Alex's face contorted with a frown as he looked up at Arion.
The students on the ground,while hugging themselves and shaking in fear thinking about the impending danger, heard the loud voice which mortified them.
The words said by the enemy struck like thunder in their ears.
Alex with an uncanny and inexplicable expression on his face spoke hurriedly"Don't listen to him. He was the one who is responsible for all your misfortunes."
"No matter what he says, don't believe him. He is a liar and an ugly piece of shit."
Alex's heart was already a mess. He wasn't worried about him but rather about the children making a wrong decision and losing their life.
With death before their eyes, these children might be swayed by this bastard and commit something regrettable.
This Arion asshole knew how to sway these people who were still kids and plant the bud of distrust while dividing them into groups.
Alex didn't why but he already started to have a bad premonition in his heart.
'I hope that each one of you is experienced enough, not to be fooled by that guy.'
Tina and Harrison came forward and supported Alex and spoke confidently"Senpai, we believe in you."
"Do you think we are idiots to believe in you? A person like you, can't wash away the sins even after death. Your hands had been stained with the blood of innocents. I curse you, no we all curse you." Tina shouted angrily.
Her emotions which she tried to keep in check came out in anger and she glared at Arion with hateful eyes.
Even the kids behind him raised their voices staring at Alex trying to support Alex.
Alex could feel their gaze but his eyes widened as he could clearly feel a hint of doubt in some of their voices.
Arion's words had already affected them.
Alex glanced at the man who had a large grin on his face and was watching the scene happening below with great interest.
The dome-shaped barrier was already on the verge of breaking but he didn't take it down and was playing physiological games.
He was toying with them.
Arion raised his hand and stared into the eyes of everyone who were looking at him with great interest and said"I swear in the name of God, that if you surrender I will not harm any of them and will even take all of you, out of this hellhole."
"This..."
Everyone sucked in cold breaths as soon as they heard his declaration. He even vowed in the name of God to show his sincerity.
But Alex could already glimpse the flaw in the statement as he hadn't said the name of God. On top of that, these people follow that despicable God Of Darkness.
That God is himself a scum so what could you expect from his followers.
"Children, listen to me I swear in the name of Goddess Rebecca that I will keep you safe so trust me," Alex muttered with a voice filled with confidence.
The kids looked around at each other with baffling looks.
For a moment, they fell into a pinch and wondered whom to believe and whom to not.
"Wu....Wu.....Wu...."
At that time Shrestha, the half-elf girl ran towards Alex, extending her small thin hands while sobbing heavily.
"Big Brother, we trust you...Please protect us."
Alex felt a bit weird as Shrestha immediately hugged Alex who was sitting on his knees while holding a sword.
He was focusing all his attention on preparing the spell which may explode with a slight shift of focus.
Alex felt a cosy feeling as Shrestha hugged him in front but shook his head thinking that he wasn't into lolitas.
But all his playful thoughts suddenly disappeared and his eyes opened as wide as saucers and his mouth hung open and he coughed a few drops of blood which were blackish in colour.
"You....." Alex wanted to speak something but he coughed violently drawing everyone's curious attention and Shrestha stepped back with a fearful expression, everyone saw a piece of the black dagger stabbing Alex's chest.
Alex was feeling great pain to the point he was losing his vision.
The dagger had directly pierced through his chest and stabbed a bit into his heart. Alex had let down his guard by trusting the kids who he thought innocent and paid heavily for this mistake.
Alex back slurped down and the barrier finally broke and shattered into pieces.
"Senpai....."
"Big Brother....."
"Brother Alex..."
Tina along with some others ran down towards Alex with a panicked expression and screamed in horror.
Tina stared at the large wound created due to the dagger and tried to pull the dagger out.
"Wait, don't pull it out," Alex whispered while grinding his teeth.
The dagger was the one Alex gave them that was imbued with poison and the element of darkness which entered Alex's system.
"Why?"Alex muttered.
Shrestha tried to avert her gaze and looked up.
"I helped you. Now, can you spare me?"
"Insolent Bitch!!" Tina spat with bloodshot eyes.
She wasn't the one who could be swayed by the words of the person who sacrificed many beings.
"Little girl, I don't remember asking you to attack him. You did it on your own accord." Arion spoke.
"But isn't this what you wish for? I did more than you can ask for. So, you can spare us and take away that man."Shrestha spoke and stared at the group.
"You can resent me if you want, but I did what I needed to do for survival and I didn't betray anyone. Who can guarantee that this man is strong enough to take us out when he was forced to kneel on the ground by that man who hadn't even shown his full strength."
"And if worse comes to worst what are the chances that he wouldn't abandon us and run away alone? He is not my parents, brother or someone whom I have known for years. He is a total stranger so why would I think of him when my own life is in trouble."
"There is still a chance, you can leave his side and follow me" She spoke confidently.
Shrestha's words pricked everyone's hearts and made them reconsider their words.
Alex smiled bitterly. He didn't even know what he was feeling now.
Shrestha's words weren't correct but it wasn't wrong. He was a stranger to her and she took a realistic approach instead of sticking to her ideals.
But one shouldn't be too realistic nor one should be too idealistic in his thinking.
Many hesitated a little and after sparing Alex a glance walked towards Shrestha while bowing their heads to apologise with a guilty look.
Even Garton changes his side much to Tina and Harrison's surprise.
"Scum!"Tina growled in anger.
"You can also go if you want," Alex turned to them and spoke with a smile.
Since it had come to this, there was no need to worry too much.
They have made their own decision.
Tina stared at Alex's lonely expression and clenched her fist tightly.
"No, Alex senpai. Today, no matter what I will die with or live with you."
"Me too," Harrison assured with a bitter smile and stared at the other group with a cold gaze.
