"You're alive—that's wonderful!"
Nesli hurried over to the intruder holding the scissors.
"Nancy, I'm sorry. I was too weak."
She felt deeply remorseful. Ever since she'd watched everything on the computer screen, guilt had weighed heavily on her.
"Nesli, I know this wasn't your choice. Were those two the ones who pinned you down?" Nancy glanced at Ron and Ponzu.
"Yes," Nesli confirmed with a nod.
"I'm not sure. Probably not good. I don't know what Karu just did to him."
Nesli looked over to where Lannard was lying.
"Tuck, may I go check on him?"
Tuck didn't answer verbally but gave a slight nod. Nesli flickered forward in a burst of motion, causing Karu to quickly back away. She reached Lannard's side.
"He's still alive… Good," she murmured in relief. Even so, he was in terrible shape, so severely injured that immediate treatment might not be enough to save him.
Still, it was better than finding him dead.
"Really? That's great news!" Nancy's face lit up again.
Tuck exhaled a small sigh of relief. "Ron, thank you."
"It's no trouble," Ron said calmly. "This is my job."
Tuck then turned his gaze toward Karu.
"Karu, I want an explanation."
"An explanation?" Karu repeated, looking at Tuck with a faint, indifferent smile.
"Tuck, what kind of explanation are you hoping for? If I told you these women weren't my doing, that I merely took them in after someone else hurt them… would you believe me? Or if I said I had no idea about any of this… would you buy it?
You already know the truth, don't you?"
He swept his eyes over the women.
"Yes, I'm the one who did this to them. And so what? I'm a noble; they're just commoners. We're not born equal. In the Saheerta Federation, we nobles are the only real people. To us, they're just playthings. Long ago, our ancestors fought with their lives to create this nation. These commoners contributed nothing, yet they get to enjoy the same peace we do. Is that fair?
Why should they benefit from our forefather's sacrifices?
"What's wrong with treating them ? Isn't it perfectly normal for a person to do as they like with a dog or a slave in their own home? And do you realize what will happen now that you've spared those Nightfall members? Your family, your friends… all of them will be marked for arrest by the kingdom.
They'll die because of your actions.
"So you have only one choice, Tuck—kill them. I'll even keep what you did under wraps. Nobody ever has to know."
"I can't. I won't lay a hand on them again. I once believed they were a threat to the kingdom, but it turns out you are the real menace, Karu. How could you do something ? They haven't done anything wrong.
The one at fault… is you!"
Karu let out a mocking laugh.
"I'm at fault? Everyone does this. I'm just one among many. Do you think the person who promoted you is any different? He's done far worse than I have. So, Tuck, are you truly going to let them go?"
"You'd rather let your loved ones die because of you than finish them off? Are you really set on opposing me—opposing the entire Saheerta Federation?"
"Yes. I can't hurt them. They've committed no crime. I've already made one mistake—I refuse to repeat it. I owe them that."
Karu suddenly turned to Ron.
"You are called Ron correct? I know you are a mercenary. Tuck hired you, but will you accept a commission from me instead? I can pay you as much as you want—name your price."
-----------------------
You can read up to 120 Advanced chapters!