Eren smiled innocently when he heard Shandil's offer.
The offer was very generous, he had to admit. Not because Layos wanted to invest so much in him. But because he could benefit from Layos in other ways.
Layos could offer Eren knowledge of the past if he made that one of the conditions for switching sides. He knew that Layos would not shy away from accepting him into its inner fold when the war was this close to the borders.
That being said, Eren had no plans of doing something like that. Minerva's Utopia was a golden goose he would not let go under any conditions. Layos would have to offer him a bigger and better goose for him to make the switch.
However, if he switched, Eren knew that his image would be used to fuel Layos' campaigns in Edinburgh. He would be revealed as the butcher to the masses. Eren was still not okay with that. Not because he was scared of infamy. But because he was vigilant about high-ranking entities under Arthur's control. The Duke was going to take things personally even if everyone accepted his identity and let things go.
However, Eren still wanted to know everything Shandil had to say to him. There was no harm in listening to the entire offer you are about to reject. Thus, he scratched his jaw as he spoke.
"It's all good to hear Rondo or Shandil or whatever. But why delay the "or else" part of your statement? Spit it out already."
Shandil didn't like Eren's crude way of addressing him. Even if he was from the enemy kingdom, he was still royalty. He expected basic decorum from the normal citizens of Edinburgh if and when his identity was revealed.
The butcher's reality check made Shandil see that Edinburgh was as rowdy as rowdy could get. It matched aggression with twice the aggression. Even so, he brushed that aside and answered casually.
"You can join us. Or else... We will let the fact that you are Osan Woods' Butcher out to the masses even before you have a chance to escape the kingdom's clutches.
I'm sure they will get the proof they need if they dig in the right direction. Knowing where to dig will solve all their problems.
Plus, we will make sure that the city of White Raven gets destroyed in cultist attacks. I have heard that you recently assimilated Healers' Nirvana into your guild. The same guild Layos has decided to wreck.
We had plans to shock the White Raven city for that deed anyway. We will just make a big splash if you don't cooperate with us.'
Eren made a 'that came outta nowhere' expression on his face. He didn't know that Layos's royal scions were personally causing chaos in Edinburgh with the cultists' help. It meant that the attack on Healers' Nirvana was also organized by another royal elf from Layos.
'Hmm? Jiana is an elf. I wouldn't want to generalize but does she share any links with Layos? Something that would make the royal scions target her personally?'
Eren had another random thought as he let his mind wander. He thought so because the royal scions were keen on running Healers' Nirvana to the ground even after they had successfully wrecked it. This kind of grudge cannot be politically motivated. It has to have a personal touch.
Eren shrugged his shoulders and let the matter go for now. He decided to ask Jiana directly when he met with her.
Eren was also glad that he had listened to Shandil's side. Knowing about the incoming attack on his city would allow him to better prepare in terms of preventive measures.
The butcher licked his lips and looked at Shandil with his predatory gaze before speaking in a very innocent voice.
"That's a very interesting offer, Shandil. But I have a counteroffer. Want to know what that is?"
There was a part of Shandil that found Eren's gaze disturbing. And that part was lowkey telling Shandil to get the fuck away from him. Getting inspired by the butcher and wanting him to work for him was one thing. But putting conditions on him and expecting him to obey the rules of his game was another.
Still, Shandil had his elven pride. He had overcome the illusion Eren had trapped him inside. He had even managed to injure Eren using the element of surprise. And he was very confident in his battle powers and elemental attainments. Worst case scenario, he had the means to get away from the scene.
Thus, Shandil didn't lose his composure when he replied.
"And what would that be? If your demands are not illogical, I'm sure Layos will try to accommodate you as much as it can."
Eren maintained his innocent smile before replying in a cold voice.
"How about I turn you into one of my minions? Someone who hangs between the domains of life and death and bends to my every command?
That way, my secrets will stay safe. It'll benefit a bit from Layos. And I'll also be able to take care of a lot of things with you around. Not a terrible deal for me, right?"
Shandil took a step back when he listened to Eren's words and felt his overwhelming presence once again. The part of him that was telling him to get away from Eren was now screaming in his head to take action. It entered his head and activated all the levers associated with fear.
Alas, it was too late for him.
When Shandil took a step back, he realized something had pierced his heart. He looked down to see a space-element dagger's tip poking through his chest where his heart was. Without damaging his skin.
Shandil was aghast when he realized that he had been basically killed in action. Eren was still in front of him so he looked back to see who it was that killed him. He saw that a beautiful elf had appeared behind him from thin air without his knowledge and pierced his heart.
"Who.... uuuugh.... Who are you?"
Shandil spat a mouthful of blood on his clothes before asking the half-elf about her identity. The answer, however, came from the butcher.
"Oh right! Where are my manners? Meet my lovely wife, Kirin. Surprised, right?
Hehe. As you can see, the fabled Osan Woods' Butcher is not as much of a lone wolf as you have me pictured, Shandil or whatever. I'm a family man too, damn it."
