Under the boundless silence and the people's gazes, Barney Junior frowned and looked behind the Knight of Judgment.
He stared at the man who suddenly appeared with a scabbard and a brand on his face.
"It's you," Barney Junior said softly with faint disdain.
Finally, Zakriel, who had been listening quietly, sighed and turned around slowly.
He flashed a weak smile at the person behind him.
"I'm glad you're alright."
"Samel."
Colin Samel, the former Vice Flag Bearer of the Royal Guards, the culprit who brought the Disaster Swords to this place, and the person who was knocked unconscious by Yodel just now, widened his cold eyes and stood behind Zakriel.
Thales suddenly sighed a little.
Eighteen years had passed, and the remaining nine former Royal Guards were reunited in the deepest, darkest, gloomiest, filthiest, and sunless Prison of Bones with nine ugly brands that they could never get rid of.
When they saw Samel, many people's expressions were a little complicated.
"Wow, everyone's here." Nalgi's voice entered the room at an inopportune moment. His smile was very forced, but Thales could tell that he was trying his best to ease the atmosphere.
"Barney, Zakriel, and of course, you. Samel, I really think that old friends like us should sit down —"
But Samel did not care about them. He just pointed at Zakriel and interrupted Nalgi.
"And him!
The respected Zakriel kept his mouth shut and did not say a word, and would rather respond with force …
"Because that matter is related to the dirtiest and darkest secret in the depths of his heart."
Samel spoke word by word, but each word seemed to contain some sort of magical power. It made everyone's breathing become disorderly and difficult, and the atmosphere in the room became even more solemn.
Thales frowned and looked at Samel.
The latter sneered and swept his gaze over the seven prisoners before he continued to speak.
"And when they asked, they were secretive and hesitant … because that is also the most terrifying nightmare in their hearts, isn't it?"
The seven prisoners outside Zakriel exchanged glances, but Thales could sense panic and avoidance in their eyes.
Barney Junior even closed his eyes.
"It's not just Zakriel."
Samel's words were as sharp as a knife. Inch by inch, he cut open the seemingly indifferent expressions of his former comrades.
"In fact, all of them are running away from it. They are unwilling to face it. They don't dare to believe it. They are unwilling to reveal it.
"Because of that secret!"
Samel roared angrily and raised his arm to point at Thales.
"The secret that drove Zakriel to harm this child and Prince Thales … coincidentally explains the past, doesn't it?"
Thales felt his heart skip a beat.
The past …
In the next second, Barney Junior suddenly opened his eyes!
"You have no right to speak here, Samel!"
He looked at Samel angrily.
"You're just someone who betrayed the guards …"
But as if he wanted to return all the anger he felt during the confrontation, Samel also widened his eyes and retorted with a voice that was even louder than Barney Junior's.
"And that secret!"
Samel said fiercely,
"When the chief flag bearer went south, it was Zakriel, whom we respected the most, who took over part of the flag bearer's duties. And our watchman 'happened' to be the person who was closest to the crown prince and could come into contact with his warrant every day," Thales said with a smile.
When he said this, it was as if someone had turned off the sound. Everyone's breathing, footsteps, grinding of teeth, and the rustling of clothes disappeared without a trace.
Only Samel's words could be heard through gritted teeth.
"Zakriel was the one who brought you, me, him, most of the Defense Division and Vanguard Division to Renaissance Palace, along with the most elite members of the guards to provide reinforcements. They fought bloody battles against the assassins and the rioters, but they were still one step too late. They were powerless to reverse the situation, and could only watch as the late king and crown prince met with misfortune …"
Thales breathed in a daze. The guards trembled as they breathed, and Zakriel breathed in a daze.
"Including …"
* Clang! *
Barney Junior could not take it anymore. He slashed the wall with his sword and shouted amid the piercing noise.
"Enough!
Shut up, traitor and coward who ran away! "
Samel shuddered. He instinctively gritted his teeth and shut his mouth.
Barney Junior pointed his sword at Samel.
"This is a conversation between us and Zakriel. A traitor like you has no right to speak!"
Samel was silent for a moment before he chuckled.
"Hahahaha …"
He lowered his head before he raised it again. He pointed at Barney Junior with his scabbard and mocked him.
"Did you know, Barney? Just now, I was the same as you."
Barney Junior's pupils shrank even more.
