"So... what do you think the King's plan is by putting up posters with us as fugitives?" asked Dina, staring at the dark night sky, lit only by starlight.
Arya sighed. "I don't know, I can't figure it out yet. But there are several possibilities for his actions."
He raised his fingers one by one.
"First, to make the nobles whose positions are threatened become even more wild and panicked."
"Second," continued Arya, "he wants to confuse the people. They are forced to choose—follow the King's orders or support us. And because he is the King, they cannot freely sneer or blaspheme."
"And third... it could be that all of this is deliberately done to damage his own image."
Dina furrowed her brow. "Damage his own image? Why would he do that?"
"To see our reaction," Arya replied calmly. "Whether we still have the determination to continue this mission... or not."
Dina was silent for a moment, then turned to him. "So you mean... we're being played?"
Arya just smiled slightly. "The King seems to have a lot of free time."
Dina snorted. "From his actions, he does seem too relaxed. Even though we have liberated his territories one by one."
"If we really are his main target," added Arya, "why only now? We've already killed seven rulers."
Dina shrugged. "Well, forget it. So, where are we headed next?"
"The city of Oiter," replied Arya briefly. "After that, there's only one left."
"Oh, right," Dina muttered. "We went to Puari, but we only stopped by, right?"
Arya nodded. "Because the ruler was reported to be good, so we only rested for a while and didn't carry out any executions."
"So there's only one city left after Oiter?"
"Yes, the last city is called Zerio. After that, we'll go straight to the capital."
Dina seemed to be thinking. "So there are a total of nine cities with corrupt rulers?"
"That's right. We've already taken care of seven. Only two left."
Dina looked at Arya. "When everything is done... then what will we do? For example, if we kill the King too. Who will replace him?"
"There's a rumor," said Arya, "that the King's younger brother is a good and sane person. But yeah, it's just a rumor. We'll see for ourselves later."
"What if his younger brother is just as crazy?" Dina looked at him seriously. "Why don't you become the King?"
Arya laughed loudly. "Me? Become the King? Mwahahaha! Why not! That way I can sleep with lots of beautiful, sexy, charming women!"
Dina turned her face away, looking down with a red face. "You trashy man..."
"Never mind," said Arya, still laughing. "But actually, I'm not suited to be King."
"Why?" asked Dina, glancing at him.
"It's better to enjoy peaceful days without worrying about anything. If you become King, your life will be spent taking care of this and that."
Dina nodded slowly. "That's true..."
Their journey to the city of Oiter continued. Three days later, they arrived at the city gates.
"Hmm..." Dina looked around. "The view is the same as always."
"Yes. Okay, go ahead and look around first," said Arya.
"See you later."
"Yes, be careful."
They split up, exploring the city on their own. When night fell, they met again in front of the ruler's mansion.
"Are you coming in too?" asked Dina, pulling out two daggers.
"Yes, this time we don't need to be quiet. But it's still night, so the residents won't be disturbed," replied Arya, raising his gun.
"All right. Let's begin."
Two bullets flew from Arya's gun, knocking down the gate guard in an instant.
"Attackers! Exone is attacking!"
"We're being attacked by Exone?!"
"Just surrender! There's no point in remaining loyal to a corrupt ruler!"
One by one, the guards dropped their weapons and raised their hands in surrender.
"What now? They have no intention of fighting," Dina said softly.
Arya stepped forward. "Just let it be... Dina, cut off all their fingers one by one."
"What?! Cut off all their fingers?" Dina stared at him in disbelief.
Arya stared coldly. "Of course. It's a reminder that it was Exone who caused them to lose their fingers. That way, they won't do evil again."
"But... don't you feel sorry for them?" asked Dina, her voice trembling.
"Sorry? For what? Will pity solve the problem?" Arya stared intently. "Cutting off a finger is nothing compared to death. The world is not as gentle as you think. Those who refuse... will die."
One by one, screams echoed through the hallway as Arya cut off the guards' fingers. Blood flowed. Tears were held back.
"If you continue to do evil... even though I've cut off your fingers... then I will not forgive you."
Dina looked at him. "Is this okay? You look cruel..."
Arya turned his head. "Cruel? If we let criminals get away without suffering any loss, then innocent people will become the next victims. That's even more cruel."
Dina didn't reply. She just followed Arya to the last door in the mansion.
"Have you given up too?" Arya asked the group of people inside.
"Forgive us!"
Arya stared at them sharply. "No. You are the root of the problem. You will repeat it. You must lose your fingers and resign from your positions."
"What can we do to prove ourselves trustworthy?" asked the frightened ruler.
Arya approached. "Hand over your hands. Now."
Suddenly, one of the rulers' children shouted, "Bastard! Who do you think you are?! Just a little kid from nowhere!"
"Shut up!"
"Don't provoke him!"
Bang! Arya's bullet pierced the young man's head. Bang! Bang! Several more fell.
Dina was silent. She couldn't take her eyes off Arya, who was now standing in a pool of blood.
"Come on, let's continue," said Arya flatly.
They headed for a hidden room, following the instructions of a guard who was now trembling with fear. Behind the door, a foul odor stung their noses.
"Dina, can you cut the door?" asked Arya.
"Leave it to me." Slash! The dagger cut through the metal easily.
The foul smell stung their noses.
"Ugh... it stinks. You really are an animal!" Arya covered his nose and entered the room.
The people inside looked weak and wounded.
Light! The room was filled with light. "You are free now."
Dina cut all the bars. Arya began to heal them one by one.
Heal! Heal! Heal!
There were twenty-four people in total.
"How cruel..." Dina held back her anger. "What's the point of treating people like this..."
"Don't worry about it. Let's get out of here," said Arya.
Once outside, Arya took out food and water from his storage. "Please eat. Please drink."
Happy tears broke out. "Thank you...!"
Arya turned to the guard. "Did the former ruler have a good family?"
"I... don't really know. Try asking the servant."
A few moments later, the servant came rushing over.
"There is... his younger sibling," said the servant. "A good person. But he was imprisoned for opposing the ruler."
"Show us where he is."
They arrived at a dark room. Dina cut the door open. Slash!
"Ugh, it stinks..."
"He's been imprisoned for five years," explained the servant.
"Five years?!" Dina covered her nose.
Arya approached. "Hello, sir. I am Arya. Your brother is dead. We killed him. Can you replace him as the ruler of this city?"
"My brother... is dead?" The voice sounded weak... then slowly turned into relief. "Thank God... the people are free... Yes, I am willing... for the sake of the people."
"Your name?"
"Terza. No family name. Just call me Terza."
"Alright, Mr. Terza," Arya smiled. "From now on… this city is yours."
They exited the room, and Arya helped restore the city of OITER and free the victims who had been imprisoned by the former ruler… they were all released and asked to go to the city of AZURA for mental rehabilitation, as they wanted to be far away from OITER…