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chapter 10
The Poisonous Flower of Marma
When Adeline returned to her palace, Colin was crying, surrounded by the maids. She cried so bitterly that her sobs echoed all the way to the palace entrance.
Adeline, who had come back unexpectedly without giving any notice, immediately saw Colin’s tear-streaked face upon entering.
“Colin.”
The maids who had formed a circle around Colin bowed lightly. Adeline blinked in response as her greeting.
“P-Princess… You’re back. I… I didn’t receive… any message…”
Colin jumped to her feet, roughly wiping her tears, and ran forward to bow deeply.
Something had changed. Adeline’s gaze slowly scanned Colin. At first glance, she looked the same as before leaving. But upon closer inspection, a few subtle differences appeared.
Colin held a handkerchief scented with strong perfume—probably from the maids surrounding her. Her previously plain attire, despite her usual fondness for decoration, had become slightly more elaborate. She tied her hair with a lace ribbon and wore a sparkling bracelet on her wrist.
The most striking difference was the way the maids looked at Colin: a mix of anger and pity. After taking note of this, Adeline placed her palm over the red bruise coloring Colin’s face.
“What happened to your face?”
“Princess… this… it’s nothing. It’s fine. It’s not something you need to worry about.”
“Colin.”
“I fell on the stairs. I made a foolish mistake.”
Everyone could tell that Colin’s explanation was a thin lie. They could have pressed her for the truth, but Adeline did not.
What was she plotting? Colin had undoubtedly been struck by Cesare again. Yet, while Adeline was away, the maids who had ignored or dismissed Colin now flared up protectively around her, as though shielding a young bird. They even looked at Adeline with quiet anticipation, hoping she would resolve the matter.
Huh, these guys.
Adeline felt a sudden snap back to reality. Pretending to be tired, she ignored the maids’ stares and entered her bedroom. Unlike the maids who retreated under her gaze, Colin hurried after her into the room.
While Adeline changed, Colin, who had prepared warm, comfortable loungewear and slippers, whispered:
“I have something to tell you.”
“Go ahead.”
“I told His Excellency Cesare about you, Princess.”
Why was this happening? Adeline sat down in a chair after changing and rested her chin on her hand. She had expected Colin to say something important, yet it turned out she had tattled to Cesare.
“What did you say?”
“That you hired a strange chef. That they might be connected to the Lion King… and…”
“And?”
“That the rumors about the two of you being close are true. The Lion King is completely infatuated with you, and you used him to defeat assassins. Perhaps you even fell for him at first sight… he’d do anything you asked…”
Adeline’s expression didn’t change. Colin, expecting a furious or scornful reaction, lowered her eyes, visibly tense.
Adeline, however, was only slightly embarrassed. If the Lion King had been here, he would have smiled, seeing her usually expressionless face unsettled. Just recalling his smile made her want to laugh, so she discreetly bit her tongue.
“So?”
“I just… felt like I had to tell you.”
“Why?”
“Huh? Why… I mean, I…”
Colin seemed to have so much to say. But when she tried, Adeline’s cold, expressionless face made her words vanish.
“I’m sorry.”
“Sorry for what? You were just trying to survive.”
“Don’t you dislike me, Princess?”
Colin was unusually talkative today. Her desperate expression sought any response from Adeline—whether she wanted reproach or consolation was unclear.
“Colin.”
“I’m sorry. Truly. I’ve thought about it constantly. I want to live, and I don’t want to betray you. I’m not clever enough to come up with a better plan.”
“So you chose… to tattle to Cesare, then run to me and confess?”
“I… had no other choice.”
Tears trembled in Colin’s voice, rising to her eyes. Yet again, she stubbornly held back from crying openly.
Adeline sighed and nodded.
“Why do you think I didn’t stop you from tattling to Cesare in the first place?”
“Huh? That’s…”
“Because it’s none of my business.”
All Colin could reveal was that she met frequently with the Lion King. Digging into Chef Ringo or Nabi’s movements would yield nothing for Cesare.
Ringo was part of Ordo, so Cesare could never uncover his true identity. Nabit was a gypsy, so her movements and motives were unknowable.
“Colin, I don’t trust you.”
“I know.”
Her attitude was unusually obedient now. She didn’t plead to be spared but nodded calmly, mimicking Adeline in a way.
“I will make my own place here.”
Colin spoke as if making a vow.
