Chapter 476: Cooperation (9)

Perseus POV

"Buddy, can you at least look at me?" Vince asked

"Hmph." Buddy said while looking away.

He then dropped from my shoulders and onto my arms to hide his face away from Vince who was apologizing the whole trip. Behind us was Edward and behind him was Vince's new companion, Goldie.

Rowan contacted me a couple of hours ago to arrange this secret meeting, Reiner wants to see his brother and confirm whether he's okay after his last call and they apparently got some useful information in return for the confirmation.

"Yeah, come on Bud, he's my brother. And since you accompany me all the time and we're always far from home, he just needs a friend to talk to."

"Arf." Buddy responded

"He said that he would forgive you eventually, but he hated you for not asking for permission first."

He then went to Goldie, who comforted him. Goldie is weaker than Buddy's original power before becoming this temporary god thing, but he's still good enough to protect the family while the rest of us are gone.

*****

"Got the goods?" I asked in a low voice

"What's going on?" Rowan then squinted his eyes

"Hey, man, don't make this obvious. Keep it low-key, you got the cash?"

"Cash? What are you guys-"

"Anyway, what are we getting out of this? Cuz I can easily erase your memories of this if you don't have anything good."

Edward and Reiner hugged and talked privately with each other while Rowan informed me of some things. Rowan was definitely not happy ever since he heard that Isfrid was being replaced, he knew that that meant that his brother was dead or incapacitated, but he didn't say anything.

"The demons and humans negotiated and signed the contract. A temporary alliance to eradicate your village. But things aren't going as smoothly as planned. The infighting got worse, despite the contract, and mistrust lingered. Accusations flew, blame was cast, and the factions had already quietly turned on each other. The fragile alliance can shatter fast if it's going the way it's going."

What he said next was slightly disturbing. The news of the failed alliance and the chaos that followed rippled through both human and demon factions like a storm, leaving a trail of fear and uncertainty in its wake while sparking theories that I may have participated in some forbidden ritual.

Some spoke of ancient rituals, secrets long buried in forgotten tomes, practices deemed too dangerous and dark for the light of day. They speculated on the origins of my strength, weaving stories of pacts with entities from realms beyond, of blood-soaked ceremonies and sinister incantations.

Driven by this insatiable hunger for power, they sought to mimic my rumored abilities, desperate to tap into forces they barely comprehended. The allure of such strength, of abilities whispered to be beyond mortal understanding, was irresistible to those consumed by ambition and fear.

Reiner also caught a noble who recently sacrificed the blood of virgins and doing other things in their attempt to mimic my power even by a small fraction, and probably due to the placebo effect or whatever the case, he did have a very slight increase of power, and because of that, he spread around his ritual and speculated just how many virgins I sacrificed for this much power.

Rowan also revealed that the heroes managed to kill so many of the fake roses, leaving about 110 left of their lords, 10 of which will be used to sacrifice and have their powers given to Lachlan.

"And...Reiner, tell him yourself." Rowan said and then Reiner came to me with this slightly nervous look

"So, what do you want?"

"I want...you to fake my death." Reiner requested

"What? Why?"

"I need out," Reiner admitted with urgency in his voice, "I can't stomach the crimes committed in the name of our cause anymore. The human side, their methods... I can't condone it."

"How do you want it done?"

"I want our bodies to completely disappear." he answered, "It's not just a matter of convincing them of my demise, I want no trace of my existence left behind. They'll never stop searching if there's even a glimmer of doubt."

"It won't be easy," I murmured, "They'll comb through every detail, leaving no stone unturned. Disappearing without a trace will be a formidable challenge."

"I don't care how difficult it is. Make it happen."

"But understand, disappearing without a trace won't guarantee safety. They'll keep looking, and if they suspect any hint of your survival, the consequences could be dire."

Certainly, the disappearance of Reiner, a prince, wouldn't just be a personal struggle but a political upheaval with consequences rippling through the realms. His vanishing act amid the chaos of war posed a double-edged sword. While it could potentially secure his safety, it also opened the door for opportunistic ambitions to flourish.

In the wake of Reiner's absence, a power vacuum would loom over the throne, creating an enticing opportunity for ambitious nobles to seize control. Some would perceive his disappearance as a sign of weakness or even demise, and they would seek to exploit the situation to consolidate their own power. The absence of a clear heir could spark a struggle for supremacy among the nobility.

The fragile state of affairs would invite contention, with contenders vying to claim the authority that Reiner's absence left hanging in uncertainty. The throne, once securely his, could become a coveted prize, subject to plots and manipulations in a bid to secure dominance in a post-war era.

Even if Reiner returned after the conflict's end, his path back to the throne wouldn't be guaranteed. His reappearance might not be welcomed by all, especially those who had tasted the sweet allure of authority in his absence. Some would resist relinquishing the newfound power they had acquired, sowing seeds of dissent and challenging Reiner's rightful claim to the throne.

"Sure, but this doesn't mean I'm joining your side," he clarified, his gaze unwavering, "I'll forge my own path, and create a faction free from the taint of both sides."

"Fine, but don't tell me later that I didn't tell you so."

Removing Reiner and Rowan, huh...this is going to be fun.