Lackey's Seducing Survival Odyssey

"Hah… what the hell are you talking about, boy?" Mary scoffed with an amused tone. She couldn't believe Aether was trying such pathetic, cunning tricks in the middle of their fight.

After all, she had witnessed firsthand just how tricky he could be. He would stoop to anything, twist any truth, and stab with words sharper than his blades if it meant winning. His voice was like a serpent's hiss — and anyone foolish enough to fall for it would be swallowed whole, never to rise again.

Aether rubbed his forehead with a tired, almost mocking expression. "I cannot believe you are this dumb, Mary," he muttered, his voice filled with disappointment and scorn.

Mary frowned, her hand tightening around the hilt of her blood-red sword. "Bitch, please. I know you're scared of figh—" Before she could finish, Aether raised his hand casually, pointing directly toward Morgana once more.

"I received some juicy news about her… from Victor," he said with deliberate pause.

Morgana flinched, her shoulders trembling, her lips pressing together tightly.

Mary's frown deepened, her eyes narrowing. Aether smirked faintly and continued, "Do you remember the time when we fought against the Master… and that mysterious figure appeared out of nowhere, nearly killing me?"

Mary lowered her weapon slightly. She wasn't stupid enough to fall for his cheap tricks. But still, she remembered. She remembered the sudden intrusion, the figure that had struck with impossible precision, a presence so well-hidden that no one had sensed it until it was almost too late.

Aether had barely escaped death that day.

Aether's voice dropped, "That was her. The woman helping Master Snape to destroy your Empire. The one who betrayed you from the shadows."

Mary blinked slowly, her mind processing his claim.

What nonsense was he spouting now?

Morgana's teeth ground together as her anger boiled over.

"This is wrong! How dare you twist the truth with your fake tactics? And here I thought, for a moment, I might show you mercy… You bastard!" Her voice cracked like lightning as she turned to Mary,

"Your Majesty, please… do not believe him! This man is trying to weave lies, trying to confuse you so that you hesitate to strike. He knows he cannot win otherwise!"

Mary's crimson eyes studied Morgana in silence, her stare piercing, heavy.

Then, with a faint exhale, she spoke. "Of course I know… Do you really think I am so foolish that I would fall for his pathetic traps?"

Morgana's chest loosened, relief washing over her features. For a moment, she had feared Mary would believe that snake's words and turn her wrath on her.

Mary turned her gaze back to Aether and let out a sharp snort.

"You're pathetic. Do you know that?

First, you try to use my daughter as a bargaining chip, and now… you dare point at my most loyal subordinate?" Her voice sharpened into venom. "So very pathetic, Aether. I wonder, truly, what my daughter even sees in you."

Aether shrugged, his smirk returning, his eyes glowing with dangerous mischief. "Suit yourself. But she is going to kill you and your daughter when the time comes. And when that happens… don't come crawling to me, begging not to be laughed at." He chuckled darkly.

Mary's expression faltered for a split second. She frowned, hesitation flickering in her gaze. Morgana had been by her side for nearly her entire life — a pillar of loyalty.

Could there truly be betrayal hidden there?

No… it couldn't be. It had to be Aether, scheming, sowing discord to fracture their unity.

And honestly… that was exactly what Aether was hoping for.

Because he knew, deep down, that if he struck Mary directly — if he dared hurt her — then Lia would never forgive him.

Not in this lifetime, nor the next.

So instead, he had chosen this path: to turn her own people against her, to poison the bond of trust until it shattered. Divide them, and when they fought each other… whichever one remained standing, he would finish off with ease.

Yes… This was far simpler.

As long as Lia did not interfere, this was all but assured. He had already sent his puppets to keep watch — to sound the alarm if she came anywhere nearby.

And until then… he would keep playing this game.

This was his only way to get to Lia… If only Mary had been a little less of a daughter-con, things would have been far easier for him.

Still, this method… it worked. Even if there were a few hiccups here and there, the cracks had begun to show.

