A murderous light flashed in Shai's eyes, as he slowly advanced towards the fight stealthily.

Just like a lion engaging on its prey, he too made sure that his steps were light.

He gripped his sword tightly in his hand and when he was very close to his target, he swiftly made his move.

'Ting!'

What?

Shai was stomped.

Did this bastard have eyes at the back of his head or something?

Landon, who had just finished killing off the rest, blocked Shai's attack and kicked his knees hard.

'Pah!'

The kick was so hard that Shai felt like his bones had literally shattered.

As mighty as he was, that kick sent him rolling on the ground until his back fiercely attacked a tree.

'Uhh!'

son of a b**ch.

Was this bastard's leg made out of iron or something?

Was he now crippled?

Landon didn't give any chances for Shai to get back on his feet.

The moment he hit the tree, Landon who was now standing above him kicked his face, sending him flying to the side again.

Shai wiped the trail of blood off his face in disbelief and rage.

"You dare hit me?

Do you know who I am?

Do you know what rank and title I have in this empire?"

Looking at the raving man who was struggling to get up, Landon just slowly walked over with a broad smile on his face.

"Oh?

You want to compare positions with me?

Heh... You're not worthy!"

'Pah! Pah! Pah! Pah!'

Landon kicked Shai like a toy until he was dizzy.

'Plah!'

Shai spat out blood and tried to raise his sword against Landon, but it was no use.

Who asked him to go against the heavens?

.

"Stop! Stop! Stop!

Listen to me!" 

Landon paused and slowly retracted his fists while watching the bloodied Shai breathe heavily.

"What do you want to say that I've never heard before?

Let me guess, you want to offer me money, women, ships and other luxurious items right?"

"No!"

"Oh?

Then what is it?

Speak!

My time is limited."

Shai looked at Landon's nonchalant attitude and gritted his teeth.

This guy was so annoying.

"I know you won't value material objects.

So how about a chance to become stronger?

From my reports, there should be no one like you by Sirius' side.

But yet here you are.

Looking at you now, you probably have some sort of back story.

Men like you love freedom the most.

That's why you decided to join his majesty Sirius' right?"

"Oh? How Interesting.

You're right.

I do love freedom." 

Shai's eyes lit up when he heard Landon's reply.

As expected, he was right.

Men who were this powerful hated to be controlled by anyone.

Shai revealed his bloody teeth and smiled at Landon calmly.

"His majesty Sirius is someone who has his own ideas and is very flexible when it comes to his people.

So you were probably given some degree of freedom that was way better than what others offered.

So that's what made you stay by his side all this while.

It's not because of your loyalty, but because he offered you the best conditions.

But what if we were to offer you more?"

"Hmm... Are you saying that you can offer me better conditions?"

Shai nodded his head vigorously: "Yes! Yes! My master can."

.

Shai was smiling so hard that how jaws almost cracked open.

From the moment he heard Landon's questions, he knew that his guesses were right.

How could such an outstanding person be loyal to Sirius?

Even though he didn't know how Landon looked, something told him that this person in black was a young man who had some dreams of his own.

So why not pick on those dreams and turn this situation around?

Shai was overly confident that his plans will succeed.

"Yes, my masters will be able to give you absolute freedom.

So if you decide to help me now and kill him, then you can request for whatever you desire..even if it's absolute freedom."

'Hahahahhahahahahahah!

I've got you now bastard.

Even if you do join us, I'll torture you properly before ever allowing you to step foot out of the temple's residences.

You think that you can hit me and get away with it?

Dream on!'

(*^*)

.

Opposite to Shai's inward thoughts, hos outward appearance showed an inviting smile instead.

"Brother, everything I've wanted is just an answer away.

So what's it going to be?"

Landon looked at the floor as if lost in thought before looking at Shai again with a broad smile on his face.

"I'm honoured that you're already calling me brother.

But sorry, I was only messing with you alright?"

Shai pointed at Landon in rage: "You, you, you, you, you shameless bastard! How dare you mess with me?"

The amount of anger stored on Shai's heart could kill an entire nation right about now.

But thinking about how this bastard had been playing him all this while made him like out blood.

'Plah!'

Landon looked at him awkwardly.

Did he do too much? 

Uhhh... It looked like he did too much.

"You Trickster!

You fraudster!

You Swindler!

I'll kill you, I'll f***ing kill you!

Ahhhhh!"

Shai's anger was to the point that he didn't feel the pain from his body anymore.

All he wanted to do was kill this scoundrel.

But how could it be that easy?

In a heartbeat, Landon dogged his attack, gripped his right hand and broke it.

'Crack!'

"Ahhhhhhhhh!

You!!!"

'Pah!'

Landon kicked his knee again before finally handcuffing him.

'Sheek!'

Shai looked at his hands in confusion.

What the hell was this?

Shai was dragged towards the battlefield.

And the moment he saw the ongoing battle, he was in disbelief.

His men were fighting for their dear lives and seemed to be overpowered by Sirius' men.

He had more men than the enemy, so how?

How did it turn out like this?

Was this an illusion?

Shai couldn't believe hos eyes.

No!

He was the great Captain Shai.

So how could he lose?

He was unconvinced!

.

The battle didn't go on for long and ended in Sirius' favour.

Shai screamer with rage at tge top of his lungs, but so what?

He had lost.

And since he wasn't willing to share my important information about the temple, he was personally beheaded by Sirius.

Keeping him alive would be too risky, even if he had information.

They quickly searched all the bodies and took all items on them.

And after all was said and done, Landon finally left.

Well, his mission was halfway over now.

Up next, he had to take out the temple from the roots.