205 Chapter 205 Dawn of Despair: The Executioner’s Call
I shrugged. “Not in those exact words.”
“Why not?” The first man frowned. “Are you afraid to try?”
The third man shook his head in disbelief. “No one defies the Thornton family and lives.”
Conrad’s hand slammed down on the desk, causing Mcbride to flinch. “My son lies dying while this… this nobody plays games with his life!”
“With Knight gone, we need to secure our position,” Caldwell continued. “First, eliminate Roman Volkov. Without Knight’s protection, he’s vulnerable, and I want that loose end tied up permanently.”
“No,” Conrad said, his voice suddenly controlled. “If he wishes to die, then die he shall.”
Eamon fell silent, processing my words. Finally, he asked, “What happens now?”
“What did they want?” Eamon asked quietly when I returned to our corner.
“You really believe the system can be changed?” he whispered.
He pressed a button on his desk. Moments later, Franklin Duval entered, bowing slightly.
“Liam Knight,” he called softly. “Your time has come.”
Franklin nodded. “And the Celestial Apothecary Guild?”
The sound of approaching footsteps made me open my eyes. It was too early for the morning guards. Something was happening.
“This time is different,” Caldwell assured him. “He’s in the custody of the Martial Arts Association, with Conrad Thornton himself overseeing his execution. There will be no
escape.”
Left alone, Caldwell poured himself a glass of expensive whiskey, savoring the moment. By this time tomorrow, his most dangerous enemy would be dead, and he would
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control the most valuable pharmaceutical in Havenwood City. Life, he decided, wast finally going his way.
Night fell over the prison, but I couldn’t sleep. Tomorrow would be my execution day, and despite my calm exterior, I wasn’t ready to die. Not when I still had so much left to accomplish. Not when Isabelle was still in danger.
I closed my eyes, focusing on my breathing. If this was to be my last night alive, I wouldn’t spend it in fear.
As Conrad left the room, Mcbride sat staring at the execution form, pen poised above the signature line. He hesitated only briefly before signing his name with a flourish. In this world, power belonged to families like the Thorntons. Men like him merely served at their pleasure.
In Havenwood City, Caldwell sat in his office, reading the message that had just arrived with growing delight. His thin lips curved into a smile as he reached the part about Liam Knight’s scheduled execution.
Conrad stopped pacing, his cold eyes fixing on Mcbride. “And what did you tell him to
convince him otherwise?”
Mcbride nodded, reaching for a form in his desk drawer. “I’ll submit the execution order immediately.”
I wasn’t being dramatic. The Thornton family wouldn’t tolerate such defiance, especially when I had just condemned one of their own to a likely death. My execution would be swift and made into a public spectacle–a warning to others who might dare
challenge their authority.
“So soon?” Mcbride asked, unable to keep the surprise from his voice. “Don’t you want to wait and see if your son-”
“He refused?” Conrad’s voice was dangerously quiet. “A prisoner facing execution refused to save my son’s life?”
They exchanged glances before the first man spoke again. “We… we misjudged you earlier. Anyone who stands up to those bastards has our respect.”
“Finally,” he whispered, setting the paper down. “Finally, that thorn in my side will be
removed.”
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I looked around at the faces watching our conversation. “This cell holds some of the most talented cultivators in the province. Yet we’re all here, locked away by men who fear our abilities. That should tell you something about the system we’re fighting against.”
“My son will survive,” Conrad cut him off. “I have other healers coming from the capital. Liam Knight has made his choice, and now he will face the consequences.”
“Maybe we could help,” the second man suggested, lowering his voice. “Between the four of us, we might be able to break out.”
“I didn’t say that,” I replied. “But a desperate break that gets us all killed serves no one.”
The die was cast. By morning, Liam Knight would be dead.
This sudden change in attitude was unexpected. “Your respect won’t help me much when they come for my head tomorrow.”
“Everything can be changed,” I said quietly. “But not through desperate acts of violence. Not today, at least.”
The first Grandmaster considered my words. “You speak of the system as though it could be changed.”
“Good.” Conrad turned back. “And Mcbride? Make sure he suffers before the end. I
want witnesses to speak of his agony for years to come.”
“I’ll see to Roman Volkov immediately,” he said, bowing before leaving the room.
I stared at the iron bars containing us. “I have to believe it. Otherwise, what am I fighting for?”
“You called for me, sir?”
I looked at them incredulously. “You want to escape? With me?”
Mcbride swallowed nervously. “Yes, sir. He seemed convinced it was a trap–that you’d never honor your promise of freedom.”
A key turned in the lock, and the cell door swung open. A single guard entered, his face hidden in shadow.
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“So you’d rather die tomorrow than take a chance?” the third man asked.
I settled against the cold stone wall. “The Thornton family offered me freedom in exchange for saving Tristan Thornton’s life.”
“The guard outside was talking” another explained. “Said you told Conrad Thornton to go to hell.”
Conrad walked to the window, looking out over the prison yard. “My family has maintained its position for generations by ensuring that our enemies understand one simple truth: no one who stands against us survives.”
“I’m aware of the stakes.”
In his spacious office overlooking the prison yard, Gage Mcbride sat behind a mahogany desk, his expression grim as Conrad Thornton paced before him like a caged predator.
“Should I try again? Perhaps with more persuasive methods?”
He straightened his immaculate suit jacket, regaining his composure with practiced ease. “Prepare the execution for tomorrow morning. Make it public. I want everyone in Eldoria Province to know the price of defying the Thornton family.”
I studied him warily. “News travels fast.”
“Is it true?” asked the one I’d thrown against the wall. “Did you really refuse to heal
Tristan Thornton?”
Franklin’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “Are you certain? Knight has proven remarkably difficult to kill in the past.”
“No,” I cut him off. “It won’t work.”
“We’re all Grandmasters,” he continued. “If we work together-”
Franklin kept his expression neutral, though inwardly he questioned Caldwell’s confidence. Men like Liam Knight had a way of surviving against impossible odds. Still,
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he merely nodded.
Back in my cell, something strange was happening. The three Grandmasters who had tried to intimidate me earlier now approached with cautious respect.
“Now?” I laughed humorlessly. “Now we wait for them to decide how to kill me.”
“That is… excellent news,” Franklin said carefully.
“Indeed.” Caldwell stood, unable to contain his excitement. “I have wonderful news.
Liam Knight is to be executed tomorrow morning in Eldoria Province.”
“It was a trap,” I replied, watching the shadows dance across the ceiling. “Once I healed him, they’d have no reason to keep their word. I’d end up right back here–or worse.”
His eyes widened. “And you refused?”
They backed away, disappointed but seemingly understanding my position. As they
retreated to their bunks, Eamon leaned closer.
Outside our cell, I could hear Gage Mcbride’s heavy footsteps retreating down the corridor. I knew exactly where he was heading and what message he would deliver.
The moment the cell door clanged shut behind me, I knew my decision had sealed my fate. The faces of my fellow inmates turned toward me, curiosity written across their
weathered features.
“Everything I could think of, sir. But he was… resolute.”
I shook my head. “It’s not fear. It’s reality. Even if we escaped these walls, where would we go? The Martial Arts Association’s reach extends across the entire country. They would hunt us until the end of our days.”
Caldwell’s eyes gleamed with avarice. “Once Liam Knight dies, only one person will be able to produce the Soul Nourishment Pill, that is, Elder Harding! As long as I control Elder Harding, the Soul Nourishment Pill is all mine!”
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