Arknightcraft Modpack
Chapter 611: There's Also a Personal Grudge to Settle
Talulah's words left Steven completely at a loss.
It wasn't as if he could just ignore Yelena. But seriously—who would've thought that the moment this tsundere dragon mind cleared up, that would be the first thing she latched onto?
"You were cuter when you were still a hopeless romantic. You told me not to be so smart, but you're just as bad."
After tossing out that parting shot, Talulah shoved Steven out of her room with both hands and slammed the door shut behind him.
Before closing it, she did leave him with one final message:
Take care of all those promises you've already made before thinking about whether I'll agree to go on a date with you.
Of course, that was mostly an excuse to brush him off.
The thing she was actually struggling with right now was deciding what she should wear tonight.
Come to think of it, Steven seemed to be particularly fond of those gradient-colored stockings she owned.
And she still had two formal dresses she'd brought along when she left, though she'd never had a chance to wear them. If she gave one to Alina, it should fit her well enough.
There was no way she was going on a date with Steven in her old military uniform.
. . .
Meanwhile, after being unceremoniously kicked out, Steven found himself face-to-face with a man who looked as though he had been standing there for quite some time.
Like a mountain rising from the snowy wilderness, the giant figure remained motionless.
Patriot.
"Uh... you know, meeting up with old friends and catching up after a long time apart—that's pretty normal, right?" Steven offered the explanation somewhat weakly.
Being caught red-handed by Patriot like this was embarrassing enough. Even for someone who proudly claimed his skin was thicker than Netherite armor, it was hard not to feel awkward.
Especially considering who Patriot was.
From a certain perspective, the man was practically Yelena's father.
Fortunately, Patriot didn't react the way Steven feared he might.
The towering Wendigo didn't thrust a spear through him or decide to ventilate him with a few extra holes.
Instead, those crimson eyes merely swept over Steven once before Patriot gave a small nod, indicating that he had something to discuss.
Puzzled, Steven followed after him.
Not that he was worried Patriot planned to lure him somewhere secluded and kill him.
If he couldn't beat the man, he could at least run, right?
"Did you need something? Is this about Ebony?"
Walking behind the nearly three-meter-tall giant, Steven tilted his head curiously.
Ebony was an Elder Dragon, after all. Humans weren't exactly on its menu.
As far as Steven knew, there shouldn't be any trouble.
Patriot shook his skull-like head without slowing his pace.
He simply continued leading Steven farther away from the infected camp, toward a deserted corner.
"What is it? I already handed the supply matters over to Talulah, didn't I?"
Steven grew even more confused.
Other than that, there really wasn't much interaction between the two of them.
Unless...
No way.
Could it be that he'd actually guessed right?
Was Patriot looking for a private place to deal with the shameless womanizer who had stolen his daughter's heart?
"Important. Matter." Patriot's deep, hoarse voice finally broke the silence.
After making sure they were far enough away from the camp, he came to a stop and turned around.
His crimson gaze locked directly onto Steven.
"Oh? Then please, go ahead. I'm listening."
Just from hearing his voice, Steven could tell something was wrong with Patriot's throat.
His speech was rougher than before, less fluid.
That was enough for Steven to realize something he had nearly overlooked.
The mighty Wendigo was an Infected as well.
The Originium infection in his throat had likely begun spreading. Otherwise, speaking wouldn't have become this difficult.
"Talulah... wishes... guerrillas... join Reunion."
Patriot spoke in fragments, each word slow and deliberate.
Yet throughout it all, his eyes never left Steven's face, as though searching for the slightest reaction.
Then he added:
"This... your idea?"
Patriot's voice carried a trace of confusion, but even more than that, it sounded as though he was trying to confirm something.
"Ah, so that's what you wanted to ask."
Steven shrugged casually.
"No, this wasn't my idea. Reunion was founded by Talulah through her own will. It's an organization created for the future of the Infected. I have no reason to interfere with her decisions, and I respect every choice she makes."
"As for why she wants this... I assume she's already explained it to you. To put it simply, if she wants to lead the Infected out of this frozen wasteland, she needs the Guerrillas' strength."
His answer came without hesitation.
Because it was the truth.
He had never intended to meddle in matters like these. Everything Reunion had become was the result of Talulah's own convictions.
"...She is not enough."
Patriot's eyes dimmed slightly.
"Strength. Experience. Ideals alone... cannot realize her ideals."
His words were blunt, almost cruel, as he voiced his assessment of the future Talulah had described to him.
And he wasn't wrong.
The road she wanted to walk was one where hope could be seen in the distance.
But Patriot understood better than most that not everyone could follow their hearts in pursuit of a dream.
Reality was far harsher than imagination.
At the end of the day, Talulah was still too young.
He knew exactly what might happen if she chose this path.
And he no longer had enough left to gamble on whether or not she could succeed.
That was why he had sought out Steven.
Because, in Patriot's eyes, Steven was the true pillar supporting Reunion.
Strength.
Resources.
The countless things he had accomplished.
If it were Steven extending the invitation, then Patriot would be willing to wager everything one last time.
"Then how do you know she can't do it if she never tries?"
"I believe in her. That's why I'll support her."
"As for what you choose to believe, Mr. Patriot—that's your decision."
"I think you can see things just as clearly as I can."
"You already know whether Talulah is someone worthy of trust."
He made no attempt to pressure Patriot into joining Reunion.
That was Talulah's responsibility.
If Patriot only joined because of his influence, then even if they succeeded, there would never be any genuine loyalty.
The leader of Reunion was Talulah.
And the person the Infected needed to recognize and follow was her.
Not him.
"...I understand."
Patriot lowered his head.
Lost in thought, he seemed to be considering something deeply and made no further attempt to seek confirmation.
Seeing that, Steven prepared to give him some space.
Turning around, he started walking back toward the Infected camp.
Then—
A spear gleaming with icy light suddenly shot past him from behind and slammed into the ground directly in his path.
BOOM!
The earth cracked beneath the impact.
"Then..."
Patriot slowly raised his head.
The anger burning within his crimson eyes could no longer be concealed.
At that moment, he no longer resembled the steadfast commander of the Guerrillas, the mountain-like figure who stood unmoving amidst the snow.
Instead, he looked exactly like an enraged father who had come to collect a debt for the suffering of his daughter.
"Now."
"It is time for a personal grudge."
Steven froze.
"...Wait."
Patriot's voice rumbled like distant thunder.
"I said before."
"Whoever hurts Yelena... dies."
The next instant, the towering Wendigo transformed into a streak of black lightning and charged straight at him.
This version of Patriot bore none of the dignity one would expect from an old Ursus general.
He looked more like a savage beast determined to tear Steven apart with his bare hands.
"Seriously?!"
Steven helplessly leapt backward, narrowly avoiding a strike overflowing with paternal love.
No matter how battle-crazed he could be, there was no way he was picking a fight under these circumstances.
The only thing he could do was run.
A moment later, his body shot into the distance like a falling star, fleeing at maximum speed.
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Note: Character Illustration is in this Google Drive:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1iuyfwNVFHzIi9H4rWNT_lAm7jTSiah_M
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Tn: I updated the story daily, but if you want to see more chapter of this story ahead of time, please go to my Patreon.
Latest Chapter: Chapter 689: Impossible to Refute[1]
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