“And someday… someday…”
She didn’t say what that vow entailed. Adeline didn’t ask.
Ringo had gathered the essential information within three days, faster than expected even while Adeline was present at the palace.
“How busy was it! During the day preparing your meals, at night sneaking out to investigate… couldn’t sleep! And that’s not all?”
“What else?”
“There are rumors spreading outside too. I heard about them.”
“What rumors?”
“Recently, Marma’s famous attractions have changed.”
Ringo looked like he was having a blast. Adeline ignored him, writing a letter to her father, the Emperor. Of course, she let his words fall one ear in, one ear out.
The letter began, “To my esteemed father, His Majesty the Emperor…” and ended, “…your insignificant daughter, Adeline Vita, with deepest respect,” praising her safe travels with the Lion King, claiming it was all thanks to the Emperor, filled with florid language.
Ringo’s voice continued in her ear:
“The thousand-year empire of Marma is known for three treasures. First, the Golden Plains, the southern granary. Second, Marma’s radiant culture, with a thousand relics and a thousand artists. And third…”
Like an actor, Ringo gestured wildly and whispered in Adeline’s ear:
“The flower that blooms only near the King. Marma’s poisonous flower, Adeline Vita.”
The pen froze mid-motion. Adeline looked up, her lashes trembling, lips opening to spit words of contempt:
“These fools, always making petty nicknames without anything remarkable of their own. First the tragic princess, now a noble courtesan…”
She scowled as Ringo watched, stunned.
“Did the poisonous flower of Marma make the Great Desert King a fool infatuated with women?”
“Well… yeah, that rumor existed too, but I didn’t think you’d find it interesting…”
“Ringo.”
“Yes, Princess. Speak. I’m listening.”
“Stop the nonsense rumors. Tell me what you investigated.”
“Got it, Princess.”
Ringo began again. Monnier Tamiren was a slender woman with black hair, known for her charming simplicity. She wore long dresses cut below the chest, still fashionable in the central social scene.
Her delicate body and floating gaze complemented the dress, making it not look tacky. She rarely spoke loudly, preferring performance halls over lavish feasts. Wealthy and protected, capable guards always accompanied her.
“Her skin was sensitive, so she always used a parasol. As a child, her younger brother burned her hair, so she valued it greatly. She had a maid just to care for her hair.”
“And the traitor?”
“Second Knight Division, night duty.”
“Good.”
Adeline donned the wig and dress Ringo brought, standing before the mirror. Her fair skin and slender figure suited the black hair well.
“Princess, you look beautiful.”
“No.”
“Huh?”
“Not at all like Monnier Tamiren.”
Even Ringo’s portrait of Monnier showed a delicate, melancholic woman. But aside from slender limbs, Adeline didn’t resemble her. She was taller, poised, with a husky voice and piercing eyes.
Ringo nodded in agreement.
“There’s no one else like her…”
At that moment, Nabit knocked and entered.
“Princess Adeline, dinner is ready.”
Nabit had subdued the maids and controlled the kitchen. Even the haughty maids from the Queen’s palace couldn’t enter without her permission. A tacit understanding had been reached.
Moreover, Nabit had observed Adeline’s eating habits during their travels, noting likes, dislikes, and portion preferences to plan the meals perfectly.
“Not even fixing your picky habits… tsk. That’s why you can’t be trusted.”
Ringo clicked his tongue. Nabit retorted with a scornful glare.
“You can’t even make a salad.”
“I just confused the sauce!”
“You used fish oil.”
Adeline stepped forward, holding Nabit’s arm.
“Nabit.”
“Yes, Princess Adeline?”
“Try this on.”
She pointed to Monnier Tamiren’s dress. Perfect. Seeing Nabit wear it, it seemed to fit her perfectly, even resembling her hunched shoulders, slim body, and vacant eyes. From behind, she looked like Monnier returned from the dead.
“Perfect.”
“Princess, am I becoming the ghost of the deceased lady?”
“No ghosts. Just scare the traitor a bit. That’ll suffice.”
“I understand.”
“Say no if you don’t want to. No one is forcing you.”
“No, I can do it. Unlike anyone else, I am competent.”
Nabit smiled at Ringo, lifting one side of her lips.
The Lion King, who had been watching Adeline’s sleeping face, buried himself deep in the bed and wrapped one arm around her shoulder. He curled her cool, lifeless limbs against his body and pulled the thick blanket over them, hoping that the scorching heat flowing through his body from the desert would remain as warmth for her.
