After work, start to speedrun the other world-Chapter 241 - 83: Kick You to Death with One Hoof
"..." Xi Mu looked indifferently at the princess, who was sorrowful and desolate, before scanning the splendid red carpet on the floor, the impeccably dressed nobles, and the wary knights around the hall.
None of the people here wanted to die.
However, life and death were not for them to decide, just as they could arbitrarily decide the fate of the common people, Xi Mu could arbitrarily decide the fate of everyone present.
But there was one person... who was an exception.
Rhode.
A knight with a primordial soul, possessing the ability to "salt" anything, forcing anything he substantively damaged to undergo salinization.
The reason this power came into being, according to the official explanation from the game, was to avoid offending the Gods of Covenant and Wealth, while also providing a means to extend help to the impoverished.
And salt was what Knight Rhode considered a means to acquire wealth, thereby helping more people.
The selfless giver.
The upright knight.
The blade of the kingdom.
All these titles attest to the might of this human, Rhode, aside from his excessive adherence to knightly duties and conscience.
Essentially, he was flawless.
Incidentally, Rhode was married, with two beautiful daughters, and was not single, despite appearing very young and handsome.
But he was a man with a wife and child.
"You seem to have other ideas?" Xi Mu turned his head, his gaze falling on a knight with short silver hair, who was pressing his hand on the hilt of his knightly sword and showing a helpless smile toward him.
Their gaze met head-on.
Shortly after.
"This... is not something that I, as a knight, should partake in," Rhode lowered his head slightly, his silver bangs blocking his eyes.
He chose to evade.
If Ahtal had thrown the question to him, he couldn’t have provided any clear answer, whether to kill the few for the sake of the many, or to let the roaming disaster continue wreaking havoc, causing even greater casualties.
This moral dilemma left him utterly unable to respond.
"I see," Xi Mu seemed disappointed as he withdrew his gaze, and then he heard Rhode say.
"I will not let you destroy Donoma."
"What about the roaming disaster?" Xi Mu countered, and Rhode replied without a moment’s hesitation,
"My sword, will also be aimed at the roaming disaster," said Xi Mu.
"Can you win?" asked Xi Mu.
The atmosphere in the hall fell silent.
Everyone present knew that Rhode was the strongest in the country but also that Rhode had no chance against the roaming disaster.
"Ahtal, must this country be sacrificed?" an old man with white hair stepped forward.
He leaned on a cane, yet his gaze was incredibly calm.
"Given the speed of the roaming disaster, it will soon reach the kingdom, and we won’t have time to sacrifice the whole country."
"Is there a way to reduce the need for sacrifice?"
Discussing with Ahtal whether to sacrifice the whole kingdom under the current circumstances was an utterly foolish act, as the roaming disaster was fast approaching Donoma, and decisions needed to be made swiftly.
Otherwise, everyone present would die.
"Are you suggesting that sacrificing the peasants alone would be sufficient?" Xi Mu asked, and the old man did not respond, looking calmly at Ahtal.
The two stared at each other tensely.
"The souls of the peasants are worth nothing," Xi Mu negated, "Even if we need to reduce numbers, sacrificing those of us present would be the best choice," he added.
"..."
Rhode involuntarily raised his hand to the hilt of his knightly sword and glanced around at the nobles present, feeling...unsettled by what Ahtal had said.
And just then.
"Bang!" A furious banging sound came as the King on the throne stood up, glaring at Rhode and said:
"Rhode, what do you intend to do?"
The King’s demeanor was fierce yet fearful.
Xi Mu instantly recognized the King’s insecurity; if Rhode chose to rebel at this moment, everyone present would die.
"Your Majesty, I don’t intend to do anything," Rhode lowered his eyelids, withdrawing his hand from the knightly sword.
The nobles present also breathed a sigh of relief.
If Ahtal and Rhode teamed up, then they all...would die; a famous hero, the strongest of the kingdom, was also turning the slaughter blade toward them.
They indeed had no means to resist.
"Make a decision quickly," Xi Mu glanced at the approaching sun on the horizon, his voice cold, "Otherwise, you all will die."
"But I don’t want to die!" The princess suddenly stamped her foot, her pretty face revealing her fear of death, and tears rolled down her cheeks.
She bit her lower lip.
"Lord Ahtal, I don’t want my soul to be tortured by the Witch of Death, nor do I want...to die," she said.
"..."
Seeing this, Xi Mu hesitated, looking at the pitiful princess and seemed moved by compassion, and the princess, sensing this change, immediately pressed herself close and clutched Ahtal’s arm, appealing pitifully:
"Lord Ahtal, please, I really don’t want to die."
"This is the most effective method," Xi Mu sighed, looking at the pitiful princess beside him, and couldn’t help but shake his head, "However...there is a more risky method."
"What method?" the excited old man said, and everyone present also focused their gaze on Ahtal.
They were willing to cooperate fully if it meant they wouldn’t have to die.
"I shall announce that I am sacrificing the Kingdom of Donoma to summon the Witch of Death," Xi Mu explained calmly, "The Dusk Cult won’t stand by idly; to ensure the safety of the roaming disaster, they will personally come to stop me from sacrificing the Kingdom of Donoma."
