CHAPTER 66: CHAPTER 66 – SEA MONSTER IV

"Commander! What are you doing?" he asked in a raised voice. "We all know who did it! It wasn’t because of Doomsty’s troops, but the man named Crowne who did it. He was the one who defeated that monster, but why..."

The commander slowly turned his head, his tired eyes sharp. "Be quiet!" he scolded.

"This is not fair. We should tell the truth. It wasn’t us who defeated the monster. I think what we did is truly disgusting," he protested again.

The commander let out a long sigh, then stared at the sea as if reluctant to discuss it, but the young soldier kept pressing him. "Justice, huh..." He gave a bitter laugh. "You’re still young. You don’t know how this world really works."

"But, Commander!"

"Silence!" The commander’s gaze turned cold. "Do you think I don’t know? I believe what you said. But the order came directly from the rulers of Doomsty. They want to preserve their image, maintain public morale, and make sure no ’outsider’ gains influence in this region."

"By taking credit for something someone else did?"

"This is to preserve people’s trust in the military and the nobles. If an outsider becomes a ’hero’, then people’s trust in us and them will decrease. That would be bad in the long run," the commander explained.

"I don’t understand, but taking someone else’s achievement... That’s truly shameful. Doesn’t your pride get hurt by that?"

The commander fell silent. He stayed quiet for quite a while before finally responding. "I’m just a subordinate. And so are you. Our duty is to follow orders, not to search for truth. Just obey everything!"

The young soldier stared at him with bitterness. "So... you’re willing to lie just for a position?"

The commander gave a wry smile. "Not for a position. But for survival."

He stepped closer and patted the young soldier’s shoulder. "Justice is useless in this world. The rich and powerful can buy that foolish justice whenever they want."

The young soldier said nothing. The vein on his temple bulged, but his tongue was stiff. He wanted to say something, but the words were stuck on the tip of his tongue. He lowered his head slightly. His chest tightened, but for some reason he could only stay silent.

"If you keep rebelling," the commander continued, "you’ll lose your job. You have a wife and two kids at home. Do you want them to starve just because of your ideals? Think again!" he said quietly.

Those words made the young soldier lower his head even more. His teeth clenched tight, but no more words came out. After several seconds of silence, he finally answered softly, "...Yes, Commander."

The commander turned around and walked away. "Good. Now go back to your post. Work hard so you can get promoted and bring some good food to your wife and kids."

The young soldier stood still, his gaze empty.

**

Meanwhile...

At the old man’s house where Crowne was staying, he sat on a wooden chair, staring out the window. Sunlight streamed in. His mind wandered far. He was still confused about what had happened. His heart told him one thing, but his mind told another. It made him restless.

"There’s no way that monster was the only one," he muttered finally. "If it’s truly dead, then why are fishermen still being killed? This doesn’t make sense."

He stood up, looking toward the distant sea. His heart felt uneasy. Something was wrong. He felt that there was something far more complicated than just defeating a sea monster. But he did not know what it was.

The old man came in carrying tea. "You’re still thinking about it?"

"Of course," Crowne replied firmly. "I’m sure the monster I killed last night wasn’t the same one attacking the fishermen. There’s something down there, something stronger."

The old man sighed. "You think too much. The city officials already announced that everything is safe. Look outside. The fishermen are back to sailing. There’s nothing to worry about."

Crowne looked at him sharply. "That’s exactly the problem. They’re sailing without knowing the danger waiting for them. They’ll end up dead."

He walked toward the door. "I want you to help me make an announcement. Tell the fishermen not to sail yet, at least until I make sure everything is really safe."

The old man froze. "Are you crazy? I can’t do that."

"Why not?" asked Crowne.

"Because, I’m just a servant of this district," the old man replied heavily. "I work under the rulers of Doomsty. If I dare to go against an official announcement, I could lose this house... or even my life. My duty is to maintain this area and handle administration. Nothing more."

Crowne looked at the old man with a cold gaze. "So you’ll just let those people die?"

"I can’t do anything, son. The world isn’t that simple. We’re all just pawns for the rulers and the rich."

Crowne clenched his fist. "I’m sick of hearing excuses like that."

It reminded him of what his father did to protect Alan, his younger brother. His father had paid some people to cover up a murder committed by his brother. Crowne saw it with his own eyes, and he could only shake his head.

He turned away, putting on his cloak. "Then I’ll find out by myself."

"Go ahead! I just hope you’ll be fine."

Crowne glanced at him before leaving. He let out a quiet sigh and walked out of the house. He went toward the seashore to investigate on his own.

As he walked, suddenly Velrisa appeared and began walking beside him. She had heard everything Crowne said earlier. She quickly stepped forward and stood in front of him.

"Sir, why do you care so much about people you don’t even know? Just let them be! Even if they get killed or die, it’s not your problem," said Velrisa.

Crowne looked at Velrisa for a long time, then replied, "It’s not that I care about the people of Doomsty, but I despise what the rulers of this city are doing."

Velrisa opened her mouth but stopped herself from speaking. In the end, she changed the topic.

"Sir, that hooded figure went north. Should I chase him?" asked Velrisa.

"How strong is that person? Is he an enemy?"

"I don’t know if he’s strong or not, but from the way he moves, he’s definitely our enemy. Several times I saw him trying to kill you, but when I approached, he disappeared."

"Can you win?" asked Crowne.

Velrisa nodded. "I’m sure I can."

"Then chase him! But if you ever feel you can’t win, run and come back!"

Velrisa nodded. "Alright."

Without waiting any longer, Velrisa vanished and left. Crowne only glanced at her and kept walking. He still had something he needed to do first.