Chapter 15: I Respect Your Decision

Chapter 15: I Respect Your Decision

“Yo, it’s been a while, Lord Gaia. No, let’s just call you Gaia now.”

“Why are you doing this? Is it because of what happened last night?”

“Well, not entirely. I’ve realized that Panimir isn’t the right place for me, so I switched jobs to work under Lord Gilbaris. I might have better opportunities there.”

“How can that be? What about your family? They’re still in the city of Panimir.”

“I know that, but I also know you won’t harm them because that’s just not who you are. That’s why I can run away without worry. As for my family, don’t worry, I’ll bring them over after this battle ends.”

Listening to Belial, Gaia didn’t want to continue talking to this traitor and could only clench his fists in silence. He wasn’t wrong; even if he died, he wouldn’t stoop to using his family as leverage.

“Alright, everyone has their own ambitions. I respect your decision. See you on the battlefield later.”

Belial betraying them right before the battle truly infuriated Gaia. But thankfully, it was before the fight and not during; if he had turned traitor then, it would have been a disaster for Gaia and the others.

“Lord Gaia…”

“It’s fine. I’m alright; you all just carry on with your preparations. The battle starts in an hour. I’ll go check on Ouxs.”

After the meeting, Gaia ventured alone to Ouxs’s lab.

“Ouxs, how’s the analysis of that spaceship going?”

As soon as he entered, Gaia got straight to the point. Ouxs looked troubled.

“I’m sorry, Lord Gaia. This time I don’t think I can be of help. I can’t decipher the structure of that spaceship.”

Thinking it over, that ship was crafted by the entire Gilbaris clan, so it was impossible for Ouxs to decipher it easily.

“I see. Thank you for your hard work. You should rest now in a quiet place. We’ll start battling in an hour, and the noise might disturb your sleep.”

“Lord Gaia… I feel really bad that I can’t help this time. Is there anything else I can do?”

Ouxs acknowledged he couldn’t contribute to this particular matter, but that didn’t mean he would just rest idly. As long as there was something he could do, he would put in the effort.

“Thank you, Ouxs, but I’m afraid there’s nothing else for you to do now. You should go get some rest. By the time you wake up, Panimir should be different.”

Gaia could only force a smile, pat Ouxs on the shoulder, and left the lab.

“Gaia! There you are! I was looking everywhere for you, but I couldn’t find you. Then I heard you might be here in the lab, so I came. So, has Ouxs made any progress?”

Just a few steps out of the lab, Ailin spotted him and dashed over.

“I’m sorry, but even Ouxs is powerless this time. He can’t figure out the enemy ship’s structure. We might be in big trouble this time.”

“What’s there to apologize for, Gaia? Don’t forget we never counted on him being able to decipher that ship from the start. Even if we don’t know the structure, we won’t surrender; we’ll fight until the end.”

“Yeah, I know that. But Ailin, will you fight with me until the last moment?”

“Given the situation, why are you asking me that obvious question? Even without saying, you already know my answer, right? Are you hoping I’d run away just because the battle’s about to start? Not a chance! I’m telling you, I’d rather die alongside you!”

Ailin angrily delivered a light chop to Gaia’s head, making him clutch his head in mild pain.

“But what are our odds in this upcoming battle? You know it’s not looking good.”

“Even if the odds are terrible, what does that mean? Are we going to surrender? Don’t be ridiculous. The battle hasn’t even begun, and you’re already daydreaming about defeat. Can you still be seen as a king like that?”

“I’m sorry, but the odds are so slim that I can’t help thinking that way.”

“No matter how slim the odds, that’s not a reason to give up! As long as there’s a chance, there’s a possibility of victory. So until the very last moment, we can’t throw in the towel. Isn’t that the motto you always liked to repeat? So say it again for me.”

“I feel like saying that now might not be the best idea.”

“I think it’s a great idea! Come on, don’t be shy! Say that cool phrase like you always do!”

Ailin patted Gaia’s back, urging him to say the words.

“Alright, I’ll say it. As long as there’s a chance, we have a possibility of victory, and until the very last moment, we absolutely cannot give up.”

“There you go! That’s the Gaia I know! The gloomy look earlier wasn’t you at all. Is there something aside from Ouxs’s failure that’s bothering you?”

From what she understood, if it were just Ouxs’s failure, Gaia wouldn’t react like this; something else must be weighing on him.

“You got me, Ailin. I can’t hide it from you. It’s just that right before the battle starts, that minister who suggested selling you out, Belial, has betrayed us and gone over to Gilbaris.”

“What! He chose to betray us at such a critical moment? That scoundrel! Just wait; I’ll give him a proper beating! How dare he betray us like this!”

As soon as she heard about the betrayal, Ailin couldn’t hold back her anger. The Ice Dragon Clan had always loathed traitors. Belial, huh? Once she spots him on the battlefield, she’ll give him a good thrashing and bring him before Gaia to kneel and apologize until Gaia completely forgives him.