Chapter 248: Seventy-six, your only loyalty is to me_3

“People of Lyra! I have heard your voices, received your prayers,” his tone was solemn and majestic, as if the True God had descended. “I, Oliver Delli, promise you that I will change everything. I will personally kill Lyra and bring a brand-new future before your eyes!”

As soon as he spoke, the cries of “kill Lyra” from the crowd immediately turned into shouts of allegiance to Oliver.

They chanted Oliver’s name, even louder than when they had formerly chanted the name of Lyra.

“Now, only one step remains.” Oliver looked at Gerard again and smiled as he extended his hand, “Knight of the Night Star, Gerard. After all we’ve been through, are you willing to pledge loyalty to me once again and fight for the future of Lyra?”

In that moment, hundreds of burning gazes landed on Gerard.

And outside the hall, even more people were paying attention to this event.

“As long as you are willing to be loyal to me,” Oliver said softly, “I will bygone all that you have done before, and I will restore your honor, as well as the honor of the Night Star, they will no longer be Rebels, they shall return to everyone’s sight as heroes.”

“Of course, even if you are not willing, I will still do it,” Oliver said with a smile, “this is what you deserve.”

Gerard opened his mouth.

Was it over… just like that?

All he had to do was step forward and take that hand, as he had done countless times ten years ago.

Would all this end?

The honor of the Night Star.

The obsessions of the past.

Could everything be dispelled, just by letting the new god descend?

It seemed… beautiful?

Gerard was momentarily bewildered.

But at that moment, he remembered what Bai Wei had said to him.

“Do you know what it costs to bring about the descent of the new god?”

His pupils slightly narrowed.

No, no, no!

This man had hidden the most crucial thing!

Gerard stepped forward immediately, “To bring the new god to the throne, do you know how many people will die…”

“Your daughter, in the third section of the tower,” Oliver suddenly spoke in a voice that only the two of them could hear, “that child you care about, named Ju, stands right outside the gates of the Sky Tower.”

Gerard’s body stiffened.

Oliver’s face was still smiling, but his words were ice-cold.

“Gerard, think it over carefully, some words, once spoken, cannot be taken back… and, the widow,” Oliver continued, “I am different today than I was yesterday. Now… I control all of Lyra.”

Gerard stared intently at Oliver, “You know everything? Do you know what the arrival of the new god will bring?! Why are you still doing this?!”

“These are necessary sacrifices, Gerard,” Oliver said calmly, “you only have two choices now.”

“First choice, speak those words, and die as a Rebel, and those others, they depart together. But you will achieve nothing, and you should be well aware that even if you speak them, no one will believe you.”

“Second choice, grasp my hand, and I will give you everything I promised you. You will still be the hero you once were, your daughter, that little girl, and the widow… many more people will be saved, and you will all have a place in the future.”

“These two choices can only affect you and cannot impact me.”

“Make your choice, Gerard,” Oliver looked into Gerard’s eyes as he spoke each word distinctly, “die as a Rebel or live as a hero!”

Gerard turned his head, and through Bai Wei’s eyes, he saw a distant place.

At Rim Station, two men were approaching a crying woman.

At the third tower of the section, knights of the Devil were slowly extending their hands to their Blazing Fire Swords at their sides.

Outside the Sky Tower, a Bone Knight was enthusiastically chatting up Ju, who was clutching her collar tightly, trying to leave but was stopped.

“Gerard!” Oliver yelled furiously at Gerard, “Make your choice! Do it now!”

At that moment, Gerard almost broke down.

Until Bai Wei’s voice, unequivocal and resolute, rang in his mind.

“Reject him, Gerard.”

“The one you can be loyal to.”

“Is only me.”