Supreme Warlock System : From Zero to Ultimate With My Wives-Chapter 138: An Argument With a Stone

Warlock Ch 138. An Argument With a Stone

Victoria's lips curved into a faint smile. "That's all I ask." Her tone was cool and poised, but there was no mistaking the tension underlying her words. Damian's sharp eyes caught it, even as he continued to bristle silently under her scrutiny. 'I hate this spell,' he thought bitterly, 'but damn, does she know how to play the room.'

Cassius leaned back in his chair, his expression as unreadable as ever. "Considering something doesn't mean agreeing to it," he said, his voice calm but firm. "You'll have to offer more than vague promises and veiled threats if you want my aid."

Victoria's smile didn't waver, but her eyes flashed with something sharper—amusement? Annoyance? It was hard to tell. "Veiled threats? Oh, Cassius, you wound me. I'm simply making an appeal to your sense of pragmatism. Surely you don't want a rogue vampire faction destabilizing your comfortable little corner of the magical world."

"My corner is well-fortified," Cassius said coolly. "But your concern is noted."

Damian couldn't help but smirk, even if the silence spell kept him from making some quip. He'd seen Cassius handle countless tense situations, but the way he toyed with Victoria now was masterful. 'This guy could win an argument with a stone.'

Victoria shifted slightly in her seat, her crimson gown catching the light. "Let's be honest, Cassius," she said, her voice soft but laced with steel. "You know I wouldn't come to you unless the situation were dire. Varak isn't just a nuisance—he's a threat to the balance we both value. And I know how much you hate chaos."

Cassius raised an eyebrow, his gaze sliding toward Damian for a brief moment before returning to Victoria. "You're right about one thing—I do hate chaos. But me and my apprentice aren't ready for this. He's strong, yes, but sending us into a den of rogue vampires led by someone who knows your tactics? That's suicide. Well, not suicide for me, but for my apprentice."

Damian stiffened.

Victoria's gaze shifted to Damian as well, her eyes narrowing slightly as if studying him anew. "He doesn't look entirely incapable," she mused. "In fact…" She leaned forward slightly, her voice dropping to a near-purr. "There's something intriguing about him. He has an edge, doesn't he? A spark of something… familiar."

Cassius's face darkened. "Careful, Victoria."

Her smile returned, this time more genuine. "Relax. I'm not here to pick at your secrets. But I can't help noticing your apprentice has potential. Perhaps more than you're willing to admit."

Damian fought the urge to roll his eyes. 'She's laying it on thick, but she's not wrong. I could handle this. Probably… If I'm still Kaelan. Thank you for your compliment by the way.'

Cassius let out a slow breath, his fingers tapping lightly on the arm of his chair. "Even if I were inclined to help, I'd need more details. What exactly are we walking into? Numbers, strengths, locations—if you want my aid, I need everything."

Victoria nodded, her expression turning serious. "Varak's base of operations is hidden in the Crimson Veil—a pocket dimension accessible only through vampire magic. He's gathered an army of outcasts—vampires, blood mages, and even some demons. His forces are well-armed, and his knowledge of our tactics makes him unpredictable."

Cassius's eyes narrowed. "And you expect us to waltz into the Crimson Veil and take him out?"

Victoria's smile returned, sharper this time. "Oh, I wouldn't dream of making it that simple. But with your skills—and your apprentice's—our chances improve significantly. Besides…" Her gaze flicked to Damian again, lingering. "He seems eager for a challenge."

Damian's silence felt like a muzzle.

Cassius, for his part, seemed unfazed. "We'll discuss it," he said curtly. "I'll let you know."

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Victoria rose gracefully, smoothing her gown as she did. "Very well. I'll await your decision. But don't take too long, Cassius. The longer we wait, the stronger Varak becomes."

As she moved toward the door, she paused, her eyes meeting Damian's once more. "You have an interesting apprentice," she said softly, her voice laced with something almost teasing. "I'll be watching him closely. Also... if this mission is successful," she added, her tone light but deliberate, "I will give you anything. Grant any request. You can ask me anything and demand anything."

With that, she swept out of the room, escorted by the shadow servant.

Cassius flicked his fingers, and Damian's voice returned in an instant. "Finally!" he snapped, the pent-up frustration spilling out all at once. "You know, Cas, I could've actually been helpful back there if you hadn't decided to gag me like some kind of delinquent."

Cassius remained seated, his expression calm but his eyes sharp. "Your definition of 'helpful' often involves reckless comments and impulsive decisions. I was sparing us both the embarrassment."

"Right…" Damian threw up his hands, pacing the room. "As expected… she's suspicious, but she doesn't know for sure."

Cassius leaned back, his gaze following Damian's restless movements. "Suspicious enough to plant spies and test the waters with this mission. It's convenient, don't you think? A rogue faction threatening her power, and suddenly she needs our help?"

Damian stopped. "You think it's a trap."

"It smells like one," Cassius said bluntly. "Especially for you."

Damian's teeth ground together, his mind racing. "I know," he admitted, his voice low. "But…"

Cassius arched an eyebrow. "But?"

Damian hesitated, the words catching in his throat. Finally, he exhaled sharply and said, "That last offer… it's tempting."

"Her vague promise of granting anything?" Cassius asked, his tone skeptical.

"No," Damian said, shaking his head. "The chance to ask her. To know what happened. To find out why I—why Kaelan—did what he did. Why I killed her husband."

Cassius was silent for a moment, studying Damian carefully. "And what do you expect to hear?" he asked finally. "Was it justified? That you had some noble reason buried under all the bloodshed?"

"I don't know," Damian said, his voice tight. He met Cassius's gaze, his eyes burning with frustration. "But I need to know. I can't keep carrying this shadow around without understanding it. If I don't figure it out, how can I move forward? How can I be sure I'm not still… him?"