<h4>Chapter 553: And You Know I Never Miss</h4>


    Through all the talking, Somto stayed silent, his gaze locked on hers, not with fear but with a defiant challenge, daring her to pull the trigger.


    Athena’s lips curled. "You really are the best general I’ve ever encountered," she said mockingly. "Too bad you didn’t live long." She had purposely used the past tense, twisting the words into a verbal dagger aimed straight at him.


    Nnenna’s stomach clenched. This wasn’t a bluff, Athena meant it.


    ’Love System,’ Nnenna called out in her mind, her mental voice sharp and urgent. ’I need you to get us out of here, now.’


    "Teleportation?" the Love System’s voice rang in her head.


    ’"Yes,’ Nnenna answered without hesitation.


    "You don’t have enough good points for that."


    ’You’re kidding, right?’ she shot back furiously.


    "Allow me to finish," the Love System interrupted. "You have enough to get two people out. And Athena doesn’t seem interested in killing Arthur, so he’s safe. But she is interested in killing you... and Somto. Do you consent?"


    Nnenna’s eyes flicked to Arthur, tense, poised, his gaze locked on Athena, and then to Somto, still staring down the barrel with defiance.


    ’You’re sure she won’t try to kill Arthur?’ Nnenna asked. ’Can you give me a hundred percent guarantee?’


    A pause.


    "I... can’t," the Love System admitted.


    Her jaw tightened. ’Fine. Get Arthur and Somto out of here.’ The decision came without a heartbeat’s hesitation.


    ’What about you? I can’t save youter,’ the Love System warned, its voice quieter now.


    ’I know.’ Her lips curled into the faintest smile, even as her pulse thundered in her ears. ’It’s alright. It’s been a pleasure having you with me this past year.’


    She took a slow breath, ready to face whatever came next.


    "Stop talking like that," the Love System cut in, its tone unusually sharp. "There must be another way to get all three of you out of this."


    ’Just do what I asked,’ Nnenna replied firmly, her gaze locked on Athena’s finger tightening on the trigger.


    The love system paused. Only for a second.


    Ding!


    ..."


    BOOM. BOOM. BOOM.


    The floor shuddered as explosions erupted in the distance, dust raining down from the high stone ceiling. The walls groaned under the impact, followed by the distinct sh of steel and shouts of battle echoing through the corridors.


    Athena’s head snapped toward the in looking man who had been standing silently behind her. "What’s happening?" she barked.


    "I don’t know, my queen," he said, shifting uneasily.


    Somto’s voice cut through the chaos, steady and slow. "It’s about time they got here." He tugged at his cor, straightening his shirt as though they weren’t staring death in the face.


    Athena whirled toward him. "What? How is that even possible? How did they cross our boundaries without detection? How—"


    "Like you said," Somto interrupted, a faint, infuriating smile curving his lips, "I am the best general you’ve ever encountered."


    Athena’s grip tightened on the gun, fury sparking in her eyes. But she was no ordinary ruler, herposure mmed back into ce in seconds, the dangerous calm of a predator adjusting its strike.


    "Well then," she said coldly, "I might as well finish the job before your reinforcements reach you."


    She leveled the gun again, this time with no hesitation, no more stalling, knowing she might never get another chance.


    "Pull that trigger," a smooth, sarcastic voice cut through the air, "and you could be a widow by... let’s say, next minute. And you know I never miss, Aunt Athena."


    The words came from the dining hall entrance.


    "Carl!" Nnenna’s voice cracked with shock, mostly relief.


    There he was, standing like he owned the ce. That same calm, patient smile on his face, as if he had just walked in from a stroll instead of into a standoff.


    But in one hand, he gripped the cor of a middle aged man who looked far too anxious and cowardly for someone about to be used as leverage. In his other hand, a pistol pressed firmly against the man’s temple.


    "Go ahead," Athena said coldly, her gun never wavering. "I never even liked my husband."


    "Oh, really?" Carl arched an eyebrow, unfazed. "Guess where I found him, Nnenna?" His tone was light, like he was about to tell a bedtime story instead of threaten someone’s life.


    Nnenna just stared, torn between disbelief and wanting tough.


    "In one of the master bedrooms," Carl continued casually, "obviously very well taken care of... by yours truly, his loving wife." His wordsnded like bait, and Athena’s expression darkened with every syble.


    "You might not like him," Carl went on, voice cooling, "but the fact you’ve kept him alive this long, and in such good condition, means you still need him for something." He shifted the gun just enough to make his point. "So... do you want me to go ahead?" He tilted his head slightly, almost polite. "Or are you going to release my friends, right now?"


    Carl knew he had her exactly where he wanted her. And from the look in Athena’s eyes, she knew it too.


    "Hm." Athena finally chuckled, low and cold. "Birds of the same feather really do flock together." Her eyes slid from Carl... to Somto, then Arthur, then Nnenna.


    "Let my husband go," she said smoothly. "You can have your friends."


    Carl didn’t move an inch. "Tempting," he said, "but I’m also interested in locking you up, just to make sure this never happens again. Prevention is better than cure, after all." His tone was casual, but his aim never wavered.


    "You really do have a big appetite... slow poison." Athena’s voice sharpened as she used her nickname for him.


    "Thank you," Carl replied easily. "I like that name very much."


    That actually pulled a smallugh out of Nnenna. Somto and Arthur, however, just shook their heads, ssic Carl, turning a hostage situation into banter. Could he be serious for once?


    None of them noticed Athena’s hand sliding slowly under the table.