>>5188199"This isn't what it looks like, we're trying to--" You begin to explain yourself, but Serpico interrupts.
"Relax, 'Phantom'. I am not completely ignorant of your powers. Hell, I can even see the little pixie mascot you've adopted with the black swordsman. Hello, little one."
"Hiya!" Puck waves at someone who can finally see him. If only Serpico could do the same without unleashing an angry hillbilly in your direction.
"Wait... So you knew that I was telling the truth at the swamp? Why didn't you make an effort to--"
"As my master says 'You arent here to think, you are here to follow my orders'. I don't think she would have listened to me even if I tried to explain. Not that I could of, I have no idea on how to descibe the intricacies of the occultists. But just because I am on the side of the blind, does not mean I can't get my eyes open."
Serpico's genius intellect is shown once more, but being so used the ways of a servant, he knew the smartest move sometimes would be not to deter from public opinion.
"We're not making an omelette with all these eggs, mister. Jodi is going to be a mother of seven hundred if you don't let Vlad kill the spiders inside." Guts tries to brief him on what's about to happen.
"Oh, don't mind me. I would only interfere if you do not agree with my terms." Serpico frowns after holding Hyde in place for so long, but still keeps talking as if nothing was happening. "I know Lady Farnese is locked in bad first impressions, but once you get to know her personally, she can actually be quite alluring."
"Yeah, not falling for that." You warn him that you're not ready for a hardcore waxplay session with Farnese.
"She's a work in progress. Unless Mozgus tells her to, she won't go out of her way to kill such an important witness. We need answers, and no doubt you have at least a few of those. I can promise that you'll be alive until we reach Albion, good luck with Mozgus though, that's on you."
"And if we refuse?" Guts dares.
"I'm releasing this man from my grasp, not one to complain, but he's been kicking me pretty hard. I might have to lash out my anger on his targets."
"Heh, not impressed. I'm doing much better than yesterday, none of you will lay a finger on me."
"Whoops, are my hands starting to slip?" Serpico hides his anger by leaning forward with Hyde.
Would it be worth trying to convince Serpico to wait things out? You don't know how strong he is, but he certainly has no trouble in restraining Hyde, maybe with the 4 of you, you could actually stand a chance against the harpies and the spider queen, alongside the swarms coming from both teams. But the life of Jodi is still in your hands, and you can't place your arms behind your head and watch her die. If there's a chance to clear your name as 'The Phantom' it's proving that you were indeed capable of cleansing the swamp, and using that same power to kill the spiderlings to a member of the Holy Knights.
