The Duke's Passion

Chapter 817 It wasn't over yet

What were you fighting for?

Rufus already had an answer to that question; it wouldn't even take time for him to answer such a simple question. However, ever since Acheron Roseberg asked that question, Rufus couldn't help but think about it. It wasn't that Rufus was questioning his own agenda, nor was he thinking about it to judge Acheron. In fact, the more he thought about that question and what drove Acheron this far, the more Acheron's action made sense. Not everyone was like Rufus and Samael's relationship.

Acheron and Zero's relationship didn't stem from friendship. It wasn't anything like that. From what Rufus heard from Lilou, Acheron treated Zero as his own. Like a parent who would do anything for their child, even if it was wrong. Rufus trusted Lilou, but now that he was fighting Acheron, he had confirmed that. Acheron's loyalty wasn't just that of a hellhound, but he truly cherished Zero.

"What a shame..." Rufus trailed off as the tip of his sword glinted while Acheron's pupils went wide. "... that your own son sent you to your death."

SLASH!

Acheron's lips parted, gazing up at the black sky that covered the countless stars. The corner of his lips curled up into a subtle smile, blood dripping from the side of his closed lips. "All Hail... Your Majesty, my King..." came out a weak, airy voice. "Long live my king..."

THUD!

Rufus kept his eyes on Acheron as the latter dropped to the ground. Acheron lay on his side, eyes on the pair of boots not far away. As his consciousness slowly drifted from his grip, he reached his hand out with all the remaining strength he had. "Your Highness..." a tear rolled across the bridge of his nose, talking to someone Rufus couldn't see. "... did I do a good job?"

Rufus kept quiet as he listened to Acheron's weak voice talking to someone. This wasn't a new sight to behold for him. The last phase of the cleansing was bringing out the person's deep desire that originated from the little goodness left in them. If a person didn't have the slightest goodness in them, then they would just perish immediately. "I see... I'm glad that is what you think." Peace dominated Acheron's face, closing his eyes ever so slowly with a subtle smile. Whatever Acheron saw as he hovered between life and death was not something Rufus wanted to know. Acheron's face, as he perished, was enough for Rufus to know that Acheron did what he could to protect his words. Perhaps, to protect a promise he made to someone else. "Love... is truly such a strange thing, isn't it, Acheron Roseberg?" whispered Rufus, breathing out calmly. "Also, a man's oath is such a tricky situation. Perhaps men, in general, are pitiful creatures."

Rufus slowly turned on his heel to walk away from the scene, setting his eyes on his next agenda. Fighting Acheron wasn't his original plan, but now that it was over, Rufus thought he could provide assistance to Heliot or Stefan. However, just as Rufus took a step away, his heart suddenly pounded against his chest. His eyes dilated, gazing up at the darkening hell's gate before his breath hitched. Rufus looked back in panic, only to see Acheron slowly stand back to his feet. "No..." he whispered, assessing the lifeless body of Acheron as the latter's pores sucked the dark mist into the air. It wasn't over yet.

Zero was just starting and Rufus had just grown aware of the situation all across the land of Spade.