Shadow Slave

Chapter 1867 Quid Pro Quo There were a few moments of silence after Morgan's remark. Wake of Ruin studied her intently, then scoffed.

"You can't be serious…"

The slight smile lingered on Morgan's face for a bit, then disappeared without a trace. The hint of levity was also gone from her eyes, leaving behind only cold intensity. Suddenly, the entire chamber felt drowned in a sense of eerie sharpness, as if every edge and surface here suddenly come to possess a keen edge.

A few of the mundane members of the government elite paled.

Morgan sighed deeply.

"Why can't I be serious? If anything, it seems to me that you are the one who is failing to comprehend the reality of your situation, venerable Saint Cor."

She slowly looked at the faces of the high administrators of the government and said, her voice devoid of any amusement:

"The House of Night has been consumed by Song. Their Citadels are conquered, their rulers are dead, and the corpses of their Saints are being worn like suits by a deranged monster. That is what fate has in store for those who foolishly hope to cling to a pretence of neutrality in the war between my house and the Queen of Worms."

She smiled darkly and added in a voice as calm as it was sharp:

"You must have already asked yourself this question… what happens to us now that Ki Song has shown her willingness to stop at nothing to win this war? The House of Night had refused to take a side, and in the end, the choice was made for them. Do you really think that the same won't happen to you? What makes you confident that you won't be next to be destroyed by her?"

Wake of Ruin lingered with the answer, as if unsure what to say. His expression was dark.

Morgan shook her head with contempt.

"Those who can't keep up with the current of time will be drowned by it. You are already a step behind, and you already don't have a choice. Your neutrality is a thing of the past — now, it is hypocrisy at best, and incompetence at worst. The Great Clans might have started the war, but that doesn't mean that others can escape it. The fate of humanity will be decided by who claims victory in Godgrave, and that means your fates, too. At the end of the day, the only thing you can decide is which side to submit to."

The old man glared at her. The corner of his mouth twitched, and he spat angrily:

"And whose fault is…"

However, a calm voice interrupted him.

Soul Reaper Jet, who had remained silent all that time, finally spoke.

point in assigning blame, Saint Cor.

the

blue eyes and short raven-black hair. Her reputation was more than a little bit sinister, but it was

the Battle of the Black Skull and later in the Nightmare Desert. She had a

Jet was... sensible.

thoughts, the icy woman shifted her gaze to Morgan and

someone… I prefer to see it as having to support someone, though. After all, it is the Sovereigns who find themselves in need of our strength, not the

smiled

support Valor instead of Song? After all…

Morgan reciprocated the smile.

'Sensible, indeed.'

happen. Maybe she had — it

beast that should never have been allowed to be born. You know what her Aspect is, and what her kingdom might become. She doesn't care whether she rules the living or the dead… so, do you really

silently for a while, then leaned

you, Lady Morgan. I appreciate

Morgan smiled.

is marching on Bastion right now. You know what he is capable of, and that he is not burdened by matters of morality, compassion, or human decency. There are millions of people living in Bastion — I can defend the castle, but I can't protect the city beyond alone. Saint Athena, you've spent the last four years living there. Are you really comfortable sitting back and doing nothing while that person has been set free in the Sword Domain? Are the rest of

her a

of the government were silent, as well, their expressions

Reaper did not seem

lecture us about morality and compassion,

the Dream Merchant — the flamboyant Transcendent of ambiguous inclinations who sat next to the

who's to say that they aren't preparing measures to punish you all for that perceived sleight as we speak? Since you are already under threat of being

Thane's heavily mascaraed

you, you forced me! You had leverage because

Morgan shrugged nonchalantly.

is that it did happen, and those Song sisters are quite

smile, she looked back to Soul Reaper Jet and added in a serious

though… is that I have something