Chapter 381: Pull the Strings till the End
Chapter 381: Pull the Strings till the End
Asher Eli's chilling demeanour sent shivers through the room as he confronted the pink-haired woman, his eyes fixed on her trembling form.
"Now, tell me everything," Asher demanded, his voice cold and authoritative as he looked at her hand.
"AArrhh! W-What is this?!" The woman's scream pierced the air as she felt a strange movement under her skin, her hand pulsating unnaturally.
"Nothing much, just flesh-eating worms," Eli remarked casually, reclining back in his chair with a hint of satisfaction in his eyes, his gaze shifting to the unconscious director.
"W-Worms?" The woman's horror was palpable as she realized the gravity of the situation.
"Yes, don't you feel itchy?" Eli inquired with a wicked smile, observing her scratching her hand in discomfort.
"Y-Yes," the woman admitted, her voice trembling as she tried to alleviate the itchiness.
"That's just the beginning. Soon, those worms will devour your flesh from within, and even... your bones won't be spared," Eli explained nonchalantly, relishing the fear creeping into her expression.
The woman's face contorted in terror, and she exclaimed, "W-What have you done to me?!"
"Nothing much, just a simple handshake," Eli replied casually, adding a sardonic wink, "Oh, and they have a particular appetite for beautiful skin. Soon, you might find yourself transformed into an ugly, patchy mess.... Really a Mess!"
"NO!" The woman's terror escalated, and in a moment of desperation, she clung to Eli's leg.
'Thud'
Eli recoiled, repulsed by her touch. With a look of disdain, he pushed her away and remarked, "I enjoy the company of women, but not those who stoop to such despicable acts as selling children for profit.... is definitely not my taste!!"
The pink-haired woman, now horrified and regretful, looked up at Eli, who seemed to have transformed from a charming man into a menacing figure.... Pure Evil!!
"S-Saintess, P-Please help me," she pleaded, turning to Kyra and Kira for salvation.
"Tell us, what were you planning to do with this child?" Kira's voice was laced with fury, her eyes drilling into the woman, demanding the truth.
"I-I don't know, P-Please believe me," the woman cried, tears streaming down her face as she begged for mercy.
Kira hesitated, torn between her duty as a saintess and her compassion for someone in distress. The situation hung in the balance, teetering between justice and mercy.
"No, Kira," Eli interjected sternly, his voice cutting through the tension in the room, "It's good to have a heart, and there is nothing wrong with that. But you need to steel your heart sometimes, otherwise, you will lose something important to you." Eli's words carried a weight of experience, hinting at the depths of his own past struggles.
Kira's resolve wavered, her body trembling as she grappled with Eli's admonition. She lowered her gaze, unable to meet his eyes, grappling with the conflict within herself. Meanwhile, Kyra remained silent, she saw the ugly world so she knew when and where to what to do.
The pink-haired woman, desperate to divert attention away from herself, turned towards Oliver, seeking refuge. However, her plea fell on deaf ears as she was suddenly wracked with agony.
"ARRHHH!!!"
Her anguished cry echoed through the room as she watched in horror as holes began to form in her hand.
"W-Why are you doing this to me?" she wailed, her voice laced with fear and confusion as she turned to Eli for answers.
"Well, those were meant for someone else whom you fucked before, but since he's hiding in his castle, I can only take out my anger on you," Eli remarked casually, his tone devoid of remorse. "All you need to do is tell us everything, and I'll remove that... thing. Okay?"
The woman hesitated, casting a fleeting glance at the Director, her last hope for salvation. Finally, with a resigned sigh, she began to speak, revealing the truth that had been hidden for so long.
.....
...
And soon,
"So, Officers, do you think this evidence is sufficient?" Eli inquired, his gaze fixed on the high-ranking soldier who was reviewing the video evidence captured by Pearl. The footage not only contained the pink-haired woman's confession but also revealed the Director's suspicious behaviours.
"Sigh, it's appalling to discover that the Director of Nex's entire Orphanage was involved in such shady dealings, and that woman was selling children to nobles and high bidders directly. What a disgrace!" the officer exclaimed, struggling to contain his anger as he looked at the incriminating evidence. The bald Director was promptly arrested by two other officers.
"Thank you, Elite Class students!" The officer saluted them, acknowledging their crucial role in uncovering the truth, "We would like to offer you honorariums as a token of our appreciation."
"Well, you can go ahead and give them. I was just an observer; they are the ones who will take care of these children. You don't need to worry about them," Eli replied, gesturing towards the saintesses.
"Truly, thank you, Saintesses. Your actions are in line with your title, extending help where it's needed most. You are the epitome of what it means to be Saintesses," the officer praised, saluting them once more before departing, leaving the saintesses feeling both honoured and bewildered.
As the Director and the woman were escorted away, the Director couldn't resist muttering a threat, "Don't think you've escaped, brat. This is nothing! Once I'm out, I'll make sure to end you!"
"I'll be waiting," Eli retorted calmly, his eyes briefly flashing with a reddish black as he patted both of their shoulders.
The Director spat in disdain as he left, shooting a venomous glare at the children and that pink-haired woman who was dead glaring at the children.
"E-Eli, what—" Kira began to ask, but before she could finish, Eli cut in.
"Most people would find it distasteful if I were to accept an award; they might think I'm boasting or something," Eli explained.
"Eli," Kyra's expression softened, realizing the weight of his words. She couldn't believe she had been cursing this wonderful man but then,
"Or perhaps you're just tired of dealing with all this nonsense," Kira chimed in, her smile mischievous.
"Busted," Eli winked at Kyra, teasing her playfully.
"Eli!" Kyra shouted in annoyance, though there was a hint of amusement in her voice.
"It's me!!" Eli recounted.
"Hahaha..." The children joined in with laughter, their joy contagious as they watched the friendly banter unfold.
Seeing the children finally laughing, everyone's smiles were genuine and heartwarming.
"Eli?" Pearl called out to Eli with a concerned expression.
"Hmm?" Eli responded, turning his attention to Pearl. Your next read awaits at M-V-L
"Are you sure about leaving them like that?" Pearl's worry was evident, hinting at potential repercussions as there might be someone influential backing the culprits, given the audacity of their actions in broad daylight.
"Yeah, that's not like you," Arlyne added, her concern mirroring Pearl's sentiments.
Eli's lips twitched slightly as he affectionately pinched their cheeks, "Do you think I'm just a brute who acts without thinking?"
Eli's lips twitched he pinched their cheeks and asked, "Do you think I am just a brute who does without thinking?"
"Yes"
"Do you even need to ask"
Pearl and Arlyne replied in unison, their honesty clear in their expressions.
Eli stared at them blankly for a moment before letting out a sigh. Just as he was about to respond, Oliver intervened by removing Eli's hand from his sister's cheek.
"Okay, that's enough!!" Oliver said with annoyance.
Eli glanced at Oliver with a hint of annoyance, but he respected Oliver's protective instincts towards his sister.
However, Eli's smile returned as he turned his attention back to the children. "Yes, I did want to put an end to those individuals, but then I thought, why not play this out a bit longer?"
"Pardon?" Kira furrowed her brows in confusion, not grasping Eli's intentions.
"What happens to criminals who die during an ongoing investigation?" Eli asked, a sly smile playing on his lips, hinting at a deeper plan in motion.