Chapter 13: Underlying Scheme

The monstrous force send him crashing against the wall, cracking its cement surface. If not for his armor, the mundane body of his would have sustained some broken bones. Because that attack is equal to being rammed by a speeding truck.

Zyro fell to the ground, facing down and Coughed blood inside his helmet.

On the other hand, the guest yawned sleepily. And stare at Zyro's who fell with one strike of his with disappointment.

He was none other than Ron, prince of Gricks, who's wedding was ruined by Zyro's starship timely crashing.

Since then, Ron never underestimated the black knight, expecting him to be a powerful foe. However, he was left disappointed by their short exchange. As things stand now, the dark knight is rendered helpless against his inhumane strength which isn't even his best.

The prince stride towards him, saying in a deep, arrogant voice.

"Pathetic, aren't you too weak? I commend your armor toughness but is that all you can do? Sigh, what a disgrace for a Devine race."

Zyro struggled as he raised himself from the floor, only to be kicked in the face. Zyro's head was thrown up, flipping his armored body as he fell on his back.

Before he even got up, Ron kneel above him. Putting his weight to lock him in position before grabbing his neck.

Ron pinned him on the floor and raises his right fist before bringing it down to the knight armored face, shriek of metal resounded as his punch connected. However, as if the Grick fist is made of stone, Ron's expression remains stolid after continuously colliding his fleshy fist against hard, solid metal.

Inside the helmet, Zyro had a dumbfounded expression on his face. Finding it hard to believe the Prince sheer might.

'The heck!, that's Tungsten alloy! How could you even dent that!'

Tungsten was Earth's strongest metal, even sturdier than platinum. Although, it was developed to be light with alloy fusion, it's still a sturdy armor. Yet its damage by a mere punch from a winged human. Not only that, even the helmet glass visor - A bullet proof, tempered glass is cracking under pressure.

Fortunately, the helmet is the sturdiest part of of the cybernetic armor. So, it held against continuous, monstrous punch... For now.

Amidst this, Ron spoke his complaints.

"You know, if it wasn't for your stupidity. Princess Scarlet would have already jump into my bed. Breeding hybrid warriors of blood!" Ron toned, his noble expression turning smug.

"Ah, a beauty like that can't even be compared to sluts I tasted above and below. But what did you do? Now I have to woo her for another month! Or year! To get that b*tch!"

The prince keep blabbering on, unaware that his cannot be understood by the other party. Zyro didn't know their native language and Ron didn't speak the human tongue.

But all that didn't matter because Zyro is in an urgent need to escape Ron's grab.

As thought he can't take it anymore. Zyro wearily raise his right hand. Attempting to stop his abuser deleterious act with the last of his strength to prevent dying.

Ron notice his pitiful struggle, he stop and chuckled.

"What? does it hurt?, even in taking pain your pathetic, those Helios slaves can last longer than this!"

Zyro's hand didn't stop but weakly move his elbow backward. Preparing to launch a punch with seemingly asthenic strength.

"Pfft! You wanna punch? Feel free to do so then. Show me the Argon's feeble strength!" Ron mucked with confidence, signaling Zyro to punch his cheek.

The black knight fist moves forward with natural speed towards the haughty prince's smug face oozing exaggerated confidence. When the dark metal knuckle almost touch Ron cheek. A silver blade burst out from the hidden compartment on Zyro's forearm in lightning speed.

Ron's vertical eyes widened, his monstrous reflexes jolted awake. Ron swiftly turn his head to evade in the nick of time. Which caused Zyro's short blade to miss, leaving a hollow cut in Ron's cheek instead of a fatal injury.

His surprise attack is foiled.

"You!" Ron blurted enrage.

His arm raised straight to the right as blades of jades sharper than ever grew faster than before on his fingertips. Zyro could only guard his head with the silver blade in adrenaline speed. As Ron bladed hand swing to the left, leaving afterimages, whistling as it cut invisible air. Aiming to cut Zyro's head clean off.

His slice was quick and precise.

"Clang!"

In the next moment, sharp ringing of metal vibration echo inside the room as their blade collides. Both frozen wide, Zyro's and Ron's emerald eyes fixated on one another, playing a tense staring game.

Zyro was shocked because he almost have no time to react. But Ron...

Ron straight hand in the right a second ago was on the left. It successfully completed it's swift swing with ease. However, the jade nails pointy half is gone, it's middle cleanly sliced. Beside Zyro, on the floor, five pointy blades cut in half lay lifelessly, slowly losing their luster and turning turning pale.

