Chapter 81

Confession (4)

After the guards saluted, they surrounded Dandelion. Dandelion was carried on the guard’s shoulders as easily as a straw doll.

“U-uh. Wait…!”

Dandelion was dragged out without knowing what was going to happen.  Now, the only criminal left in the dungeon was Tristan.

Tristan choked as someone grabbed his neck to the limit.

There was no emotion in the gray eyes reflecting the cold moonlight. And even if there was, it was a look that could not be read by Tristan.

He was a man who had stained several kingdoms with blood. Counting the lives this man took, it would be unreasonable to call his actions violent.

The existence of this person was like a king’s.

Vlad’s indifferent, low-pitched tone slowly echoed into the dungeon. “Report the crime.”

The judge opened the papers he was holding.

“Tristan. Crimes include attempted human trafficking, arranging prostitution, and extorting aristocrats. Sentence, death penalty.”

Tristan stood up with goosebumps all over his body.  He knew instinctively that he couldn’t get out of this situation now.

The duke did not have to personally take a commoner’s neck. It was enough for him to order someone else.

The fact that he had come all the way in front of him meant that he would make sure to see him die in the end.

Oh, if only Lily had been here.

Ironically, Lily, which he had carried so far in his palm, was his biggest shield.

With the feeling of holding on to the rope that had fallen into the air, he exclaimed in a hurry, “My lady gave me a pardon. I am her only friend. If you punish me, she will be sad… Ugh!”

Vlad sat down on one of his knees and shoved his hand into Tristan’s mouth.

A cold, rough leather glove gripped his mouth and grabbed his tongue. L

“Ugh…!  Ouch…!”

“I know people like you.” He raised one hand, and Talin, who was waiting behind him, handed him a dagger. “Like a parasite, just because someone gave you mercy, you live depending on them.”

Before Tristan could utter a muffled voice, Vlad cut off his tongue.

A fishy smell of iron wafted out of the pouring blood.

Vlad let go of him who was writhing in pain and threw his dagger to the floor.

A terrible scream and the sound of chains hitting the floor, filled the prison.

He slowly got up, fixing his gaze on Tristan, who was wriggling like a worm.

“Talin.”

“Yes. Everyone’s dismissed.”

“Have his back skinned.”

The conversation ended there. Vlad walked out of the dungeon door again as if his business was over.

Like nothing had happened.

Everyone left and the door closed.

Talin, who was left alone, lowered himself towards Tristan, who was struggling. He grabbed his back.

* * *

Vlad slowly traversed the torch-lit dungeon corridor. “Hans. Tell Talin.”

“Yes. Your orders, please.”

“The manager position of the brothel at the Isles is vacant and there’s a problem with the management system. But that bastard Isles is smart.” He stepped onto the cold stone floor. “Never miss that opportunity.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Even while climbing the stairs to exit the dungeon, Vlad’s orders continued, “Dispatch a junior administrator to the distribution channel of the territory of Isles.”

He quickly grasped the meaning of the sentence given by the lord and asked, “You plan to control the Isles, Lord?”

Hans’s eyebrows narrowed slightly as he put the puzzle together.  Perhaps his lord…

His eyes widened.

He knew all too well how Vlad would destroy his opponent.

“Slowly like that… Are you going to have his limbs cut off…?”

There was no answer. It was a silence that meant agreement.

They’d have no escape to the disaster coming to them. They’d get pain even worse than being cut by a knife.

“I will work mainly with knights or low-ranking nobles who have experience in campaigning. We will compile and report any additional information we receive.” Unlike Vlad, Hans began to gasp. Climbing the stairs at the lord’s pace seemed too much for him. “Anything…. keep in mind. Do you have any more questions, my lord?”

Vlad stood tall in front of the door exiting the dungeon.

“Remember one thing. Shylock Isles. He will eventually come on my feet.”

Vlad turned his back to the door and looked at him.

“I will put his forehead at Lily’s feet and make him beg. Keep that in mind.”

Hans bowed his head politely.

Since the lord said it, it was sure to happen.