Chapter 19 – Downfall of the Leader

Griffin had entered another place. There was a giant barrier in front of him. Like clear glass plastered in front of him.

When he touched the large glass, he felt an energy trying to push him away.

[You activated skill "Flame Sword" Level 1]

Griffin stabbed the wall in front of him with his flame sword, but it didn't work. The glass wall wasn't even scratched.

"How can I destroy this?"

[You activated skill "Clairvoyant" Level 1]

[Sinner Cage]

[One of the confinement magic created by Barnes Esteban. Contains high density magic and is very difficult to destroy. It can be destroyed by attacking using strong magic from outside and inside at the same time.]

"It's pretty easy."

Griffin looked in there, it was so dark. After a few seconds, his eyes saw the figure of a person sitting with his back to him.

"Hey! Can you hear me?!"

The person looked back. He stood up and walked closer to Griffin. But he couldn't go very far because there were chains binding his hands and feet.

As he drew closer, Griffin could see his hair and green eyes like jewels.

"You're Raymond Alfredo, right?"

"Who are you?" Raymond asked with a cold expression. His clothes were stained with dust and blood, showing that he had experienced something terrible before. But it looks like the wounds have healed.

"I'm Griffin Houston. I came with Isabella to save you!"

"Isabella?"

"Yes. The situation outside is not good. Barnes is planning an attack on Lirest soon. Isabella's magic was sealed because of a trap. Now She and Edison are fighting Cody. We must help them immediately!"

Raymond squeezed his own hands when he heard Cody's name.

"Never mind, no need to bother saving me."

"Don't worry, I can get you out of here. If you can break the chains and both of us attack this sinner cage at the same time, you can get out immediately." Griffin explained enthusiastically.

But Raymond just sighed. His expression looked tired and hopeless.

"Why? You can't break the chain?" Griffin asked seeing the strange expression Raymond had.

"It seems you misunderstood. You don't need to bother trying. It doesn't matter if I can break these chains or not, I don't want to go out and deal with this sickening war."

Hearing those words, Griffin's enthusiasm immediately disappeared.

"What? Why? Even though we've come to our rescue to help you."

"I don't know who you are but thank you for coming to help me. Now take Isabella and as many people as you can and get as far away as possible. Find another place to hide and don't come to a place full of wars like this again."

Griffin punched the sinner cage hard because he couldn't contain his anger anymore.

"You kidding me?! How can you talk like that when there are hundreds of people out there waiting for you to help them!"

Raymond did not answer.

"Answer me Raymond Alfredo! How can a leader be this desperate! Isabella said that Cody, who was her best friend, turned into a traitor. And now, you the leader who is called full of spirit becomes a person who can't do anything like this!"

"You must have heard, I was stabbed and betrayed by Cody, my own little brother. There were even quite a few people from Lirest helping Cody. I gave my entire time and life for Cody and Lirest, but this is how they repay me? I am tired. Just let Barnes do whatever he wants."

"WHAT CRAZY THING ARE YOU SAYING NOW! JUST BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE BETRAYED YOU, YOU WANT TO GIVE UP TO EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES IN YOU?!"

"Then what should I do?! Go out and join the war?! Killing my own younger brother and the enemy, or dying with the rest of Lirest's people from being killed by Boaren?! That's the only choice I have!"

"Then you're just going to sit here quietly, trying nothing! Do you think that is proper behavior as a leader?!"

Raymond was silent. He was tired of wanting to answer Griffin's questions.

"You are the leader of Lirest! It is your responsibility to help Lirest's people in trouble! When you sit and surrender in this place, other people have to fight to survive! You have no idea how many were injured! How many died! And how many wept because they had lost their families in the war! Where is your sense of responsibility!"

"GO! I DON'T WANT TO KNOW AND DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT ANYTHING OUT THERE!"

Griffin who heard that could only squeeze his own hand while suppressing anger. He really felt that Raymond who was in front of him was very pitiful.

"Okay, let's just say we were wrong for trusting you. Please enjoy your quiet days in prison."

Griffin turned and walked away. But before he left, Griffin said something again.

"'Protecting the weak is the responsibility of the strong.' That's what you said to Isabella. Does that sentence no longer apply?"

Raymond's heart shook when he heard those words. He had indeed said it to Isabella, and still remembered it vividly to this day. He didn't think it would backfire on him. But he also wanted nothing to do with war anymore.

He remained sitting there according to his will from the start. The peace that comes from letting go of one's responsibilities.

When Griffin came out, the first thing he saw, Isabella was bleeding in front of Cody. It was obvious that she had reached her limit. Meanwhile, Edison lay with his stomach pierced by a long and large root. He was still moving, but his wound was fatal. Cody was also injured, but only a few minor injuries that weren't serious. Shows how big the difference in their power is.

"Hey, are you okay?"

Isabella saw Griffin who only came alone and immediately asked.

"Where's Raymond?"

Griffin didn't know how to answer that question.

"Sorry, I can't get him out of there."

Instantly, Isabella also lost hope when she heard Griffin's words. Even though Raymond was the only one they could rely on at this time. If Raymond couldn't get out, then Lirest would definitely be doomed.

Griffin couldn't tell the truth. He don't know how much Isabella was disappointed when she learned about Raymond's current condition. Person that don't even look like they have the will to live anymore.

Cody smiled at Griffin's statement.

"Alright, Raymond can't be released. Now what are you going to do?" Cody spoke in a smug tone, but for some reason he also looked really angry. His emotions are out of control. Griffin don't know what just happened.

10 minutes ago, right after Griffin entered the Sinner Cave.

Isabella attempted to freeze Cody at close range. But Cody, who has more mana and magic, expels an enormous amount of mana from his body and knocks Isabella away.

Haaahhhh.....

Cody's breath released a cold white dew. Showing how cold his body was because of the magic just now.

"Cody, I have a question. What is your reason for betraying us?" Isabella asked again.

"This question again? I already answered it before. Don't even think about stalling for time with questions like these."

"I know that's not the real answer. I'm sure you have other reasons." Isabella said with great certainty.

Cody also knew Isabella wouldn't do this kind of trick to buy time. This girl must really want the real answer.

"What difference does it make if you find out the truth?"

"Then, at least I can die more peacefully if you kill me later. At least I know what your real reason is."

Cody was silent for a few seconds hearing that.

"Isabella, you know I'm not going to kill you. Even if I could kill Raymond, betraying Lirest, but I won't be able to kill you."