Seeing his mother walk away, Mertsa let out a breath and collapsed to the ground.
Layok watched the direction Beth had disappeared in, his expression complicated.
"You and Granny Beth have both been living here all these years?"
Mertsa let out a contemptuous snort.
Layok frowned. "You know, Morris could help..."
"That was Mom's decision!"
Mertsa cut him off bluntly. "She said the Brotherhood had changed. It was getting bigger and more chaotic, and she didn't want to stay there anymore."
"Things like this may mean we don't live very well."
"But we can stay alive."
He straightened and glared at Layok, jealousy and hatred in his eyes.
"Unlike you."
Layok was silent for a while.
"I remember you used to follow Luoda."
Mertsa threw his head back and laughed, his laughter full of venom.
"Of course! Luoda! Ironheart Luoda!"
"But hey, look at me." Mertsa laboriously turned around and revealed his severed arm, his heart filled with resentment. "He didn't need trash."
"And you think that after all these years, aside from big shots and favorites like you, Steel Spike, and Thunder Axe, how many of us—the so-called 'Thirteen Great Generals' back then—are still alive? How many?"
Layok did not answer his accusation. He only stared deeply at Mertsa's severed arm.
"Count the days you have left, Silent Killer." Mertsa snorted and shook his head. "There aren't many."
The two old acquaintances from the Brotherhood faced each other in silence. For a long while, not a word was spoken.
"Mertsa, right?"
Tales stepped forward, his voice low.
"What exactly happened to the Ruined House these past few years?"
Mertsa glanced at Tales.
"What's with this lineup?" The man looked at Layok contemptuously. "Who are these three? Your new lovers?"
Layok's expression turned cold, and his hand went back to