Chapter 72: Punishment
Stepping his foot into the underground dim-lit dungeon of the Palace, accompanied by one of the guards incharge of overlooking the tortures of the place, Ivan’s crimson eyes glowered with an eerie intensity upon sighting the rows of deplorable felons who had been shackled to the cold walls.
They appear to be in a terrible condition as a result of the torture they had experienced, and Ivan could see it as their mercy that his uncle wasn’t available to deal with them like proper animals. Aside from the Royal Fletcher who had been shackled separately, the remaining men were moles caught by his guards who patrolled the main capital of EmptyHollow, and from the faint energy he picked around their presence, he could tell they were the witches’ minions, thus, he sighed wearily as if bored of having to deal with these people.
His crimson eyes swept through each one of them, his cold gaze unwavering, and as if sensing the intimidating presence of someone standing in front of them, the mens in shackles lifted their heads weakly, and an intense fear coursed through their veins when they locked gaze with the one and only notorious Vampire Lord. The cold walls echoe with each step of Ivan’s graceful stride, and he smiled aggressively, sensing their unhidden fears before uttering softly.
"Hope you’re enjoying your stay?"
"Please have mercy on me My Lord!" The royal Fletcher immediately seeked for Ivan’s mercy, whilst lowering his head in shame. His voice trembled with fear to the point he began to sweat uncontrollably. "I have committed a heinous crime, My Lord, and my actions have led to the untimely death of the Queen Mother. I accept all punishment handed to me, but please spare my Family! I beg of you!"
"Hold on, it’s not your turn." Snapping his fingers, the guard that escorted him quickly went to grab a chair for the Vampire Lord to seat. When the royal Fletcher found enough courage to look up at Ivan, the Vampire Lord had his ominous gaze fixed on the moles who trembled in fear, one of them already wet his pants just from the sight of Ivan looking at him, and that action didn’t go unnoticed.
"What is this? I haven’t even said a word." Ivan facepalmed, getting half-irritated before letting out a long sigh. "I’m unarmed as you can see, I’m only here to ask a few questions and if you answer them honestly, I won’t torture you." His tone was earnest, but the gentle smile on his lips made them quiver in fear. "I’ll ask again, what does your kingdom want from mine? I want nothing but the truth."
"We-we were only following orders!" One of the moles hesitantly confessed with his head lowered, unable to stand the spiteful eyes that pierced through his gaze. "She wants your Kingdom because it has....it has the population of humans she needs. I don’t know why she needs them! We’re nothing but servants sent to fulfill our mission so we have no rights to question her! Please let us go and we promise never to return."
"How many humans does she need?" Ivan questioned further, his eyebrows knitting into a frown as he turned deaf ears to their pleas, and the four moles exchanged hesitant glances, as if contemplating on whether they should reveal it or not, but when Ivan slammed his fist to the arm of the chair, the sound reverberating across the dungeon maliciously, one of the moles could hardly stop himself from blurting out the word.