At the evening of the Andelheim, Varen and his group made their way down the dimly lit streets, the sound of their boots echoing against the cobblestones, the tension from the inn still lingering in the air. Most of them walked in silence, their minds replaying the events from earlier, unsure if they were supposed to feel victorious or uncomfortable.
Finally, one of the younger men, a boy with short brown hair and a firm expression, cleared his throat, breaking the silence. This was Darius, the second strongest in the group, someone who had earned respect through his solidified power within the ranks. His voice cut through the quiet. “Varen,” he started, his tone calm but challenging. “Did you really need to do that?
I mean… didn’t you go a little overboard back there?” frёewebηovel.cѳm
The other men glanced at each other, tension rippling through the group. The air grew colder as all eyes turned toward Darius, sensing the confrontation brewing.
Varen, who had been walking at the front, came to an abrupt halt. His back stiffened, and he slowly turned around, his eyes narrowing as they locked onto Darius. The rest of the group fell silent, the weight of the moment heavy as Varen’s expression darkened.
He took a slow step forward, his presence suddenly more menacing. “Overboard?” he repeated, his voice low and dangerous. “Are you suggesting I was wrong?”
Darius, unlike the others, didn’t falter. He met Varen’s gaze with a glare of his own, his resolve unshaken. “I’m saying it didn’t have to go that far,” Darius responded, his voice steady. “Dragging up the past like that, in front of everyone—what were you trying to prove? You think that was necessary?”
Varen’s lips curled into a mocking smirk as he took another step forward, his voice dripping with condescension. “Sensitive things, huh? You’re defending her now?”
Darius’s jaw tightened, his eyes never leaving Varen. “No, I’m not defending her,” he replied firmly. “But there’s a line. And you crossed it.”
Varen’s smirk vanished, replaced by cold disdain. “Listen carefully,” he said, his voice sharp as a blade. “That woman deserves worse for what she did. I only spoke the truth, and if you think for a second that I went ‘too far,’ then you don’t understand what betrayal feels like.”
Darius’s gaze hardened. Unlike the others, he didn’t flinch. “I understand what betrayal feels like,” he said, his voice cold. “But I also know that dragging it out in front of everyone like that won’t give you the satisfaction you’re looking for. All it does is stir up more trouble.”
“It is really clear that you don’t,” Varen said and didn’t wait for an answer. He leaned in slightly, his voice growing harsher, more intense. “How would you deal with this feeling, huh? The burning inside, every day, every night? Would you just swallow it down? Pretend like nothing happened?
Just watch as that bitch walks around, living the life she wants without any consequences?” His tone turned sharp, almost venomous. “Is that what you’d do? Just sit back and accept it?”
Darius’s expression remained firm, his jaw tight as he met Varen’s venomous words head-on. He didn’t waver, even as Varen’s intensity seemed to burn hotter with each word. “I wouldn’t do it like this,” Darius said, his voice steady but laced with conviction. “There are better ways to deal with betrayal, Varen. The best way is not to let it consume you. You can’t let it eat away at you like this.”
Varen’s eyes flashed with cold anger, his lips curling into a sneer of pure disdain. He took a step closer, his gaze cutting into Darius like a blade. “And that’s exactly why spineless bastards like you let women like her walk all over you,” he hissed, his voice dripping with contempt. “Because of weak men who are too afraid to act, they think they can do whatever they want and get away with it.”
Darius’s eyes narrowed, but he said nothing, letting Varen continue his tirade.
“If they’re not held accountable for their actions,” Varen went on, his voice growing more intense, “they’ll keep doing it. Over and over again. Betraying, lying, destroying lives—without a second thought. You think there’s a ‘better way’ to deal with it?” He shook his head, disgust evident in his tone. “No, the only way is to make them feel it. To make them suffer the consequences of their actions.
Anything less, and they’ll keep doing it.”
The silence between them was thick with tension, the rest of the group watching from the sidelines, unsure whether to intervene or stay back. But Darius didn’t back down, his gaze still locked with Varen’s. He knew there was no reasoning with someone as consumed by vengeance as Varen was, but he wouldn’t stand for being belittled for choosing a different path.
