CHAPTER THIRTY THREE: THE TREACHERY UNFOLDS

Just then, the seven rebels with the Princess came to the organization. Eyes gaping, they struggled to take in the sight.

Impossible… Erica gasped

How did they anticipate us? Miria frowned.

It's the traitor! Serafiel looked calm.

I've did it.

What's going on? Felicia thought in cold sweat.

Just according to plan, Gabriela and Mikaela stepped away from the man in black.

"What's this treachery?" the man demanded.

"Sorry, Rimuto, but even we got a problem with you using us as weapons for your expansionist policies," Gabriela said drily.

Huh? Rimuto floundered for a moment. "Why, you ungrateful prats! We fed you and clothed you—"

"In other words, we don't give a fucking shit about you. Go to hell," Mikaela clarified succinctly.

"I'm glad our comrades' sacrifices were not in vain," Erica wept, wiping her tears.

"Unfortunately, we have intel and we knew you would betray us. That is why, our half human half abyss feeder controllers have already been activated right now. As Cecil and Cilia are a special type of Abyss Feeders (both have the flesh of Abyssal Ones inserted in them, but does not crave meat and totally obeys us), the link between them would be greater," Rimuto said.

I got to keep an eye on Pearlyn. Turning around, Serafiel noted that Pearlyn was not doing anything.

"Who's your correspondent?" Miria asked.

"Wouldn't you like to know," Rimuto smirked.

"Mikaela, looks like with twenty controllers on their side, we're gonna have to combine our powers to control even one of them. Whichever it is, the organization is going to regret not letting the twins bond. Ever since the failure of Alicia and Beth, the organization separated the twins in order to not let them be so emotional towards each other. The twins only obey the organization through the controllers—in other words, they don't mind killing each other. Now, the organization is gonna watch their Ultimate Weapons destroy each other," Gabriela said. Concentrating in sync, both Mikaela and Gabriela extended their youki to align with that of Cilia. Struggling, Cecil was controlled by others.

"Rimuto sama, this isn't looking good! At this rate, we'd gotta start all over again!" another man gasped.

"No matter, Dae can create us some more weapons. Now shush and watch!" Rimuto waved at his subordinates to keep quiet.

Meanwhile, Titania and Merissa was protecting Gabriela and Mikaela, while Galatea and Pearlyn make sure they do not awaken in the process. Erica, Miria, Serafiel, Felicia and Lavinia were fighting with the organization warriors now. The Dragon Princess was hiding somewhere. Rubel and Alvin were nowhere to be seen.

Suddenly, Merissa unleashed her disintegration technique. Shocked, Galatea and Pearlyn could do nothing because they were focusing on Gabriela and Mikaela. Titania was disintegrated instantly. Besides killing Titania, Merissa drew her sword against her own comrades and chopped off half of her body.

What… Why is Merissa doing this? I thought it's Pearlyn? Serafiel watched in shock as Merissa tried to kill Gabriela too. Seized by some instinct, Galatea quickly pulled Gabriela away. Pearlyn leapt away herself.

"Mike! Are you all right? Hang on! Felicia, quick give her your body!" Gabriela cried.

"No, Gabe, it's not about dying … You know I'm an offensive type, right? Which means I can't heal myself… Even if Felicia gave me her body, I could not attach it back smoothly. Plus, the pain has made me awaken… I can't hold on much longer."

Frowning, Galatea and Pearlyn tried to help Mikaela. Pearlyn tried to absorb as many of Mikaela's youki as possible, but it's no use. Her youki was too much and increased at an exponential rate. Galatea tried to do the same thing she had done with Clare—align her youki with Mikaela's to prevent it from rising, but to no avail.

"There's nothing… you can do. Right now, I just have one wish. Kill me right now while I still have a human heart…" Mikaela gasped.

"You know I can't do it! I'd rather die!" Gabriela sobbed. "You're like a sister to me."

"I… know. Wasn't expecting you to kill me anyway. Here, Erica, you do it. I know you always wanted to kill me. Heck, you'd be doing me a favour anyway."

I know I should kill her… But I never expected to kill her in this way… "Why do you say that… Can't you be at least a bit terrible… How can I kill you after hearing all that? I'm supposed to kill you because you got Priscilla inside you… Just like what Clare did. And the one I'm supposed to kill is right in front of me, helpless. Tell me, what should I do?"

"You know, you're not Clare. You didn't have a purpose of 'killing Priscilla' like her. In fact, you didn't even know Priscilla's flesh persisted. You were just tricked into becoming a claymore by Rubel. Besides, these people… they're not Priscilla," Galatea said wisely.

"But do it anyway. Hurry, before I… I owe you one, number 47," Mikaela snapped weakly.

"Fine…" Erica stepped forward, and with one swoop chopped off Mikaela's head. Gabriela picked it up and held it, weeping.

"Now now, aren't you losing your focus?" A familiar voice taunted. The rebels looked up to see Merissa smirking by Cilia's side.

"You… Why did you do that?" Serafiel asked through gritted teeth. I was wrong… about Pearlyn. Turns out innocent little Merissa was the traitor all along.

"Because they said they could bring Jamie and Ylene back in another person's body. I was really angry when Ylene died. Why couldn't Erica die instead? It's not like she's a main character in some story. She's much weaker… she didn't deserve to die. And now, with your dragon girl and controller dead, only one of you will be unable to control Cilia. As such, I will destroy all of you. And I can, because I'm number 1."

"That was you, wasn't it? While I was scouting for a suitable camping ground, about twenty Voracious Eaters that ambushed me and recognized my symbol…" Serafiel said.

"What? Why didn't you tell us?" Miria demanded.

"She thinks she can handle it alone. Besides, she thought it's Pearlyn," Merissa said.

"Thanks a lot," Pearlyn grunted from the ground where she laid panting.

"No, I'm just afraid I was wrong. I thought I would keep an eye on Pearlyn myself… But why Voracious Eaters?" Serafiel asked.

"To prove my allegiance to the organization. It was one of the tests. And you fell for it hook, line and sinker. I predicted that you would not tell anyone, it's your nature, you're reticent and quiet," Merissa explained. "Now, enough with the talking. Die!" She left out a burst of her disintegration technique.

Fortunately, Galatea sensed what she was doing and managed to warn the

others. They all scrammed.

"Look, we know you're number 1. But your technique, though powerful, has its weaknesses. It takes time. As long as we wear you out, and attack and run quickly, we have the upper hand. So, we need Miria and Serafiel to attack. Erica, do the mind interference thing," Galatea ordered.

"Interesting…" Rimuto breathed. "An attack between former number 1 vs numbers 3 and 6. Oh, and the half-assed showdown between a weakened Cilia and strong Cecil."

"And don't forget me." A sultry voice shouted from above as the Princess emerged in her true dragon form. "Guess you never thought you'd see the Dragon Royalty send one of their own, the only ones who could turn into a full Dragon."

"I wonder who would prevail," Rimuto said to his men.