Odium needs this woman.
So, if it’s something she wants, he could grant it. He could easily pretend to be a debauched playboy if it meant winning her. If only he could have her, he could do even more.
“So just tell me you’ll be mine, already.”
The Lion King’s unbearably low voice sank into Adeline’s ear as she slept.
Something hot and heavy pressed down on her entire body.
Adeline woke with a stifled gasp. At first, her sleep had been sweet, but it was becoming harder to bear. It was heavy, hot, and difficult to breathe.
“…Hey.”
It was all because of him.
The Lion King had fallen deeply asleep while holding her from behind. He had said earlier that he would stay by her side while she slept, but somehow he had sunk even deeper than she had. Adeline brushed her tangled hair back as she looked at the Lion King’s steady, breathing face.
“…Still warm, though.”
It was more than warm—it was hot. Adeline pushed aside the Lion King’s arm that covered her and lifted the blanket, then propped herself up on the bed.
Could I trust this man?
The thought suddenly crossed her mind as she stared at the sleeping Lion King. They moved as if they were long-time friends of one mind, yet there were still many things unspoken between them.
He had said his goal was to take the southern region of Marma. He probably wanted to devour Marma whole, yet he claimed he did not seek more than that. Saying he did not want unnecessary sacrifices was essentially saying he did not want war.
If anyone else had said that, she would have laughed at them. Could that even be possible without war? She would have called it the naïve delusions of a foolish pacifist.
But he had unified the twelve tribes of Odium at such a young age. If he set his mind to it, starting a war with Marma would be nothing.
So that’s why he needs me.
Adeline gently pushed aside the hair that had fallen over his face. His eyebrows twitched.
The woman who would drive a dagger into Marma’s heart.
The Lion King had called her that. Adeline did not refute it—she felt there was no better description.
“I won’t put you in front of me.”
She whispered it—an impulsive vow. She did not know how far she and this man would go together, but she resolved not to hide behind his sword or use him as a shield. She would not play the role of covering her eyes and screaming from a place where all she could see was his back.
“I’ll protect you.”
The Lion King’s sleeping face was serene. Yet, she had the strange feeling that he was frowning. A faint smile slipped from her lips, and she quickly closed her mouth, exhaling slowly.
“…When did you wake up?”
The Lion King, who had not fully awakened himself, noticed that Adeline had opened her eyes first. His lazy breath accompanied his question. In his sleepiness, he still had his limbs draped over her body.
Adeline hesitated briefly before answering curtly:
“Go back to sleep.”
He let out a groan that made no sense. It sounded like words, but she could not understand them. Then, still with his eyes closed, he moved his hand to grab her foot.
“What are you doing?!”
“Warm.”
This time, she understood.
Adeline opened her mouth to yell, but quickly closed it. The Lion King looked satisfied, a loose smile on his lips.
Before falling asleep, she had complained that she couldn’t sleep because she was cold. He had worried about her cold feet, placed his hand over them, and then jumped into bed. In his sleep, he remembered and checked if her feet were still cold.
Adeline muttered:
“This won’t do.”
“What won’t?”
This time, he looked at her with half-open eyes—a wild lion with no natural enemies. She spoke in a low voice, tousled hair framing her face:
“I think I’m going to become a beast.”
“What?”
“Get up quickly. Or I’ll devour you.”
The Lion King laughed loudly.
‘Tamiren is trying to kill me.’
The guard who had been the lover of the deceased Moenie reached that conclusion. With Moenie’s will in his hands, he believed that Tamiren had orchestrated all of this to kill him.
After all, she had brought a woman who looked exactly like the deceased Moenie to unsettle him and attempted to steal the will while he was away. The cunning Tamiren might have been waiting for him to go to the location of Moenie’s will after the first attack, only to secretly follow and strike at the right moment.
The only inaccuracy in his assumption was that the woman in question was Adeline, not Tamiren. Otherwise, it was a fairly plausible deduction.
“He’s been holed up in the knights’ quarters for two days.”
Adeline summoned Nabil and Ringo to the reception hall for a discussion.
“What now? Princess, I agree that the royal guards are just freeloading, but breaking into the knights’ quarters to steal a hidden will is difficult even for us.”
“Who said he would steal it?”
“Then what do you plan to do?”
