I Became The Novel's Biggest Antagonist

Chapter 81 Cattleya Starlight Taken Hostage [2]

"Lord Willias," Reynold called suddenly.

"I am aware," Willias replied with a calm smile, though his posture subtly shifted. He was ready.

The atmosphere grew heavy.

The air itself seemed to ripple darkly.

They were coming.

The Demons.

The air warped violently about thirty meters ahead of them. In an instant, four figures emerged from the distortion.

A dull thud accompanied the arrival of the first two—a boy and a girl, both with black bags covering their heads and their hands restrained behind them by anti-mana cuffs.

Behind them stood two others, the presumed culprits behind the forest ambush. Clad in black leather armor, their faces were obscured by featureless black masks. One lingered slightly behind, silent and observing, while the apparent leader stood at the forefront. Though his hood concealed his hair, the gleaming red of his eyes were clearly visible

"Cattleya!" Sina gasped, as she recognized her daughter, even through the obscuring bag. She moved to rush forward, but her husband's grip restrained her.

"Wise choice, woman," the leader, James sneered with his altered voice. He leveled a short sword against Cattleya's neck. "I was just about ready to slice your daughter's pretty little head off right before your eyes."

"You bastard! If you so much as touch her, I'll kill you!" Sina erupted in rage.

The man tilted his head mockingly. "Oh, but that's the thing, Starlight woman. I've technically already touched her."

Sina froze, her face draining of color. "W—What..." She stammered, her body swaying as though the ground beneath her was giving way.

"Hmphf!"

A muffled cry tore through their talks, emanating from the girl beneath the hood.

James sighed. "I told ya to stay quiet, Cattleya Starlight." With a swift motion, he removed the hood, revealing her face. Her flushed cheeks burned with anger, her eyes flashing indignantly as she struggled against the tape sealing her mouth.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

A collective sigh of relief came from Isabel, the grandmother, who had been holding her breath.

"I trust you haven't harmed her," Reynold asked coldly.

James shrugged nonchalantly, before narrowing his eyes. "Harmed her? Of course not. I take good care of my merchandise." He gestured lazily at the restrained girl. "Now, enough theatrics. Show me the Coins."

"Before we proceed, I want to see my nephew's face," Patrick Cromwell asked.

"Of course," James replied smoothly, a faint smile playing on his lips. He removed the bag covering the boy's head, revealing Leon Cromwell's disoriented face.

"Hmf?" Leon seemed confused as his eyes darted around.

"Leon?" Patrick's gaze narrowed slightly. "Are you alright?"

"Hm!" Leon replied with his sealed mouth.

Besides him, Cattleya's eyes widened a bit. She recognized Leon as one of her classmates. Confusion etched her face—when the hell had he been taken hostage? She had never seen him in the abandoned mansion before.

"As agreed, ten Holy Coins for Cattleya Starlight and three Holy Coins for Leon Cromwell. Now, show me my booty."

"It's alright. Everything is over, nephew," Patrick said, patting Leon's head reassuringly.

"My daughter now," Reynold asked.

James fell silent, his response chillingly delayed.

The silence made Sina only more anxious.

Finally, James spoke. "You know, I said I am a man of my word." He turned toward Gin, his red eyes glinting dangerously. "What did you state in the ransom message?"

"Ten Holy Coins for Cattleya Starlight and three Holy Coins for Leon Cromwell..." Gin replied not understanding where James was going.

"That was all?" James asked.

Gin hesitated briefly before nodding in understanding. "No. I also instructed them to come alone." His gaze flicked to Willias, lingering pointedly.

James's eyes darkened. "Alone. Yeah. I accepted the grandmother, but I never asked for a bastard of the Church to accompany her, did I?"

"We only brought her as a precautionary measure; we don't need him! Everything can be resolved now!" Sina interjected sharply, her voice carrying a mix of urgency and defiance.

"Aye, maybe so," James replied, his voice taking on a mocking lilt as he retrieved the sword from Gin's grasp. "But here's the rub, woman: when it comes to gold and deals, I'm as rigid as a ship's mast in a storm. There'll be no leeway for trickeries"

"Please..." Isabel pleaded, her voice trembling as her eyes darted to James, who was now closing the distance between himself and Cattleya.

Cattleya's breath hitched for a moment.

Was he really going to kill her?

James moved behind her, the short sword glinting ominously in his hand.

Then...

-Thud!

The sharp clang of metal hitting the ground rang. The cuffs binding Cattleya's wrists snapped open, falling to the floor.

For a moment, hope flared in her chest. She turned instinctively, ready to rush toward her mother, but James was faster. In one swift motion, he seized her arm and pulled her back against him. His arm encircled her neck, not tight enough to harm but firm enough to leave no room for resistance.

He leaned in close, his breath grazing her ear as he whispered.

"Listen close, lass," he murmured, his tone changing suddenly more familiar one. "I've got my eyes set on a Relic of Seraphiel. Fetch it for me, Cattleya Starlight, or I swear you'd regret forever."

Cattleya nodded her head averting her gaze in annoyance. She had no choice but to play along. She would have to betray her mother to fulfill this twisted bargain.

Even as she signaled her compliance, James did not release her though.

"Release her! We gave you the Holy Coins!" Sina shouted her voice breaking a bit. She looked ready to leap into action.

"Holy Coins, aye," James sneered, tipping his head up. "But ye see, woman, there's still a debt to be paid. The insult of sharing this peaceful exchange of goods with that ugly ass face of his." His eyes flicked to the priest. "I want his head. On a pike."

"What?" Reynold's voice was barely more than a breath, disbelief etched across his features.

"Are you deaf my friend? Or do I need to spell it out?" James asked. "I want the priest's head. Bring it here, or I swear your daughter will be feeding the sharks."