Dragon King's Harem Chapter 335. Gaslighting

Dragon King's Harem Chapter 335. Gaslighting 

"Oops. I'm so clumsy," I said, feigning innocence as I shrugged my shoulders with exaggerated nonchalance. "I opened the portal to take us to the warehouse where the mechanical wings are stored. But it accidentally sent your attack to your capital."

My tone dripped with sarcasm, lacing each word with a hint of mockery aimed squarely at Viperax. The warehouse, disguised as a high society bar, was our intended destination—an inconspicuous location near the palace where the evidence we sought was hidden. Unfortunately, it wasn't within the palace walls, a fact that spared Viperax from a direct attack on his own palace. But I was sure it managed to destroy some sections of his palace. Yet, the undeniable truth remained that his reckless attack had inadvertently targeted his own domain.

I glanced towards the distant palace and noted the telltale signs of damage—the trembling of the green crystal atop its spire—an indication of the chaos unfolding within. Although I couldn't discern the extent of the destruction from our current vantage point, the fact that Viperax's own palace had borne the brunt of his wrath was a bitter irony not lost on me.

Beside me, Al stifled a laugh, his hand pressed against his mouth in a futile attempt to contain his amusement. It was clear that he, too, recognized the absurdity of the situation and appreciated the subtle jest I had made at Viperax's expense.

Despite the gravity of our mission and the danger that still lurked in Viperax's fury, I couldn't resist the opportunity to inject a bit of levity into the tense atmosphere.

“Argod…” Viperax's hiss of displeasure was like the warning rattle of a cornered snake, and I met his gaze with a cool, unwavering stare.

"It wasn't on purpose, and it was you who threw your ultimate skill at me," I replied evenly, my tone carrying a hint of challenge. "Or should we fight here? A battle between kings?"

The threat lingered in the air, unspoken but palpable, a silent reminder of the consequences that loomed on the horizon should Viperax choose to escalate the situation further. I made it clear that I was prepared to defend myself and my tribe, even if it meant resorting to open conflict.

But then, as quickly as the tension had surfaced, I softened my expression, offering a disarming smile that belied the seriousness of our exchange. "But you understand what that means, right?" I added, my voice carrying a note of caution. The implication hung between us like a heavy fog—war, with all its devastation and bloodshed.

Before Viperax could respond, I shifted gears, adopting a more conciliatory tone as I attempted to diffuse the tension with a touch of levity. "Anyway, look at the bright side," I began, my smile widening into a grin. "That attack could give you a reason to renovate your palace."

I gestured towards the distant structure, its form obscured by smoke and debris, but its significance unmistakable. "You can choose your own design and hire a better architect for it," I continued, my voice laced with mocking encouragement. "You can opt for more original designs this time around. The last design was a bit too similar to my palace, don't you think?"

"Don't lie!" he thundered, his voice reverberating with fury. Viperax's accusation cut through the air like a blade, his words dripping with venomous anger. But despite his ferocity, I remained unruffled, a calm facade masking the satisfaction bubbling beneath the surface. "It was you who opened your portal on purpose! You are trying to throw dirt in my face by sending my own skill to my own capital!"

His accusation was expected, a predictable attempt to deflect blame and salvage what little remained of his pride. But I refused to be swayed by his outburst, my expression morphing into a wicked smirk as I prepared my counterattack.

"So you admit it is your capital and your palace, not a fake like you claimed before," I retorted, my tone laced with smug satisfaction. It was a calculated move, designed to turn his own words against him and force him to confront the truth he had tried so desperately to deny.

Viperax was cunning, adept at weaving webs of deceit to suit his own agenda. But I was no stranger to the art of manipulation, and I relished the opportunity to outmaneuver him at his own game. By mirroring his tactics and using his own words as a trap, I effectively turned the tables on him, exposing his lies for all to see.

In the game of politics and power, truth was often a matter of perspective. But by manipulating perception and exploiting loopholes in his narrative, I had succeeded in bending reality to my will, emerging victorious in a battle of wits against my opponent.

It was a subtle victory, but a satisfying one nonetheless. And as I watched the realization dawn in Viperax's eyes, a sense of vindication washed over me, reaffirming my belief in the power of cunning and strategy. Viperax stood before me, his expression a mask of seething frustration. His silence spoke volumes.

A smug smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I watched his reaction, relishing the satisfaction of knowing that I had outmaneuvered him once again. His inability to muster a response only served to validate my assertion, confirming my suspicions that he had been caught in his own web of lies.

"I will take your silence as a yes," I declared, my tone dripping with confidence. It was a bold statement, a final nail in the coffin of his deception, and I delivered it with a sense of triumph that bordered on arrogance.

But beneath my outward bravado, a spark of apprehension flickered in the depths of my mind. I knew that Viperax was not one to back down easily, and his silence may have been a prelude to a more calculated retaliation.