(Author: I noticed I made a mistake in the number of kids. Instead of ten, it's six. I've already corrected that part.)
— POV Adel —
Seeing the group of kids limping and complaining about the pain, I scratched my neck awkwardly. I had to admit I'd overdone it. But it was also true that things had gotten out of hand far too quickly.
My original plan had been to make a slightly dramatic entrance and immediately explain why I was there, but it had somehow turned into a sort of brawl… if you could even call it that.
Either way, I couldn't help but look at them with a smile full of memories. The last memories I had of most of them dated back many years, when they were much older… or rather, when I remembered them being older.
Young and talented Timmy, whose contagious cheerfulness could make anyone smile.
Big-hearted Tod, always the first to rush to help others, even when he couldn't protect himself.
Vain but surprisingly generous Beth, who always shared her loot with those left empty-handed.
Clever yet naïve Ruth, able to hatch brilliant plans and ruin them right after with a rash decision.
Then there was Lyra, the quiet one, sometimes cold, but probably the one who cared most about the group.
And finally… Violet.
It wasn't easy to describe what we had.
Violet had been my savior, the first person to reach out when I'd fallen lower than I thought possible. She had been my first real friend, the one who taught me to fight, to look beyond fear, to stop running from everything. And yes, she'd also been my first lover, the person who showed me that love could be overwhelming, even with someone who wasn't bound to you by blood.
I have to admit, strange as it feels to think about it, that before becoming what I am now, bent and broken, I was somewhat popular with girls.
Anyway, that was a story long buried. Violet would always remain an indelible part of my memories, but it ended there.
Crazy ideas about getting back together or starting something new with her? Zero.
First: my mental age didn't even allow me to think about it seriously.
Second: I didn't have a heart to give anymore… not since "she" shattered it.
Just remembering "her" was enough to stir a sudden, uncontrollable thirst for blood in me. Violet sensed it immediately, with her beastman instincts. Her ears perked, her tail stiffened, and her body lowered, ready to pounce, hissing at me like a cornered predator.
"Sorry for my bad manners, I was just thinking of something unpleasant."
She didn't seem entirely convinced. Her amber eyes pierced into me, trying to read me, but it was better for her to stop before she lost her mind.
"Does that something have a name?" she asked, her voice low, almost a growl.
"A pretty famous one, I'd say, and it's mind your own business."
Smiling as I said it probably annoyed her, but at least it broke the tense atmosphere.
"So… Mr. Explorer, what can we do for you?" Timmy asked nervously.
"You can just call me Adel, Timmy."
"Oh, ok—wait, how do you know my name?!"
He quickly hid behind Violet, glaring at me suspiciously.
"He must've overheard it earlier, silly," Beth remarked.
"One point to Beth for getting it right."
Too bad my compliment wasn't well-received.
"Yikes… this guy's really bad news."
She hid behind Violet as well, glaring at me.
I'm glad your crappy personality hasn't changed either.
Of course, I didn't say that aloud, or I'd have just made things worse.
"Since chatting won't get us anywhere, let's talk business. I need two things from you: a list of the nastiest people, every detail you can gather, from the Pirate faction and the Red-Light District… and I want you to carve this symbol across the islands."
As I spoke, I showed them the drawing I'd made.
"Don't put it in places too obvious, but don't hide it too well either."
There was a brief silence before Violet spoke on everyone's behalf.
"...What's the connection between these two things? And what would you do with them?"
"The list will help me know who to eliminate while making the killings look like sacrifices for a heretic ritual. As for the symbol… it means nothing. It's just a doodle to make people believe someone's practicing forbidden magic. The same thing will happen with the Merchants, but I'll handle them myself."
The more I explained, the paler their faces became.
"E-Exactly… what's your goal?" Violet asked, trembling.
I gave her a faint smile, choosing to be honest.
"With a string of gruesome deaths and those symbols being found, the factions will blame whoever hasn't suffered any losses: the Explorers. Add Paul's strange behavior and… a little help from me, and the factions will turn against them."
"Th-This is madness!"
Violet shouted, but I shook my head.
"No, this will be a purge. A necessary one. As long as those parasites live, nothing will change. You're all living proof of this system. You should understand that better than anyone."
"I… w-we don't want anything to do with this. We'll pretend we didn't hear a thing," Violet declared, and the others silently nodded.
Haah… I'm not going to like what I'm about to do, especially to them.
"That would be… problematic."
As I spoke, I released part of my pressure. The air grew heavy, and many struggled to breathe.
"You know my name and my plan. You see why that makes you… liabilities."
"T-Then we'll just disappear!" Violet shouted, holding her ground.
"In one of the other four bases on this island? Or maybe Velter's base?"
Once again, everyone went pale, realizing their secret hideouts were known.
I stepped forward, slow but steady. In a panic, Violet placed herself in front of the others, shielding them.
"I-I'll do it! I swear I won't say a word, and I'll do everything you ask! Just please, don't hurt them!"
I stood right before her and raised my hand. She and the others shut their eyes, bracing for the worst… but nothing they expected happened.
Instead, I gently patted her head. Violet's eyes flew wide open, confused, staring at me and my hand with a mix of shock and fear.
"I… I'd never hurt you… not anymore, at least."
The last part was more of a murmur, as I saw how Golden Rule reacted to all of them.
I looked at each of them. These were friends I had laughed with, cried with, and lived with during part of my youth.
"I know it's hard to believe me. I know what I'm asking is dangerous. But let me ask you… are you truly happy?"
My gaze rested on Timmy.
"Wouldn't you finally like to study and become a real merchant?"
Timmy's eyes widened, lips slightly parted.
Then Tod.
"Your talent in cooking… no one's ever given you a chance to let it bloom."
Tod swallowed hard, avoiding my gaze.
Then Beth.
"Wanting to be an artist is something to be proud of. Don't let them make you feel unworthy."
Beth covered her mouth, shocked that I knew her secret.
Then Ruth, the usual idiot.
"Nothing to criticize… even if you want to become king of the pirates."
Ruth tried to give a cocky grin, but his nerves betrayed him.
Then Lyra, with whom I'd spoken little, but who once saved my life by sacrificing hers.
"Don't you want revenge on the woman who condemned your mother?"
Lyra flinched, and for a moment, a flame of rage burned in her eyes before she quickly smothered it.
Finally Violet.
"For once, don't you want to be truly free? Without always being hunted?"
Her ears drooped, and for the first time, her determined gaze faltered, betraying a wound too deep to hide.
The truth was, I didn't really need their help. What I wanted… was for them to break the chains keeping them prisoners.
Even when we managed to escape to the continent, the old habits of the archipelago followed us. With no money or documents, none of us could truly achieve our dreams.
Years spent imagining a better life… only to end up trapped by the same vices, the same mistakes.
In the end, the only difference between the archipelago and the continent was the size.
"I'm not here to force any of you, and I apologize for the earlier threat." I lowered my head slightly.
The reason I pushed them to the edge was that I wanted them to understand that the end could come suddenly, and having regrets would only make that moment worse.
"I'm not a god, and I'm certainly not a hero. What I'm going to do will put me on the same level as monsters, but I don't care, because this is how I chose to live. So give me your trust, and I'll give you the chance to truly live in return."
With nothing more to say, I put on my cloak.
"If you're interested, I'll be waiting in a shack on the outskirts of Viltrix Island's citadel. With your skills, you'll find it easily. I'll be waiting for good news."