An Extra’s POV

Chapter 627 A Bet Laced With Cruelty

"Y-you… you're so cruel."

Gratiana was left at a loss for words as she looked at Rey with shocked eyes. It would have been filled with nothing short of disgust in the past, but right now it showed nothing but downright confusion.

She didn't know what to think.

"H-how can someone… of your stature… I don't understand…"

All her life, she had been taught of how sacred the Divine territory was. The Oracle was in that realm, and they guided the Elves on the path of Nature.

No other entity of such a stature was a member of H'Trae, and that was the truth.

And so, the emergence of an entity that oozed divinity was something that discombobulated Gratiana and altered a lot of her perceptions of reality. She wouldn't have believed it if she didn't feel it in her body and soul.

… Especially in her body.

Even though she now recognized this individual as a higher entity than she was, she could not understand why he was acting in such a cruel and fiendish manner.

"Why would you go that far? Why punish those girls like that?" She murmured, unable to grasp the process of his mind.

"Do you really consider it to be a punishment?" His response was so nonchalant, almost as if was completely detached from the severity of what he had just proposed. Did he truly not implications of his actions?

"Yes. Life is sacred for us Elves. Placing those girls in a situation where they have to take a life, even if it is staged, is tortuous for them."

"Is it, really? I can't help but wonder about that…" Gratiana couldn't help but be further confused about his response. Surely, he had to have a reason for his confidence.

"I've been observing them for some time now. They're a bunch of bumbling idiots who have no idea what they're doing. That's because they've always been told what to do all their lives." He began, his voice smooth as silk.

fell silent as she

I can see what they really are inside. They're curious and inherently sadistic in nature. They've been deprived of violence their whole lives that,

are you trying to

life will be easier for them than you realize. It isn't punishment, but release from

their target practice, he could see the looks on

never been exposed to such

amused expressions as they sent volley upon volley of assault to me…

many people during the Dark Undertaking Arc—at

believe that. They're not like

with me." Rey threw

faith

looked at Rey,

taken the bet with such confidence in her Little Sisters, but… after hearing some of the

sinful cravings I felt. It was a secret struggle for me, but I managed to hold it in and only fantasize about it… until the

the Oracle, those urges of hers vanished, and she never again

also going through similar struggles?'

so she thought it was a problem only she had to deal with.

if some of the Young Ones were secretly

bet, I'll let you sniff me. I'm sure you're curious

I'll believe

this, and Gratiana looked away with

Gratiana didn't know who she was trying to convince with her murmurs—the man before her, or herself. She fidgeted more

"Ready?"

those words, preparing herself for

be strong.' Shutting her eyes tight, she swallowed her

she made with

the Young Ones executed the Boss Monster, rather than finding another way to escape, then

their dignity and the rules of Nature, escaping without sullying their hands, it would