"I'm sorry, but the lives of the people are more important. Besides, this way I can surpass my brother in a different way and this record will certainly not be broken by anyone," said Alfred while closing his eyes, not knowing what face he should show Noel.
"She's lying! You're going to be ruined if you trust her!" Noel wanted to warn them again, wanting to convince them that Anna would ruin them like how she destroyed his family.
However, Lezlev simply stated with a cold tone. "Well, I don't see any reason for her to screw me over. Even a commoner like me knows the reputation of Anna Stargaze, the daughter of Marquis Stargaze. So, I'm simply taking the opportunity."
No matter how hard Noel persuaded them, they didn't have a single intention to change their thought.
'Uh.' Anna closed her eyes with a complicated expression. She looked at Noel's horrified expression and thought, 'I want to solve the hatred, but why does it feel like I'm taking everything again from this guy? I thought he could be calmer and follow me while bidding his time to kill me… This way, he will continue observing my actions and learn more about me, lessening the hatred in his heart.
'However, it seems that he is more hot-blooded than I expected. Should I take back my words?
'But I also need to save Alfred Starwood. I met his brother in my past life and knew that his brother didn't survive the outbreak. If I could save him, I could make his brother owe me something… This favor will certainly help me in the near future for that event…
'On the other hand, Noel is still the biggest issue. I have worsen the already worst relationship… Really… should I just kill this guy or let him grow while solving the hatred?
'Well, he's more useful when he's alive. Although I don't want to admit it, in the past life, Noel has helped more than a hundred thousand commoners in the kingdom. But the king betrayed me at the last moment, is it still worth to protect this kingdom?'
Anna was in the dilemma now that she faced the real situation. She thought she had considered everything, but the more she met Noel, the more problems appeared in her mind.
'So, do I continue with this farce and save Alfred to get the favor that can help me soon? Or should I mend the relationship between me and Noel to solve the long war between us?'
Anna didn't know what to choose. The benefits that she could get from Alfred's brother was simply too great, so she was contemplating.
After two minutes, Anna said, "I need your help too, Noel. Just bear with me for one night, at that time, I will give you the chance to kill me… that is if you're strong enough."
She tried a different approach to gain Noel's cooperation, simply because she wanted him to be in her side.
"Get off me! I won't be following whatever you said!" Noel gritted his teeth, glaring at her in anger. "My family is not enough with you and now you're trying to torture me here?!"
"That's…" Anna suddenly stopped as she remembered something in her past life. In the last battle against Noel, the latter always told her that she was ignorant and didn't know anything without giving a single explanation. It truly made her heart waver.
'This was what you said in the previous life. Now that I think about it, Noel was always good with his brain… Well, I will use my experience when fighting against you.' Anna smiled and looked at Noel, saying with a gentle tone. "Do you think that's all there to it?
"In your eyes, your family is probably number one. However, do you think that's all there is to your family? Why do you think you're spared with your family heirloom? Why do you think your family was executed? You don't know anything, Noel. You don't know the real truth." Anna smirked.
She tried to come up with words that made Noel doubt himself while shifting the blame from her to his ignorance.
"Don't you think my proposal is quite good? You can save some people while getting a chance to fight me in the end?" Anna smirked, inciting Noel for the fight. Though, her thought said otherwise as she said inwardly, 'Well, I don't care what I need to use to keep you on my side. The more I save him, the more he hesitates in revenge.
After that, I can start searching for some clues about the Royal Family's betrayal. My words alone shouldn't be enough to decide the life and death of Count Ardagan after all, so there must be something more to it.'
When he heard this agreement, Noel's eyes wavered slightly. He couldn't believe what Anna said because that mouth was the one that gave the idea to the royal family to execute the Ardagan Family. If it was a normal royal family, their Ardagan Family would simply get exiled like the third prince they supported.
With just a single thought about it, he could confirm that everything didn't match up. There might be something more to his family's downfall.
As soon as he became a bit calmer, he knew his eyes had been clouded by revenge. However, he still couldn't accept everything she said.
"No! I'd rather die than cooperating with you," Noel answered out loud.
"Mhm…" Anna frowned. It didn't seem she could convince Noel today. However, she clearly saw the change in Noel's eyes. "Well, it doesn't seem you're going to attack me right now…"
Slowly but surely, Anna gradually rose while saying, "It's clear that you're not strong enough to fight a demon alone. So, I'll take back what I said from breaking your group… I just want you to know there's a potential outbreak in one or two days."
"I don't need your pity. This group can no longer work," said Noel coldly while glancing at Alfred and Lezley. They looked away as if telling Noel that they wanted to follow Anna.
Without waiting for them to reply, Noel turned around and started walking while pressing his left arm and chest to decrease the pain.
"Wait, Noel." Looking at that lonely back, Anna tried to stop him. Unfortunately for her, Noel only glared at her with some killing intent as he said coldly, "I don't need your pity. I'll make you regret for not killing me now, Anna Stargaze."