The Place Beyond the Reach of Light (Part Two)

"Barney!"

Belleti was the first to cry out:

"What are you doing?"

At this moment, when everyone found it hard to believe their eyes, Little Barney merely gave a bitter smile. As if liberated, as if resigned to his fate, he looked at everyone.

"What am I doing?"

"Nothing."

Little Barney's gaze slowly calmed, becoming increasingly ominous.

"My father, you, and all of you..."

Little Barney sneered and slowly shook his head.

"Semir was right. Everything we did was meaningless."

Semir lowered his head bitterly.

"Naki was right too. We already belong here. There's no way out."

Naki snorted coldly.

"Even Sakrael was right... Some things should never be brought up..."

Sakrael's expression was complicated.

"In this prison, the only one who was wrong, the only fool... has always been me."

Under everyone's horrified gazes, Little Barney sneered and shouted:

"I should be buried underground for all eternity!"

With that, his arm moved!

Tales sucked in a sharp breath.

But before everyone could cry out, a figure suddenly pounced forward and firmly seized the wrist of Little Barney's sword-wielding hand!

"No..."

Under Tales's astonished gaze, Nai, the former Deputy Logistics Officer, clung tightly to the arm across Little Barney's chest, struggling with him despite his trembling.

"No, Barney. No."

Nai pressed his lips together and shook his head desperately, forcing the words through clenched teeth.

Little Barney pushed hard against Nai, who refused to give an inch.

"Let go, Nai. I don't want to hurt you."

Belleti gritted his teeth and quietly moved behind Little Barney while he had the chance.

"You know I'm the Guard's Logistics Officer," Nai said, seemingly trying to sound humorous, though his eyes were almost pleading.

"Noncombatant casualties... are my responsibility."

The words drew reactions from many people.

Little Barney froze for a moment, then