MIGHT AS WELL BE OP

Chapter 429 429: Revelation

Shock rippled through the Executionerʼs gaze as he turned to face the new threat.

But the moment was fleeting, gone in an instant.

The shock vanished, replaced by the same chilling amusement that had dominated his expression.

And there, standing before him, was Anthony.

Anthony stood calmly beside Kingsley.

Even Kingsley, usually composed, was taken aback.

Seraphim, Dale, and Reynold were stunned, their eyes wide with disbelief.

They had all witnessed Anthonyʼs death before their very eyes, yet here he was, standing before them.

The Executioner slowly floated down, his feet landing with a soft but deliberate touch upon the earth.

He regarded Anthony with a cold, calculating gaze, as if studying an existence that defied logic.

The Executionerʼs voice broke the silence, smooth and almost admiring.

”You never cease to amaze me, Anthony”

With a single, casual motion, he raised his hand.

In an instant, ʼAnthonyʼsʼ corpse materialized in his grasp, the lifeless body held with almost no effort.

The Executioner didnʼt need to utter a single question.

Even the most oblivious individual would have understood the truth.

It was a clone.

But there was something wrong with this picture.

Clones, by nature, dissipated upon death, vanishing as quickly as they were created.

For Anthonyʼs clone to endure for this long, even after death, meant it wasnʼt a typical imitation.

It was something far more complex.

The Executionerʼs gaze shifted, narrowing as it landed on the real Anthony.

Then, with an air of quiet curiosity, he asked a single question.

”When... and how?”

Anthonyʼs smile was serene, his voice utterly calm as he replied.

”When you killed the demon, the moment we all took a step back, I created a clone and concealed myself in that instant”

The Executioner let out a soft, knowing hum, his eyes studying Anthony with renewed interest.

”Hoo...”

He mused, the amusement lingering in his tone.

”Iʼm sure I didnʼt give myself away. Did you begin suspecting me from the very start?”

”Indeed”

Anthony replied, his tone cool and unhurried.

”I suspected from the very beginning”

A faint smile played on his lips as he continued.

”From the outset, you could have simply handed the Severed Crown of Echoes to the demons, without waiting for us to reach the top floor”

He paused for a moment, his gaze steady.

”The demons were already on this floor before we even set foot on the first”

He went on, his voice smooth as ever.

”Yet, you didnʼt allow them to answer the riddle until we were present”

Another brief pause followed, and then Anthonyʼs expression shifted slightly, as if revealing a deeper understanding.

”Of course, this could also mean you didnʼt want the artifact to fall into their hands. But Iʼm not so naive as to believe thatʼs the only reason”

The Executioner remained silent, his gaze fixed on Anthony, as though searching for any hint of a misstep in his earlier performance.

”But how did you know I wanted something more?”

He asked, his tone now tinged with curiosity.

Anthony responded without hesitation, his voice calm and measured.

”Itʼs nothing really. Iʼve read my fair share of clichéd novels. Secret realms opening, treasures hidden within, an all powerful old man inside who praises the younger generation, eager to pass down his treasures and techniques so they wonʼt be lost to time... blah blah blah”

His words were delivered without the slightest rush, his calmness unmoving.

The Executionerʼs eyes narrowed thoughtfully, a soft chuckle escaping his lips.

”Hoo... So, youʼre mixing stories with reality now, huh?”

He mused, as if pondering this revelation.

”I just think the author is running out of ideas”

Anthony said with a sigh, his tone dripping with casual indifference.

”So, heʼs throwing in all these clichéd tropes, only to make them more elaborate in order to drag the story out across more chapters”

The Executioner stared at Anthony, clearly confused by his words, unable to grasp their meaning.

”Besides”

Anthony continued, his voice steady and deliberate,

”No matter how you try to hide it, you were just too pleased when I answered your question. I could feel the other emotions you were trying so hard to bury deep within your heart. But itʼs all futile”

The Executionerʼs expression faltered for a brief moment, his brows knitting together in a subtle frown.

He had always prided himself on his control over his emotions.

But under the piercing gaze of Anthonyʼs All Seeing Eyes, that control was meaningless.

Every flicker of feeling, every hidden reaction, was laid bare.