“The only thing consuming you,” Darius finally said, his voice calm but resolute, “is your own rage. And it’s not going to end well for you, Varen.”
Varen’s sneer deepened, but he didn’t respond. He just turned on his heel, his anger simmering beneath the surface as he started walking again, his frustration palpable.
As for Darius…
He just watched his friend with a sad gaze.
*******
On the other side, a group of girls moved in a tight-knit formation, their robes fluttering in the night breeze. Despite the quiet of the streets, the murmur of their voices was filled with frustration and resentment.
“He’s such a bastard. How could he speak to you like that, Senior Sister? It’s disgusting.”
“He has no respect for anyone. The way he insulted you in front of everyone like he thinks he’s better than the rest of us… I wanted to wipe that smug grin off his face.”
Lira remained silent as they walked, her mind still replaying the events at the inn. Her fingers were still wrapped tightly around the hilt of her sword as if she hadn’t quite let go of the anger she had felt earlier.
“It’s not just that. He thinks he can just say whatever he wants because of who he is. I don’t care if he’s from the Silver Flame Sect. No one talks to our Senior Sister like that!”
The murmur of frustration continued to ripple through the group of girls as they walked, their emotions still high after the confrontation with Varen. Mira, one of the more outspoken disciples, glanced at her companions, her eyes narrowing with barely-contained anger.
“You know what I think?” she said, her voice dripping with disdain. “He acts all tough and arrogant, but I bet he’s terrible in bed. That’s probably why he’s so bitter and angry all the time. He has to compensate for something.”
The other girls snickered at her remark, a small release of the pent-up frustration they’d been feeling. Aira, always quick to join in, chimed in with a sharp grin. “Small man with an even smaller… you know.” She wiggled her fingers mockingly, causing more laughter from the group.
“I mean, it makes sense, right?” Nira added, shaking her head in exaggerated sympathy. “Guys like him, all bark and no bite. Overcompensating for what they don’t have.”
Mira smirked, tossing her hair back as she continued, her voice gaining a sarcastic edge. “That’s probably why Lira didn’t want anything to do with him. She could sense how pathetic he really is.”
The group erupted in laughter, their voices echoing through the quiet street. Even Lira, who had been silent for most of the walk, couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle. Though she had been trying to stay composed and ignore the ugly remarks Varen had thrown at her, there was something undeniably satisfying about hearing her disciples mock his pride.
“I mean, can you imagine?” Aira said, still laughing. “All that rage and anger because… well, he’s just lacking where it counts.”
The girls giggled, their steps lighter now as the weight of the earlier confrontation began to fade.
And then, after walking for another thirty minutes, they finally approached their destination. The air around them seemed to change with anticipation as they neared a secluded part of the city, where a certain establishment was well-known for its services.
Mira glanced up at the grand building before them, her eyes gleaming with excitement. “Finally,” she whispered, a mischievous smile curling her lips. “We’re here.”
The building was discreetly tucked away, its exterior adorned with elegant drapery and intricate carvings. A soft glow from lanterns illuminated the entrance, casting an inviting warmth in contrast to the dark streets of Andelheim. Above the door, a sign in ornate lettering read: The Moonlit Sanctuary.
Aira, her grin wide and teasing, licked her lips playfully as she nudged Nira with her elbow. “The famous Moonlit Sanctuary. I’ve heard the men here are just as gorgeous as they are talented.”
Nira giggled, her cheeks flushed with excitement. “It’s about time we got to experience this place ourselves.”
Lira, walking slightly behind them, raised an eyebrow but didn’t stop them.
Her disciples had been buzzing about this place for days, whispering rumors about the stunning men who catered to every whim and desire.
Mira turned to Lira, her eyes twinkling with playful mischief. “Come on, Senior Sister. You can’t tell me you’re not even a little curious. This place is legendary.”
“…..”
As for Lira, she thought it wouldn’t be bad to relieve some stress.