Chapter 35: Tolga Submitted (part 2)

Words : 1059 Updated : Sep 17th, 2025

Alix watches Tolga sit, his expression unreadable. The assassin keeps his posture tense, his eyes flickering between Alix and the four kneeling figures. Then, Alix speaks, his tone even. "I'm not here to stop you. In fact, I will support you." Tolga blinks, caught off guard. "What?" Nyssara looks up, eyes narrowing slightly. "Are you sure, Your Majesty?" Alix meets her gaze. "Of course. You are my subjects now. If you want revenge, then I will help you take it." A heavy silence follows. The words sink in. Tolga leans forward, fingers interlaced, his usual smirk gone. "Who are you, really?" His crimson eyes flicker toward the four. "And you... You really submitted? Never crossed my mind that any of you would bow to anyone." Thurn exhales, shaking his head. "Tolga, we've known each other for a long time. That's why I'll give you some advice—do the same." He looks Tolga dead in the eye. "His Majesty promised to make us stronger. And he's already delivered." Groth chuckles, rolling his shoulders. "That's true. Look at me. You don't notice anything different?" Tolga studies him for a second. Then, his expression shifts. His sharp instincts pick up on the subtle difference—the weight of Groth's mana, the sheer depth of his presence. Tolga's fingers tighten slightly. "You... You're a Tier 3 Mage now?" His voice is quiet, but laced with disbelief. Groth grins. "Took you long enough to notice." Tolga's eyes narrow. "But how? You didn't have any Tier 3 spells to study." Groth leans back, smirking. "His Majesty gave me one." He lifts a hand, letting a faint arc of deep blue mana crackle between his fingers. The power is undeniable. "And in His Majesty's kingdom, Tier 3 skills and spells are as common as cabbage." Tolga's breath stills for a moment. As common as cabbage? That's ridiculous. But Groth doesn't look like he's joking. Alix watches Tolga's reaction, amused. That's right, entice him more. Groth is playing his role perfectly. Then, Alix tilts his head slightly, his tone calm but piercing. "And you, Tolga? What's your reason for attacking the humans? Revenge... or something else?" The four immediately turn their attention to Tolga. They've asked this question before. Many times. And every time, Tolga pretended not to hear. A heavy silence stretches between them. Tolga's fingers tap against the table. A habit. Restless. Guarded. But this time... Tolga doesn't evade. For a long moment, Tolga says nothing. Then—finally—a sigh. "I have someone important who is being held captive in Misorn City." The words are quiet. Almost reluctant. Thurn's eyes narrow slightly. Tolga exhales again, voice steadier now. "Some humans took my little sister... a long time ago." Alix watches carefully, noting the slight strain in Tolga's voice. The edges of something long buried. "Years later, after I became strong, I immediately started searching for her. And I found out..." Tolga's crimson eyes darken. "That she is now a slave of that damn bastard. The city lord of Misorn City." A cold stillness settles in the clearing. No one speaks. Thurn's jaw clenches. Groth's smirk vanishes. Nyssara's gaze sharpens. Even Veltha, who had remained silent all this time, lowers his head slightly, a rare moment of respect. Alix, however, remains calm. "I see." Tolga shifts slightly, then—without warning—reaches for the clasp at her neck. With a single motion, she pulls off the heavy robe draped over her shoulders. The reaction is immediate. Thurn stiffens. Groth's eyes widen. Nyssara's expression flickers—shock, realization, and something else. Even Alix, who rarely shows surprise, raises a brow. Tolga... is a girl. Her frame, hidden for so long beneath layers of loose clothing, is lean but undeniably feminine. Her features—sharp yet delicate—hold an unnatural beauty. Ethereal. And yet, it's not just her gender that shocks them. It's her appearance. Even with her inhuman traits—the slightly elongated pupils, the faint traces of scales along her arms, the unnatural glow of her crimson eyes—she is beautiful. Not just beautiful. Striking. Mesmerizing. As beautiful as an elf. The realization settles over them like a weight. Tolga crosses her arms, her crimson eyes flickering between them. "This is the reason my little sister got hunted." Her voice is calm, but there's an edge to it—resentment, maybe even guilt. Alix watches her for a moment, then nods. "I can help you achieve that." Alix leans forward slightly, his tone even. "Revenge. Freedom. Power. Whatever it is you truly want." He lets the words settle before continuing, "And more importantly, I can get your sister back safely as soon as the invasion begins." The fire in Tolga's eyes wavers. Just for a second. "You can really do that?" Alix holds her gaze, unwavering. "I can." Silence stretches between them. Thurn, Groth, Nyssara, and Veltha stay quiet, their eyes locked on Tolga. They've never seen her hesitate before. Never seen her uncertain. Tolga's fingers twitch. A habit. A tell. Then, she exhales sharply. "And what do you want in return?" Alix's answer comes without hesitation. "Loyalty." Tolga's jaw tightens. "Submit to me," Alix continues. "Swear an oath, and I will make sure you get your sister back." The air grows heavier. Tolga clenches her fists. Submitting to someone—she's never done that. Never even considered it. But... her sister. That damn city lord. The years of searching. Of coming up empty. Of knowing that the man who stole her only family still breathes, still rules, while her sister suffers. She inhales deeply, then exhales. Tolga stares at Alix, the weight of his words pressing down on her. Then, slowly, she kneels. The four watch in silence, their expressions unreadable. Even Groth, usually quick with a smirk or remark, remains still. Tolga places a fist over her heart, crimson eyes locked onto Alix's. "I, Tolga, swear my loyalty to you, Alix. My strength, my life, and my revenge—all will be under your command. In return, you will help me find and free my sister." A sudden pulse of energy ripples through the air. A golden glow surrounds Tolga for a brief moment before fading, as if something unseen has been sealed.

Chapter 35: Tolga Submitted (part 2)

Comments (0)