Lightning Is the Only Way

The atmosphere became heavier and heavier. The squad was becoming increasingly nervous as beasts beyond their power were about to clash. Commander Rime obviously wasn't a traitor, and neither was Gravis. Yet, those two loyal beasts were about to kill each other, and Gravis would also be treated as a traitor.

Wouldn't this be even worse than if the plans of the two dead traitors had succeeded? If the plan had succeeded, Gravis would be dead, but if Gravis won against the badger and Commander Rime, this powerful asset would join the sea beasts.

"I accept the duel," Commander Rime suddenly said quietly, eliciting shocked gazes from everyone.

"What are you saying, Commander!?" the badger asked with anger. "You have only committed a small mistake. Yes, some kind of punishment should be issued, but that is not enough to execute you. Gravis is the irrational one here!"

"Just because you don't understand my reasoning doesn't make it irrational, badger," Gravis commented icily. "My path to power is more important than anything, and if you shared a similar sentiment, maybe you would have already become an Emperor."

"How dare you!" the badger shouted angrily at Gravis. "I'm giving everything for our Icy Pride Empire! I'm not as fragile and immature as someone who immediately kills a beast that wanted to save their life, like you!"

"That's exactly what I meant," Gravis said. "If you put more importance on your own power instead of your contributions, you would already be an Emperor. Don't stamp something as irrational just because you don't have the willpower to do the same."

"Stop!" Commander Rime shouted. "I've already accepted the duel. With this, Gravis will not be a traitor, even if he kills me."

The badger gnashed his teeth in frustration. "And you expect me to just watch as you're being goaded into a fight you can't win!? If you really wanted to take this fight, sure, I have no issues there, but you have been forced into this fight! How can I be happy with myself when I let a comrade willingly kill themselves for such a stupid reason?"

Gravis only looked coldly at Commander Rime. Gravis understood very well that Commander Rime had only wanted the best. Commander Rime was so fiercely loyal to the land beasts that he had been willing to receive punishment for saving a powerful asset. Additionally, now, Commander Rime was even willing to lay down his life to allow Gravis to remain inside the ranks of the land beasts.

Gravis hated the current situation.

all. Commander Rime had only had good intentions by helping Gravis, so much so that the goodness in his intentions even became self-sacrificing. Such a powerful conviction to sacrifice one's life for

though Gravis didn't want this at all, sometimes it's necessary to do something that went against one's heart when trying to achieve a goal. Becoming powerful was inherently a very selfish act, even if the person or beast might have a selfless

others and trample upon their dreams and desires. Gravis hated this part

to supreme power? Of course! The badger and Commander Rime had become powerful Kings without having to do such things. Yet, how long would that work? At some point, selfish beings would

the higher world? What of the highest world? One had to remember the cruel

Rime said slowly with a bitter smile, "I have dedicated my whole life to the land beasts. Yet, my goal is not to make the land beasts powerful but to kill all the sea beasts. If, by sacrificing my life, I manage to keep a more powerful enemy of the sea beasts than me alive, I'm willing to

powerful sea beasts than me. If you really cared so much about the land beasts, you should be able

loyal to the land beasts, and the main reason why he became an Inquisitor was to protect his comrades from traitors.

agreeing to it. Yes, Commander Rime had accepted the duel with his words, but he obviously had been forced into the decision. If

ways and mindsets to achieve it. Commander Rime thought about the cold reality and facts. Mathematically,

comparison, the badger thought more about the emotional impact that such a decision would have. One of their most outstanding and hard-working companions, an

right?

answer was:

good and bad, didn't exist. The worlds were only a conglomerate of different ideologies mixing and crashing together. It was impossible to discern any kind

the badger said with compassion to Commander Rime. "You are not the responsible one for this situation, and you should also not be the one

I have made my choice. If I refused, we two would have a very high chance of defeating and killing Gravis. In a weird sense, instead of my life being in his hands, his life is actually in my control. I am the weaker one, but my decision can decide if he dies or lives. You should realize that I'm not the one without

down my life for the land beasts,"

doing was wrong, but his morality also said that it was up to Commander Rime to do with his life whatever he wanted. No

of power. Yet, I implore

for a bit, but his Spirit still kept watch over his surroundings. Then, he took a deep breath and opened them again. "If there is a time in the future when the land beasts do something that would normally make me abandon them, I will give them a second chance. This is all I can

wanted, but it was something. At least, with his death, he would keep Gravis from defecting now and once again