Anwir, who was currently imprisoned in the private jail of the General's Residence couldn't help but sigh sadly in his heart.
His life had many ups and downs, especially after his father had died.
However, General Stark adopted him as his own son, perhaps out of guilt and duty to his right-hand man, who was also Anwir's father.
When he arrived in the General's residence, he was showered with love and affection by their entire family.
He grew up without a mother, and Briella had given him the love that he had never experienced before.
Also, Percival looked up to him as an older brother, and truth be told, he also enjoyed having a snarky little brother.
Then, there was Cleo.
Even before he became the adopted son of the General, he always had feelings for the young lady, who had just turned sixteen this year.
He didn't know when it all started, but he truly believed that his life was perfect, even forgetting his anger, and desire for revenge for his father's death.
But, all of that changed after Percival started to awaken his potential.
He felt threatened that the perfect life he had would crumble.
He was afraid that his adoptive parents would push him to the side, as they focused all their love and attention to Percival, whom many believed had the potential to become someone truly great.
After being riddled with doubt and anxiety, the thoughts of revenge that he had locked deep inside his heart rose to the surface.
But, this was no longer directed at the Evander Family as a whole.
He directed it towards Percival, who now threatened the perfect life he currently had.
Anwir knew that if he had to start things over, he wouldn't have changed anything.
The only thing he would do differently was to kill the source of his current dilemma, and it was none other than the seven-year-old, who had flipped his life upside down in less than a week.
The only silver lining was that the General made sure that no one else knew about what had happened a few hours ago.
All the maids were asked to return home for the night, and the guards were stationed far away from the Training Grounds, preventing them from coming to the scene.
Simply put, aside from the Evander Family, Rafiki, Dixon and his Team, no one else knew what had transpired that night.
No one knew that Anwir had betrayed his own family.
"Good morning, Anwir~ have you eaten yet?"
Hearing that familiar voice, Anwir raised his head and growled hatefully.
The Tigerkin glared at the Human boy, who was the cause of his suffering.
"Oh? They still haven't fed you? My goodness!" Thirteen smiled as he sat on the chair that his escort, Alina, had carried all the way to Anwir's jail cell. "Don't worry. I just finished eating breakfast, and I ate enough for both of us. I'm such a good person, right?"
Alina, who was standing beside Thirteen, gave Anwir a side-
long glance before leaving.
The boy wanted to talk to the prisoner in private, so Alina left as she was ordered.
Anwir had already told General Stark, as well as Rafiki about everything that had happened.
Since his mind was hazy at that time, he wasn't able to see the grief and disappointment in the General's face during the entirety of the interrogation.
He only came to his senses when he was already locked up in jail, and left alone in the darkness.
Under the light of the torchlight, Thirteen's face looked like an innocent, yet malicious devil, who was eyeing him as if he was some kind of delicacy that he wanted to take a bite of.
Also, his green eyes seemed to glow in the dark like that of a wild animal, who was about to eat him whole, not even leaving the bones behind.
Anwir, who was a Rank 3 Tigerkin, couldn't help but shudder under the gaze of those green eyes, which seemed to have everything under their control.
"Anwir, I can help you escape this place, you know?" Thirteen said in a voice that was rich with temptation. "You can escape this place and start all over again."
"And, what's the catch?" Anwir sneered. "To become your slave? No, thank you. I'd rather die."
"Well, you could do that, yes." Thirteen nodded. "But, I just think it's a waste, you know? Especially if you can redeem yourself as the Hero of the entire Tigerkin Race."
"Do you really think that I'm a gullible child who would believe anything that you say?" Anwir scoffed. "I have already admitted my crimes. Whether the General executes me, or imprisons me for life, there is nothing else that I can do."
Thirteen chuckled after hearing Anwir's defeated voice.
"Oh, but there is something that you can do," Thirteen stated. "And you always have a choice to make. I offer you a chance to escape this place, and redeem yourself. And yet, you chose to die a dog's death, so don't delude yourself that there is nothing else you can do."
Anwir glared at the Human boy, who was resting his head on the palm of his hand, and acting like he was sitting on a throne.
But, he had to admit that for a brief moment, he really thought that he was facing a Prince, and not a boy, who was more than a dozen years younger than him.
"Let's say that I escape this place." Anwir clenched his fists. "Where should I go?"
"Where else? That Barbarian Lands, of course," Thirteen answered casually. "A place where you can start all over again. Also, you can even reunite with your little brother as a bonus."
Anwir's body stiffened when he finally realized what the boy was talking about.
Seeing his reaction, the seven-year-old smirked.
"Did you forget my background story?" Thirteen asked. "Before I was captured, I was in the same party as your brother, Percival. Why are you acting so surprised now?"
"You mean to say… that you plan to turn me over to your Master, and become a slave like my brother?" Anwir frowned. "Is that how you plan to make me redeem myself?"
"You're only half right," Thirteen replied. "Anwir, while everyone thinks that Percival is bound for greatness, I think that you are bound for greatness as well. In fact, I am certain that you will even surpass your brother."
Anwir laughed because Zion's words were like words of pity towards a loser.
The ironic part was that the Human boy laughed alongside him.
Soon, the laughter of two third-rate villains echoed inside the dark prison, making Alina, who was guarding the door outside, shudder when the diabolical laughters reached her ears.