"Martin stands accused by his neighbors of trying to burn his entire family to death, including his father, mother, wife, and son..."
Given the gravity of the matter, Shadow Song set aside the case of the attack on the Silver Dragon and devoted part of his attention to questioning Martin.
Aunt Susan and Annan were as close as family. If this scandal got out, it would shake Free City.
But Shadow Song was just as baffled as Annan. "Mr. Martin, do you really hate your family that much?"
In the next room, Aunt Susan was crying too.
"I only went five days without beating him, and now he's gone and tried to burn the house down, waaah... Little Annan, if only Martin were as easy to manage as you."
After the Abduction incident five days ago, Aunt Susan had wanted to show Martin a little more motherly love. Besides, he was married with a child now. She couldn't keep beating him like she used to.
And this was what came of it.
Annan smiled bashfully. "Aunt Susan, please don't worry. Maybe Martin did it by accident. When you get home, don't rush to hit him with a broom as thick as your wrist or the logs Uncle Holin just chopped... I don't support domestic violence, whether it's against a spouse or a child. Things like hanging him from a clothesline to beat him, or taking off your belt, dipping it in salt, and whipping Martin with it... I'll say it again: I don't support domestic violence."
Annan couldn't be blamed for fanning the flames. In the past, the worst Martin had done was duel people with a Wooden Sword smeared with shit, or dig a pit along someone's usual route and take a dump in it. Psychological warfare had been