NOVPUBPranay’s gaze rested squarely on the Great Love Poet, as if searching for some spiritual consolation. Being the leader of the Great Demon Clan, his judgment would directly decide the impending survival or extinction of their Demon World.
"Rocky McCarthy can give us an advantage of law and a right to a say over negotiations, which, at the most, would prevent our opponent from overturning the table… however, even with our aid, his strength may still be insufficient to deter the opponent. I’m quite sure he’s lacking strength right now." said Pranay to the Great Love Poet, explaining his previous apprehension.
"Why can you make such a judgment?"
The Great Love Poet placed his glass of wine on the stone table, slightly leaning forward.
If predictions could vary with uncertainties, then only the statement "Rocky McCarthy is lacking military power" would be beyond doubt in Pranay’s declaration.
The reason he had gone to Herram Prison in the first place was to gain a strength capable of fighting against the Cardinal Bishops.
Lanci was curious as to what Pranay had seen, whether it was through an unstable, intermittent future sight or a Thousand-Mile Eye, or some other reason. 𝔫𝖔𝖛𝖕𝖚𝔟.𝖈𝖔𝔪
Pranay watched as the black-haired-figure attentively listened, hesitating for a moment.
The new King’s eyes seemed to fully trust his words, with not even a hint of skepticism or doubt.
He had been prepared for disagreement.
But now, he felt somewhat apprehensive about continuing his talk.
This trust and respect felt somewhat too heavy.
Under the eager green eyes of anticipation, Pranay clenched his teeth and decided to continue:
"If Rocky McCarthy truly has the strength to deter, securing the table of the Protoss Empire from being overturned, and he truly belongs to the sensitive people of the Protoss Empire side, he will become a variable that may cause the downfall of the enemy Protoss Empire... once the enemy notices such signs, Rocky McCarthy will not live long. Someone will eliminate him at any cost, even though killing him would be difficult and costly, they will certainly try."
Pranay believed the reason Rocky McCarthy has survived up to now is that from the hidden enemies’ point of view within the Protoss Empire, his threat was not so significant as of yet, hence they let him live.
The other reason is that Rocky McCarthy rose too fast – it was unbelievable, he himself being an embodiment of a variable.
But once Rocky McCarthy tries to step further to reach the top strength of the Protoss Empire, someone will eliminate him before he gains this support.
This is the current game of the Protoss Empire.
Pranay’s voice echoed in the cold and empty frost cell, silently waiting for the New King’s response.
He hoped to let the New King understand how slim the odds were that their Demon World could win by taking advantage of their enemies.
Despite this possibly not being what the New King wanted to hear, he had to say it - not only for his sister and fellow race but also in hope that the young New King would not meet his downfall.
The black hair and green-eyed figure took another sip of wine while lost in thought.
He found that drinking does certainly provide a certain feel, as long as he doesn’t drink himself unconscious.
"I now feel that if the King of the Demon World a hundred years ago was willing to listen to you, things might have turned out differently."
With boundless regret in his eyes and a smile on his lips, the Great Love Poet said to Pranay.
Whenever he was reminded of the moment he first arrived at the station in Herram City - the grand melody of brass and the religious string music, the pipe organ, and the ever-ascending high notes reflected the relentless tension of a never-ending war. He was left with the illusion of an endlessly rising tune without knowing when it will fall.
The history of the Demon Race’s holy war had been etched into their bones and there wasn’t a moment of quiet melody or harmony throughout.
Initially, Pranay may have hoped to prevent all this a hundred years ago, unfortunately, no one in the Demon Race listened to him.
However, now, Lanci felt things were changing. He hoped—the next time he visits Herram City, he could hear a promising and liberating finale in the music.
Pranay’s eyes flashed, and he was stunned by the New King’s response.
He stared into the eyes of the New King, trying to grasp what the New King saw and what he was thinking.
Those clear emerald green eyes that naturally possessed remorse and contemplation reflected the world in a way Pranay had never seen in any creature of the Demon Race.
"... I cannot be praised with that, but I think if you were the King of the Demon World a hundred years ago, things would have been different, even without me."
Pranay looked down at the black-haired, green-eyed figure in front of him and replied softly.
If he had not misunderstood, the meaning behind the other’s words seemed to indicate that he had appointed him to the vice-leadership of the Demon World.
However, his own reply conveyed his hope that the other would let him go; he couldn’t bear the weight of such expectations.
This surprised the Great Love Poet, who watched Pranay for a long time.
"Pranay, come with me. Can’t I protect you?"
The Great Love Poet asked again, gently.
"... why are you so insistent on me, a disgrace of the Demon Race?"
Pranay, who kept his head low and didn’t dare to meet the other’s gaze, felt the favor in the other’s eyes, making him uneasy to face this ardent light.
The only certainty was the zeal, even to the extent that it gave Pranay the intuition that even if he refused the New King today, he wouldn’t be punished but his choice would be respected.
When Pranay was full of hope in his heart and the Demon World was in its glory, he hadn’t met a King who believed in him.
When Pranay had let go of everything and things were at their worst, he met the New King he had always dreamed of.
The New King seemed determined not to give up the Protoss Empire, but if he persisted, they would most likely be completely destroyed.
Pranay was in a total mess, not sure if the strong wine had messed with his mind or if the Demon Sound had swayed his determination, but he began to feel some desire to follow the New King and leap into the fire.
No far away.
Antanas, who was waiting quietly at the side of the stone platform, took a bag of biscuits out of his pocket and gave half of it to Sinola, who gawked at him. She had no idea how many things Antanas had smuggled from the prison, let alone why they were all edible?
Antanas seemed to be settling into a spectator’s perspective; she was convinced it was time for the New King’s therapy talk.
The New King could have conquered Pranay through intimidation or temptation, but they tended to win over others emotionally.
