The Incubus System Chapter 1501. Choice II
The Incubus System Chapter 1501. Choice II
I glanced at Lysathiel. She stood slightly behind me and to the side, face composed, mouth shut.
She didn’t expose me. Didn’t say actually, ‘this idiot is Gabrielle’s descendant and also a college student with unfinished social stability’.
She let Nathan believe it.
Her eyes met mine for half a second.
There was understanding there.
And warning.
‘Play carefully’.
Yeah.
I got it.
Nathan raised his sword slightly. “You were looking for me?”
I shrugged. “Apparently.”
“What?” His lips curled. “Are you trying to save me from what I chose?”
That phrase hit harder than expected.
What I chose.
I looked at the wing on his back.
One angel wing.
Beautiful and painful-looking. Golden threads crawled around the base like holy vines sinking into his flesh. Every pulse of power made the feathers tremble.
That wasn’t natural.
Maybe he accepted something.
But accepting a knife wrapped in silk didn’t mean you understood where it would cut.
“So you chose this?” I asked.
“Yes.” His eyes burned brighter. “Yes. I chose this.”
Partial autonomy. So he wasn’t a puppet.
That made things messier.
If he was fully controlled, I could break the spell and yell at him later.
But if part of this was his own decision?
Then saving him required arguing with his stupidity.
Nathan continued, voice rising. “After being defeated by you several times, I understood something. I needed power. More power. More than what the Demon Hunter Association gave me.”
I sighed. “Nathan.”
“The Association was weak,” he said, eyes sharpening. “Corrupt. Limited. Afraid to go far enough.” His expression flickered. Then the glow swallowed it. “They were wrong in method. But the goal was not wrong,” he said. “Humans need strength.”
“Humans need protection,” I said. “Not brainwashed martyr upgrades.”
His sword hummed. “And what do you offer? Demonic protection? A collar under a prince?”
I smiled behind the mask. “Careful. You’re sounding jealous.”
He snarled. Still annoying under the holy polish.
“The king gave me what I needed.”
Lysathiel finally spoke. “My husband said it was his decision.” Her voice stayed calm, but I heard the strain underneath. “He claims he did not kidnap him.”
I turned my masked face slightly toward her. “So he just found your husband and came here?” I looked back at Nathan. “Why can he come here, but I can’t?”
Nathan lifted his chin. “He came to me. I’m the choosen one.”
The arena lights pulsed faintly.
“He offered me a choice. He showed me truth.” Nathan’s jaw tightened. “I chose power.”
I stared at him.
The words echoed around the arena like a confession and a curse.
He chose power.
Maybe Aurelion had placed the sword in front of him and let Nathan walk toward it with both eyes open. Maybe the king knew exactly how to bait him. Pride. Failure. Humiliation. The repeated defeats. The helplessness after watching demons and demon lords move beyond human reach.
Nathan was annoying.
But he wasn’t lazy.
He wanted strength because he believed strength meant justice.
That was dangerous.
Because people who believed that always became useful to kings.
Nathan pointed his sword toward me. “And I will prove to you that I will use this for good.”
I stared at him. Then looked at his one wing again. “You’re bleeding under the feathers.”
His expression froze.
Lysathiel’s eyes widened slightly.
Nathan’s wing twitched. “Shut up.”
His eyes flashed.
I lowered my voice. “So you don’t want to come home, huh?”
Nathan’s lips curled. “My place is here now.”
“What about your sister?”
His grip on the sword tightened. “Jenny will understand. I know she will, when I return stronger.”
I laughed once. Cold. “You think power is an apology?”
Nathan’s face darkened. “Do not speak of family to me.”
“Oh?” I tilted my head. “Why? Because yours still wants you back?”
His sword flared.
But I didn’t move. Not yet.
The arena went silent for half a second.
I could feel him now. But there was a weight behind this place. A royal attention pressing through the architecture like an eye behind a curtain.
I smiled faintly. “Careful, Nathan. Your script is showing.” I looked at him and sighed. “So should I drag your ass down?”
Nathan’s eyes sharpened. “Try me.”
I glanced at Lysathiel. Her face was still pale, but her voice came steady. “If you can beat him,” she said, “you can take him back.”
Nathan’s wing flared. “I won’t lose.”
I looked at Lysathiel more carefully.
That condition… So this really was a trial ground.
Aurelion didn’t want a conversation. He wanted a display. He wanted to test Nathan’s new power against mine. Or test me against Nathan. Or prove something to whoever was watching from the walls.
I exhaled slowly. “Fine.”
Nathan smiled. “Draw your weapon, Great Demon.”
I let my hand rise slowly. “Weapon?” I asked.
Darkness gathered in my palm.
Nathan’s sword brightened in response.
The pressure from the arena increased, as if the wards were waking up and preparing to contain us.
[Containment Barrier: Active]
[Suppression Balance: Holy-Favored]
[Demonic Power Suppression: Increased to 15%]
I formed a dark blade in my hand. No need to reveal more than necessary.
Nathan saw it and sneered. “Still relying on darkness.”
“You’re relying on a wing you got five minutes ago.”
His eye twitched.
Lysathiel sighed quietly.
Nathan raised his sword overhead.
Behind him, six additional blades of light slowly manifested, hovering in a circle like miniature suns.
Seven again.
But different.
Brighter.
Sharper.
More holy.
His old style, upgraded by royal blessing.
[Seven Radiant Blades: Modified]
[Holy Authority Infusion: Present]
[Warning: Increased Penetration Against Demonic Barriers]
Okay.
That could be troublesome.
I rolled my shoulders and shifted my stance. No full aura yet.
Nathan’s wing spread wider, scattering loose feathers of light. “I will end you here.” For a second, that sounded familiar.
I almost smiled.
Nathan bent his knees.
The seven blades tilted toward me.
I inhaled slowly.
Think.
‘Don’t kill him.’ Well… I hope I didn’t need to.
‘Do not get dragged into the king’s narrative.’ This was a must. But I guess, Nathan would do it.
‘Do not look like a monster.’ Uh… I guess I could do it as long my Camouflage skills activated.
Very simple checklist.