Chapter 127

Liam and Edmund departed with the Westhaven soldiers.

"If you want to rescue Aurora," Carissa told Barrett, "take your trusted aldes up the mountain." This preserved some dignity for both Barrett and Aurora. Repeating the shame endured by the Westhaven crown prince upon them would have been appalling.

However, Barrett worried that Westhaven troops might still be stationed on the mountain. He therefore requested that Carissa lend him the Mystic Army.

Carissa studied him. "Are you certain?"

Feeling a tremor at her gaze, he asked, "Can you tell me if Aurora truly committed the massacres?"

"You should have asked Liam earlier," Carissa replied calmly. "Or you can ask Aurora yourself when you meet her. Liam is unlikely to have killed her."

Barrett found it hard to believe Aurora capable of such acts. He recalled Liam's vague words; the massacre was mentioned briefly, while the apology to Carissa was emphasized.

If Aurora had committed the massacre, the destruction of the Sinclair family would be indirectly attributed to her. She had caused the death of Carissa's family, and Barrett, intending to marry her, had abandoned Carissa.

As Barrett contemplated this, conflicting emotions overwhelmed him. A heavy weight pressed on his chest, making breathing difficult.

He refused to believe Aurora capable of such things. He would ask her personally upon seeing her again.

Barrett suddenly lifted his head. "Liam's words cannot be fully trusted. You should accompany me up the mountain so we can get to the bottom of this, General Sinclair. If Aurora admits to it in your presence, then…"

His face turned pale and grim. If Aurora confessed, what could he possibly do? What could ever make up for those irreparable mistakes and lost lives?

After a moment of silence, Carissa agreed to go with him. Barrett distrusted Liam and feared Westhaven troops might be lying in wait. He also requested the Mystic Army's support.

He was unsure of the exact nature of the abuses inflicted on the prisoners of war, believing that such abuse would, at most, involve torture. Therefore, he had no idea what he would encounter on the mountain.

Carissa understood perfectly; this was also part of Liam's plan.

+15 BONUS

Aurora hadn't killed Arthur. He had taken his own life after his release, due to the crushing of his dignity, honor, and physical torment.

Therefore, Liam wouldn't kill Aurora, intending instead to destroy her dignity and reputation. He would leave it to Aurora to decide whether to end her own life or endure.

Liam knew many would come to rescue her. With a hundred thousand soldiers descending from the mountain, who could say how many more might be waiting above? At the very least, he was sure Barrett believed so, for Barrett had never truly understood Westhaven.

Michael ordered the torches raised, and over ten thousand men marched up the mountain in a grand procession. Violent and the others followed without objection, knowing what they would see.

After about half an hour, the winding path led them to a cleared area, large enough to accommodate a hundred thousand soldiers. In the middle stood a wooden cabin, from which agonized screams emanated.

Hearing these cries, Barrett sprinted forward and kicked open the hut door. It was pitch black inside, so he quickly instructed someone to bring a torch.

When the torchbearer entered, Barrett saw nineteen figures within. His face went ashen.

All were completely naked, their bodies covered in numerous scars and cuts. One horrifying injury was particularly disturbing—it was as if… they had all been castrated!

The hut was filled with the stench of feces and urine; they had clearly been drenched in it. Excrement smeared their faces, bodies, and mouths. Aurora was the only one wearing anything—she lacked pants, and blood pooled beneath her. Her genitals were clearly visible.

Coming to his senses, Barrett roared, "Get out! All of you, get out!"

He grabbed a torch and rushed inside, but there were no clothes or armor left in the hut; they had all been burned. Desperate, he stripped off his own armor and outer garments, wrapping them around Aurora's legs. He then put on his armor again and carefully lifted her into his arms.