Ringo twisted his body eagerly, curiosity written all over his face. Nabil stood back, looking horrified. Ringo shrugged and moved two steps in the opposite direction.
Adeline propped her chin on her hand and said:
“That man will become my royal guard.”
“Huh?”
“Uh?”
Both Nabil and Ringo looked shocked. Adeline smiled wickedly.
“Tonight, one of the Lion King’s masked guards will appear at the knights’ quarters, acting suspiciously and threatening. The guard will think: ‘Tamiren sent someone here to kill me!’”
Ringo murmured, excited. Adeline nodded and continued:
“That doesn’t mean he’ll leave the guard corps. He wanted the position even while betraying the woman he loved. But now that his location is known, he’ll try to transfer.”
“You mean he’ll request a transfer?”
This time Nabil asked. Adeline smiled and nodded, pointing at herself:
“To Adeline Vita’s palace—the most dangerous place in the imperial city, constantly visited by assassins.”
“Most likely, he’ll come here. The captain of the knights dislikes him!”
Adeline sealed her words:
“If we keep him close and watch, we can figure out where the will is hidden. Ringo, can you handle that?”
“Leave it to me, Princess. I’ll even get his preferences down to his underwear,” Ringo said with a mischievous grin.
Nabil let out a quiet sigh, stepping back from Ringo.
The Lion King had wanted to personally wear the mask and infiltrate the knights’ quarters, but his adjutant Zachary had strongly opposed it. Being the king of a nation, Zachary lectured him like a tutor to maintain dignity. The Lion King had to let his subordinates handle it.
The Lion King’s subordinates, bored and with nothing to do in Marma, eagerly volunteered for the fun opportunity.
“Being proactive is good, but one condition: you must look terrifying, so scary that even ghosts would wet themselves and flee,” Zachary said.
The murmuring subordinates immediately fell silent, exchanging glances, and muttered to themselves in the window reflection:
“Isn’t this… handsome?”
“My mother says I’m charming. No luck, I guess.”
“I thought I’d loosen up, but this gentle face ruins it. Right, adjutant?”
Zachary, hearing this, suppressed the string of curses he had wanted to unleash. The Lion King, Lachi El Baltica, was a king who neither drank nor smoked and barely cursed. Zachary swallowed his frustration and said gently:
“Of course, for your level… it’s fine. But the goal is to scare the guard, so pick the one with the ugliest face.”
The subordinates nodded generously.
“Can’t help it, the adjutant will go. We’ll step aside.”
“Still, the adjutant has the angriest face among us.”
They agreed enthusiastically.
That night, two subordinates personally selected by Zachary, wearing black and masks, infiltrated the royal knights’ quarters. They sneaked into the dormitory of the night-shift knights, lurking in the hallway, peering into empty rooms.
“Who’s there!”
“Intruder! Reveal yourself!”
Since they had made themselves noticeable, they were quickly discovered. The royal guards rushed in, and the Lion King’s subordinates slipped away in the darkness.
The former lover of Moenie, mistaking the intruders for Tamiren’s spies, hid Moenie’s will and immediately requested a transfer to the captain.
Soon after, assassins broke into Adeline’s palace—again, radicals seeking war through her death.
Adeline, now accustomed to being awake at night, was not alarmed. Ordo, whose trust she had lost after the last attack, promised
Ringo’s scream echoed from a distance. A burning pain shot through his abdomen. Something hot was leaking from his body.
He didn’t know how he had managed to move. All the royal guard knights, except for him, seemed to be stationed outside the princess’s reception room. Not a single one had come to support the breached side gate. In his vision, he saw Ringo, flailing his limbs like a madman, charging at the assassins.
Stupid fool. What could a cook possibly do?
“Sir, sir! Stay with me! I’ll fetch a doctor!”
His vision blurred. They say one cannot predict human fate, and indeed, he had fled Tamiren’s hand to avoid dying, only to get caught up in something else and get hurt.
He realized a substantial amount of his own blood was flowing freely. The assassins were nowhere to be seen. Ringo couldn’t have defeated them all; they must have abandoned him and disappeared.
Ringo pulled a white cloth from his apron and pressed it firmly against the wound.
“Stay pressed here, okay? I’ll be right back…”
“Ringo.”
He didn’t know why, but at this moment, he felt he had to confess a secret to someone.
“My armor… the armor storage.”
“Huh?”
Ringo pressed harder on the wound. With a painful groan, he spoke again.
