Mario's death

"Hahaha... Worth it!" Mario's voice rang out, ragged but triumphant. His words were steeped in satisfaction, his grin defiant even as blood poured from his mouth. To him, it was a fair trade—his life in exchange for the man he hated from the bottom of his soul was more than worth it. His death was a price he was willing to pay, and he bore no regrets.

However, that sense of grim satisfaction wasn't shared by the man plunging a spear into his chest. The guard's expression was a mixture of rage and horror as his grip tightened on the bloodied weapon.

"You bastard! Do you even understand what you've done? You've killed the son of Duke Hekar!" The guard's voice cracked with fury, but beneath it was the unmistakable tremor of fear.