattered in the air.
The figure he had waited and waited for.

At last—
Lee Hoyeol appeared.

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