“Monier’s will is there.”
Ringo’s mouth, which had been chattering incessantly, suddenly went silent. He thought Ringo was scared. Ringo had previously scolded him fiercely, warning him not to reveal the location or contents of the will. Naturally, now that he had learned a dangerous secret, Ringo was too frightened to speak.
Even if he wanted to confess to someone, Ringo had stubbornly refused before, and their conversation had ended there. But now, injured, he felt that before dying, he had to tell someone.
“If I die, make sure it’s revealed. Those damn Tamirens… someone has to pay.”
“Are you serious?”
“Of course. Now go get a doctor. The wound… it’s pretty deep.”
“Haha, good to hear.”
It was strange. Until just a moment ago, Ringo’s voice had trembled with fear and anger, but now it was calm, almost carrying a faint laugh. For a moment, he thought he was hearing someone else.
“Sir, no doctor will come.”
He forced his eyes open and lifted his head. Ringo’s hands, which had been pressing on the wound, were gone, tucked into his apron pocket.
“…Ringo?”
“You were impatient, waiting for me to say it. You boasted so boldly to the princess, but if you don’t speak, where does that leave me? Right?”
“What?”
“The armor storage? I searched twice and couldn’t find it… and yet you hid it in such a plain place.”
What was he talking about? Through the pain, he tried to understand Ringo’s words. He couldn’t make sense of the princess-related parts, but one thing was clear:
Ringo had deliberately approached him to intercept Monier’s will.
“You…!”
“I’m a realist. And pessimistic. So I don’t believe old stories about sinners being punished by heaven. If you kill ten, you’re a murderer; if you kill ten thousand, you’re a king, right?”
His whole body trembled. Death was imminent. Blood loss brought extreme cold and dizziness.
Ringo snatched the cloth from his hand and stuffed it into his apron pocket, then stepped back with a faint smile.
“Good, the wound is deeper than I thought. I even considered finishing you off myself. Our princess told me to spare you… but I disagree. Fewer variables are better, right?”
“You… you bastard!”
“Goodbye.”
Ringo turned lightly on his heel. As he walked toward the quarters, he whistled—a high-pitched sound like a bird. From the shadows, the assassins he thought had disappeared suddenly appeared and fled quickly through the side gate.
“No…!”
The man who had betrayed Monier crawled on the ground. Every movement brought fresh gushes of blood. He slowly succumbed to death, hands soaked in his own crimson.
This time, the assassins had failed again to kill Adeline. The attack was smaller and caused little harm, but no one doubted it.
Ringo, holding Monier’s will, ran to Adeline. The folded sheets of paper fluttered in his hand.
“Ta-da!”
Adeline imagined what Monier must have felt writing his final words on this paper, and how the man he loved must have regretted seeing it.
“Will you read it?”
Ringo asked. Adeline nodded slowly but only stared, not taking the will in her hands.
“We’ll step outside,” Naby said first, bowing slightly and turning away. Ringo, curious about the will, had no choice but to follow her out of the reception room.
“Ringo.”
Adeline stopped him as he turned.
“Hmm? Princess, why?”
“Ringo, is he dead?”
She asked calmly. Ringo turned and let his long, tired eyes droop.
“I tried to keep him alive, as you said, but the wounds were severe. Looking at them… he didn’t stand a chance.”
“I see.”
“Yeah.”
“Thank you for your effort.”
After Ringo and Naby left, Adeline remained alone, closing her eyes and sinking into thought.
Preparation was complete. Now it was time to face the truth.
Kidnapping the head of the Tamiren family was not difficult. During the southern journey, the Lion King’s subordinates had become experts in abduction and eagerly followed her lead. Upon hearing that Adeline had located the human trafficking ring’s leader, they drew their weapons and trailed her immediately.
“Stand up.”
Removing the black cloth from the man’s face revealed an elderly gentleman who feigned calm, lips pressed tightly.
The head of the Tamiren family was an ordinary-looking man in his early sixties. Though disheveled now, his hair had been neatly styled, his shirt and vest sharply tailored, and the red lining of his coat glistened—a recent fashion among Marma’s nobility.
Adeline silently studied him. Her expression was blank, ghostly, doll-like, as if made of wax.
She spoke first.
“I have some questions.”
“Adeline?”
He recognized her immediately. Of course—he had sold a beautiful girl who became the emperor’s daughter. He must have kept an eye on her. Adeline stepped closer.
