Chapter 110: Hell
A loud cry rang through the room.
Gareth pushed himself up against the wall with a horrified expression on his face.
’’Y-You...!’’
Roderic’s smile only widened.
’’Yes, it’s me!’’ he replied, pulling the door shut behind him.
The difference from the last time he’d seen Gareth was almost unbelievable.
All of his limbs had been sewed back on. The rotten flesh was gone, his skin had regained some color, and even the deep cuts across his face had been reduced to faint scars.
Hell, he almost looked human again!
Gareth clearly didn’t share his excitement.
The moment their eyes met, his expression twisted in a mix of fear and anger.
’’W-What do y-you want?’’ he stuttered.
Roderic placed a hand on his chest, feigning sadness.
’’Is that really how you greet the man who paid for your recovery?’’ he asked, hurt in his voice.
Gareth’s expression twisted even further.
’’Y-You’re the reason I needed healing in the first place!’’ he shouted fearfully. ’’You-You are the devil!’’
Roderic’s saddened expression disappeared instantly.
He calmly pulled out a chair and sat down in front of Gareth.
’’It’s good that you know that,’’ he said casually. ’’Since you’ve seen what I’m capable of, you’d be better off listening to me immediately from now on.’’
Gareth immediately fell silent.
His eyes remained fixed on Roderic, but he no longer dared to shout.
For several seconds, the room remained quiet.
Unable to stand the heavy silence anymore, Gareth swallowed hard.
’’W-Why did you heal me?’’ he asked.
Roderic’s smile widened.
’’There we go,’’ he said. ’’Finally, a useful question.’’
He leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing slightly.
’’Your father sent a message today.’’
Gareth’s eyes widened instantly.
’’F-Father...?’’ he repeated in shock.
Roderic nodded once.
A small smirk flashed across his face for a split second.
Without another thought, he leaned forward slightly.
’’He demanded Margaret’s release,’’ he whispered. ’’But... it seems like he’s forgotten about you.’’
Gareth’s mouth fell open, his face caught somewhere between shock, confusion and disbelief.
But all that came out were quiet squeals.
’’I’m sorry, I’m sorry,’’ Roderic continued enthusiastically. ’’I shouldn’t call it forgotten.’’
He let out a soft chuckle.
’’It’s hard to forget someone you don’t even know is here, after all.’’
Gareth froze.
For the briefest moment, the fear in his eyes disappeared.
A hint of hope took its place.
Alas, that was exactly what Roderic wanted...
’’He... he doesn’t know?’’ Gareth asked carefully.
Roderic shook his head right away.
’’Nope,’’ he replied casually. ’’As far as your father’s aware, you vanished somewhere on the road.’’
Gareth’s breathing slowly steadied.
His thoughts were quite literally written across his face.
’Then... when he finds out,’ he thought slowly. ’I can be saved!’
Roderic only smiled as he watched him.
’’You don’t have to be too worried,’’ he said. ’’I’ll give your father the chance to free you.’’
Gareth’s head immediately snapped up.
’’W-What?’’
’’Of course.’’ Roderic shrugged. ’’All your father has to do is surrender.’’
The hope on Gareth’s face immediately faltered.
Roderic continued before he could respond.
’’I want his army disbanded, his supplies surrendered, or whatever else it takes to ensure House Deres is no longer a threat to me.’’
Gareth stared at him in disbelief.
’’He’d never do that!’’ he shouted desperately.
Roderic shrugged lightly.
Then he pushed back his chair and stood up.
’’That means he’ll suffer the consequences,’’ he said while straightening his clothes. ’’If he refuses, I suppose I’ll just have to kill you in front of him.’’
Gareth’s mouth fell wide open as his face drained of all color.
He knew damn well the maniac in front of him would do just that!
’’Maybe that’ll make him angry enough to do something stupid.’’ Roderic scratched his chin thoughtfully. ’’A reckless charge at our walls would be nice.’’
Gareth quickly shook his head.
’’N-No... You,’’ he stuttered. ’’Y-You would use an imprisoned noble like that?’’
Roderic glanced back at him.
’’Obviously,’’ he replied without a change in his expression.
Heavy breathing rang through the room.
Gareth rapidly began to panic, immense fear written across his face.
Filled with desperation, he glanced up once more.
’’Do you truly have no honor?!’’ he asked loudly.
Roderic stopped near the door.
He glanced at Gareth in complete silence for a moment.
’’Honor?’’ he repeated. ’’I’ve heard that word one too many times today.’’
Then a quiet chuckle escaped his mouth.
’’Why is it that no one ever understands this in this life or the last?’’ he said, shaking his head. ’’Things like honor are luxuries for people who have the power to afford them.’’
Complete silence fell throughout the room.
But Roderic wasn’t done yet.
’’Your father outnumbers us, has many supporters, and so much more,’’ he continued. ’’Should I just hand my head to him on a silver platter?’’
Roderic rapidly shook his head.
’’I’ll use traps. I’ll lie. I’ll deceive your father as many times as it takes. And if it means having to kill you, I’ll gladly do it.’’
Gareth visibly trembled.
’’You’re insane...’’
Roderic let out a quiet scoff.
Then his normal, amused smile returned to his face.
Gareth’s breathing grew increasingly frantic.
Then, with what little courage remained, he shouted.
’’You’re going to hell for this!’’
Roderic stared at him for a second.
Then he burst out laughing.
’’Hell?’’ he repeated. ’’You think I’m evil?’’
His laughter only grew louder.
’’Gareth, if I’m what you call evil, this entire world is going to hell in a gift basket.’’
Gareth could only stare at him.
Whatever little courage he’d gathered disappeared just as quickly.
Roderic watched him for another moment before reaching for the door.
’’Get some rest,’’ he said casually. ’’You’ll need it.’’
Gareth’s face paled even further.
Roderic chuckled and stepped into the corridor, closing the door behind him.
The two knights outside immediately straightened.
’’Make sure he stays alive,’’ Roderic ordered. ’’I need him in good condition.’’
’’Yes, young lord!’’
With that, he continued down the hall.
Though he’d gotten a little sidetracked at the end, his purpose for the visit had been accomplished.
Gareth now had tiny bits of hope of being freed.
And that was all he needed.
’It’ll be any day now,’ he thought, clenching his fists. ’I better win this damn war.’