Kadyn stood—in the Gubia Capital—amidst the spectators as he looked in the distance towards the platform. A man was tied to the pole. His body was covered in blood that dripped drop by drop; though most of it had already dried, forming red layers on his face and exposed hands. His eyes were closed. It was hard to tell if he was even conscious. His clothes had been torn, revealing ugly wounds underneath. His breath was shallow and his face disfigured.

Two men were standing on either side of the pillar on which Morwag was hanging. Though they were wearing the military uniform of the Gubia Empire, everyone knew that they were from Bone Spear Tower. No one had the courage to point it out, though. Only misery awaited for those who defied the order of the king. It was hard to imagine what would happen if they went against the will of Bone Spear Tower. 

“It is all my fault,” Kallus whispered beside him, clenching his fist. “I should have told him to come back when the Envoy of the World Magic Alliance had arrived.”

“It is not your fault,” Kadyn said. “You can’t trust someone like Bone Spear Tower. Anyway, the time to remove them has arrived.”

“But the World Magic Alliance—”

“It is just a small part of Pengolla,” Kadyn said. “They won’t know what happened here even months later. That is only if they did get the news. Though I doubt it. Even if they did, would they care about our petty problems when they are preparing to fight against a gigantic enemy that is about to descend on Pengolla?”

At this moment a commotion broke out, and a luxurious car appeared. The driver hurriedly opened the door and a tall man walked out. There were two more cars from which other two men exited, joining the first guy, though they didn’t look as impressive as the first person. He had thick brows and broad shoulders and a long nose. Smile hung at the corner of his lips. Confidence? Arrogance? Maybe both.

The man waved his hand, and the people stopped whispering. There were thousands of people gathered here. However, at this moment, not a single whisper could be heard. The fear. Yes, that’s what it was, fear. On the faces of the spectators. Because they knew the man in front of them.

“He is Wynfir. The ruler of Bone Spear Tower,” Kallus said, using Spiritual Communication. “The other two are his Vice Leaders. K’len and Janrys. K’len controls Poison Hall while Janrys controls Bone Spear Hall.”

“What about the king?” Kadyn asked.

“Dead,” sneered Kallus. “He was leading the army to attack Stanlow Town. Jareth was enough to kill him when they realized their tricks in the morning.”

“I see,” Kadyn nodded. He turned his attention to Wynfir who had stepped on the platform on which Morwag was hanging by the pillar.

“Oh.” Cecelia seemed surprised about something.

“What is it?” Kadyn asked.

“The guy,” she said, pointing to a man, standing below the platform. “He was the man who attacked the border for the very first time. Remember the time when I informed you that my clone was killed by someone? He killed it.”

“I see,” Kadyn nodded. Not paying much attention to the guy. He was just a low rank 3 mage. Not worth his time. Even Cecelia could kill him with a flick of her hand. She was at the brink of becoming rank 4 herself, after all. She was just surprised to see him. Nothing else.

Wynfir looked at the gathered people and nodded with a smile. “Today I have asked you to gather here,” he said in his imposing voice. “For what, I think, you have already guessed the reason so I will make my speech short.” He pointed towards hanging Morwag. “I hate to admit this, but this guy decieved me, and each and every one of us. We showed him kindness and gave him a position, but in the end he turned out to be a spy. Today, I want to make an example of this man. That no one—no matter who it is—would be able to escape after deceiving me and the Bone Spear Tower!”

“Oh,” Kallus said from the side. “He intends to take control of the entire empire. That’s why he is speaking so openly.”

“Why didn’t he do so previously?” Kadyn asked.

“It didn’t matter who was the king of the Gubia Empire in the first place,” said Kallus, “as Wynfir always controlled them from the shadows. However, now the time is changing. A terrifying enemy is about to descend. If he wants to recruit as many people as possible in his army, even if it is an army of cannon-fodders—he needs to come to light. That’s what he is doing. He doesn’t want to take any chances, so he is taking control of everything himself.”

“Staurious,” Wynfir continued. “Take him down. I will give you an honor to behead him as our newest core disciple.”

The guy that Cecelia had pointed looked up in surprise and then a vicious grin appeared on his face. Staurious had always wanted to become a core disciple, and always envied them. Though now he had become one. He was always jealous of someone like Morwag who was a super genius with a high status in the Tower. Now he had the chance to vent his frustration, and he would do it gladly.

Staurious entered the platform as the two guards who were standing previously untied Morwag off the pillar. He stood in front of the wounded and ragged and shivering body and kicked. “I feel pity for you. You did so much for your country, but see, what is going to happen to you. No one is here to save you. Really, a death of a dog. No one cares, not even its owner.”

Morwag’s eyelids twitched as he tried to open them, but due to clotted blood over his eyes he could not open them completely. Anyway, he could see the blurry face of Staurious from the slits. Then he curled his swollen lips and chuckled, “I—cough, feel really sorry—cough, for you. The frustration of remaining always behind others. No matter—cough, no matter what you do. Indeed, a life of a pathetic loser.. I would prefer death instead. Why are you still alive?”