"Until I saw myself clearly."
Samel spread his arms and sneered, as if he wanted to embrace all the darkness in the underground prison.
"What are you afraid of?"
Thales felt that Samel seemed to have changed into a different person. After his colleagues turned against him and Ricky died, he appeared in front of everyone again like an evil god who could bewitch people's hearts.
"Are you afraid of the past, afraid of the truth, afraid of the answer, or afraid of your incompetent, cowardly, ostrich-like self?
"What happened to the unquestionable courage and resolution you had when you accused me just now?
"What happened to your smug attitude of 'I have suffered so much, so I have the right to scold all of you'?
"Where did it all go?
"Quill Barney Junior?"
Samel's smile was huge.
Every word he said seemed to pierce deeply into the guards' hearts, and the thickest of blood flowed from them.
"In the name of the chief vanguard …"
Barney Junior's voice trembled along with the tip of his sword. The murderous intent in his eyes burned.
"I'm saying this for the last time.
Shut up, your, stinking, mouth. "
Samel's smile became even brighter, like the fireworks that were about to disappear in the next moment.
He raised his hand and shook his head. There was a provocative look in his eyes.
Before the situation in the hall started to go out of control, Nalgi's words cut in again. But this time, he was especially careful.
"Barney, Samel, I think maybe we shouldn't be so rash …"
Barney Junior turned his head swiftly.
"You shut up too, Nalgi.
This is the vanguard's order. "
Nalgi was rendered speechless, and his expression instantly turned unpleasant.
Barney Junior tried his best to regulate his breathing and looked away.
"A shameful traitor is accusing you, Zakriel."
Barney Junior stared coldly at the silent Knight of Judgment.
"Because eighteen years ago, you were loyal and devoted to your duty, but eighteen years later, you went berserk, and suddenly pointed your finger at the bloodline you once swore to protect.
"And don't you have anything to say for yourself?"
Quick Rope was so frightened that he glanced at Thales.
Barney paused for a moment and took a deep breath, as if what he was doing at that moment was an incredibly difficult task.
"For example, you know some secret that we don't, and it's related to this prince, so you have to find him?
"Or do you have a better reason, like this prince is an impostor?"
Or is there some secret hidden in the Jadestar bloodline? Like what you said, you were ordered by the late king, and you have a mission that you must complete? "
There was faint hope in Barney Junior's eyes, as well as a barely discernible pleading look.
"Or even … that he is a scourge that must be eliminated?
Something like that? "
Thales' heart skipped a beat again.
But he did not know why.
He knew.
He did not have to worry.
It became very quiet in the hall.
It reminded Thales of the gutter in the Abandoned House. There were only corpses there.
Barney Junior stared at Zakriel with a gaze that he probably did not know what emotion he was feeling. He waited for Zakriel's answer.
Samel still had a cold smile on his face. He looked at everyone in disdain.
The other members had different expressions on their faces.
The atmosphere in the hall became more and more unbearable.
"No, we were once brothers in the Royal Guards. We should not have fallen to this state …"
Nalgi gave up on the possibility of communicating directly with Barney Junior, but he did not give up. Instead, he turned his head around and asked his colleague for help. There was even a hint of pleading in his voice.
"Beldin, your position is higher. I beg you, say something …"
Even Quick Rope could tell that this weak soldier was trying his best to distract everyone's attention, hoping to delay the arrival of that moment a little longer.
Unexpectedly, Penal Officer Beldin shook his head with a sorrowful expression.
"According to the rules, unless there is an order from the captain of the guards, penal officers are not allowed to interfere with vanguards' decisions during wartime."
Nalgi's words came to a halt.
"During wartime? But now … "
At this moment, Zakriel, who had been standing in a daze and had not spoken for a long time, suddenly raised his head. His dull voice rose in the Prison of Bones again.
"It's okay!"
But this time, there was a faint hint of joy in his voice, as well as relief.
The Knight of Judgment looked at his former colleagues with a gentle gaze.
"Nalgi, Beldin, and Samel.
It's okay. "
He turned his head slowly. His gaze met Barney Junior's, who had been staring at him.
But there was no spark. There was only heaviness in his gaze.
"Someone needs an answer. That's all."
Zakriel said hoarsely.
Thales' breathing became tense without him realizing it.
