Chapter 1003: Haros' fate
"The annoying Marshal Haros, do you have any last words?"
"...?!"
When Haros heard those words, he finally accepted that he was facing certain death, not just another imminent danger like the many times he had managed to escape. This time, he might actually die.
Whoosh Whoosh
Frightened, the Marshal darted his eyes around, trying to analyze his surroundings for anything that could help him. With both hands, he grabbed the soil beneath him, quickly analyzing its density, dispersal speed, and whether it contained any useful elements.
In no time, the Marshal spotted a very narrow cave about ninety meters away. If he could enter the cave and crumple its entrance behind him, he could buy a few seconds. During those seconds, he could use the minor law of corrosion to dig through the mountain and escape! As for how to reach it, the ground beneath was soaked with a flammable substance, which explained why his earlier attempt at creating a dust storm didn't work as he imagined. If he used his fire-element dagger to ignite an explosion, it would push Robin Burton away. Then he could use the momentum from the blast to launch himself toward the cave.
The plan formed in Haros's mind in mere fractions of a second. His hand darted toward his waist, where his dagger was holstered. But just as he reached for it, for some reason, his eyes met Robin's.
Ba-dump
When their eyes met, the Marshal's heart pounded hard, then froze for a moment.
At that moment, Robin was standing with his arms crossed over his chest, looking at the Marshal with a broad smile. His gaze was full of challenge and mockery. When he noticed the Marshal staring at him, Robin waved tauntingly with his left hand, "Go on... try."
That vicious man... he was waiting for Haros to make another escape attempt!
Poof
Every ounce of resistance drained from the Marshal's body. His upper half went limp as he collapsed onto the ground, his eyes wide open but gazing at the sky in peace, "I have no regrets. Do what you must."
"Oh?" Robin raised an eyebrow slightly. "I was expecting some bargaining, maybe a bit of begging!"
"What do you know about me to expect anything, you fool?!" Haros raised his head slightly and shouted at Robin. Since his death was certain, there was no need to sugarcoat his words.
Robin didn't seem offended by Haros's tone. He simply shrugged.
"Your constant fleeing from every battlefield didn't leave the best impression..."
"All of them were hopeless battles! Why would I stay in a place where I knew I would die for sure when I could retreat and regroup? What kind of idiot would do otherwise?" Haros yelled again.
"More than you think," Robin replied with a few nods.
Many would choose as Haros had, albeit not in his exact manner, but they would certainly retreat under certain circumstances- People like Aru, Sakaar, Old Gu, and Theo. On the other hand, there were those who placed heavy importance on prestige and would rather die than retreat before completing their mission-like Peoon, Alexander, Richard, and Caesar.
"Then they're all idiots! Anyone who chooses differently from me must be mentally unstable; a lunatic that life or death makes no difference to them! But I..." Haros's voice dropped slightly as he looked toward the sky. "...I didn't want to die. I... I had great things to accomplish."
After a brief silence, Robin finally spoke, "...You're still alive. You can still accomplish them." "...Huh?" The Marshal, still sprawled on the ground, quickly raised his head, staring at Robin in disbelief, he could easily stand up now as he didn't have any serious injury but he was afraid that this action might provoke Robin Burton to kill him faster.
"Are you going to let me go? I'd certainly thank you if you did!"
"Of course not. Your schemes have been a thorn in my side, and the beast wave - which I'm certain you masterminded- claimed many of my soldiers' lives. What kind of lunatic do you take me for, to let an enemy like you walk free? What would I need your thanks for?!" Robin laughed loudly. "But if you swear loyalty to me, I'll forget the past entirely. You're one of the few who've truly pushed me to this extent. I wouldn't prefer to kill you so easily. Someone like you should showcase their talents under better leadership- mine."
"No!" Haros replied angrily. "Again, you assume things about me just because I've retreated multiple times... I am not a traitor!"
"Really...?" Robin raised an eyebrow, pointing in a specific direction. "I literally heard you cursing Pythor, right over there."
"I was just stating facts. But just because he's a stupid son of a bitch doesn't mean I'm willing to betray him for another master." Haros returned to lying flat on the ground. "...I've lived my whole life with honor. Everything I aspire to is tied to my honor and name. I won't resort to treachery just to save my life. My life would be worthless if everyone looked at me with disdain!...Just kill me already."
"Oh, that's a more reasonable answer than simply saying you won't betray Pythor, I wouldn't have believed you." Robin nodded several times before snapping his fingers. "How about this... I'll take you as my prisoner until the war ends and I kill Pythor. Then, I'll release you under the pretense of appointing you as the leader of the remnants of your kin. That way, you'll be seen as a hero by all sides and serve as my general while retaining your pride. If, for some reason, Pythor prevails, he'll come to rescue you from your imprisonment, and you won't lose either!"
"...You'd do that for me?" Haros's eyes widened; this was the highest praise he had ever received in his life.
"You'll still take an oath of soul loyalty, one even harsher than the one Aru will take." Robin
shrugged.
"Who's Aru?"
"someone of your ilk."
"....." Haros gazed at the sky for a long moment. "Do you really intend to let the Durger humans' race survive? After everything that's happened...?"
"I've fought humans multiple times, and they were the ones who nearly wiped out my family. Should I exterminate all the humans now?" Robin shook his head. "As long as I have someone trustworthy to oversee my defeated enemies, there's no need for genocide. I'm a researcher, not a butcher!...So, do we have a deal?" Robin extended his left hand toward Haros.
"....." Haros stared at Robin's hand for several seconds before sighing and reaching out to take it. "Why not? I've got nothing to lose!"
"Haha, excellent!" Robin pulled Haros up with his left hand, and suddenly, a large nail
appeared in his right hand.
"Hmm? What's that---" Haros barely stood upright when he saw the sealing nail, resembling a stake, driven directly into his heart. "Aaarrghhh!!!"
"Sorry, pal. If you're going to be imprisoned, you've got to experience the full prison
treatment. Did you think I'd take you to the beach? Hehe." Robin chuckled as he watched
Haros writhe in pain. Then, he tucked him under his arm and opened a rift in space. "Come on, let's meet your bestial ancestor."