A bloodied ear slid down the side of Tell's head.
But Tell did not cry out.
It was not bravery, much less an immunity to pain.
The instant Tell, the lord's son, opened his mouth, Young Lissop shoved his shortsword inside. The cold, keen edge pressed tightly against the lord's son's tongue, leaving him unable to move. Especially when he felt as though the tip might thrust into the depths of his throat at any moment, he kept both hands raised and dared not make a sound, even though the pain had his whole body trembling.
Lissop, standing opposite them, did not dare move either.
In fact, the lord stopped after taking just one step.
He looked at Young Lissop's expression, which seemed caught between laughter and tears, with madness lurking beneath.
He knew his plan had succeeded.
Young Lissop had gone mad after breaking down.
And according to his plan, this was when the torture should have entered its most enjoyable stage.
Except...
Tell was being held hostage.
The lord did not know how Young Lissop had freed himself from the shackles and chains, but he knew he needed to soothe him now.
He had to get Tell back.
After all, this was his only son.
With that thought, the lord spoke-
"My son, you have passed the test!"
The familiar smile appeared on Lissop's face again.
Young Lissop froze at the sight of that familiar smile.
But what stunned the young man even more was what Lissop said.
A test?
What test?
Everything that had just happened was a test?
Young Lissop was bewildered.
The young man looked at Lissop in disbelief.
Seeing Lissop nod calmly, his eyes filled with encouragement and joy, Young Lissop began to believe that what had just happened was a test.
Or, more