Mistaken Match: Marrying the Enigmatic CEO
Chapter 2354; The Price of Loyalty
At the Lannister estate, following Emmanuel’s declaration that Xarri would assume leadership of the family, Gwain and several elders rose in rebellion.
How could they surrender without a fight?
Thus, Emmanuel, alongside Xarri and Quell found themselves once again locked in a fierce clash against their own kin.
Far a time, the conflict teetered ono a knife’s edge, the two sides appearing evenly matched. But the delicate balance was soon shattered.
With ruthless precision, the northern army stormed in, their arrival as swift as it was deadly. Known for their lethal efficiency, the soldiers quickly subdued the Lannister elite fighters. As the cold gleam of infrared scopes locked onto their targets, the family’s finest fighters lost all will to resist. Their momentum faltered, their confidence drained.
From the rear mountains came a sudden cacophony of noise. Realizing the dire shift in the tide, Gwain and last three elders with the strength to fight swiftly made their escape, retreating before the northern forces could open fire.
“Don’t move! Anyone who tries will be shot ono the sight!”
Sage’s icy warning rang through the tense air as he fired several rounds at Gwain and retreating experts. Unfortunately, none of the shots found their mark.
Emmanuel had initially planned to stay and handle matters at the estate, but the earth shaking sounds of battel from the rear mountains stirred a sharp sense of urgency in him. Santiago and Yorick might be overwhelmed by sheer numbers and seeing Gwain and the others racing in that direction, he made a swift decision.
“Sage, Eve! Listen up!”
“Yes!” The two immediately snapped to attention with crisp salutes.
“Keep the family in check. If anyone resists or tries to flee, shoot them without hesitation.”
There was no need for explanation. Emmanuel held the authority and the firepower. His word was the command.
“Understood!” With that, Sage and Eve moved into position.
Without wasting another moment, Emmanuel launched himself into the air, heading straight for the battlefield in the mountains.
meanwhile, at the rear of the estate, Eric wielded the Big Dipper to redirect the Silver Dragon Spear Saint’s fierce strike, angling it toward Yorick instead.
Caught off guard, Yorick was forced to twist away to dodge the redirected blow. Neither he nor Santiago had expected that after more than thirty exchanges, they would still be unable to bring Eric down.
Though Eric’s Big Dipper relied on turning his opponent’s force against them, both men understood that even in direct combat, this was no ordinary fighter. He stood clearly within the triple S class, a realm few ever reached.
Still, this confrontation wasn’t about proving martial prowess. It was about vengeance. And if things continued on this path. Eric’s fate was sealed. No matter how skilled he was, he would not escape.
“Meet your death!” Santiago spun his spear with deadly intent, preparing to launch another vicious attack, but before he could strike, four figures descended from above, landing in a protective circle around Eric.
“Dad!”
“Mr. Lannister!”
It was Gwain, accompanied by the Three Elders. In the blink of an eye, what had been a two-on-one battle turned into five against two.
Yorick and Santiago exchanged a brief glance. They sensed the danger, but neither one backed down.
“Dad, we’ll fight with you!” Gwain’s voice trembled with long-suppressed anger. Today, with his father and the elders by his side, he was ready to make Yorick and Santiago pay for everything they had done.
“Stop,” Eric raised a hand, his voice calm but firm.
Gwain faltered, confused by his father’s command. Is he worried that Emmanuel would soon arrive?
Eric turned toward the two warriors.
“I must say,” he began, “your martial skills are truly exceptional. I hold the utmost respect for both of you. But my family also has its share of seasoned fighters. With five of us standing before you now, are you so sure of victory?”
“Hmph, Clearly, the odds are in your favor,” Yorick sneered. “But we didn’t come here to win. We come for justice for Jane, and for ourselves. No matter how many you bring, we won’t retreat.”
The conviction in his voice made Gwain’s heart tremble.
“Good.” Eric nodded with faint admiration in his eyes.
“You’ve lived up to your names. Such strength. Such resolve. And I have no doubt you’re determined to see this through. But if you’ll agree to two conditions, I will raise my hands now and let you take my life.”