Somehow, the dark knight retractable silver blade prevails despite Ron's lethal nails unrivaled edges.

But that's not the main issue here.

Ron slit pupil shrank so much it's barely visible. But he didn't bother to look at his broken nails, as he slowly gazed down at his right chest.

Where an ugly wound found its way through his chest. Made by an unseen weapon of unknown wielder.

Ron opened his trembling lips, letting blood flow out.

"W-what... did... you do?" He ask hoarsely, his tone full of rage, hatred and... disbelief.

However, Zyro never answered. Because it wasn't his doings. His confused as well.

That was Ron, Prince of the Gricks last words as his blood circulation finally stop, ending his life.

Before his lifeless body fell, Zyro push it away and calmly stand.

Zyro sighed, looked around the quiet, empty room of the dead prince for a while. Then said to the air.

"I know you're there, mustard."

He glanced at the copse.

"So, is this it? You broke our aircraft wing back then, forcing me to crash the vessel here. And what, for this?"

Indeed, it was the four armed knight who cause the flying boat fall. But how did Zyro knew? When the wing broke, Zyro ordered that armored demon to break the other. It was just for a moment, but Zyro saw how similar both stump are. Because, what broke the left and right wing were the same thing - A monstrous claw of the devil.

Still, the question remained. What could be so important for the demon to sacrifice freedom to invade deeper into the Gricks territory.

It could easily concluded as revenge. But, there's no hatred in the prince death. It was done in a swift and almost painless passion, when the prince guard are down.

The demon's goal remain shrouded in mystery. However, Zyro was finally certain of one thing - His use.

"You didn't go through all the trouble bringing me with you after scaping the hanging cage. Right? I wonder, what use am I in this scheme of yours?"

Back then, when Zyro freed his neighbor from the roots shackles. Despite being a heavy burden, he didn't discard him. Was it kindness? No, a four-armed, armored demon behind bars was actually kind? absolutely not.

Zyro knew from the start that'll he've be of use to him.

Silence hangs in the lonesome room, as if there's no one there but him alone and the prince lifeless body.

"Let me guess, you wander around hiding two arms of yours behind your back to pretend as me, and lead this bastard who seem to be an important figure among the Gricks to kill him. Then, pass the blame to me so you won't be targeted by their wrath."

That's the most logical conclusion Zyro could think of. Considering, the seekers lack of pressure. The demon must've been distracting them. His probably also the reason why the prince came here alone instead of having guards. As for how he figured out the demon had been pretending as him. The prince didn't even question his appearance and directly attack, as if he was the one his chasing this whole time.

Although he has figured this much thanks to meticulous deduction. Still, he knew the demon's schemes run deeper but his unable to figure out more due to the involvement of supernatural factors which is beyond his understanding. So the unease inside him never fade. There's something wrong with the man, but can't put his finger on it.

Seconds slowly pass by in grim silence. As Zyro solely stands, awaiting the demon who caused this perilous situation to appear.

Finally, in response to his call, heavy footsteps was suddenly heard. Then, the towering figure of the onyx demon appeared Infront of him. Showing his frightening visage with all it's horrifying glory.

The four-armed demon simply ignored Zyro as he went to pick-up the silver coin on the floor that had been thrown by Ron earlier.

The demon open his jaw, causing his visor fangs to depart. The process was so smooth, as if the metallic mask teeth were his own.

Zyro frowned as he watch him consume the coin.

Done eating, the demon finally replied in sinister, calm tone.

"Your right, you'll bear the blame and die."

The cybernetic knight remain silent for a few moments, and said.

"And you think that will save you?"

That threatening words fall into deft ear.

The demon's stride towards him. Then, grabbed Zyro by the neck with his two upper arm. He lifted the cybernetic knight up as he strangled him with monstrous force in the process.

Zyro didn't run, knowing it'll be in vane. For the foe his facing easily killed the prince, who had instantly knocked him. His aware that these people possess speed and strength far greater than his human body even with the cyber suit on. Furthermore, his certain that the demon's aim was to knock him unconscious.

Groan of metal was heard as the demon grip Zyro's neck. He felt a suffocating pressure around his collar going through his armor protection.

"...You won't scape" Zyro said in a low haggard voice.

The demon looks at him with his indifferent eyes hidden in the slit of his visor. One would question if there's even an eye in that darkness.

"No... they'll forget me" Said the demon in a gastly tone.

Soon, Zyro can no more breath.