Chapter 120 For Revenge, One Can Become a Devil
They slowly shuffled to the corner. The mountain winds were strong, and although Candy and the others were in a cave, the Zotfort people weren't kind enough to light a fire for them, so they were freezing cold.
Hanks and the others huddled together for warmth, while Candy was isolated to the side. She was unbearably cold and tried to move toward them, but was stopped as soon as she moved. Once, Candy ignored their rejection and tried to squeeze over anyway, but before she could get close, Hanks kicked her away.
Candy rolled on the ground several times, grimacing in pain, and could only grit her teeth and move aside. In her heart, she hoped Holden would come rescue her soon—she didn't dare think about what would happen to a woman who fell into enemy hands. She could only pray that Holden would arrive before the enemy made their move.
Especially since the Zotfort people were much bigger than those from the Soth Empire. Before, when Candy and Holden had made do with having sex on the battlefield, she had seen the corpses of Zotfort soldiers nearby. Out of curiosity, she had cut open a soldier's pants and saw a large bulge inside.
Candy didn't dare think further. She curled up in fear, quietly praying for divine protection, hoping those Zotfort soldiers would forget about them—especially forget about her!
She didn't want to be touched by any man other than Holden.
But soon, her prayers proved useless.
The cave where Candy and the others were held wasn't deep, and sounds from the entrance easily carried inside. So when they heard movement and looked up, they saw torches in the hands of the soldiers at the front, and Frol walking in following Lady Manlis.
As for the soldiers behind them, Candy instinctively trembled and shrank back. She looked at Manlis in terror, trying to appeal to her compassion as a fellow woman.
She couldn't let Frol give orders. The hatred in his eyes was obvious, and Candy knew if he spoke, she was dead.
Back when she had brought the prisoner to find Frol, she had almost been intimidated by his presence. Feeling guilty, Candy had deliberately released the prisoner without posting guards, wanting to teach him a lesson.
Who knew that moment of impulse would lead to this outcome.
Candy trembled as she quickly spoke to Lady Manlis, "My lady, I know there's been a misunderstanding between us, but I promise everything I did wasn't intentional. And you know how hard it is for a woman in this world—I was just trying to protect myself. I really didn't mean it!"
Tears filled her eyes, her face full of regret and pain, as if she truly felt remorse for her sins. But Manlis wasn't buying it. She came from Zotfort's top noble family, her sister was a queen, her nephew was Zotfort's future king, and her son could have had the very best of everything.
The child had just wanted to visit the border on a whim, and Frol had personally looked after him. Manlis knew her son's temperament—he definitely wouldn't want many people watching over him—so she had planned to personally pick him up in a few days.
But this hateful woman before her had stolen Slave and left the young child on the chaotic battlefield, letting those damned soldiers trample him into the ground until barely a bone in his body remained intact..
How could Manlis not hate her!?
She lowered her head. Her noble upbringing kept her dignified and elegant even in fury. Manlis stared at Candy's expectant eyes and sneered, "What are you to talk to me about misunderstandings?"
"Someone who uses cheap tricks, who even resorts to spreading rumors and slander to stop other women from becoming knight commander—you dare talk to me about women's hardships? If you know it's hard, why did you put down other women to elevate yourself? Why could you do such vicious things to a child born to another woman?"
"You're a wife, and you'll be a mother someday. Haven't you thought about how you'll protect your child when you have one?"
Manlis slowly straightened up, her eyes full of disdain and disgust. "You destroyed a mother's precious child and caused a family to be ruined, but you show no remorse at all. You even try to steal someone else's husband. Candy, I'm ashamed that you're a woman."
She turned her head and spoke coolly to Frol beside her, "Drag the others out. They like trampling people? Then let the soldiers outside help them experience it too, and let these people know how much pain my Slave was in."
"But don't kill them. Remember to use the best medicine to treat them. I want them to understand—never anger a mother who loves her child, because they'll never understand what an angry mother is capable of."
"As for her." Manlis looked Candy up and down, her eyes ice-cold. "Since she hasn't experienced the pain of being a mother, I'll help her with that."
Candy froze, not quite understanding what Manlis meant.
But Frol showed a cruel smile. He nodded and waved his hand, "Men, take those people on the ground outside and have everyone take turns trampling over them."
Hanks and the others went white as sheets. If they actually went through with Frol's plan and let Zotfort's soldiers run them down, sure, medicine might keep them breathing, but their bones would be pulverized—they'd never see combat again!
But asking them to beg the enemy for mercy—they couldn't swallow that pride, especially since they were knights who had fought desperately in military camps. The people before them were enemies they had once fought against. How could they possibly beg the enemy for mercy!
The enemy soldiers quickly dragged them out. At first, they managed to stay silent, but then the soldiers quickened their pace, practically running over them, stepping mercilessly on their wrists, backs, and legs. Finally, one knight couldn't withstand the piercing pain of broken bones and let out a sharp scream.
Candy huddled in the cave, listening to the screams outside. She recognized the voices, and her unease grew until she finally looked up at Manlis with trembling eyes. "My lady, I... I really didn't mean it. If you... if you hurt me, Holden and the Soth Empire won't let you go. Just let me go, and I'll help you catch whoever you want. Even if you want Anne, I... I'll help you catch her too!"
Bad enough not to mention it, but when Lady Manlis heard her bring up Anne, her anger surged even higher. She raised her hand, signaling the soldiers behind to step forward and surround Candy.