He immediately noticed that he was not the only one. Many of the other Royal Guards' expressions were a little unstable.
"Thank you, Barney."
Zakriel's tone was very calm. There was a faint hint of gratitude and friendliness in it, just like a kind and gentle uncle next door.
"Thank you for asking so much, and thank you for being willing to ask so much."
He looked at Barney Junior with an unfocused gaze and nodded.
"Thank you, thank you for trusting me."
The moment he met Zakriel's gentle gaze, for some reason, Barney Junior shuddered violently.
He stared at the vaguely mighty target in front of him, the target he used to look up to, was once jealous of, and swore to defeat.
At that moment, Barney Junior's tone softened. He was no longer aggressive, nor was he cold and unpleasant to the ears.
"Answer me, then."
He spoke laboriously, and there was a barely noticeable pleading tone in his voice.
"I beg you."
No one spoke.
Zakriel stared at Barney Junior quietly.
He knew that he knew what kind of answer Barney Junior wanted.
He knew Barney Junior's expectations and conflict.
'But …'
Zakriel lowered his head and exhaled deeply. He revealed a comforting smile.
"You already have your answer, don't you?"
Barney Junior shuddered a little.
Zakriel's gaze swept past each of his colleagues, and finally stopped at the empty space. "When you reunited with Samel before this, when you were finally certain that Samel was not that person …"
His gaze was a little dazed.
"You already have your answer."
At that moment, Thales sensed many things from the people in the room, from the sudden change in their breathing and heartbeats.
Relief, pain, stupefaction, surprise, resentment, sadness, disdain …
"I'm sorry to have dragged all of you into this, all of you."
Zakriel raised his head and swept his gaze across the ceiling. His melancholic frown made him look like he was staring at the setting sun.
"But I just have to complete … the unfinished business from that year."
He said in a daze.
Barney Junior's body swayed. His chest rose and fell.
'The …
"Unfinished business from that year?"
He forcefully suppressed the lump in his throat, gritted his teeth, and asked,
"What did you do that year, Zakriel?
What does it have to do with this child? "
In Thales' eyes, Zakriel was still staring at the dark ceiling, as if his exit was there.
The corners of his lips curled up wider and wider.
He raised his hand gently and touched his forehead. He squeezed out a clumsy smile that looked like it was made by hand.
In his daze, there was a kind of forlorn smile with tears in it.
"That's right."
Zakriel opened his mouth faintly, as if he was telling a bedtime story.
"Barney, the answer you have been searching for for years … is right here."
Thales frowned and stared at the Knight of Judgment.
'If that's the case …'
Under everyone's complicated and profound gazes, Zakriel first took a deep breath before he slowly exhaled.
"Eighteen years ago …"
Thales tensed up.
"The person who forged the crown prince's warrant in Renaissance Palace and deliberately transferred all of you away from the Hall of Stars to create an opening …
"So that Shadow Shield and Charleton could assassinate the late king's men …
"And the person who deliberately led the team away from the palace gates and left the crown prince to the assassins …"
The Knight of Judgment slowly pulled back his palm and combed his fringe to the top of his head and the back of his head, exposing the ugly brand on his forehead to the air.
He lowered his head and looked at each of them.
Without the fringe covering his face, the facial features of the Knight of Judgment became sharper and more threatening.
While everyone waited in fear, his words became colder and colder.
"The key figure in that great rebellion …
"Betrayed the Royal Guards …
"Betrayed the crown prince …
"Betrayed His Majesty the late king …
"Caused the destruction of the Jadestar Family, the bloodline of the entire royal family to wither, and the kingdom to descend into chaos …"
Every word and sentence was incomparably calm and lukewarm, like the sounds of sutras being chanted in temples that made people drowsy.
But it made everyone in the hall tense up.
The Knight of Judgment continued faintly.
"The person who should have been charged with colluding with the enemy, but despicably and despicably hid the truth for eighteen years …
"The shameful, sad, hypocritical, disgusting, self-righteous, hypocritical, hypocritical, hypocritical, and hypocritical man."
The Knight of Judgment curled up the corners of his mouth.
"That's me."
As many people sucked in breaths uncontrollably, the Knight of Judgment exhaled.
With a sense of relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders, his smile did not change. After a series of descriptions and titles, he added an unusual name that caused everyone's expressions to change.
"Immanuel Zakriel."
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