CHAPTER 56: SACRIFICES ARE NECESSARY

"So, I’ve heard," Estefan remarked, his gaze settled on Frejlurd, who stood before him wearing an expression of utter defeat which was something the Baron found less satisfying than he expected.

Frejlurd said nothing. His silence spoke volumes, painting a picture of the disappointment he harbored within himself.

He didn’t know what to say, he didn’t know what to do as all he could think of was to simply accept his failures as the capture of his subordinates were his own failure as he was their Commander.

Frejlurd at that moment only thought about the punishment he could receive since he already knows how brutal the man he was standing before.

Estefan leaned back on his couch, voice calm. "Do you truly believe this was your fault?"

With his eyes lowered, Frejlurd replied softly, "Yes, my lord."

Estefan let out a short laugh. "I always thought you carried the confidence to reshape this city... yet here you are, crumbling because of your subordinates’ failures."

"My lord," Frejlurd began, attempting to justify his emotions, "they were captured. Their failure reflects upon me. As their commander, I am their shield, their representative. If they falter, the blame should be mine for failing to foresee it."

The Baron tilted his head with disapproval. "No, no, no... that’s not how this works. You fulfilled the task I gave you. You did what was expected. But you’re not responsible for the incompetence of those beneath you. Their lack of seriousness toward saving this city, that’s their flaw, not yours."

Still, Frejlurd couldn’t bring himself to accept that. "Perhaps, my lord. But we lost three women today... Guards. And now, the enemies will likely exploit this to mock us, to paint our Guard as weak, especially because it happened to women."

Estefan rose from his seat. "You’re right. They are probably suffering now. Abused. Tortured." He spoke so casually, it was unnerving. "But tell me, why should you care? You’re standing here, ready to give up. So let them die."

Those words struck Frejlurd like a blade to the chest. Estefan had exposed his core mistake as he had come not with solutions, but with surrender. Instead of trying to rectify the situation, he thought taking the blame would somehow fix it.

It was cowardice. Plain and simple as Frejlurd was a standing in front of the Baron like a coward who wanted to escape what had happened there without even trying to fix it.

"I..." He faltered, ashamed. Estefan laughed, amused by the realisation dawning on him.

"You have what it takes, but you lack vision," Estefan said coldly. "Instead of drowning in self pity, why not save them? You said they were captured recently. Then that means they’re still alive, no?"

"Yes," Frejlurd answered, clarity returning to his mind. The explosion had happened only about thirty minutes ago. The prisoners were likely still breathing. The enemy would probably keep them alive for information or maybe torment since they had to do something to prove that they was stronger than the City Guards.

Estefan stared him down. "So, you still wish to resign? Know this that your replacement will be told to overlook this incident. Which means those women will be ignored... and left to die." it was clearly a warning to Frejlurd.

That Estefan, didn’t care about the City Guard the way Frejlurd did since they can be replaced by others.

The weight of that possibility hung in the air like smoke. Frejlurd gulped, then declared with determination, "I will save them, my lord."

Estefan gave a nod of approval. "Very well. Go. Deliver justice to those women. Hunt down the perpetrators."

With a crisp salute, Frejlurd left the palace, his mind now steeled with purpose. Estefan watched him go, noting the shift from a man ready to give up to one burning with mission.

"He will fail," Estefan muttered just as a Bloodhound emerged from the shadows beside him.

"A gang named the Red Serpents is responsible," the Bloodhound reported while prostrating in front of the Baron. "Notorious for their vile acts, especially rape. They’ve stashed the Guards in their hideout. As we speak, the three are being subjected to unspeakable tortures."

Estefan reclined back into his seat and picked up his cup. "How disappointing. No effort to extract intelligence, just turning them into playthings."

He took a sip while the Bloodhound continued, "There are roughly two hundred men inside. They’re cycling through the women relentlessly. At this rate, the victims won’t survive more than a few hours. Their minds and bodies are breaking."

Estefan hummed thoughtfully. "I could intervene. But if I do... the Guards will only grow more dependent. If those women die, however, perhaps their deaths could serve as a rallying cry."

He glanced at the cup in his hand as he spoke with cold precision. "Right now, the Guard is complacent. Even after I gave Frejlurd full authority, he still hesitates because he is afraid. That fear is what must be burned away."

He rose slowly and stepped toward the entrance of the Palace. "Justice won’t thrive in hesitation. I need my Guard to be fearless, ruthless. I don’t have time to train a new force... so I must forge steel from what I have."

Estefan’s eyes narrowed. "A great tragedy... sometimes it’s necessary to ignite true resolve."

He took another sip. "Sacrifices must be made for the greater good, my greater good. Let fate decide what becomes of them."

Without another word, the Bloodhound vanished back into the shadows.

It may be cruel but it was reality, he didn’t want the Guards to feel like they could show complacency every time. He didn’t want Frejlurd to make mistakes due to his emotions. He wanted them to be stronger mentally and physically, capable enough to take action for the sake of Justice and for the City.

So for that, he decided to allow fate to play it out instead of trying to prevent it like a Hero which he definitely wasn’t.

[To be Continued]