Loyal Dog

The higher-up walked ahead, his teeth clenched in silent rage. No one in Livio's group noticed, as they were following behind him.

"That bastard…... How dare he? Fuck him. Fuck him!" he cursed internally, his anger simmering beneath the surface.

Flashback

A soldier entered a dimly lit room. "General Stormbraker! He is here."

Stormbraker set his wine glass on the table. "Fine, let him in."

The higher-up stepped inside and immediately knelt. "Sir! I have come for the errand."

"Good. Do you want something to eat?" Stormbraker asked casually, biting into a piece of roasted bird meat.

The higher-up glanced around. The general was flanked by six heavily armed soldiers. The walls were adorned with chained elf women.....alive, but reduced to mere decorations for Stormbraker's twisted entertainment.

He quickly lowered his gaze. "Thank you for the offer, sir, but I am full."

"Come on, don't be shy. Here, enjoy." A servant approached, setting down a plate of food and an expensive bottle of wine.

The higher-up swallowed hard. "Damn….... To think I'd get a chance to dine with a general…...This food…... this wine….. If only I could get an elf woman too, this would be a dream." His mouth watered as his self-control wavered.

Stormbraker smirked. "You're eyeing the women on the wall. Do you want to have fun with one of them?" He propped his feet onto the table, watching him closely.

The higher-up immediately bowed lower. "No, sir. I would rather die than touch something that belongs to you."

Stormbraker snapped his fingers. One of the guards stepped forward.

"Come here."

The guard grabbed the higher-up by the arm and guided him toward the wall.

"No, sir, please….... I don't want to!" He didn't resist physically, only spoke, but deep inside, he was already losing the battle against his desires.

"Here, go ahead. Choose whichever one you like." The soldiers stepped back, leaving him alone before the chained women.

Drool trickled from the higher-up's mouth as his gaze lingered on their helpless forms.

"No…... please…... don't touch me!" One of the elf women trembled as she saw his expression change.

"What are you saying? With a body like yours, how can I not drool?" He grabbed her roughly, pressing her against the cold stone wall .

"No! Please, I'm begging you...… Have mercy…... Oh god...…!" The woman's desperate eyes darted around, searching for help, but the other captives had long since lost hope.

Stormbraker snapped his fingers again. This time, all six guards rushed forward.

The higher-up was so consumed by his lust that he didn't even notice—until the first blow struck.

"Come on now, behave yourself. How can a bee resist tasting a ripe flower?" He continued to run his tongue along her skin, but then—

A heavy strike landed on the back of his neck.

"No—!" The elf woman barely reacted as he crumpled like a broken doll.

"You bastard! How dare you touch His Majesty's property?" The guards descended on him mercilessly.

"Filthy pig." One of them spat as they kicked him relentlessly.

Stormbraker leaned back in his chair, swirling his wine as he watched with amusement. The elf women remained silent—some staring blankly, others shutting their eyes, waiting for it to end.

"Please! Forgive me! I beg you.....I'll never show my face here again!" The higher-up curled up, shielding his head as boots rained down on him.

"Enough."

Stormbraker stood, his towering presence silencing the room. He crouched down, staring into the battered man's tear-filled eyes.

"Please, sir....… Just one chance. I swear I'll never even dream of touching your things again!" The higher-up crawled forward and clutched Stormbraker's feet.

Stormbraker sneered. "You know…... humans consumed by lust are the most inhuman creatures of all. And yet, a pathetic bastard like you dared to dream of touching what belongs to me?" He took a sip of wine—then spat it in the man's face.

The higher-up trembled. "I swear—I'll never do it again!" He started slamming his forehead against the floor in a desperate plea for mercy.

Stormbraker exhaled slowly. "Is that so?"

"Yes, sir, please! I'll leave with the errand and never return!" His forehead remained pressed against the cold stone floor.

Stormbraker turned away. "I can't simply forgive a bastard like you."

"Please, sir...just one last chance!" The higher-up crawled closer, clutching at his boots.

Stormbraker studied him for a moment. Then, a smirk played on his lips.

"Fine. Strip him."

The higher-up's eyes widened in horror. "W-Wait! No! Please! What are you doing?!"

The guards grabbed him, tearing off his armor as he struggled in vain.

Stormbraker kicked over the table, sending plates of food crashing to the ground. He leaned back in his chair, watching as the higher-up's screams filled the room.

Present Scene

The higher-up's face was flushed red, his ears burning like embers. Rage twisted inside him, threatening to consume him entirely.

Those walking behind him began to feel a strange unease.

"Hey…... does something feel off about him?" Nicolas muttered.

"Shut up. Just follow him and obey orders." Sebastian strode ahead without looking back.

They continued in silence until they reached the massive gate. Before them stood a golden rectangular block, guarded by two soldiers. The intricate carvings of various animal faces gleamed under the light, giving it an almost ethereal beauty.

"So…... this is it?" The higher-up asked the guards.

"Yes, sir. If you pour your PBV into it, it will levitate and glide forward." One of the soldiers explained.

"Fine. Leave. Go tell the general we've secured it." His voice was cold.

"Yes, sir!" The guards saluted and departed.

The higher-up clenched his fists. His breath came in sharp, angry bursts.

"That bastard...… I hope he dies like a coward. I hope his blood seeps into the dirt like water… and is trampled by the very women he covets so much." He struck the box with a fist, his knuckles turning white.

"Sir…... are you alright?" Luka hesitated, placing a hand on the edge of the box.

The higher-up whirled on him. "You bastard! Just do your fucking job instead of worrying about me!" His gaze flickered toward the road they had taken to enter the kingdom.

"Get the food ready. I want to eat and drink once we cross the cave. Now, hurry up—pour in your PBV, and let's get the hell out of here!" Without waiting, he stepped through the gate, leaving the kingdom behind.

Inside the Palace

Stormbraker stood by a grand window, watching Livio's team disappear into the distance.

"Sir…... I don't think he ever told his men what happened to him. He won't tell the king either." One of the guards chuckled.

"Hey, bastard, don't you dare call that man a king!" Another barked.

Stormbraker ignored them, his eyes gleaming with something far more sinister. He clenched his wine glass until it shattered in his grip.

"Once I figure out his ability, I will corner that bastard Valens from every side….... and crush him like a bug. The same fate awaits the other three generals."

A single drop of wine dripped onto the floor.

Far away, beneath the shade of a tree, the higher-up took a deep drink of the liquor Eero had prepared. Drops of wine fell from his lips as Livio's group watched him in silence.....like obedient servants.