"Why did you take so long, little kitten?"
Eliza asked playfully, a hint of amusement in her voice, as she and Eren faced each other.
She could see that Eren had undergone a profound transformation since their last encounter. He retained the same determination and purpose, but his experiences had left their mark, changing his perspective on life.
She sensed that he regarded her with caution, but not fear, not anymore.
"Just had to tie up some loose ends," Eren replied casually, meeting Eliza's gaze steadily.
"But I'm ready now. I assume you've completed your preparations as well?" he added, glancing at Layla, who stood behind Eliza. Reen, too, was by Layla's side, her gaze fixed on Eren, her movements constrained by runic bindings that Eliza had imposed.
"Indeed. But… You… you seem oddly confident about this whole thing. Is there anything you want to declare beforehand?"
Eliza remarked with an amused tone. She didn't mind Eren's growth over the years. After all, despite his explosive progress, he remained a Master Ranker, and in a head-on confrontation, she was confident of her superiority.
What unsettled her was Eren's demeanor and behavior. It was as if he had given up on reclaiming Reen or that he held all the cards. She couldn't decipher his intentions or grasp the tricks and trump cards that gave him such confidence, allowing him to meet her eye to eye and converse as equals.
"Shall we skip the pleasantries?" Eren suggested, nonchalantly shaking his head.
"You asked me to execute the Lazarus Project, and I've done that," he said, retrieving his Sativa Stick and igniting it with a snap of his fingers. He took a deep drag and exhaled a cloud of white smoke into the air, savoring the relaxation it brought. His emotionless gaze fixed on Eliza as he continued.
"You tasked me with preparing the stage for you, and I've completed that as well. Lastly, you requested my assistance in your resurrection, your rebirth, which I fully intend to do. And in exchange, you release Reen's custody to me.
This was the arrangement we had. So, what's the delay now? I've fulfilled every one of your requests. Every single one. It's time for us to conclude our deal and just be done with it," he concluded, drawing another drag from his Sativa Stick.
"Fufufu! Ah, little kitten, don't let yourself become overly enamored with the situation just because we stand here on this stage."
Eliza chuckled in her unique way before continuing.
"While I acknowledge your contributions, don't allow them to inflate your ego. I could have achieved the same, if not better, results in various ways. I'm certain I could have located 'assistants' like you through Layla if I had taken the effort to do so.
Your selection was a matter of convenience. I believe I mentioned this very fact when we first met. You'd do well to remember that," Eliza said as she advanced toward Eren.
"Someone like me?" Eren arched an eyebrow, his lips curving into a sly grin.
"If even my father couldn't create someone like me, I doubt anyone else ever will. In this boundless cosmos, you shall find no other like me. At least not unless I decide to do something about it," he said with a casual tone.
Eliza halted both her steps and her words upon hearing Eren's response. His words sounded so convincing that nobody would have questioned him. And this was when he was only a Master Ranker. She had to admit that Eren's Individuality had exceeded her expectations.
Of course, she wasn't referring to his mastery of Elemental Attainments. Instead, she meant how his Individuality had developed and begun to influence his interactions with the world and those around him.
This distinct personal essence could manifest in a person's everyday actions and speech. Eren's Individuality allowed him to appear as an ordinary, unassuming individual.
Eren's words were simple and non-threatening. It made him come across as a quiet and confident guy who meant no harm to anyone.
But someone like Eliza could discern the subtleties of his unique essence. She could sense that Eren had meticulously prepared himself for any obstacle that might cross his path. That he was willing to go to any lengths to come out on top at the end of their ordeal.
'I have to admit that he is not wrong. But that doesn't bother me much because it proves that I didn't choose wrong.
He… he truly is a high-functioning psychopath.'
Eliza mused silently as she fixed her gaze upon Eren. After a brief pause, she continued in her characteristic casual yet confident manner, a demeanor she had consistently maintained in Eren's presence.
"Very well, boy. It seems you're in even more of a hurry than I am, which is rather unusual given that I'm the one who's knocking on death's door," she remarked, injecting a wry touch of humor about her own mortality. She chuckled at her own jest before continuing.
"I'd like to grant you some time with Reen so that you two can catch up after this long separation. We'll begin when you've had your words," she added, punctuating her words with a gracious smile. It was worth noting that the woman who had earlier labeled Eren a psychopath could be described with the same tag herself.
Upon hearing Eliza's words, Eren swiftly vanished from his spot, reappearing right in front of Reen. He noticed that some of the runic bindings on her had loosened, allowing her limited mobility and speech. A warm smile graced his lips as he embraced Reen, and she reciprocated the hug.
"Erni, I... I am s..."
"It's alright, Reen."
Eren interrupted her gently before she could finish. He lovingly stroked her back and spoke with unwavering assurance.
"No matter what happens, you must keep your faith in me, Reen. you must do what I tell you to do when the time comes. Promise me that, and I guarantee we'll always be together. Do you understand?" Eren reassured her.
