Mistaken Match: Marrying the Enigmatic CEO
Chapter 2343; Wishful Thinking
Early the next morning, Dragonicus was still unconscious. With every passing second, his odds of joining the dead ticked a little higher.
At long last, he stirred – just a faint flutter of his eyelids.
Elric seized the moment, lowering his voice with a hint of tact. “Commander, I heard Emmanuel used to treat injuries like yours back when he was in the Northern Region, Maybe… we should let him have a shot?”
Of course, Dragonicus knew all about Emmanuel. Back in the day, Emmanuel’s fame and military achievements had constantly overshadowed his own. He had always seen the man as a rival – a potential threat. And now, more than ever, he wanted to crush him beneath his heel.
But now, his own life was at stake.
Even so, Dragonicus’ expression darkened. Pride clamped his jaw shut. He refused to bow his head to Emmanuel – not even to save his own life. If Emmanuel saved him now, how could he ever hold his head high when it came time to fight for Mackenzie’s hand?
He would rather die than owe that man a favor, especially one that big.
Elric knew Dragonicus all too well. He had expected this response and was already prepared with a counter. “Commander, you’re a 6-Star War God. How could you possibly beg Emmanuel for help? But you’re also the Pillar of Strength in Tocvale and Chanaea’s guardian hero. We can’t afford to lose you. Let me go ask him instead..”
“Shut it!” Dragonicus cut him off cold.
To him, Elric going to beg was no different from doing it himself.
But Elric gritted his teeth and pressed on. “Even if the court martial comes down on me, I’ll take it. I’d rather that than see you die.” With that, he stood and made to leave.
“Stop right there!” Dragonicus, in a panic, struggled to his feet.
Elric rushed back, steadying him with a hand, afraid he might collapse.
Dragonicus knew he couldn’t stop him – not really. So, he gave a chilly chuckle instead. “I’m not going to beg him,” he said, voice dripping with scorn. “But since he’s my prisoner now, I’m curious to see if he will beg me instead. Heh..”
Sign. Elric rolled his eyes internally. He wanted to laugh but also felt a quiet relief. Tocvale Commander says no, but hopefully, his actions will tell a different story. As long as he is willing to see Emmanuel, there is still a silver of hope.
Before long, with Elric supporting him. Dragonicus arrived at Emmanuel’s cell.
The cell door had never been shut – let alone locked. Elric knew very well that if Emmanuel had truly wanted to leave, no cell on earth could have held him.
Better to leave the door open. At least that makes it clear; he chose to stay.
Emmanuel sat cross-legged, calm and composed, as Dragonicus entered the cell. Not a flicker of surprise crossed his face. He had seen this coming.
Back when they clashed in that battle of wills, Emmanuel had known this moment would arrive. Dragonicus might have been his equal, or even stronger, in sheer power, but when it came to health and stamina, the man was running on fumes.
“Emmanuel,” Dragonicus said, deliberately turning his back as he spoke. “Elric said you wanted to see me. Ouut of the kindness of my heart. I’ve come. So? What do you want to say to me?”
Still putting an airs, even with one foot in the grave.
Emmanuel chuckled, “Say what? Who said I wanted to see you? He didn’t indulge Dragonicus for a second.
Dragonicus’ lips twitched in fury. He spun around, face flushed with anger.
Elric, ever the quick thinker, jumped in. “Commander, please don’t be angry. It was me who said that, just to get you here!”
Then, he turned to Emmanuel. “Northern Commander, the truth is… Tocvale Commander came hopping you’d treat him. Please show mercy. His life’s hanging by a thread here.”
Emmanuel raised an eyebrow, amused. Do they really think I couldn’t see through Elric’s clumy attempt to play matchmaker?
“How dare you!” Sure enough, Dragonicus erupted. “You dare deceive me? That’s a capital offense!”
“I’m sorry!” Elric dropped to his knees without hesitation, but there was a glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes. If Dragonicus was willing to play along, that meat he did want to live.
