Zeke very much wanted to save both of them.
When he stopped walking, Freddie stopped as well and asked, “Why are we stopping?”
“Do you know what crimes you have committed and how you shall be punished?”
Freddie's nerves tensed up. He thought Zeke was going to execute him since he had given up everything that Zeke wanted to know.
He kneeled down and begged, “Y-You can't kill me, Mr. Williams. I'm telling you, I'm the only one who can bring you to the Netherworld's base.”
“The crime you have committed is treason! The punishment for a traitor is the death of your entire family! However, I still need your help. If you succeed in helping me, then I promise you I won't hurt your family.”
“What is it that you need my help with? I'll make sure to do my best to fulfill your request, even if it costs my life!”
Zeke pulled out a small red pouch and took out a worm from inside.
He handed the worm to Freddie. “Eat this right now.”
“What is this? A worm?” Freddie appeared worried.
“That's right! It's a worm.”
“What is the meaning of this, Mr. Williams?”
“I'll have you return to the Netherworld's base alone. If you betray me, I'll still be able to control you through the worm.”
Freddie was shocked. “Why aren't you willing to go there with me, Mr. Williams?”
“I'm fine with going with you if the base only has Daemonium and Warren inside. I'm more than confident that I can defeat them while protecting David and Brantley at the same time. However, the people from the Netherworld's Seventh Branch are there as well. If I fight them, it's possible the situation inside will get so chaotic that the two of them may get killed by members of the Netherworld! That's why I'm going to play this safe for now. I must rescue David and Brantley first before I can fight them.”
“So... What you're saying is that you want me to get David and Brantley out of there first?”
“It'll be for the best if you can sneak them out. However, if you can't... As long as you can find out the location of where they are being held and report it back to me, I'll be able to send people in to rescue them.”
“Don't you worry, Mr. Williams. I won't ever betray you. Your wish is my command. There's really no need for the worm.”
Sole Wolf was getting annoyed. “Why are you talking so much nonsense? Stop whining and eat the worm! Zeke doesn't give second chances to people like you this easily, so you better eat it right now. If you don't want to use this opportunity to redeem yourself, I'm happy to take your life right away.”
“All right! I'll eat it. I'll eat it...” Freddie gulped and swallowed the cursed parasitic worm right in front of them.
Zeke coldly ordered, “Head to the base now. We'll be waiting for your news.”
Freddie nodded, took a few steps forward, and turned back to ask, “Will you spare my life if I successfully rescued them, Mr. Williams? I promise I'll do anything for you as long as I still breathe.”
“I will conduct an investigation to determine your crimes and judge you accordingly. If you didn't do too many bad things, then I'll let you live. But if you did, then death will be the only outcome for you.”
“Don't you worry, Mr. Williams. I swear to the heavens that I've never done anything that directly hurt anyone. I've only ever run errands for the Netherworld. In fact, I was forced to join the Netherworld. My daughter has an incurable disease, and I had no idea how to save her. It was the Netherworld that helped me and gave me hope. When I asked them for help, they told me to join the Netherworld first. I have no choice but to follow their orders to save her...”
“Did the Netherworld really treat your daughter?”
An awkward look flashed across Freddie's face.
Sole Wolf spoke with a dark expression. “You're lying, Freddie. Your daughter didn't have an incurable disease. I'm confident that your daughter's long dead, and you're asking them to revive her. You should know what it means to be revived. You allowed the Netherworld to turn your daughter into a zombie? A zombie just like yourself?”
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Lord Protector novel (Zeke Williams)