Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 625 Evil That Loves Good

High nobles could always rely on their family for help in one way or another. As with security, the status and position of that particular noble in the family didn't matter much.

It was all about reputation as always for Twelve Branches was sacredly important.

Thus, Zarot had every reason to believe that sooner or later Gladius and Xyrea would be in serious trouble for kidnapping him. Moreover, although Zarot was scared, he didn't think that he was going to die.

His death would cause too much publicity and trouble for his assassins and most likely his family's anger would be uncontrollable.

If a member of some great family could be killed by anyone without punishment, it was a very bad sign and a crushing blow to their reputation.

But... a few words were enough to shatter all of Zarot's hopes.

His family decided to kill him. Why did that happen?

Well, because all the rules worked both ways.

"What...?"

His face turned as pale as a sheet of paper, a shiver ran through his entire body, with a cold stream, protruding from his forehead.

"What the hell are you talking about monster?! What do you mean by saying I'm dead? I'm still alive and I'm going to live for many, many more years!"

Xyrea didn't bother to argue with him. Instead, like any Operator in her position, she decided to use evidence.

Slip.

With a smooth motion, she pulled the phone out of her coat, deftly tapped the screen a few times, and held out her hand to Zarot. For most monsters, technology was something incomprehensible and complicated, but Xyrea was smart enough that she learned how to use a phone at the level of a skilled Operator faster than most humans.@@@@

Many articles by prominent media outlets, especially those influential in the First Ring had appeared before Zarot. All of them were about his death, but... not a single article was published yet.

"As agreed, the articles will be published between 8 and 10 in the morning, which means that in just a few hours, the world will know of your demise."

"But... Why? What's going on here? No... it can't be true..."

Ignoring Zarot's increased despair, Xyrea proceeded to explain.

"Yeah, it was just like that - official."

Now, Zarot fully understood what was going on here, and... everything Xyrea and Gladius said earlier was true.

Thus, the Marzo Family was going to cover up the death of one of their own family. Moreover, such news will only cause the common people to admire and respect Zarot. When people see the remains of the monster he killed and the enthusiastic reviews from the military with the media, it leaves a good memory of Zarot Marzo in people's minds.

For the Marzo Family, it also had its advantages - they would partially restore their reputation after losing The Rule of Power, punish Zarot for his mistake, and show the other high nobles that they knew how to solve problems quickly.

"In general." Gladius hissed like a snake, "Everyone will benefit from this situation. The only one who will have to sacrifice something is you - your life!"

Silence.

Zarot remained silent for a long time, trying to find some way out of his situation.

In the end, he only sighed heavily:

"Agh... Then I want to ask one last question."

Accepting his fate, Zarot glared at Gladius. He lived in this world and noble society long enough to understand that everything was already decided about him.

"Why you? Any stronger Phantom might kill me."

Gladius shrugged taking a few steps back.

"Well, it's all because of my pact with Franz Balo."

"Franz Balo...? I see... It has to do with Nelya, right?"

Gladius nodded approvingly.

"You're right, but... if you're interested in my motive."

Then, Gladius appeared in front of Zarot, his eyes narrowed like crescent moons with a wide demonic grin on his face.

"To be honest - I just love good people!"