Chapter 389: Eternal Winter (3)

Perseus POV

I headed to Grandpa Laker, only to be told that he had just gone to the chief, I followed and saw that they were discussing something, they handed me a letter without saying anything, I then read it, and every side signed it, both the heroes and demons signed the paper.

We were to declare the names of 15 representatives. It was a peculiar and unexpected request amid war. I couldn't help but question the rationale behind such a rule. Why did they want us to declare these representatives, and what purpose would it serve?

The idea that the fate of our entire nation would hinge on the actions of just 15 individuals was baffling.

"Who will be put forward as the representatives, and what exactly are the rules governing their roles?" I inquired

|Yes, I use inquire now...I might forget the word in a couple of chapters lmao.|

"Apart from the 3 of us," the chief answered, "The choice of representatives will be based on merit, experience, and strategic value. As for the rules, they are rather unconventional but clear. These representatives will be free to decide how they contribute to the war effort.

"They can fight on the front lines,  employ their skills in other ways, such as espionage, sabotage, or simply hide. But if all representatives die, the nation must automatically surrender. The key condition is that they must not commit any war crimes, which would make the individual be hunted down even by their own nation."

"Why you?" I turned to Grandpa Laker

"Just because I'm out of my prime, doesn't mean I can't fight or lead as a captain." he replied

"Yeah, but...your experience is more needed, having you be constantly on your toes would affect your judgment."

"So? Don't worry about me, if I die, I die, I've made my peace, I have a grandson to already carry my legacy, it's more than enough for me."

"Do we have to list our representative?"

"Yes."  The chief answered, "It'll lessen the death if we lose, all they need is to eliminate the representative, this custom isn't unusual as wars in the past have employed this. Either way, we are going to war, we'll have to declare our representatives.

"As Chief, I will become one, your grandfather is one of my closest aides, so he will as well, as for you, you're our strongest. Even if we didn't list you as one, they would want to kill you anyway."

"Yeah, might as well put that fate on me rather than anyone else."

"By the way, the demons chose only 3 representatives." Grandpa Laker added

"You can do that?"

"The fewer the representatives, the easier it is to lose. It says up to 15, just don't go over it and you're fine."

I think I might have skipped over it...the stress seems to have caught up.

"Who are they? This paper didn't mention the names."

"The demon lord, Kano, and Phineas."

"Oh."

"The humans?"

"We're not sure yet, but one of them is Lloyd."

"What?!"

"Yes...it seems that he was used to having us deter away from them." the chief nodded sadly, "They're using one of our own. It's not like they can't, he was adopted as a member of one of their royalties." 

My mind raced as I tried to process this revelation. It was a bitter betrayal to see one of our own standing on the other side, representing the very people who had pushed us to this desperate situation. How had this happened? What had driven him to align with the enemy?

Those royalties are flawed, but I doubt that they forced it on him, he could have just rejected it. Like us, he's a part demon, after the war...even if they won, he'll be pushed away sooner or later, either he'll end up dead or be used to strengthen their royalty's bloodline.

Our world was a harsh one, where allegiances were fragile, and the divide between humans and demons ran deep. It was a world where power often determined one's fate more than personal choice.

I couldn't help but wonder about his motivations. What had driven him to make this choice? Was it ambition, a desire for power and recognition within their royal circles? Or had he succumbed to the allure of privilege, unable to resist the benefits that came with being part of their world?

Do I need to seduce him as Persia or something? But if it's confirmed...it's too late.

And yet, deep down, I couldn't entirely blame him. We were all struggling to survive in this unforgiving landscape, and sometimes, desperate times called for desperate measures. It was possible that he believed aligning with the humans was his best chance at survival, even if it meant betraying his own kind.

I once chose to ignore the misdeeds of Cain's corporation in an attempt to fit in...I ain't no different. I chose to live, I chose to give up unlike Brianna...who broke into their facilities many times and helped free them, her overuse of her ability led her to...

"It's going to be a long winter."

*****

God POV

I knew that I could not face Perseus again until I had regained my full strength and devised a new strategy. I bided my time, delving into the depths of divine knowledge and seeking allies among the beings who were my enemies, I get Perseus, and they get the gauntlet.

I seethed with frustration. The memory of that battle replayed in my mind like an unending nightmare. His newfound strengths and allies had caught me off guard, and I had paid the price for my arrogance.

My anger was not only directed at that living calamity but also at myself. I should have been more prepared, and more vigilant. I should have anticipated the Perseus' ascent to power and taken measures to prevent it. Instead, I had allowed myself to be blindsided, and it had cost me dearly.

But I guess...his drive was because he was a mortal, I needed that same drive if I want to eliminate him.