Still kneeling, he straightened his spine, his voice ringing with conviction. “If my death means saving your life, protecting the Fierce Claw Army, and keeping Chanaea safe, I’ll take it without regret!”
“You… ” Dragonicus looked furious, but after a long, tense silence, he gave a heavy sign and turned way, hands clasped behind his back. “Hmph. For the sake of your loyalty and the fact you once defended Tocvale. I’ll spare your life. Now get out, I don’t want to see your face for three days.”
“Thank you, Commander, for your mercy!”
Elric held back a laugh, playing along to the end. He bowed deeply to Emmanuel before slipping out, shutting the door quietly behind him.
And just like that, the room help only two of Chanaea’s guardian heroes.
Both of them were on the brink of death, yet Dragonicus still couldn’t let go of the power struggle. Even in this state, he had to test the waters and try to assert dominance.
But as his body faltered and his strength wanted, he quickly reined in his aura. Then, switching gears with absurd ease, he burst into booming laugh, the infamous Guffaw Technique. “Hahaha… Emmanuel, I’ll make you a deal, Give up Mackenzie, and I’ll let you life!”
Emmanuel was speechless.
The so-called Tocvale Commander, a 6-Star War God… Honestly, in Emmanuel’s eyes the guy acted like a spoiled kid. Seriously, what grown man, past the age of ten, could say something that ridiculous without suffering a decade of brain fog first?
“Why aren’t you saying anything?” Dragonicus barked, his temper flaring. “I’m a 6-Star, while you’re just a 5-Star, Now you’re my prisoner, which means you lost! The law of the jungle, Emmanuel. The weak bow to the strong. Isn’t it time you submitted?”
Emmanuel finally chuckled and shook his head. “Aren’t you tired?”
“huh?” Dragonicus froze, confused.
“You’re trying so hard to keep up this act that I’m getting secondhand exhaustion.” Emmanuel gave a faint smirk. “If you really want to live. I don’t need you begging me. Just stop obsessing over Mackenzie, and stop trying to make me your enemy.”
“Never!” Dragonicus snapped. “Mackenzie is mine! I claimed her first! You stole her from me, and now I’m just taking back what was mine all along!”
With that, he roared and lunged, swinging a fist straight at Emmanuel.
He might have had Sage-level strength once, but now? Hanging on by a thread, his body couldn’t keep up with his rage.
Emmanuel didn’t flinch. With just a flicker of energy force, he deflected the blow like swatting a fly.
“Darn you!” Dragonicus growled, choking on pain but refusing to drop.
Emmanuel stared, equal parts amused and baffled. This guy was the picture of childish stubbornness, ready to die before admitting defeat.
With a sign, Emmanuel reached out and tapped his acupoint.
Dragonicus froze mind-motion, his body locking up like a statue. His eyes went wide. “You know acupressure techniques?!”
Emmanuel chuckle. “I’m the Ghost Doctor’s disciple. What do you think?”
He hadn’t used those skills much lately, mostly because of past injuries that limited him. When he had used them, it was for healing, not fighting.
But now? His strength had returned, greater than it had ever been. This kind of technique was child’s play to him.
“There, That should shut you up for a second, “Emmanuel said, rising to his feet. Then he glanced down at Dragonicus and asked, “So you and my wife, how far back do you go?”
Dragonicus suddenly burst into wild laughter, as if he had just won something “That’s right! Twenty years ago, I made a vow. I promised that once I reached the top, I’d come back and marry her!”
He continued, “I fought my way through Tocvale, risked everything, climbed one step at a time to become Chanaea’s one and only 6-Star War God. I must fulfil that promise. I’ll marry Mackenzie in glory, give her the life she deserves!”
To be fair, it was dramatic. A little noble. Had all the makings of a storybook romance.
But Emmanuel just sneered. “You made a promise. Sure, But did Mackenzie ever promise to marry you?”
Dragonicus flinched.
I knew it, Emmanuel thought. Guys like him, arrogant and self-absorbed, always believe the world spins for their convenience. Like everything, including love, would fall into place just because they said so.
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