It's a lie.
Just an obvious, clumsy lie to escape the situation at hand.
And yet—why?
Why couldn't the Turncoat Queen's hand move forward?
"…What are you saying?"
Her lips trembled.
An expression unthinkable for someone always composed, always peering down from above.
But this moment—this crushing moment—was far too cruel for composure.
"As I said. If you accept my offer, I'll save the Turncoat King."
"…And you expect me to believe that?"
"Then by all means, watch as he dies. I won't mind either way."
Only then did the Queen realize how deeply she had misjudged Carl Marcus.
She had once believed him to be a man who would serve a great king.
But now she knew.
Carl Marcus was dangerous.
Not only had he struck down the King she believed would win this war—he now held that life hostage.
"…How could you possibly save him?"
Everyone here knew—the King was nearing the end, burning his life to hold back both the Bone Lord and the Church of Morte.
That anyone could save him now was implausible.
"That's my concern."
"…Ridiculous. Do you think I'd accept your terms with no explanation?"
"Then the deal's off."
"Enough with the veiled threats. You came to me because you needed something."
"Maybe. Or maybe I just wanted to offer you a chance."
"I don't want it."
She didn't back down.
Letting Carl Marcus take control here would risk everything.
"Pity."
"Save your pity until you've survived!"
Petals of bone burst forth from her hand.
It was hard to believe she had been near exhaustion only moments ago—her presence radiated pure defiance.
Crack—CRUNCH…!
Around her bloomed a forest of petal-covered bone.
Beautiful flowers often bore thorns—and her body bristled with them.
"Well, well."
Even as she bloomed before his eyes, Carl Marcus only smiled softly.
As if he had expected this.
"…Let's see how long that smile lasts."
Dozens of thorned vines moved to strike.
Threatening with every brush—yet Carl's face remained calm.
"Janus."
With that quiet command, the bone armor around him responded, shooting forth tendrils to intercept the Queen's assault.
KA-BOOOOM!
Petals and tendrils clashed in a thunderous explosion.
Neither side intended to yield.
But it was Janus who began to push back first.
"Surprising. You still had this much strength? Or… no—you're burning your life."
"..."
It was true.
Like the King, the Queen had begun sacrificing her life to unleash this power.
But she said nothing.
Acknowledging it would be admitting defeat.
"Well, we'll see."
Janus surged again.
Even more powerfully.
CRACK!
CRUNCH-CRACK!
Bone and petal tore at one another, fragments flying everywhere.
On the surface, the battle looked even—but then came the restoration.
Slide…
Janus reformed his broken tendrils easily.
The Queen's petals remained shattered.
She had nothing left to draw upon—but Janus was whole.
"This is the end, isn't it?"
"…Not… yet…"
Carl's gaze shifted.
"No. You may think so. But he—does not."
"…What?"
Instinctively, her eyes turned toward the King.
Just in time to witness the explosion that sent bone shrapnel flying in every direction.
KA-BOOOOOOM!
Too close. Far too close.
"Your Majesty!"
She tried to rise—only for a tendril to pierce her shoulder.
CHUNK!
"Gkh!"
Normally, such pain would not fell her.
But this tendril drained her—absorbing her blood and flesh.
"Stop…!"
She tried to sever them—but for every one she cut, two more impaled her.
STAB!
STAB-STAB-STAB!
Her strength bled out.
Her vision blurred.
And beyond the collapsing sky, a ray of true sunlight pierced through.
It shone upon the Turncoat King.
And his body began to fall apart.
His life—burned up.
It was ending.
"No…"
The Queen whispered her dread.
This couldn't be it.
He had so much left to do. He couldn't fall—not here.
"…Carl Marcus."
Maybe that's why she finally said the name she had sworn never to speak.
"Have something to say?"
She bit her lip until it bled.
Then, quietly, deliberately—
"…Please. Save the King."
"Why should I?"
Ice.
His voice was made of it.
She stared at him, lip trembling.
"…You said you had an offer."
"I did. But that was then."
She knew.
But it was all she had left.
"…You made that offer because you wanted something. Didn't you?"
"Hmph."
He looked down at her.
It felt like being stared at by the abyss.
"…Very well. Then this is my price."
Carl Marcus spoke.
"Swear yourself to me. Become mine. And I'll save the Turncoat King."
"…What?"
Her brow twitched.
"You want to enslave me?"
"I need insurance. But feel free to refuse. Doesn't bother me."
The tendrils in her body surged.
They'd consume her entirely if left unchecked.
"Ggh…"
"Decide. Time is short."
Not just for her—but for the King as well.
The skies he once ruled were breaking.
Even the rain of bone had ceased.
"Carl Marcus…!"
"You're wasting time. I don't have all day either."
He was right.
If the King fell, even Carl would be swallowed by the war.
"Gh…"
Her vision dimmed.
She would have rather died than suffer this humiliation.
But it wasn't just her life at stake.
"…Fine."
There was no choice.
Only a predestined answer.
"Good. Then let's begin."
Janus's tendrils changed.
No longer draining her—but injecting something.
She let it happen.
Crack—CRUNCH…!
She felt it.
Something crawling through her like ants.
"…This…"
It was horrible.
But she healed.
"…Is this the power of the Immortal? How…?"
"There was an opportunity."
The Immortal had given Carl part of his power—but she couldn't know that.
"Can you move?"
"…Yes."
She rose.
Clearly stronger.
"Then let's go. The situation over there's grim."
They didn't wait.
Together, they flew toward the King.
FSSSSS…
The closer they came, the thicker the bone dust.
A sign of the brutal clash.
But it had ended.
The King had reached his limit.
He could no longer even flap his wings—falling slowly from the sky.
"Your Majesty!"
With a final burst of strength, the Queen flew and caught him.
Bone Lord and Church attacks rained down—but Turncoat Rook and Turncoat Knight blocked them.
"…Rook?"
"Damn it… I get stuck doing this crap. What are you standing around for? Go."
She nodded and flew.
"Your Majesty! Are you alright?"
"…I made a mistake."
He saw it.
The change in her.
"I had no choice."
"…Then that, too, is fate."
"If it saves you—I'll do anything. I always have."
"…He's here."
The King looked past her.
At Carl Marcus.
Even with the man she feared behind her, she didn't turn.
"…Keep your promise, Carl Marcus."
"I will."
Janus's tendrils rose.
Preparations to save the King had begun.
"As I promised, the Turncoat King will survive."
It was a pact.
Should Carl Marcus betray it, the Queen's submission would end.
She swallowed her doubts and stepped aside.
"…Don't try anything."
"Don't worry. I'll keep my word."
His voice rang like a spell.
Janus's tendrils darkened—deep obsidian.
The power of Ankelenth.
The apex predator's might surged from Janus.
"The Turncoat King will survive."
Every promise has a loophole.
This one was no exception.
SHLUK!
As the tendrils pierced the King's body, Carl Marcus whispered:
"Inside me… forever."
===BREAK===
Like the story and want more chapters?
Join and support me by joining my Patreon!
[email protected]/SiRoasa