System's POV

Chapter 822 Thirteen’s Achilles Heel

Chapter 822 Thirteen’s Achilles Heel

"Zion, what do you think of Shana?" Erica asked as the two of them lay on the bed to take an afternoon nap. "I think she's a loyal and kind person," Thirteen replied. "Anything else?" Erica inquired.

"She's innocent, but not gullible."

"Anything else?"

"Why are you asking me this question?"

"I'm just curious, you know?"

Erica pulled Zion into her embrace and hugged him tighter. She didn't know if the teenage boy would accept Shana's feelings, but nothing would change unless the Saintess opened up.

"You're acting really suspicious right now, Erica," Thirteen said.

"I don't want to hear that from a scheming brat like you," Erica replied. "But I know that despite appearances, you care for people very much. You just don't show it in the open."

Thirteen didn't reply right away and instead closed his eyes, allowing Erica to hold him tightly.

A few minutes later, the teenage boy spoke his mind.

"Erica, I'm not a good person," Thirteen replied.

"I know," Erica answered. "I won't hesitate to make sacrifices to achieve my goal."

"I know that too. But I, Sherry, and your family will never be part of those sacrifices."

"Are you fine with me sacrificing others like a cold-blooded killer?"

"No."

"And you still want me as your fiance?"

"Yes."

"Did anyone tell you that you're a very greedy person?"

"It takes one to know one," Erica said. "You're also greedy, Zion. Greedier than I am. So, remember this. Since you're already greedy, go all the way. Take everything you want, and I will always be there to support you."

But Zion also knew that Erica was slowly but surely worming her way into his heart.

The teenage boy even thought of pushing her away and ending their engagement.

But if he were to do that, it would mean that he would be forsaking one of the people who trusted and loved him with all of their heart.

If he couldn't even save one cannon fodder, how could he possibly save them all?

Thirteen was a very confident person.

He believed that he could handle almost any situation as long as he put his mind to it.

However, there were still things outside his control.

Some of them were his family, Erica, and Sherry.

They were his Achilles heel. The people that he was duty-bound to protect. This was why he was desperately doing his best to compensate for his restrictions, creating schemes, projects, and weapons that would give him an edge despite the limitations that were placed on him.

And even though he didn't intend for it to happen, someone else was trying to tie their string of fate to his fingers, forcing him to make another difficult choice. "What do you think about Shana?" Thirteen asked.

Due to the Saintess acting suspiciously earlier, the teenage boy decided to ask Tiona to spill the beans.

At first, Tiona resisted and tried to change the topic. However, she soon lost against Thirteen's persistence, and soon, he understood the reason why she was acting that way.

"In the past, I hated her," Erica replied honestly. "The person I love had eyes only for her. No matter how much I tried to make myself look pretty and learn about the things he liked, I never succeeded in making him look at me and only me."

"That's because he is blind," Thirteen commented, which made Erica giggle. "Love is blind," Erica said softly. "That's just how people are when they fall in love with someone. Love also comes in many forms. Since I am not an expert on love, I will not explain it to you.

"But I already experienced it myself, so I could tell that Shana is also experiencing the same feelings right now. And I want to help her. Not all first loves have to end in heartbreak, you know?"

Thirteen remained silent because he understood what Erica was trying to say.

Erica, who knew how smart her fiance was, no longer continued the topic and simply held him close.

She had already done her best.

It was now up for Shana to do the rest.

While the two were taking a nap together, Pica and Pico were having a secret meeting with Shana, away from the prying eyes and ears of everyone in the Mobile Fortress.

The two Pocopocos who liked gossip, as well as drama, were going all out to tell the Saintess a few methods and words of encouragement that would help her get what she wanted.