The Guard's Lament

Little Barney's words left Semir looking startled. He instinctively took a step back!

Seeing his reaction, Little Barney gave a cold snort.

The Calamity Swords all froze in unison.

The hood.

Clay stared in surprise at Cannon, who had shrunk back on the ground, then looked toward the direction Fuse had left in his hood:

"Are there really people in this world who can identify someone solely by the faint sound of their footsteps?"

Ricky was also staring at Cannon in astonishment. After pondering for a moment, he slowly nodded.

"I think that if you cared enough about something, to the point of devoting eighteen full years of effort to it..."

He shook his head and sighed.

"Then there probably isn't anything you can't accomplish."

On the other side of the hall, most of the prisoners had stood up and were coldly approaching the bars.

"Is this true, Semir?" Belleti looked calmly at Semir, then at the Calamity Swords, his expression solemn.

"You're with the Shadow Shield now?"

Nai, beside him, sneered.

"Wow, now that's a good sign, Standard Bearer. At least you don't have to feel guilty anymore."

Semir looked from one to the other, breathing erratically, but in the end turned toward Little Barney, whose expression was the most terrifying.

He raised a hand in defense. "Listen, I and them, that group of assassins... This is only a temporary alliance. I hate that cockroach too, but right now, in order to get here..."

But Little Barney cut him off.

"You don't understand, Semir," Little Barney sneered.

"I'm not talking about how you're doing now—who the hell cares?"

Semir froze.

Little Barney exhaled and lowered his head to stare at his palm.

"I'm talking about Lordan Sarridon. That 'Blood Aria' was highly skilled—in fact, extremely skilled. Too skilled..."

At