Mary's gaze locked on Aether, her voice sharp as steel. "Let's say… what you're saying is the truth—"

"Y-Your Majesty?" Morgana cut in, her tone laced with horror.

Was her Majesty truly about to believe that lying bastard?

"Tsk, let me finish…" Mary snapped, her eyes narrowing. "Let's say what you're saying is the truth… where is the proof?"

Aether blinked, caught off guard. He hadn't expected her to demand evidence.

Mary's eyes turned cold, "Tell me now."

But before Aether could open his mouth—

"I can tell you that."

The voice slithered in. Everyone flinched as their heads turned. From behind a massive half-cut pillar, Victor stepped out of the shadows.

"How… how did he appear?"

That was the question running through everyone's mind.

No one — not even Mary — had sensed his arrival until he stood before them.

Victor wore a faint smirk, leaning casually against the stone pillar. His eyes flicked between Mary and Morgana, calm, sly, and far too knowing.

"You asked for proof? Well… here I am."

Mary's frown deepened. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Victor exhaled softly, his gaze shifting toward Aether. "Didn't you tell them already?"

Aether offered an awkward smile, scratching his cheek. "I mean… it would've caused you some problems so…"

Victor shook his head, muttering, "I'm not sure if I should be proud of you as my friend… or curse myself for it." His words carried a bitter amusement before his eyes returned to Mary. His tone hardened.

"I am one of the members of the Arcane Hunter Organisation."

Mary's breath caught. Her face stiffened with horror. "You? Then why did they—"

"That was just acting," Victor cut her off, his voice calm. "Nothing more than a disguise. Anyway… enough about me." He waved his hand dismissively and turned his gaze toward Morgana.

Morgana avoided his stare. Her lips pressed thin, her shoulders tense, her entire demeanour like a cat caught cornered, knowing the hunter had already seen its weakness.

Victor smirked. "That woman… the one you call your loyal subordinate… is one of the members of that Organisation."

Mary flinched, her crimson eyes narrowing, her head shaking violently. "This is… This is nonsense! You're planning something — the two of you — trying to confuse me!

No! I am NOT FALLING FOR IT!" she shouted, her voice trembling between fury and denial.

Victor sighed softly, his expression shifting to something thoughtful, as though he pitied her. Then, slowly, he reached into his pocket.

"How about this?" he said, pulling out a small crystal ball. Within its glassy surface shimmered a faint glowing script.

The words inside read:

Hereby, Victor, the Dragon Emperor, is summoned for the Meeting in the Garden.

Victor held the orb casually in his palm, a smile tugging at his lips. "The Garden is where our Organisation meets," he explained smoothly.

His gaze shifted toward Morgana, "Why don't you use your ability, Mary? Ask her the truth. Isn't your ability to enter others' minds and charm them? Ask her. Ask if she has ever received this kind of summons."

Victor and Aether both smirked now, their eyes gleaming with curiosity and slyness, watching Mary's face twist with conflict.

Mary's brow furrowed deeply. Of course, she could use her ability. She could command Morgana to speak the truth… and yet… if she did, wouldn't that itself be a betrayal?

Morgana had been with her for so long. Since they were children, since the earliest days. Through war, blood, and tragedy, Morgana had been her shadow, her shield, her confidant.

Victor stepped closer, "Just to tell you, the newest mission for the members was simple… destroy Mary's family."

Mary's entire body froze. Her breath stopped. Her eyes widened in horror. "Wha—"

Chucckkk!

Thud!!

A head rolled across the broken marble floor.

Aether and Victor's eyes went wide, their smirks shattering into pure shock as they stared at the sight before them.

Mary's headless body collapsed to the ground like a broken doll, blood spraying in a crimson arc across the shattered tiles.

And behind her…

Morgana stood.

Her hands gripped two thin metallic swords, their blades crossing in a scissoring motion, blood dripping thickly from their edges.

She lifted her head slightly as her lips twisted into a wicked grin, her eyes gleaming with a madness that had been hidden all along.

"Heheheh~"