CHAPTER 111: HIS SCREAMS WERE LIKE MUSIC TO THEIR EARS

"Alright, let’s have our breakfast. I’ve written down the list of nobles involved in the attack. We’ll leave once we’re done," Grace announced in a serious tone, pulling her gaze away from Julian—whose heart finally settled back in his chest.

Randall freed himself from his sorrow and said, "I can take you there with a warp gate." Internally, he intended to use the opportunity to steal Eva back to his home.

"Thanks, but no." Grace quickly declined, aware that her father-in-law wouldn’t offer to use his space power without an ulterior motive.

Eva uncovered her food, already hungry from all the tossing around. She was eager to deal with those nobles and get back to training for their surface expedition.

She had a feeling that the test in the testing pillar back at the dungeon was only the tip of the iceberg, and she didn’t want to be the one to hold Julian and Ethan back.

"I’ve discussed with the other hidden family, and we’ve decided to help Oasis City with its crisis." Randall’s abrupt remark drew everyone’s attention, but Grace frowned as she considered the remaining cities.

"I know that expression. We can’t help everybody," he muttered, massaging his temples. "We’ll inform all the city’s survivors to head to Oasis City. Then we can transfer all the air in the breathforged into Oasis." Randall didn’t finish and left everyone to draw their conclusion.

That is, the city could save enough air to last them for more than two years; with that time, they would have found another way for humanity to survive.

Eva and the others ate while contemplating his words. Grace twirled her spoon with a resigned expression, aware that his words were realistic and the only solution to their current predicament.

"When we get back, we will discuss it further and devise a plan to put it into action," Grace replied, continuing her meal in silence. No one spoke again until they had finished eating.

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A warp gate suddenly materialized in mid-air. Grace was the first to step through, with the others following. Randall was the last to emerge, and the warp gate closed behind him.

He tapped his cane lightly on the ground. "Daughter-in-law, why did you change your mind so soon?’’ Randall asked in a smug tone, enjoying Grace’s stiff expression.

"Dad, cut it out. The fuel wasn’t enough. I haven’t even asked how you got the information about Eva’s arrival so quickly when all communication is down," Leo asked. This question had been lingering in his mind, but it always slipped past him.

"I used... ah! Do you think I’ll tell you that? I can’t just cut off my spy means of communication," Randall chuckled at their curious expressions—especially Aaron, who had always been a bane with those computers of his.

He shook his head as he recalled the intercepted information and the compromised spies he had planted in their home—he would never reveal his new method.

"Maybe Grandpa used birds," Eva guessed, unaware that Randall nearly missed a step—almost blowing his cover. She held Julian’s hand, a concerned expression crossing her face as they passed through the open estate gate.

"Are you alright? Grandpa didn’t scare you, did he?" Eva asked, noticing he had been strangely quiet since breakfast. Julian patted her head softly and managed a smile.

"It’s nothing. When we get back, we’ll continue our training." He changed the subject, pushing back the nightmare at the back of his mind.

Eva nodded in response, her grip on his hand tightening slightly. Though she was aware he was trying to change the subject, she went along with it; she wouldn’t force him to share something he wasn’t ready to.

"Dear, do you notice this place is too quiet?" Leo voiced what was on everyone’s mind. The street was eerily silent. The mansion they passed looked disturbed, the smell of blood still lingering in the air.

"We have to find the people on this list. Some might not be involved, but it’ll lead us to news about those who orchestrated everything," Grace uttered, retrieving a rolled-up animal hide. She unrolled it to reveal several names boldly written across it.

Grace stopped, and they gathered around her to glance at the list. She pointed at the first name and spoke confidently. "Except him, I’ve doubts about the others."

"Mason Allen," Grace called his name with such disgust that it seemed impossible. Leo frowned, sharing the same disgust for the man. This time, he would ensure to rid the earth of the scourge.

He had always wanted to end his life a long time ago, but that man was quick to whitewash his crimes, making it impossible.

But now the Veil Order was out of commission, no law was holding him back from doing what he had longed to do openly.

"It seems you both know him?" Randall chimed in, stating the obvious.

"I would rather choose a monster than let this scourge breathe the same air within range." Grace almost spat on the ground, but held herself back.

Aaron watched them with a clueless expression, wondering how much of a terrible person the man was to make his calm mother show such disgust.

"He’s involved in all manner of crimes, trafficking, human experiments, dungeon bait, and many others that we weren’t able to find." Leo just explained the horrors in as few short sentences as possible.

Everyone frowned and carried on their way. As time went by, they searched through the mansion of the people listed, only to find them either dead or missing, with the mansion ransacked and bloodstained.

Finally, Mason was the last one they needed to check. His mansion is farther away from the others, hidden between massive cave walls.

"Finally, I can feel a sense of life," Eva said, much to everyone’s relief. They had found no one on the list and almost gave up. Who knew they would hear screams coming from the mansion?

They didn’t bother to hide their presence and burst in. As they pushed through the front door, the sight before them made Grace and Leo chuckle heartily.

The Mason they had come for was tied to a makeshift cross; his body covered in whip marks and iron brands. Blood, both fresh and old, dripped down his body, while he was surrounded by a jeering crowd dressed in guard uniforms.

Their cheers stopped when they saw Grace and the others. Manson’s eyes brightened with hope, but recalling what he had done, a wave of dread swept over him.

Now he fully regrets causing the chaos with the selfish idea of conserving more air for their noble families; he hadn’t expected things would spiral out of control, and even his guards dared to kill their master.

"Mason, oh... Mason, you never thought this would happen to you, did you? Karma came knocking too soon." Leo muttered in a singsong tone, clearly relishing Mason’s miserable state.

"Go on. Don’t stop on our account, torture him to death." Grace chimed in, before settling into a comfortable spot to sit, waving at Eva to join her.

"You can close your eyes if you can’t handle it," Randall muttered softly in response, only to meet Eva’s clear, confused gaze on him.

"Don’t worry, grandpa, I’m used to it," Eva said with a smile, before pulling Julian along to find a seat where they could observe clearly.

The guards were at a loss about the situation, but they dared not attack Grace—she was stronger than all of them combined, and they honestly started torturing Mason.

His screams were like music to their ears. Eva even brought out fresh fruits from her space and passed them to the others.