Continuous, chilling screams reverberated within the dimly lit room.
As time went on, these screams gradually grew faint, sounding as if they would end any second.
At first, Capen was interested in watching the punishment, but as time passed, he also began to get impatient.
What he thought generally as a simple matter turned out to be a notable âsurpriseâ from two thieves who were never significant in his eyes.
âOrlando, are all your men this defiant?â Capen irately questioned Orlando, the master of thieves.
Orlando was lost in his thoughts at the moment, not responding to Capenâs sarcasm.
âMasterâ¦â The executioner suddenly turned around hesitantly, âHarry⦠is not going to make itâ¦â
Capen widened his eyes and approached to check Harryâs breath, indeed, Harry had already succumbed.
With a light humph, he spoke to Bruce, who barely clung to life:
âI guess youâre the only one left who can give me those bonds now. Confess promptly, or else youâll end up like him!ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
With a wry smile, Bruce barely gasped out:
âMaster⦠I⦠I really⦠didnât take themâ¦â
âGood! Stick to your code!â Capen laughed in anger, gesturing at the executioner, ruthlessly commanded, âContinue!â
The room echoed once again with the eerie sounds of punishment and Bruceâs faint groans.
This hellish experience transformed Bruceâs initial skepticism into current anger and despair.
Thus he understood many things.
He knew that no matter how he defended himself, no one would believe him.
Compared to those priceless bonds, his life as a thief was insignificant.
Even if he died innocently, no one would give a damn.
But Bruce wouldnât give up!
Harryâs set up, Capenâs hypocrisy, Orlandoâs negligence⦠all eventually led to Bruceâs complete resentment.
As he felt his own life slowly slipping away, a ruthless look, akin to a dying and desperate lone wolf, flitted in Bruceâs eyes.
At that moment, he just wanted to destroy everything in front of him and make this wicked city fall with him!
âI admit⦠I confessâ¦â
Hearing Bruceâs faint voice, Capen, who was on the verge of giving up, suddenly brightened, âSpeak up!â
However, Bruceâs gaze shifted to Orlando as he whispered:
âFather⦠Iâm sorryâ¦I just canât stand it anymore⦠I can only let you downâ¦â
Hearing these words, Orlando suddenly exploded in anger, yelling:
âBruce, what are you getting at?â
Capenâs eyes flickered thoughtfully, as he asked:
âBruce, could it be Orlando who instructed you to steal? Are the bonds with Orlando?â
Before Bruce could answer, Orlando quickly stood up, took a few steps forward, stared into Bruceâs eyes and sternly said:
âYou better explain yourself clearly!â
Bruce managed a bitter smile, but all he could utter was:
âFather⦠Iâm sorry⦠Iâm sorryâ¦â
Capen immediately jumped in front of Bruce, urgently asking:
âTell me, are the bonds with Orlando? Donât be afraid, Iâll protect you as long as you tell the truth!â
âYesâ¦â Bruce nodded weakly.
Orlando immediately flew into a rage, shouting:
âBruce, you ungrateful wretch! How dare you frame meâ¦â
âOrlando!â Capen coldly turned around, âYou better explain honestly! Or elseâ¦â
While talking, Capen cracked his fists, his aura radiating out.
Orlando was also enraged, but knew he was no match for Capen, he defensively argued like a violated maiden:
âWhat do I have to confess? Itâs Shawn clearly setting me up; canât you see through such a simple scam?â
Saying that, Orlando rushed to Bruce, grabbing his chin and intimidating:
âKid, donât think you can use this trick to escapeâ¦â
He couldnât finish his words, because Bruce had abruptly ceased breathing.
Seeing this, Capen furiously pounced on Orlando, knocking him aside and roared:
âOrlando! I warn you, these bonds are a major issue, itâs not something a leader of thieves can covet!
If you donât hand over the goods, donât think about leaving Alfalfa City alive!â
Confronted with Capenâs threat, suppressing anger surged in Orlandoâs heart, he stood his ground and said confrontationally:
âCapen! Do you think you can dominate singlehandedly in Alfalfa City? Remember, you are just a newbie who arrived here three years ago! If it werenât for someone backing you up, do you really think we would willingly submit to you?
I warn you too, donât push your luck, otherwise, the waters of Alfalfa City are much deeper than you think!â
Capen was taken aback and laughed sarcastically, then landed a kick on Orlandoâs stomach.
Orlandoâs henchmen who had gathered around frantically unsheathed their long swords, glaring angrily at Capen.
But Capen didnât take these people seriously. Years of violent confrontations forged his iron willpower. As a fifth-tier Warrior, he had extraordinary confidence and arrogance; nobody here could threaten him.
Capen coldly looked at Orlando, who had fallen to the ground. His voice filled with resolve: âI donât care if that kid was lying or who really stole the bonds. But as the head of this cityâs thieves, you must retrieve those bonds!
I give you three days. If I donât see the bonds in three days, well, youâd better prepare your body bag!â
Having said that, Capen humphed dismissively and insolently squeezed through the crowd of Orlandoâs henchmen who were giving him hostile looks.
After Capen left, Orlando was helped back up.
But he immediately snatched a long sword from one of his men and, out of distress, started hacking at Bruceâs corpse.
Not until Bruceâs corpse was brutally mutilated and drenched in blood did Orlando stop, panting heavily.
At this point, Orlando was filled with bitterness unjustified blame suddenly placed upon his shoulders.
Moreover, he also came to realization that Bruce played him right at the brink of death.
What a âfaithful sonâ!
After Orlandoâs actions, it is likely that the entire city would soon know that those priceless bonds were in Orlandoâs hands.
But the key point was, he actually didnât know anything!
Even more critical, Orlando realized, if he canât give something to Capen, what will happen after three days?
His subordinates seemingly had the same thoughts and eagerly focused their attention on Orlando, waiting for his commands.
After pondering for a while, Orlando finally grit his teeth and said adamantly: âDoes that Capen really think he can dominate singlehandedly in Alfalfa City? Heh, follow me!â
Having said that, he walked out.
His underlings glanced at each other before quickly following him.