Rise of the Eromancer

Chapter 195 The Talk

"Emilia has something she wishes to say to her brother… and as the guild master, it is my responsibility to consider the mental health of—"

There was already a deafening tension in the air when Adam mentioned Rhys's sister. Outside of Rhys's women, the others could be said to be strangers to Rhys — and yet all of them know about the dynamics between Rhys and his sister. How could they not? As Explorers, they needed to be up to date with whatever the other explorers were up to.

And when Cerberus guild recruited the infamous Sylas West, all of them were tuning in, and they also watched the interview where Emilia blamed her brother for their mother's death. Suffice it to say, the only reason why Emilia wasn't outright canceled and punished for her words was that Rhys was a Lowborn, and nobody cared for him then.

But now, however, it was a completely different world altogether.

And almost as if to add tension to the fire, Katarina was the one to break the silence with a firm, "No…

…I don't think it's right for the two of you to talk just like this after everything that has happened. I also don't think it's right that you used this moment to ambush your brother."

"Kat, it's fine," Rhys could really only sigh as he lightly grabbed Katarina's wrist.

"It's not fine," Katarina shook her head, "She wasn't there, Rhys. She wasn't there when I saw you dying each and every day — and now she just wants to stroll into your life… with your mother's killer? That boy should be in jail."

And as Katarina glared at Sylas, the only thing he really did was close his eyes and look away.

"Sylas has served his time," Adam cleared his throat as he came to the defense of his guild member, "And I do believe he is not the same person he was back then."

"It doesn't change anything," Katarina shook her head, "Not for Rhys, not for anyone else in this room."

"And how many have Rhys Wilder killed during his time in the Underworld Corps?"

"Really…?" Katarina scoffed, "Do you really think that's the same thing?"

"No," Adam shook his head, "But it doesn't change the fact that he has killed more people than Sylas — people who also had families of their own. In fact, out of all of us in this room, Sylas could be considered to have the fewest body count, one."

"...I thought you were more sensible than your predecessor," Katarina shook her head, "It turns out you're just calmer."

"...I sense a certain hostility here," Cillian then suddenly intruded in the heating conversation, "Sadly, I don't wanna leave just yet because I love drama — and I also want to see if Mr. Wilder's spar with the Black White Ice Princess actually plays out."

"Black White Ice Princess…?" Esme, who was keeping completely silent because she found the entire thing awkward, could not help but look at Cillian as soon as she heard that.

"Yes," Cillian shrugged and winked at Esme, "Glowing white hair, black skin, and ice powers."

"...Right," Esme then turned to look at Rhys, "If you have other things to do, then it is alright if you refuse my silly request, Rhys Wilder."

"No," Rhys shook his head, "I also want to try fighting you, Ma'am. It gets tiring only to spar with Ayesha and the others."

"You didn't seem tired when it was Katarina and I against you, Sir," Lina casually blurted out, causing Katarina's eyes to widen. Fortunately, no one really seemed to notice the… sexual innuendo attached to her words.

With the atmosphere around the room suddenly lighting up, Ayesha's very long and deep breath suddenly resounded in the air.

"Rhys, did you know that when you were dragged by Arachnea down the Underworld back in the mall of Mankappan… there was someone who dived down the Hole to follow you?" Ayesha then said as she looked at Emilia,

"Your sister — everyone else was frozen in fear, even that water-sniffing bitch of a Noble didn't move at all. But your sister dived down the Hole… for whatever reason? Who knows. What I'm trying to say is that takes balls, and maybe you should hear her out. Or not, she's still a bitch."

"No," Katarina quickly shook her head, "It's best to just not make contact with her at all, Rhys. For your sake, and hers."

"..." Rhys looked back and forth between Katarina and Ayesha before turning to look at Lina and Maria, who both just shrugged their shoulders.

"Well…" Rhys then turned to look at Adam, "...I'll hear her out."

"Rhys!" Katarina gritted her teeth, but Rhys quickly but very gently grabbed her cheek.

"And only hear her out," Rhys sighed, "It doesn't mean I'll talk to her, Kat."

"Then on one condition…" Katarina then glared at Emilia, "...As your doctor, I'll be present in your talks…

…I can't leave you with her, Rhys."

