Chapter 9 - The Ultimatum
Leandro completely freezes, his eyes locked onto the bloody silver chain dangling from Maribel’s fingers.
“Where is Daphne and where is my mother?” Leandro roars, aiming his stolen weapon at her.
Maribel simply smiles, entirely unaffected by the heavy gun pointed at her face.
“They are perfectly safe for now, heavily guarded in the bell tower directly above us,” Maribel taunts.
“You have absolutely everything you wanted, Maribel, just take the empire and leave us alone,” Leandro bargains.
“I do not just want the empire, Leandro, I want your complete and total submission,” she replies.
Maribel violently throws the bloody chain onto the stone floor at Leandro’s feet.
“Kneel before me, formally pledge your absolute loyalty to my family name, and I will let the women live,” Maribel demands.
Leandro stares at the stone floor, completely torn between his immense pride and the lives of his loved ones.
He slowly begins to bend his knees, willing to sacrifice his own honor to save Daphne and his mother.
“Do not bow to that monster, Leandro!” Daphne’s voice suddenly rings out from the high balcony.
Daphne is standing perfectly freely on the upper balcony, aiming a highly advanced sniper rifle directly down at Maribel.
“I told you I choose my own battles, Leandro,” Daphne yells triumphantly.
Maribel reaches frantically into her coat for a weapon, realizing she has completely lost her upper hand.
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Daphne pulls the trigger without a single moment of hesitation.
The high-caliber bullet perfectly strikes the heavy stone pillar directly beside Maribel, violently showering her in sharp shrapnel.