“Dad!” Gwain’s voice cracked, stunned by what he was hearing. Was his father really willing to die? What would become of the family?
“Gwain, say no more.” Eric didn’t run to look at him. His focus remained on the men before him.
“Well, then,” Santiago said with a curious grin, “we’re listening. Doesn’t mean we’ll agree, but go on.”
“Fine.” Eric drew a breath. “The first condition is simple, you must ensure that Gwain lives. He must survive at least the next thirty years.”
Santiago let our a short laugh. “Whatever happened back then has nothing to do with him. We won’t touch the kid. But if he dies from sickness or a car crash, don’t look for us.”
Eric’s tone remained composed. “That’s all I ask, that you don’t cause it. If death comes naturally, then so be it.”
“And the second condition?”
Yorick’s eyes narrowed with interest. The first term was easy enough to accept; neither of them had ever cared much about Gwain.
“Very well,: Eric replied. He continued at once, his voice calm and resolute. “As long as the two of you agree to join the Airspace Group and swear you undying loyalty, you make take my life here, right now.”
“What?!”
The two saints hadn’t even had a chance to react when Gwain cried out first. Why would his father be willing to exchange his own life for a promise like that? What deeper meaning could be hidden behind such a bold offer?
“Does this mean Lord Helios, the Warlord himself, truly intends to support the so-called imperial bloodline in taking control of Chanaea?” Santiago’s voice cut through the tension like a blade.
By then, Emmanuel had already arrived. However, rather than step forward, he lingred in the shadows, quietly listening so as not to disrupt the conversation.
Yes,” Eric replied, his tone unwavering. “I trust Helios with all of heart. He’s not just an ally, he’s a lifelong friend to my family, close to us than blood.”
With his hands clasped behind his back and his head slightly lifted, Eric’s eyes seemed to shimmer with conviction, as though touched by some distant light. Santiago exchanged a look with Yorick, both of them clearly unsettled.
Emmanuel, hidden from sight, could hardly believe what he was hearing. Is the Airspace Group not aligned with the Holy Fire Organization? Has the Holy Trinity gone through so much just to become paws in the Lannister family’s grand illusion?
Had he misunderstood everything, or had Eric simply been used, and possiblly brainwashed?
Santiago finally took a long swing from his flask and broke into mocking laughter. “Haha, Fools show up every year, but this year, they’re everywhere. It was already ridiculous enough that Salem had dreams of a crown, but now your family’s caught up in the same laughable fantasy?”
“You!” Gwain’s fists clenched in anger, his whole body tensing.
Eric lifted a hand and help him back with quet authority, though. “Seriously, have you ever even studied history?” he asked coldly. “How can your minds be so completelly lost to thoughts of treachery and delusions?”
Even Yorick couldn’t hold back his disdain, “Is that all your family’s good for – fighting? Do you know nothing beyond brute strength? These pathetic dreams of yours will will never come true.”
Eric’s expression shifted. His gaze turned sharp, and the weight of his presence seemed to double. It was clear now, he had been holding back.
The atmosphere grew heavy. His energy surged, unmistakably more powerful than theirs. He was likely in a class beyond them, triple – S class, without question.
“So,” he said quietly, “you’re refusing the offer, huh.” His voice remained composed, but his eyes gleamed with a deadly calm. The air around him bristled with pressure.
The two saints felt the change instantly. “Of course we refuse!”
For the first tie, Santiago hurled his flask to the ground, shattering it with a crack. His eyes blazed with fury as he clenched a fist. “You think I’d ever sell out the memory of my wife? I’ll die in battle before I let that happen. And if I life, I swear I’ll take your life myself.”
“Same here,” Yorick growled. His killing intent surged, clearr as day. “I’ll avenge Jane and myself!”
“Hmph, Just don’t blame me when things only get worse for you.” Gwain sneered. With his father standing beside him, he felt the fire of battle burning in his veins. He had no fear.
Suddenly, Eric suddenly shouted, “No. Stop! Retreat, we’re pulling back, now!”
Gwain and the others were stunned, unable to understand the sudden shift. It wasn’t until the next moment that Emmanuel stepped out from the shadows, revealing himself at last.
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