<h4>Chapter 408: 408-Just Once More</h4>


    <strong>Oriana:</strong>


    "One more thing," I told him, making sure he had a reason not to walk away. "After this task, they are nning on executing the rest of the squad members so they can bring in new ones."


    His eyes widened in shock.


    "How do you know that?" he questioned, his jaw tightening.


    "I just know, okay? I was in the hospital, and I heard the ringleader speak. Whatever you ask for, it needs to be the kind of power that makes them listen to us," I told him.


    I did not really care. I was going to get out, and that was all that mattered to me.


    I was only pushing him so he would want to meet the Shadow Earth Eater urgently.


    "That is all I wanted to tell you. Good night," I said, turning and walking away.


    It was already daytime, but I was going to rest anyway. I had important things to do when I woke up.


    I returned to my room andy down to rest. They even sent the lurkers with food straight to my room. I was being treated like a princess, and I knew why.


    They felt guilty that something like that had happened on their premises. I was taking full advantage of it.


    If I had known something like this was possible, I would have done it long before.


    However, I did not know that I had to pick Yorick.


    Thanks to Miss Rue, or else I would have never figured out that he was going to get out of here, and with him, I would get out as well.


    After sleeping for a good four hours, I was woken by an announcement over the speakers.


    As I sat up in bed, I remembered how my life was going to change, and this was possibly the announcement sending us to the north.


    I knew that Joshua would keep me alive until I reached the tunnels because he wanted to meet the shadow earth eater, and she was only connected to me.


    I was the only one who could summon her unless he got lucky and found her.


    However, I was confused about returning, but that would be fine. I could fight that much.


    Suddenly, I felt energy rush through me.


    Although I was still hurting, I knew they would give me a weapon this time to protect myself because of their guilt.


    I quickly took a shower and got ready for the day. I even curled my hair.


    I knew I was not supposed to do too much makeup so I would not look too happy.


    A perfect victim needed to look a certain way.


    So I did not apply much makeup, and when I stepped out, I noticed the others were headed toward the hall as well.


    Whenever they looked at me, they had a guilty look on their faces.


    However, Haiden and Troy were the first ones I saw. This was the first time I was interacting with them after the usations happened.


    I approached them and gave a small bow of my head to greet them.


    "Oh, fuck off," Troy hissed, causing my eyes to widen.


    Did he not believe me? I guessed they did, but they refused to feel bad for me because of what I had tried to do to them.


    It did not matter. They were none of my problems, and they were not my focus anymore.


    I had secured an alpha. Why would I care about those two now? They were going to die in the north anyway.


    Once we reached the hall, I was a little stunned to see my stepmother, my stepbrother, and Yorick’s parents there.


    I instantly started to back away. What if they had found out?


    What if they were going to take back Yorick’s punishment? And what if they were going to punish me for lying so badly?


    I guess they could tell from the look on my face that I was scared because Lady Amelia instantly rushed over and took my hand to help me walk.


    That made me realize they might not have figured it out. Otherwise, she would not be reacting this way.


    "Are you okay now?" she asked, gently running her hand through my hair.


    I gave her a t look before forcing a very fake smile.


    "Much better," I replied softly, then coughed.


    My eyesnded on Yorick’s parents, and they seemed intrigued. They were watching my every move.


    They unsettled me, but I supposed inws were always like that.


    All the ringleaders stood in front of us, and by all, I meant even the ones who had left. It was already disastrous.


    Their presence meant they were preparing to return, which meant the killing of the previous crusaders. It was rude and harsh, but why did I care?


    Finally, the Headmaster arrived. He never really came out to talk about the tasks himself.


    The changing atmosphere and shifting rules were unsettling. Thankfully, I was going to get out of here.


    I wondered how the others were feeling, the ones who had no idea they were going to die soon.


    "So, as you all may know, we send you to the north to fight the monsters, which is what this academy stands for," the Headmaster began, standing behind his desk. "But this time, I wanted to personallye here and announce the task."


    "As you all may know, there is a monster we were not aware of," he continued. "The monster that once controlled Oriana."


    He spoke now as if he believed me, as if he epted that I had been under the monster’s influence.


    I nced at Troy and Haiden and noticed the way they rolled their eyes and shook their heads. Of course, they still did not believe it.


    "However, you might be wondering why I have personallye here to announce the task," he remarked. "You will be sent to the tunnels to kill the shadow earth eater."


    He announced the main task vaguely before moving on to the real reason he hade himself.


    "Before leaving, Oriana will be marked by the culprit alpha," he stated, "so that she may go with ease of mind, knowing that the man who hurt her will serve her and take care of her."


    As soon as he said that, a smile threatened to form on my lips. I forced my expression to stay neutral.


    I could not get caught now, not when I hade this far.