Chapter 2257

2257 - Threat

“…The place needs some ventilation.”

“…?!” After that illogical sentence struck everyone’s minds like a thunderbolt, silence lingered in the hall for a full five seconds.

“What…” Omis raised his finger and pointed at Holak with a shocked expression. “What did that creature just do?”

“Are you still asking?!” Omira extended his hand and began gathering energy around it, clearly aiming for Holak’s life.

“Hold on!” Glacion vanished from his spot and stood in front of Holak. “He’s just a wall; we don’t want to ruin the atmosphere over a pile of rocks, do we? Today’s meeting will have many consequences, and many people will die because of any rash action that occurs.” He then furrowed his brows slightly. “True, I made a personal decision apart from you two and chose a side, but I don’t want you to be harmed over just a wall.”

“What do you mean by ‘just a wall,’ Glacion? Do you need me to teach you how to be an independent ruler from the start?” Omira withdrew his hand and shouted. “Everything here represents the dignity and prestige of the ruler; since when can any random vagabond enter a throne hall and destroy what’s inside?!”

Omira wanted to scream that the wall’s components were extremely valuable, but he didn’t want to appear stingy.

"You..." Holak raised his hand, pointing toward Omira, and began shaking it silently, his eyes wide as could be, while his other hand rested on his heart. "...Are you cursing me?"

"And what if I am?" Omira waved his hand. "Who are you, anyway?"

"..." Holak's expression relaxed, and he looked toward Glacion. "He admitted to cursing me—cursing the leader of the Imperial Guard of His Majesty, the great, revered, and esteemed Robin Burton. Witness it yourself!" Then he turned and leaped to the other side of the Throne Hall, punching.

BAAAAANG

A section of the second wall vanished, as the vibrations of the integrated Law of Quaking shattered everything into components finer than dust.

SWOOSH

Glacion moved swiftly and stood before Holak, closely watching the movements of the two stunned brothers, darting quick glances toward the illogical giant he had been ordered to accompany and keep alive!!

"..." Omis drew a weapon resembling a short spear and began advancing silently toward Holak; there was nothing left to say.

"Hold on!" Glacion waved his hand, and an icy Scepter appeared in his right. "We haven't even started talking yet to begin exchanging blows."

"And have we started talking for you to begin destroying my hall before my eyes, Glacion?" Omis's eyes blazed with fury.

"I haven't destroyed anything. Direct your words to Holak—he is a personal envoy of Lord Robin himself, and he knows his intentions. I am only here for protection." Glacion shifted the responsibility to the giant behind him, then turned back to meet Omis's gaze with a warning look. "Whatever Holak does or says, and whatever you do or say with him... know that he is here as an official representative of the very pinnacle of the hierarchy. You won't be killing him—you'll be killing what he represents."

"...?" Omis turned to look at Holak again, his face overtaken by expressions of disgust mixed with anger. "You... aren't you supposed to be here to negotiate? Couldn't Lord Robin find anyone but a mentally dead person to negotiate on his behalf?"

"..." Holak showed signs of annoyance, then scratched his head with a sigh. "Because you showed some respect and said 'Lord Robin,' I'll postpone demolishing the rest of the walls for now."

"....?"

"The Boss is displeased, Lord Omis. His heart aches." Holak shook his head. "He's upset that you treated an official envoy of the Grave Empire this way. Even if he hasn't officially declared himself Emperor of the Grave Empire, it's recently become public knowledge."

One of the siblings furrowed his brow. "...Omis?"

"Your Honor the Judge, Honorable Counselors." Holak opened his hands and began to move slowly with a serious expression. "After a cute gentle negotiator was sent with full authority and arrived on an official visit, he was ignored, detained, and seated in the corner of the wicked to be displayed in the Throne Hall before everyone who enters and exits—how can this be explained rationally?"

Then he pointed toward Omis. "Did the preparations make you think this would intimidate the Boss? Did foolishness make you think he would send someone more understanding with stronger offers? Did you believe that the Boss, while on his way to unifying the universe, would stand before you and fail? ...Or do drugs have a role in this?"

"...Drugs?"

Omira shouted at Glacion: "Do you hear this nonsense?!"

Glacion shrugged and looked away... This was extremely embarrassing.

"Supreme Guard..." Even Servon, who had been subtly trying to threaten Omis and Omira moments earlier, began shaking his head at Holak like a madman to silence him.

But Holak ignored him, placed his hands behind his back, and continued moving slowly. "The revered, dutiful Boss, His Majesty, sent me to bring the old negotiator first." Then he looked toward Servon and gestured for him to come closer. "Psst, psst..."

“…” Servon pointed to himself for a moment, then stood up, cast a glance toward the two brothers, and began moving toward Holak. He quickened his pace until he stood behind him.

The brothers saw everything but said nothing. Servon’s mission was over, and he was no longer needed, so there was no issue with him returning to motion.

When he reached his side, Holak nodded and continued: “The second is to deliver a message, where he said…”

Then he paused and looked into the eyes of the nearer brother, Omis, with great seriousness:

<“It seems some heads have ripened, and the time for harvest has come. Either you kneel before my great Guard, or he will bring you an army of black hornets, the first of which will reach you, and the last will reach me.”>