“Torturing someone to confess might work, but it’s not always the best approach, “Grace said calmly.
She continued, “To be honest, there’s a seal inside my body. If I trigger it with my mind, it’ll release a burst of energy strong enough to level everything within 300 feet, including me.
“If that happens, you get nothing. And there’s a good chance you’ll get hurt in the process. I don’t think that’s what you want, and I certainly don’t want it to come to that.”
Zeus’ smile immediately froze. He thought he had her cornered. He didn’t expect she had a backup plan. For a moment, he didn’t dare use force against her.
He glanced at Hera. “What do you think?”
He was a fighter, not a diplomat. If it were any other matter, he’d skip the talk and strike down his opponent.
But Grace’s offer was different. She claimed to have a technique that could break through their cultivation, and it was something Zeus had dreamed of for years.
Even if she was lying, he still held onto a glimmer of hope. He felt that it was better to be safe than sorry. After all, what if she was telling the truth?
Before he could force the secret out of Grace, he couldn’t bear to kill her. If he lost this opportunity, who knew when another would come? Maybe there wouldn’t be a next time at all. He wasn’t about to gamble on that.
“I have to say, I really admire your courage and wisdom.” Hera finally spoke up.
She continued, “With just a few words, you’ve got us second-guessing everything. People as smart as you don’t come around often these days. But honestly, it’s your courage I admire even more than your intelligence.
“You’re staring death right in the face, yet you keep your cool and negotiate with us without so much as a flicker of fear. That kind of courage and boldness surprises me.
“If we lived in the same country, I’d definitely take you as my disciple. You’ve really impressed me.”
Hera even clapped her hand with undisguised admiration on her face as soon as she finished talking.
“Hera, what the hell are you doing?” Zeus frowned in confusion.
Wasn’t she supposed to intimidate Grace and use threats? Why was she suddenly praising her?
Hera ignored him and kept her eyes on Grace. She smiled and said, “If I’m not mistaken, you’re just stalling for time, right?
“You want us to leave Dragonmarsh now, then hand over the breakthrough technique three days later. That just doesn’t sit right with me.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen in three days, but something tells me we can’t let you get your way. If you do, it could put all of us in danger.”
Grace kept her calm. “I only ask you to show mercy and spare Logan. Nothing else.
“No, no, no…” Hera shook her head and studied her carefully. “If saving Logan was all you cared about, this isn’t the strategy you would’ve used.
“You had a full night to run, but you stayed. Even after the steeple was destroyed, you didn’t back down. Instead, you stood your ground and tried to strike a deal with us.
“So either you’ve got backup and our threats don’t scare you, or something is holding you back from leaving. Tell me did I get it right?”
Grace kept a calm expression, but Hera’s words rattled her. She didn’t expect Hera to be so perceptive about her circumstances.
If she denied it, she couldn’t explain why she hadn’t escaped, and convincing the two afterward would be even harder.
Zeus and Hera had reached the rank of royal gods. They weren’t the kind to be fooled or underestimated.
After a moment’s thought, Grace finally nodded. “It’s true. We’re trapped here with no way to get out.”
A soft chuckle escaped Hera. “I knew it.”
She started to circle Grace, speaking as she went. “If you’d denied it earlier, you’d be dead right now.”
“Lady Hera, your wit and wisdom are unmatched. My petty tricks will never slip past you.” Grace sighed softly.
“Spare me the flattery,” Hera replied with a smirk. “Now tell me. What’s really keeping you here? Be honest, and I might consider sparing your life.”
“There’s no point hiding it anymore.”
Grace looked deflated, and her expression dimmed as she spoke.
She went on, “Logan was badly wounded in a recent fight and is now barely hanging on. There’s a sacred spring at the base of this mountain that can heal him and keep him alive. If I leave, he’ll die for sure.”
Upon hearing that, Hera’s lips curved into a knowing smile, as if she’d expected this.
“So that’s what this is about,” she said. ” No wonder you’ve been stalling. All this time, you’ve been trying to buy time to save your lover.”
She’d heard before that Logan had been seriously injured. Now, it turned out the rumors were true.
“So you’ve been lying to us this whole time?” Zeus’ expression darkened as sparks crackled at his fingertips. “That so-called breakthrough technique was just a lie too?”
