Chapter 41: The Shadow Family
Edward reached the tavern, but he didn't find the usual clamr or clinking of glasses; instead, he was met with a haunting silence broken only by the groans of the wounded. The place was in ruins—shattered wood mingled with the scent of blood and gunpowder, as if a hurricane of malice had swept through every corner. It wasn't just an attack; it was a formal declaration of war.
Edward moved with a calculated coldness, inspecting the faces strewn across the floor. He immediately issued orders to transport the wounded to the hospital and ensure everyone received medical care. Some bodies were already lifeless, others were fighting their final breath, while a few escaped with only minor injuries. Amidst the wreckage, he finally found Silas.
Silas was tattered, his body riddled with wounds. When he saw Edward, he tried to rise with great difficulty, whispering in a broken voice: "I am sorry, sir... I have failed you. I could not complete the tasks you assigned me, nor could I protect this place."
Edward placed a hand on Silas's shoulder, looking into his eyes with a gaze filled with both compassion and sternness. He said: "Do not grieve, Silas, and do not burden yourself with blame. You performed your duty with honor. Know this well: you are not just a subordinate. You and everyone under my command are my true family. The blood of my family is my most precious possession, and it shall not be shed in vain. I will avenge you all."
With tears mixing with blood, Silas began to recount the story: "It started when we began our expansion. Some didn't like it, while others ignored it. The small gangs we absorbed weren't the obstacle, but after what happened to the 'Ravencroft' family, everything changed. By the next day, hostility escalated, and skirmishes turned into massacres. The family recruited our old enemies, promising lavish rewards to anyone who helped destroy us. Everyone split; some became open enemies, others chose silence and neutrality, but the greatest shock was our allies who betrayed us, and those who stayed provided no support whatsoever."
Edward let out a short laugh—a cold laugh devoid of any mirth—and said: "Rest now, Silas, and leave matters in my hands. You have done enough and endured much. Thank you for your loyalty."
Edward stood up, adjusted his coat, and turned to Toula, who stood behind him like a dark shadow. He spoke in a tone dripping with resolve: "Let's go, Toula... we have much to accomplish, and today, everyone will learn the price of touching my family