Chapter 14: A Deal with the Phantom

Airelina Frembell

Six shadows started walking towards us. We are in a grave situation right now. Are we going to flee? Or run? They are totally surrounding us, which makes any of the two choices impossible.

“Amphere?” It was Rudolf’s voice.

The six shadows revealed themselves. It was Rudolf, Kyrie, the beautiful student council president and her child-like dragonoid who is cosplaying as a magical girl, a slender man with black eyes and hair, and a mummy-looking silver-haired woman who have half of her face and body covered with bandages. This group is quite odd.

Amphy smiled at Rudolf, as he helped him stand. Amphy scanned the faces of Rudolf’s allies silently. Rudolf broke the silence as he created a proposition.

“Join our team! We need to get to the second round after all.” Rudolf prepared his hand for a handshake.

Amphy looked at me, silently asking me if we should accept his proposal. If it was only Rudolf and Kyrie, we would take it without a second thought. Those other four people aren’t trustworthy enough for me. But then again, it would be impossible for us to survive the eliminations if we don’t make an alliance with someone. This is our only option.

“Okay, I’ll join your squad.” Amphy shook Rudolf’s hand.

“That’s good to know!” Rudolf celebrated. “By the way, you already know my friends, right?”

Amphy scanned their faces again and then concluded with a simple gesture. He shook his head vigorously. You mean you didn’t even know the student council president and her dragonoid!?

“Y-You know…” Rudolf forced a smile as he scratched his head. “This is Reina Fleuret, our student council president. And her dragonoid is Eva…” Then he switched with the weird couple. “This is Alder Windstrafe, and his dragonoid Emy…”

E-Emy? Come to think of it, that mummy woman and the ninja dragonoid of the Black Phantom looked alike. Amphy shifted his eyes to the man named Alder, and he clenched his fist. That posture and stare, and also, this man is carrying a golden rapier. He couldn’t be…

Amphy was about to reach his sword when Alder guy spoke. 

“Wait!” He backed off and raised his arms. “I know you know me, and we have not so good memories before. But I would like to have a temporary ceasefire as for now. We have the very same objective; to survive the eliminations. I don’t have any intention to fight you the very least. And I know we have a lot to talk about, so please, no bloodshed, Sir Amphere Harrison.”

Amphy looked at me again silently asking for decision. I don’t like this Alder guy the very slightest. But it is true that there’s a lot to talk about. I have to shut this Alder, no, Black Phantom from spouting about the Crimson Dragonfly. I have to keep cool for now, so I slowly nodded at Amphy and accepting the ceasefire.

But if ever that man gave off some spoiler again, I’ll gladly slit his throat.

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Rudolf doesn’t have any slightest clue about the tension, but he killed it off by changing the topic. “So our strategy is simple; We must avoid any attention as possible. Staying hidden in these vast trees and not using Vesryn Pulse is necessary to be invisible to the many. And oh, also… President will be our tactician and leader. Are you okay with that?”

President Reina Fleuret is widely known for her beauty and brains. She might just be low on her sword abilities, but her brilliance in the battlefield is a force to be reckoned with. I don’t have any questions for that. Amphy and I nodded in acceptance.

We luckily found an underground cave which was infested with bears. With the four dragon knight’s power, driving off the bears is a piece of cake. It is getting dark already, so we decided to set camp on that cave. We don’t have any idea how long this elimination will take. It may take weeks just to have those last sixty-four standing to be confirmed.

We set a bonfire and all eight of us gathered around it. We roasted rabbit and wild pig meat we hunted earlier. I’m not in my complete mood to eat especially with that Black Phantom and his ninja dragonoid sitting beside them. I only ate half a kilo of meat.

After the dinner, our group was awfully quiet. Alder is busy treating Emy’s wounds with some herbs. I know I’m the one who made that silver-haired dragonoid suffer, but she deserved it. She also made my bodily nerves paralyzed for three days so we call it equal.

They didn’t know the true colors of this jerk. Only Amphy and I knew the appearance of Emy’s, no, the Black Phantom’s Ice Dragon. I have to stay alert.

The student council president is busy staring at the fire reminiscing something. Her dragonoid Eva is patrolling outside. Amphy is in deep thought. He’s somewhat staring at the Shield Plate on his chest. And Rudolf and Kyrie are just switching gazes at us who are creating the quietness right now.

“Airelina, right?” Alder grabbed my attention after he finished treating Emy’s wounds. “I think we have a lot to talk about.”

Alder dropped his sword near Emy to prove that he doesn’t want any violence. I looked at Amphy to see his confirmation and his only reply is a nod. Amphy only said one line in this chapter, and I think he’s boring right now…totally!

We walked to the entrance of the cave where no one can hear us, but Eva can totally see us. She’s scouting on top of the tree a few meters from us.

“What would a totally cowardly murderer like you want to discuss with me?” I released a serious tone, with my arms crossed and a fierce glare at him.

“Yeah, I’m a murderer. But at least I didn’t kill thousands of defenseless people.” He made an irritating smirk. His words made my brows twitch, but I have to take it professionally. “Anyway, I just wanted you to know that I will never take Amphere’s life. My only concern is to make a better world for Emy. I love Emy as much as you love Amphere.”

“Then why are you trying to kill Duchess Carousel, totally?” I suppressed my angry tone. “Who is your client!?”

“I’m sorry I can’t disclose that.” Alder frowned. “I am only here to talk about a fair and knightly proposition. I wanted you and Amphere not to reveal the Black Phantom’s identity, or Emy’s connection with the Black Phantom. In exchange, I will prohibit myself and Emy anything regarding the Crimson Dragonfly.”

“You’re totally desperate about hiding your true colors.” I smiled arrogantly.

“Look who’s talking. Remember, we’re on the same boat here. Once Amphere learns everything about the Crimson Dragonfly, the Arcadia and your dark funny ideals are completely done with. Not just that. He will completely resent you with all his heart. You will all be destroyed. The same goes for me if my identity went public.”

“Deal.” I said. It’s a totally good offer for me. All I care is that all information about the Crimson Dragonfly must be buried away. “It seems that you totally have your honor as a dragon knight.”

“Heh!” He turned away arrogantly. “And oh, I forgot. I would rather not fight Amphere and you. I’m after the duchess, and not your head. I don’t want an innocent man like Amphere to be dragged in this chaotic war.”

“So you better flee faster next time!” I smiled at him. “But you will never succeed on killing duchess Carousell! We will always prevent you, over and over again! Totally!”

Suddenly, Eva dashed to our direction quickly thanks to her fairy wings. She was sweating nonstop, and she looks rattled. Aw, that ruined her cute face, totally…

“I’ve been spotted! Enemies!”

[Dragon Knight’s Tournament Participants = 169 -> 112]