“Do you like what you see?”
“You’re still beautiful.”
“Is that all?”
He didn’t answer hastily or panic. Years running a vast human trafficking operation had hardened him. He didn’t struggle against the ropes or try to gauge his surroundings. He only met her gaze.
“Not surprised, huh? Guess running a human trade prepared you for moments like this?”
Adeline smiled calmly.
“Thanks to you, I became the emperor’s daughter.”
“His Majesty deserved it, indeed.”
“Deserved…”
It was a natural lie. Adeline had to give the Tamiren head credit; she understood why the emperor wanted to keep him close.
“How much did you get?”
“A large sum back then. Hard to say now.”
“I bought a slave for 300,000.”
“So it was you.”
He nodded slowly, then asked, eyes flicking up:
“What benefit did you get by abducting me?”
Curious for the first time, he asked something beyond short answers. Adeline tilted her head and replied:
“None.”
“Then why?”
“Curiosity.”
Her long hair spilled to one side. She watched him involuntarily glance at it.
Suddenly, Adeline asked:
“Why did you kill my mother?”
He hesitated. Though it was unforgettable, he furrowed his brow as if dredging up old memories.
A trained face. To survive Marma’s aristocracy, one must craft truth with lies and pretense.
What lie would he tell? Adeline waited silently. His tightly shut lips finally whispered in a soft voice:
“She died in an accident. I sold her… but I didn’t track exactly how she died. I expected her to live well with the abundant payment, but… it was unfortunate.”
“An accident?”
“That’s what I heard.”
He seemed partially truthful. His calm expression barely masked guilt. His eyes carried sorrow, mouth pain.
Adeline wasn’t fooled. She didn’t shout at him to stop pretending because she wanted full control.
“Who did you sell her to?”
He shook his head slowly.
“Too long ago.”
“You’ll go with that answer, huh?”
She pulled out Monier’s will from her bosom.
“Knew I’d need this.”
“What’s that?”
“Monier had beautiful handwriting. I was terrible as a child, constantly scolded and mocked.”
For the first time, his composed eyes showed confusion.
Adeline didn’t waste more time. She unfolded the paper quickly. The crisp sound echoed.
“Northern Temple is famous for the tallest tower in Sol-Marma. Why so tall? King Hugo I wanted to see everything at once, having slaves build a massive fortress and triple walls.”
“Adeline… I understand your anger, but I am a father who lost a daughter. Must you dig up such wounds?”
“The opening line is already a spectacle. Shall I read it?”
“What the—”
“My father is a pimp.”
Adeline read the first line of Monier Tamiren’s will aloud. His previous composure vanished.
“Listen well. He demeaned you as a poor commoner, but he didn’t deserve that. He was a criminal, a murderer, a ruthless pimp.”
“Princess Adeline!”
“Do you know my first thought after obtaining Monier’s will?”
Adeline smiled coldly.
“Maybe she didn’t die from a lover’s betrayal, but from the shock of realizing her entire bloodline, including her father, were filthy, vulgar human scum.”
His mouth fell silent, unwilling to respond. A wise choice. Adeline respected it and continued reading.
“Among those my father kidnapped were nobles, children, even…”
“Stop!”
“A family providing sex slaves. Tamirens are vile people. They handled the aftermath of illegitimate children perfectly.”
Monier despised her own family. She called once-respected elders and beloved father a plague worse than trash. Her rage was palpable in the letter. Adeline shivered as she read.
“I hate you who betrayed me. I despise my father who would sell his daughter for a high price. I hope you all destroy each other through suspicion. You killed me. Remember until you die.”
Monier, the supposedly mild young lady, was not. Adeline paused reading at a fitting point.
The Tamiren head slumped. Adeline folded the will and tucked it back in her bosom, whispering to him:
“This is what I want to know.”
Her voice was calm, soft, yet cold and chilling.
“Who sold my mother.”
“I swore one thing: to find you, cut out your tongue, sever your limbs, and kill you brutally. Beg for your life? Limbs cut. Try to escape? Legs cut. Yet, strangely, reading your daughter’s will made me think: this may not be my personal matter alone. Others, far away, may harbor as deep a grudge as I do… Killing you myself would be selfish.”
“Killing me doesn’t end it. You know the organization won’t collapse. My family too. I am merely a prepared piece; successors can always be made.
