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nI released the Hex protecting Talia and my new slave. They immediately rushed to me as I moved some distance from Flora, the Apostle.

n

"Master Hexarion...

" Talia said, rushing to me, but ultimately stopping before reaching me.

nShe sensed something was off, and so she decided to back off for the moment.

nI ignored her and walked toward the Shadowshifter, nodding my head to him slowly.

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"Do it

" I told him.

nHe understood immediately.

nHe brought out his shadow, and they formed a sharp spike blade.

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"Thank you... Lord Hexarion...

" Flora restated, her eyes still closed and tears of gratitude streaming from her eyes.

nOf course, I gave my word to her and I will naturally keep it. I won't kill her... But I didn't say the same for my slaves.

nImmediately the blade of the shadow neatly cleaved her head, cutting it cleanly off.

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"L-Lord Hexarion...?

" She said in confusion, her tears flew like tiny pearls, illuminated by the moonlight in the night.

n

"I see... Now... Andre... Maria... Sister Nara... Old man Joeran... Everyone... I'll be... Coming to visit you all... Very... Soon...

" She muttered to herself, before she finally died.

nHer head rolled on the floor and her body gushed out blood. I looked at the head of the dead apostle and smiled. The expression on her face was that of a peaceful smile. She remained a kind hearted girl until the end uh... How wonderful.

n

"And that's settled. Good job

" I said to my slave.

nTalia had a sick look on her face. She looked at me with shock and disbelief.

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"H-How could you kill her...? You said you wouldn't...

" She said.

n

" ...And I didn't

" I responded, cutting her short and walked away.

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"Let's go

" I told her.

nI walked away slowly, alongside my new slave, leaving Talia behind.

nShe remained standing as she stood in front of Flora's dead body already covered in blood.

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"She was lost... She was betrayed... She was powerless... Just like me! Why didn't you save her? Why didn't you save her like you saved me?

" Talia cried.

nShe must have seen herself in Flora, a girl who was merely a tool in the hands of the world. Yet, I made a different call when it came to her.

n

"Indeed. You both bear many similarities. However, as for the reason I disposed of her...It's simple.

" I said, pausing my walk.

nTalia looked at me, with tears in her eyes and a look which needed an explanation.

n

"Anger... She possessed none

" I said.

nTalia's face turned in surprise.

nAnger? Just because of that?

n

"Without anger, she has no major drive and she won't function in the way I require her to

"

n

"Because of that, she won't be useful to me. It's that simple. I do not save things I do not need. She was worthless to me in the end

" I retorted.

nTalia's face widened even more in surprise.

n

"Because... Of that...?

" She asked in surprise.

nI looked at her in the eyes and smiled slowly.

n

"Of course... So, Talia, it's my turn to ask you a question.

" I said, maintaining my gentle smile.

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"Y-Yes?

" She said, not knowing what to expect.

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"So far, have you been useful to me?

" I asked her.

nHer eyes widened at the realization. Of course she could not answer the question. Her eyeballs rolled and her mouth tightened. She looked at me and the slave beside me. His shadow was rising, ready for action. As soon as she answered me with the truth, her fate would be decided. For she knew what her answer would be... It was none other than

nNO

n

"Oh, don't give me that look Talia

" I said, laughing a little at the look of fear and danger she had.

nShe never fails to amuse me.

n

"You don't need to answer that now. Maybe another time...

" I said with a smile.

nI turned away from her and kept moving, my new slave walked behind me, returning his shadow back to the ground.

nTalia's body trembled and her mind had different thoughts. However, one thing was clear.

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"If I'm not useful...

" She said to herself, then turning to see the head of Flora.

nShe knew her fate.

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"I-I must be useful!

" The thought hammered in her head.

nAnd as she watched my new slave and me walking, she realized the distance between us. And so, in order not to get left behind... She decided.

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"I'm coming... Master Hexarion.

" She shouted, running to walk by my side.

nI smiled as she ran to catch up with me.

nI looked at my new slave. He seems even more tame and loyal than earlier. It must be because he has seen a portion of my power. Now, he won't dare defy me... Good.

n

"Do you have a name?

" I asked him.

nHe was surprised to hear my voice suddenly and responded as fast as he could.

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"N-No my Lord. I have no memory of my parents, and I have lived by myself until I was captured.

" He said.

nI smiled, then stopped walking while looking him in the eye.

nI placed my right hand on his shoulder.

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"Very well. From now on, your name shall be... Shamac

" I declared to him.

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"Sha-Mac... Yes my lord.

" He said with a smile and bowed his head.

nI removed my hand and kept walking. He followed me, maintaining a small distance between us as he walked behind me. Looks like he instinctively respects the hierarchy between us. I can't say I dislike his common sense.

n

"Master!

" Talia yelled as she ran to my side, gasping for air.

nI smiled at her and she flashed me her usual enthusiastic smile. Immediately, she started heaving and breathing heavily. Just how little stamina does this girl have? Well, it's fine though. That will soon change anyway.

nAs for Talia, now that she has seen this side of me, she'll learn to grow beyond her present self. I look forward to seeing that. Maybe I was a little scary to her just now and she's scared I'll dispose of her soon, but her fears are misplaced. This is because...

nI don't plan on killing Talia anytime soon.. She's too amusing after all.

n