Chapter 197 -197
Before King Alfred could voice his objection, the figure began to unwrap the cloth, revealing a face that mirrored his own in every aspect. It was as if he was staring into a distorted mirror, his features reflected back at him.
"What sorcery is this? How can this be?" King Alfred's voice faltered, disbelief washing over him.
The man in the lab coat stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Allow me to explain, Alfred. This doppelgänger of yours is the true king of this land, operating under my command. And as for you... who are you, really?"
King Alfred's anger flared, his fists clenching at his sides. "You dare mock me? I am the rightful king, the ruler of this kingdom. This imposter is nothing but a pawn in your game. Do not compare him to me!"
A wicked smile played upon the man in the lab coat's lips. "Oh, but I no longer have trust in you, Alfred. That is why you must be eliminated, making way for this pawn of mine to take your place."
Fury coursed through King Alfred's veins, his voice laced with venom. "You ungrateful wretch! I granted you power, bestowed upon you everything, and this is how you repay me?"
"Well, I must decline your generous donations, but allowing you to take command is out of the question. Your mental instability and lack of patience make you unfit for my plans.
Your naivety is apparent, as you failed to discern friend from foe, using me as a prime example. By manipulating you with visions of an invincible and feared immortal army, I effortlessly obtained everything I desired. However, Alfred, you are now a mere stepping stone in my path toward a greater goal."
"That's why you must die," the man in the lab coat proclaimed.
"You deceitful bastard! You used me?" Alfred's face contorted with anger.
"Indeed, you could say that in a nutshell," he replied with a mocking smile.
"Heheh... Hahahhahaha..." Alfred erupted into uproarious laughter.
"Hmm? Have you finally lost your mind, my friend?" inquired the man in the lab coat.
"Hahaha, no... Hahaha, it is you who's about to lose," Alfred declared, his smile fading and a menacing expression taking its place.
Suddenly, the ceiling of the room slid open, and seven to ten assassins emerged from it, their bodies cloaked in shadows.
The man in the lab coat widened his eyes in surprise as he observed the assassins, their lethal presence undeniable.
"Do you honestly believe I would risk my life by feeding a dog that could easily bite back?" Alfred questioned with a serious demeanor.
"Hmmm... Those assassins appear to be well-trained, don't they?" the man in the lab coat mused, eyeing their poised stances.
"They are the finest assassins within the human domain. Now, you have two options: either accept this slave collar and obey my every command or die here and now. Make your choice," Alfred declared, summoning a slave collar in his left hand. Its cold, metal surface gleamed ominously.
"Ah, well, since the odds are stacked against me, a wise man shall choose wisely. However, there is one thing I must give you before becoming your slave," the man in the lab coat said, searching inside his coat pocket with deliberate movements.
A flicker of curiosity danced in Alfred's eyes as he observed the man's actions. What could he possibly have hidden within that pocket?
"Assassins, if he makes any suspicious moves or reaches for a weapon, eliminate him immediately," Alfred ordered, his voice laced with authority.
The assassins remained poised, their gazes fixed on the man in the lab coat, awaiting the signal to strike.
"Ah, there you are," the man in the lab coat announced, halting his search and producing a small, gleaming object.
Alfred's curiosity gave way to suspicion. His instincts warned him of potential danger, urging him to remain vigilant.
"Here you go, my friend. This is the gift I wanted to give you," the man said, displaying his middle finger to Alfred. A sinister smirk played upon his lips.
"You son of a bitch, haven't you learned your lesson?" Alfred's voice dripped with scorn.
"Nope, I don't learn. Teach me," the man mocked Alfred with a defiant smile.
The assassins remained still, awaiting their command.
"Assassins, kill him and this clone of mine as well," Alfred declared, pointing at both the man in the lab coat and his own clone.
Five seconds passed... Ten seconds passed... Nothing happened.
"Oi, didn't you hear me? Kill him!" Alfred exclaimed, his frustration mounting as he realized the assassins were not obeying his commands.
Realization dawned upon Alfred. The man in the lab coat held control over the assassins, rendering them immune to his orders.
Alfred decided to bide his time, keeping his intentions hidden as he reached out for his sword lying on the nearby bed. Retrieving it would be his only chance at survival.
Without delay, Alfred lunged toward the bed, his movements swift and calculated. His hand closed around the hilt of the sword, its familiar weight reassuring in his grasp.
"Eliminate him," the man in the lab coat uttered with an icy tone, his voice devoid of mercy.
As if choreographed, the assassins sprang into action. In a blur of deadly precision, their blades shimmered through the air, aimed directly at Alfred.
Zzzzz
Chk
Chk
Chk
Chk
Chk
Chk
Chk
The sound of daggers piercing flesh echoed through the room as seven blades found their mark, ending Alfred's life in an instant. The assassins moved with an astonishing swiftness, rendering him defenseless.
The man in the lab coat approached Alfred's lifeless body, a sinister grin playing upon his lips.
"Well, that was all I wanted to inform you about the change of plans. I hope you understand," the man patted Alfred's lifeless form from behind, a grotesque mockery of friendship.
"You are now Alfred. Continue the supply of humans, meals, and money as before," the man in the lab coat instructed the Alfred clone, his voice laced with authority.
"As you wish, sir. I will dutifully carry out every command you issue," the clone pledged, bending down on one knee, a subservient posture.
"Good." The man in the coat vanished, leaving behind a lingering aura of malevolence.
As the room fell into silence, the clone of Alfred, bearing his appearance but lacking his essence, rose from his subservient position. His eyes glimmered with a cold determination, a reflection of the darkness that had overtaken his soul.
[Author: The Real Villain has entered the story.]