"Who's in charge here?"

The square-faced cavalry captain lifted his head, his voice rough and gruff.

"I'm the employer of this mercenary squad. You've inspected us—now tell us what you're even searching for," Alyssa replied slowly, stepping forward two paces.

"You? Hah. A woman?"

The captain sneered, folding his arms and turning his head away. Centuries of male dominance in the Eastern Pearl Empire had cemented deep sexism in his mind.

"What? Can't I command my own caravan?" Alyssa's voice tightened with anger at his reaction.

"Tch." The captain clicked his tongue, swiveling back to leer at her. "We're hunting Netherized Beings. Cooperate, or else. Did you encounter anything strange on the road? Any odd phenomena? Speak up."

Verlith bristled to shield Alyssa but she held him back.

"Netherized Beings?"

Alyssa feigned ignorance.

"Tch!" The captain stroked his chin, head high. "Netherized Beings can be humans, animals, any living thing. So—"

His voice boomed suddenly. "If anyone saw something abnormal, spit it out now!"

"Shouting won't make you impressive," Verlith muttered under his breath, rolling his eyes.

"If you don't want to die at a Netherborn Elf's hands, don't hide anything. When they appear, none of you will escape. You'll all die without a trace!"

His hoarse roar echoed through the nearby forest. Fear of Netherborn Elves sparked murmurs among the inspected mercenaries.

"Silence! Stand still! No running!" came the muffled shouts of cavalrymen from afar.

Alyssa remained unmoved by his bluster, replying flatly. "We saw nothing strange."

He clearly didn't trust her. "Then has anyone new joined your group?" He tapped his armor suspiciously.

"We traveled straight from Voltus. No strangers joined us." Alyssa subtly blocked Verlith.

"Liar! There is!"

A sudden shout startled everyone. Horatu, just cleared from inspection, pointed fiercely at Vier. "She's new!"

"Nonsense! No one is!" Alyssa snapped back instantly, protective fury rising.

The captain's voice turned icy, locking onto Alyssa. "Daring to withhold intel?"

"No one is new!"

Alyssa lifted her chin, radiating cold nobility.

"Hmph!" The captain snorted. His gaze swept over them, a cruel smirk forming. "I don't care who joined your squad. Everyone gets inspected. You!" He jabbed his gun at Horatu. "I'm already checked!" Horatu raised his hands, surrendering inwardly.

"Shut it. I know you were." The captain sneered. "Who's the newcomer?"

Horatu eagerly pointed at Verlith. "Her!"

"Oh?" The captain turned toward Verlith, a mocking grin visible under his helmet. "What are you waiting for? Strip."

"Me?" The silver-haired girl pointed at herself, stunned.

"Yes, you!"

Alyssa flushed with outrage, shielding Verlith. "You're outrageous! Vier's a girl—you'd make her undress publicly? Have you no shame? We're normal people, not Netherized Beings! This is harassment!"

The captain chuckled coldly, swinging his gun between them. "Not just her. You too."

Alyssa gasped, teeth clenched. "What? Me as well?" Her eyes blazed.

Behind him, cavalrymen grinned lewdly, cracking their knuckles, ready to pounce.

"Our captain's word is law. Or do you doubt it?"

"This is absurd!" Alyssa's face darkened. "My father is a count. I'm nobility—I have legal immunity! I won't obey without his consent!"

"Pfft." The captain scoffed. "I said it once: peasant or noble, stranger or not—you're all the same to me. We're on official duty. With Netherborn Elves lurking nearby, having wiped out three villages without survivors, caution is vital. If a Netherized Being slips into the city, who takes blame? You?"

His words rang with false righteousness.

Alyssa, untested by true hardship, faltered. She'd just learned of Netherized Beings' horrors from Vier. Such threats demanded extreme caution—but now they were the suspects.

Must she really undress before everyone?

She bit her lip, seething.

Cavalrymen advanced slowly around the two girls.

Suddenly, two mercenaries burst through the circle!

They shoved between the cavalry and the girls, spreading their arms wide.

These were the same men Verlith had roused last night.

"Hands off them!" they roared, chests puffed out.

"Stand aside! You're obstructing duty!" a cavalryman growled.

"No!"

The mercenaries stood firm, resolved to protect their goddess Vier.

The cavalry ignored them, pressing forward. The men fumbled for pistols—but before they could raise them—

Bang! Bang!

Gunshots shattered the air, scattering birds from the trees.

Blood sprayed as bullets tore into both mercenaries' chests.

"Armed resistance against the Empire deserves death. Foolish," the captain sneered, blowing smoke from his gun barrel.

The two men crumpled before Alyssa.

"What have you done?!" she cried, shaking them. They lay motionless, lifeless.

One shot each.

Their faces were frozen in grim determination, eyes wide open—truly dying with regrets unfulfilled.

Alyssa felt wetness on her cheek. She touched it, smelling iron.

Blood.

Splattered from their final moments.

They'd stood alive seconds ago, now cold on the ground—all to shield them. Her expression hardened with grief.

Verlith's face darkened too.

"Anyone else want to resist? Step forward!" the captain barked, scanning the crowd.

Silence fell over the mercenaries.

Verlith smirked inwardly. These imposters feared exposure—they wouldn't risk real combat.

But those brave mercenaries had died for nothing.