The air became choked up and impossible to breathe in. The soldiers coughed violently, some of them crying out in pain, clutching their necks as their eyes widened and turned bloodshot.
Leon was hit the hardest.
The spores blasted in his face, cutting off his eyesight and filling his lungs with an acidic burn.
He knew it. He knew that woman had no good intentions!
Leon dropped her, like her body itself was made of acid. "You!" He roared, his voice tearing through the cries of pain and convulsive coughing.
The hall went deathly silent. No one dared speak or move a muscle.
Anna landed on the ground, her knees banging on the rough floor, blood pouring from the wounds. She bit her lip, the pain the very least of her worries compared to the furious beastman in front of her, and his battalion of poisoned soldiers.
A swish cut through the air.
Metal sang, the echoes lingering deep in Anna's ears.
A sharp and cold tip pressed into her throat. The force it used pierced her skin, drawing beads of blood.
Anna gasped, her body going rigid in fear. She followed the tip of the sword up and up till she met the owner's eyes.
Leon's eyes had turned a dark crimson. The veins in his face and neck glowed purple. His dark mane glitched, like an old faulty computer screen. Above all was the look of pure rage and hatred on his face.
"You witch." He growled, the sound striking fear into every single soul in the room, Anna included. He pressed the sword deeper into her neck and Anna knew without a doubt that he meant to kill her.
[host! Host you need to leave now! Your life is in danger!] the System's voice blared, filled with humanly alarm. [Host you need to run! Now!]
Run?!
Anna couldn't move. She couldn't breathe. She couldn't do anything but stare at Leon and hope he'd have mercy.
Then, a calm and diverting voice said behind her; "you drew your sword on the Princess."
Anna didn't hear whoever it was come in. Even worse, she couldn't tell there was anyone behind her if it wasn't for his voice.
"I know." Leon gritted out, his fangs elongating as his eyes blazed and his veins throbbed. His mane glitched even more, sparks of green and purple static that made him look feral.
"The Princess who is also your wife,"
"I said I know."
"That is treason, General. Punishable by hanging."
Anna gasped! He knew he would die and he still wanted to kill her?! How deep his hatred ran for the original body!
"I'm sorry…" Anna whispered, bracing herself for the System's hiding tone. Which never came. So she went on. "I'm sorry, Leon. I didn't mean to–"
"Save it!" He shouted, and swung the sword. "Every word that comes out of your mouth is a lie! Manipulation!"
Anna screamed, covering her head with her hands, bracing for the blow, for her head rolling into the ground.
The person behind moved, hooked his arms around her and pulled her out of the way. She felt the pressure from Leon's strike, a heavy whoosh of air in her, one that was aimed to render.
"That's enough, General." Her savior said, his voice steady and hard. Behind her, all she felt was cold. He was so cold to the touch.
"Take her out of my sight, Ray. Or she dies." Leon said, meaning every word.
Anna's legs shook. Her eyes watered, tears clouding her vision.
I almost died! I almost fucking died because of a stupid task!
As if to mock her, that Ding! Sounded in her head.
[Congratulations host for completing the seduction mission! Reward: +1000 villain points!]
[For completing hidden side quest, Poison any extra people, reward: +10,000 villain points!]
[One Time Stamina Boost and One Time Plot Reveal has been added to your space as a bonus reward! Please check it out! Lucky you, hostie~]
Anna made a strangled noise at the back of her throat.
All these rewards. At what cost?
Anna was still shaking by the time she got back to her chambers.
I almost died. I almost died. I almost died.
[But you didn't die. That was close, hostie~]
Anna ignored the system.
"Are you okay, your highness?"
Ah, she had almost forgotten she had a companion.
She turned to face him. At first glance she recognized him from the book, Ray, Princess Orchids bat beast husband. He didn't make much of an appearance, just once to deliver a letter to the Princess.
Which meant Anna didn't know much about him either.
"Hi," she whispered breathily, her voice still trembling. "Thank you for back there. You saved my life."
Ray felt like he'd been thrown into bright daylight buck naked. Did she just thank him? This proud Princess?
Again, he listened for her heart. 146bmp.
Poor thing was scared. Anyone would be, after seeing Leon half mad with corruption and drawing a sword on them. It was a miracle she hadn't fainted yet. Or worse, soiled herself.
Anna sat on her bed, staring into space, which was actually Ray' legs.
"Why does he even hate her so much?" She mumbled out loud.