"Yes."
Celt nodded bitterly.
As a knight, he had failed to protect his own country.
"That's a fine title."
Good offered a word of praise.
Celt took a deep breath.
He knew he would most likely be killed if he came to the palace, but the order Good had given to rescue the wounded after the battle had shown him hope.
Perhaps the man was not so evil.
"My lord, I beg you to stop the killing. Innocent people are being caught up in this and killed every moment. They are your subjects now!"
"Innocent?"
Good's gaze turned cold. "Whether they are royalty and nobles, knights and soldiers, or even ignorant commoners, disobeying my orders is a capital offense!"
"Perhaps quite a few were indeed coerced by the nobles into resisting, but the consequence is that they must pay for their stupidity!"
"But that's..."
Celt's face went pale.
Many nobles did deserve to die, but their families were innocent, as were the commoners in their territories. They knew nothing!
"My lord-"
"Knight, don't push your luck!"
Good snapped coldly, "I only gave you a chance to speak with me because you're still somewhat useful. Who do you think I am?!"
"I'm sorry, my lord!"
Celt lowered his head and clenched his teeth.
The crushing pressure left him unable even to straighten his back, as though he might die the next instant, yet that pressure came from nothing more than the man's presence.
Good reined in his aura. "Knight, if you have any brains at all, what you should concern yourself with now is not how many people die, but this country's future."
"..."
Celt was shaken.
The kingdom's future!
The pirates' slaughter had affected him so much that he had overlooked this most important issue.
Good raised a hand in