An Extra’s POV
chapter-673

~I have incomplete information, so there's the possibility that you will be misguided and act on bias when you inevitably encounter him. I deduced you would eventually figure out that Adrien was here, and responsible for the demise of so many Elves, so I wanted you to witness it yourself and form your thoughts on them before hearing my report on the matter.~

"I don't think that's enough justification, though…" Rey responded to Ater with a harsh tone.

~Perhaps. But, I believe it would be preferable for you to confront Adrien without much of your preconceived notions—especially regarding the boy.~

"Are you telling me to trust him?!"

~No. But… give the opening for that trust.~

"What does that mean?"

~Have you ever sat down and listened to Adrien? Maybe if you did so, and the both of you conversed at length with as minimal biases as possible… the conversation could end up becoming very fruitful.~

"You want me to calmly converse with someone responsible for Mass Genocide?"

~....~

"Answer me, Ater!" Rey raised his voice a little higher than normal, and the calming effect swiftly took over and soothed him.

All of his growing anger and frustration with Ater instantly vanished.

~Master… do you truly believe that there is not a chance in the world that you could ever be in Adrien's position?~

"What?"

~Is there nothing that you would be capable of going to any lengths to accomplish… even if it meant taking the side of Monsters?~

"...." It was now Rey's turn to be silent.

He creased his brow and thought hard about what Ater was implying.

~You killed the members of the Underworld back then because you determined them to be a danger to the United Human Alliance. What if you found out the Elves were the same?~

"But they're not!"

~I never said that was the reason. All I am saying is that Adrien must at least have a reason for doing what he is doing. It all hinges on the deal he has with the Dragons.~

"So… you want me to give him the benefit of the doubt and hear him out?"

~That would be my advice, Master.~

Rey sighed, his frown slowly dissipating from his face.

'It's odd that Ater would take such a sympathetic role regarding Adrien. Still… he has a good point.'

With the Elves being the way they were, perhaps there were certain things that could push him to the edge. When he faced The Oracle, he actually even considered it.

"I'll try." Rey finally murmured out.

~Thank you very much, Master!~

"But, if Adrien is here… doesn't that mean he is aware of my presence in the land of the Elves as well?"

~You don't need to worry about that, Master. I have it all sorted out.~

"Ah… okay."

**************

After a series of conversation with Ater—mainly about what was going on in the Capital, and how it was being handled—Rey finally hit his breaking point.

His emotions were in a constant rollercoaster that it was a chore just to keep them in check.

It was eating at him at such an absurd rate.

Ultimately, Rey decided to sleep everything off and eliminate all the fatigue that had been building up.

~Master…~

Emil watched over him as he lay on his bed. Her black, slime-like form stood over him like a guardian angel, observing his every features… almost like a creep, in all honesty.

This had become her habit anytime Rey slept, and she serenity of the night helped her absorb more of the scene.

Unfortunately for her, this time would be different.

~Hey… Emil~

A voice suddenly echoed within the room, causing the Symbiote Slime to almost jump up in fright. Her jelly-like body danced as she screeched, turning back in an instant to glare at the one who interrupted her silent moment with Rey.

There was no one behind her. No one else was in the room.

~Over here, Emil…~

The voice came again, and this time, the Symbiote Slime had her attention drawn to the Black Box that still sat on Rey's chair.

Her slimy body slithered towards it, and while she had no facial feature of any kind, her sour mood was obvious from the way she moved.

~What do you want, Ater?~ She recognized the voice, and she also knew the only one who could reach Rey through the box was him.

She was certain it was him.

~How cold, Emil…~

~If you want to speak to Master, you can't right now. He's asleep.~ Her response was curt and downright prideful, a sharp contrast to Ater's smooth tone. Still, the man at the other end of the box did not lose his cool.

He continued with grace.

~I know. I actually called to speak to you, Emil…~

Emil swerved a portion of her slim-like body to the side, the same way a human would cock their head. She was, naturally, met with confusion.

~Me? Why?~

She and Ater had never spoken without Rey being present. In fact, she didn't fancy speaking to anyone that wasn't Rey, which was why she usually only spoke through his thoughts.

However, since he had been ignoring her so much… Emil was beginning to ger lonely.

And so, when Ater gave her the attention she had been deprived of for so long, a crack began to appear on her little facade.

~Because I need you, Emil. Something big is going to happen soon, and I need a favor from you.~

More confusion took over Emil, though with her completely black body didn't allow them to be obvious. She shook slightly, though.

~N-need me? Why would I help you at all? Hmmph!~

~Because doing so would help Master as well. Don't you want to assist him…?~

Emil turned back to look at the sleeping Rey, and her positioned softened slightly. She felt more inclined to listen to Ater's words.

Still, she was still confused.

~Why didn't you tell Master this when you were having a conversation with him earlier?~

~Because he likes surprises, and we both have to keep this a secret until the fullness of time. It's very important, do you understand?~

Emil still had questions, but her curiosity, loneliness, and eagerness to please took over everything else and she nodded enthusiastically as she drew even closer to the Black Box.

~Understood! What do you need me to do?~