James’s roar, like cracking thunder, made Rowena’s ears ring and left her dazed. She could only sob, unsure how else to respond. After a while, she calmed enough to speak, her face etched with despair.

“I don’t know… I really don’t… I think Trent took the painting to the capital as a gift for someone.”

Slice!

James grabbed the switchblade from the bed and slashed at Rowena’s hand, splattering blood everywhere. Rowena gasped in agony, but no sound escaped her lips. Her face contorted in pain, and she trembled violently.

James calmly produced several silver needles and inserted them into Rowena’s body. She couldn't die yet—not without the painting. The bleeding stopped, but the pain remained, unbearable. She only wanted to die. James was right; living was worse than death, yet she couldn't.

He sat back, staring at Rowena with the mournful look of a bereaved dog.

“This pain is nowhere near enough to atone for your sins,” he said coldly. “I’ll ask you again. Where is Moonlit Flowers on Cliffside’s Edge?”

“I… I don’t… I don’t know,” Rowena whispered through chattering teeth.

James frowned. The average person would have confessed under such torture. Was Rowena telling the truth? The painting was his family’s most treasured heirloom, passed down for generations. His grandfather had said their family could be annihilated, but the painting couldn’t be lost.

Rowena trembled, her teeth chattering. She felt incredibly lightheaded but remained conscious, unable to faint. Pain from her wounds tormented her, keeping her awake. James was a demon; her fear of him was profound. She pleaded for mercy.

“I’ll spare you tonight,” James said. “I’ll give you some time. Find out where the painting went. If you can’t tell me when I return, I’ll show you true despair.”

He stood and dragged the cowering Charles to his feet. Charles trembled, wetting himself in terror.

“I-I have nothing to do with this! I d-don’t know anything!” he stammered, begging for mercy.

“You didn’t see anything. You didn’t hear anything. If a word of what happened tonight gets out… you know the consequences,” James said coldly. He knew Charles was innocent and wouldn't kill him. He glanced back at Rowena, lying still on the bed.

“I’m sure you’re curious who I am. I’m the Black Dragon of the Southern Plains, commander of the Black Dragon Army. Forget Trent Xavier; I could kill the Blithe king if I wanted to.”

With that, he left. He instructed Rowena to find Moonlit Flowers on Cliffside’s Edge, leaving her to her torment.

The only sound after he left was Rowena’s sobbing. (The following sentences about Slur and the FindNovel website seem out of place and possibly an artifact from the original text and should be removed.)

“The Black Dragon… The Commander of the Southern Plains… That Black Dragon? One of the Five Commanders?” She couldn't believe it.

How could the Caden kid from ten years ago become the universally feared Black Dragon? She knew Trent, a high-ranking soldier, had mentioned the Five Commanders. The Black Dragon had only been a commander for a year, but he was the most terrifying.