Austin’s words were strong and commanding, each one landing like a thunderclap.
Warrick felt the weight of his presence. His brow furrowed for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure.
He glanced at the so-called evidence on the floor, showing no sign of panic or guilt. Instead, he said indifferently, “Your Highness, these dead men were nothing more than ants. Is this really worth making such a fuss over? I doubt you haven’t killed anyone before.”
As the old saying went, the higher one climbed, the heavier one’s purse. Warrick had clawed his way up, risking his life at every step for the sake of rising above the masses.
Everyone had their own desires-some sought fame, others fortune. Some were greedy for money, some for power, and others reveled in the adoration of the masses.
To achieve those things, one inevitably had to engage in shady dealings. It was an unspoken rule among officials, and Warrick saw nothing wrong with it.
“Ants?” Austin sneered. “Without these ‘ ants’ to support you, would you be living so comfortably? You threw your weight around like a petty despot. If you’re not stopped, others will follow your example.
And let me make one thing clear-while I
may have been idle in the past, I’ve never
taken innocent lives.”
“Your Highness, just because you haven’t done it doesn’t mean others can’t,”
Warrick replied coolly.
He went on, “Look around West Lucozia. How many officials do you think are truly clean? If you investigate thoroughly, I guarantee at least 90% of high-ranking officials have dirt on their hands. By your logic, shouldn’t they all be executed? Do you really think you can kill them all?”
“First, not all officials are like you. Second, if they are as you say, then I’ll punish every single one. Does that answer satisfy you?” Austin shot back.
“So, it seems there’s no room for negotiation today?” Warrick’s eyes narrowed slightly, and a glint of cold light flashed within them.
He had served as a general in West Lucozia for years and had always been careful. Plus, he had already prepared an escape plan. If things truly reached a dead end, he could leave West Lucozia behind and continue living freely elsewhere.
“Negotiation?” Austin scoffed. “I didn’t call you here to negotiate. I called you here to confess.”
“Confess?” Warrick burst into laughter. ” I’ve fought on the battlefield for years, winning every fight and crushing every enemy in my path. Do you know how many have died under my command? Tens of thousands. And now you want me to confess to killing a few lowly commoners? What a joke.”
When his laughter died down, Warrick sprang to his feet with a fierce look on his face.
“Listen here, Austin Rhys! When I was out conquering lands for West Lucozia, you weren’t even born. You’re just a spoiled brat who grew up with a silver spoon in his mouth. What gives you the right to lecture me? If your father were here, maybe I’d listen.”
With the facade of civility shattered, Warrick no longer held back. To him, this arrogant young noble had no authority to judge him.
When Warrick was in a good mood, he might address him as “Your Highness”. But when he wasn’t, he wouldn’t hesitate to throw a punch. With Rufus’ health declining, Warrick felt he had little to fear.
“What? Are you planning to rebel?” Austin asked coldly.
“So what if I am?”
Warrick stomped down, and the floor cracked a foot deep beneath him. The entire meeting room trembled as a powerful force surged through the air.
A suffocating force crashed over the room. The temperature dropped sharply, and everything seemed to freeze in place.
Axel and his elite enforcement team drew their blades. The hidden troops stationed nearby noticed the commotion and rushed in without hesitation.
Half of them surrounded Warrick, while the other half formed a protective barrier in front of Austin.
“Punk! Do you think you can stop me with these guards? What a joke!” Warrick scanned the room with disdain. “Back in my prime, I rode into battle alone and carved through enemy lines seven, even eight times over. What makes you think I’d fear a few hundred men?”
Austin remained calm. “I know how strong you are. That’s why I laced your tea with Tranqurin-colorless, tasteless, and impossible to detect.
“If you don’t try to use your strength, you might not notice anything. But the moment you do, the drug will kick in. In the time it takes to finish a cup of tea, your limbs will go weak, and you won’t be able to fight back.”
“Tranqurin?”
Warrick’s face darkened. “You sneaky bastard! You actually drugged me? And here I thought you were Prince Rufus’ son and had some semblance of honor.”
“Desperate times call for desperate measures. Besides, I never claimed to be a saint. What use do I have for honor?” Austin stated matter-of-factly.
“You little-”
Warrick was furious and moved to strike, but his body suddenly felt impossibly heavy, as if weighed down by lead. The internal energy in his circulatory pathways thickened like mercury, slowing to a crawl and refusing to gather.
Tranqurin was a rare poison designed specifically to incapacitate a grandmaster martial artist. It wasn’t lethal, but within moments, it could strip a person of all mobility.
“Seize him!”
Spotting the perfect opening, Axel gave the order and charged forward with his men.