"Well…" Cillian then once again inserted himself in the conversation, "...What about we all just be present? No…? Gals?"

To Cillian's disappointment, most of them were asked to leave Rhys's office, and only Emilia, Adam, and Sylas West were left with Rhys and Katarina. That was several minutes ago already, and yet not a single word had been exchanged between the group.

And after another minute had passed, Katarina was once again the one to break the silence as she shook her head and stood up from the sofa,

"If no one is going to say anything, then—"

"Emilia and I are dating now."

And before Katarina could finish her words, Sylas suddenly spoke up and looked Rhys in the eyes. Katarina glanced at Rhys, and seeing he wasn't reacting at all, she just sat back down and moved closer to him.

"The last time we met, you said you didn't care…" Sylas's words were almost a whisper, "...And maybe you don't — but I think it's really important for Emilia to—"

"Sylas," Emilia then held Sylas's hand as she stopped him from talking, "Brother… Rhys, this is the last time — this is the last time I am going to try and bother you. I know you hate me, and I deserve it…

…so, I'm here to say goodbye."

Katarina subtly glanced at Rhys, only to see his eyes completely empty.

"And I want you to know that I didn't really mean it," Emilia then said as she seemed to try to stop her tears from falling, "It's not your fault, Rhys. It's… it's not. And I'm sorry, I'm really sorry. Just, please…

…I want to hear you talk to me one last time, even if you want to lash out, curse at me. Please, I just want to hear you talk to me, Rhys."

"..." Katarina once again glanced at Rhys as she held his hand, only to see his eyes were still completely empty and blank.

"I'm…" Emilia then glanced at Sylas, "...I'm moving in with Sylas in his apartment, and I'm happy… Rhys, I really am. And I know you don't want to hear this… but he has really changed, really. He helps people, and he's been trying to make amends for what he did. And—"

"Emi…" Sylas shook his head as he stopped Emilia from speaking, "...This isn't about me."

"Wait," Katarina raised a finger as she squinted her eyes at Emilia, "Move in with him? Aren't you just 17? I know kids these days are incredibly stupid and rash, but this is… just on another level. Do… you know what Stockholm syndrome is?"

"I know… I know it's unfair, and that's why I'm saying goodbye now," Emilia closed her eyes and took in the deepest breath she had ever taken, "I just want to hear your voice one last time, brother. So, please…

…just say something, please."

A second passed as everyone just held their breaths.

And then, an entire minute with the silence just prevailing.

But still, everyone in the room waited for Rhys to say something… but not even a quiet breath escaped his lips.

"...Well then," Adam then stood up from the sofa and nodded at Rhys, "I hope we meet again soon, Rhys Wilder — unlike my predecessor, I do like the friendly competition between guilds. I hope you do more Explorer stuff from now on and stay away from the dirty politics…

…you belong in our world, you know that."

"Rhys…" Sylas also stood up; a small hint of redness lingering in his eyes, "...I want you to know that if I could trade my life to prevent what I did from happening, I would. And if you want to kill me… I'll make sure no one tries to arrest you after you do so. Emi, shall we go?"

"Brother…" Emilia did not stand up and leaned closer, almost begging for Rhys to say something. Katarina, who initially wanted Rhys to not even talk to Emilia, now actually wanted him to at least say one thing — but she remained quiet and just stood up while shaking her head.

"I'll escort you guys out," Katarina then said as she walked out of the room.

Adam followed Katarina out, while Sylas waited for Emilia to leave. And after a few more seconds, Emilia just nodded and walked away; only glancing once as she stepped out of the door.

"...Maria." And as soon as everyone else left, Rhys stood up and whispered.

"Yes, Master?" Maria then emerged behind him and embraced him from the back.

"I want you to find out where Sylas lives," Rhys slightly glanced at Maria.

"I take it you're planning something, then?" Maria smiled, "I'm really happy you're confiding all your evil plans with me and me alone, Master. But you don't need to wait."

"Hm?"

"I already know where Sylas lives," Maria let out a small chuckle as she walked around Rhys and stood in front of him, "What you need to worry about…

…is your spar against the most powerful Explorer in Amerka."