The Dreamer's POV

Chapter 128: Lair Of The Alliance

Eugene Lyma, younger brother of Duke Damien Lyma, found himself in unfamiliar and treacherous territory.

The chilly night air whipped past him as he walked steadily, eyes narrowed and jaw clenched. The taste of betrayal was bitter on his tongue, the sensation of his plans being exposed, sharp in his chest.

His own mansion was no longer safe, but his departure was swift and quiet, unseen in the thick veil of the night.

"Damnit… damn it all…"

The road he took was a hidden one, veiled by a sprawling forest that laid silent under the inky sky.

It led to the base of the Nine Headed Dragon Alliance, an organization that was notorious for their cunning and ruthlessness.

'The shadow would have informed them of everything already. But…'

Eugene was well aware of the fact that he was walking on a knife's edge, the slightest misstep could mean his end.

The feeling of being watched was a constant companion as he neared the base.

The forest around him was eerily silent, and he could feel multiple eyes piercing through the darkness, following his every move.

Soon, the ominous mouth of a massive cavern came into sight, looming in the darkness like a gaping beast.

The heart of the Nine Headed Dragon Alliance's operation.

A shiver ran down his spine as he stood at the entrance, his heart pounding with anticipation and fear.

He cleared his throat and raised his voice, announcing his name and his position, "I am Eugene Lyma, the future head of the Lyma Family. I seek an audience with your Captain."

As if they were mere shadows given form, a group of figures stepped out from the darkness.

They were cloaked in obscurity, their features hidden, but their presence was intimidating nonetheless.

The assassin he hied had a similar rank to these shadows. They could be considered the footsoldiers of the Nine-Headed Dragon Alliance.

They greeted Eugene with a slight bow, a gesture of respect that was customary within their ranks.

Wordlessly, they gestured for him to follow, and Eugene swallowed down his anxiety, steeling himself for the encounter ahead.

Under their escort, Eugene ventured into the cavern.

The inside was far from welcoming; dark, damp and cold. The shadows seemed to dance on the rocky walls, playing tricks on his eyes.

A rush of adrenaline coursed through his veins as he realized that the fate of his future was now intertwined with the choices he made here, in this den of dragons.

His path had led him here, and he was determined to navigate his way through, no matter how treacherous the road ahead.

'The fate of my ambitions now rested in the hands of the very people I once considered mere tools for my plans... how humiliating.'

The irony of it all was not lost on him.

As Eugene was led deeper into the cavern, he felt a chill crawl up his spine that had little to do with the cold dampness of the cave.

Each step took him closer to the Captain's quarters, a meeting that he knew would decide his fate.

Finally, they arrived. The Captain's quarters were surprisingly spacious, carved directly into the stone and adorned with various trophies of battle, giving it an intimidating aura.

The Captain himself was an even more imposing figure. A massive man with a towering presence, a network of gruesome scars littered his face, telling silent tales of countless battles survived.

His eyes were sharp and cold, glinting with a ruthless cunning that made Eugene inwardly shudder. Discover more content at M V L

Yet, despite his terrifying appearance, the Captain was known to have a strange sense of honor.

"Eugene!" His deep voice boomed, echoing throughout the room. His tone, though rough, held a trace of welcome.

"Our honored customer and guest. We were expecting you."

A sense of relief washed over Eugene. He had been right to believe that the alliance would still see him as a valuable asset.

He was still welcome here, and for now, that meant safety.

His gaze fell on the Captain, who now rose from his stone-carved throne and strode toward him. His footsteps echoed heavily in the chamber, amplifying the tension.

As he neared, Eugene could see the brutal history etched into his scars, a testament to the countless battles the man must have fought.

He swallowed hard, pushing his fear to the back of his mind. He had to stay focused. He was here for a reason - to secure his safety and, if possible, regain his lost power.

No matter how intimidating the Captain was, Eugene knew he had to play his cards right.

This was a deadly game, and his life was at stake.

The Captain extended a large, calloused hand, shaking Eugene's in a firm grip. His eyes never left Eugene's face, scrutinizing his every expression. "No need to be so tense, Eugene. Come on, sit. Sit and tell me everything."

With that, Eugene sighed in relief and obeyed the words of the Captain.

Once he settled, he began to recount his tale, laying his desperate cards on the table, all the while wondering what his next move should be.

******

"Which is why I say we team up and crush the opposition. Join forces with me. Help me become the head of the Lyma Family, and I will grant you as much autonomy as you want!"

Eugene's heart pounded in his chest as he made his proposal. The silence that fell in the room after his words was deafening, making the steady drip of water from the cavern roof feel almost like a hammer to his skull.

He watched the Captain, a man known for his ruthlessness, deliberate on his words.

"Hmm. That is indeed a very tempting offer."

Eugene's eyes widened in excitement. The Captain was actually considering it!

'That means…!'

~WHUSH!~

The sudden appearance of a shadowy figure broke the tense silence.

'A shadow? What is it doing here?' Eugene thought, watching the shadow bow and draw closer to the man he was talking to.

The figure leaned in, whispering into the Captain's ear. Eugene watched, his pulse quickening. What news had arrived at this crucial moment?

'What's going on?'

Once the figure had delivered its message and disappeared as suddenly as it had arrived, the Captain's expression shifted from contemplation to a certain grimness.

Eugene felt a chill creep up his spine, but he held his ground.

He had a chance. He had to have a chance.

'They've treated me well thus far. Plus the Captain considered my offer. There's no way I will be rejected!'

"I'm sorry, Eugene," the Captain began, his deep voice echoing off the cold stone walls. Eugene felt his heart drop. "We cannot accept your offer."

Eugene's vision seemed to blur for a moment, his mind racing.

This couldn't be happening. He had been so sure of his plan, of his future. He stared at the Captain, dumbfounded.

"But why...?" Eugene managed to stammer, his voice barely above a whisper.

"We have our reasons," was all the Captain offered in response.

A wave of despair washed over Eugene as he realized the gravity of his situation. He was stranded without support, his future uncertain.

And for the first time, he truly felt the weight of his mistakes.

"N-no… you can't do this to me. You know how much I sacrificed?"

"Sorry, man. It's from the higher-ups. I want to help you, I really do. But…" The Captain began to rise to his feet. "... It is what it is."

Eugene could barely breathe as the Captain rose from his seat. The imposing figure towered over him, his shadow engulfing Eugene.

His heart pounded in his chest, his eyes wide with fear.

"Please...," he began, his voice shaky. "I can still be of use..."

The Captain simply shook his head, his face void of any emotion. He raised a meaty fist high above his head.

"Y-you promised me safety! You said I was safe here. You bastard! Don't do this to me! ME!"

"Don't resent me, Eugene," he began, his voice a low growl. "We were both using each other. Your usefulness has come to an end."

Before Eugene could even process his words, the Captain's fist came crashing down on his head.

The sound of shattering bones echoed in the cavernous room as Eugene's world went dark.

He didn't even have the time to scream or feel the pain.

Everything was over in an instant.

"Haaa… what a shame." The Captain sighed, looking down at Eugene's lifeless body.

"It's just business," he said. "We have received a better offer."

He turned, his heavy footsteps echoing in the room as he walked away, leaving behind the bloody remains of a man whose ambitions had been his downfall.

"By the time this is all over, we'll be in control of the Lyma Region… and nothing will be able to stop the devouring of the Southern Kingdom."

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[A/N]

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