Chapter 357

Michael’s fighting style was undoubtedly a path to death.

Loretta narrowed her eyes slightly and shouted coldly, “You want to die? I’ll grant your wish!”

She hurled the meteor hammer in her hand toward Michael. With a loud clang, he narrowly dodged it, and the heavy weapon smashed hard into the bronze incense burner inside the hall.

Seeing this, the surrounding bandits rushed forward to besiege Michael.

But he didn’t stop moving. His body spun low to the ground, and the muddy soles of his boots carried a vicious gust of wind as he kicked fiercely into the side of a knife-wielding bandit’s knee.

A crisp snap echoed.

The bandit collapsed with a scream, falling to his knees. Michael snatched up the dropped blade in one fluid motion.

Now wielding the stolen guillotine saber, Michael’s momentum shifted dramatically.

Two bandits charging in front met bloody ends. One had his chest torn open to the bone, screaming as he was flung back. The other had his axe-wielding arm severed at the elbow. The dismembered arm and axe hit the floor as blood spurted wildly.

The pungent smell of blood quickly filled the hall.

Michael, like a provoked wild beast, only attacked, never defended, wounding others by a thousand at the cost of eight hundred to himself.

He dealt devastating blows at the cost of grievous wounds.

Blood dripped from the hem of his clothes, turning him into a man bathed in crimson.

With such a reckless, death-defying style, no one dared to confront him head-on.

Even Marquita didn’t come out unscathed. A long gash had been carved into her arm, blood dripping steadily.

She glared murderously. “You really do want to die!”

Leaping high into the air, she swung her meteor hammer straight down at Michael’s head.

But he was already exhausted. He had no strength left to dodge the deadly strike.

Suddenly, he dropped his weapon, accepting death.

“Stop!” A soft but firm voice echoed, and the meteor hammer halted mid-swing, swiftly recoiling.

Marquita turned reluctantly toward the source, her expression changing as she respectfully bowed. “Your Highness.”

That voice sounded familiar.

Michael’s eyes flew open. Sure enough, Nicolas had appeared before him.

And behind him stood Joseph and Matthew.

But what stunned him the most was the elegantly-dressed figure following them, Willow.

She was looking at him, full of worry.

“What… what is going on here?” Michael was dazed. He thought the Monson family and Willow had been exiled.

He started to wonder if Azure Fort was established by Nicolas.

Countless questions surged in his mind. He stared blankly at the man walking toward him, utterly lost.

Nicolas stepped forward and gave a courteous bow. “Michael, long time no see.”

He was still as gentle as before, as if the Monson family’s tragedy had never touched him.

But Michael knew. Everything had changed.

Everyone here treated him with reverence. They called him “Your Highness.”

“You’re not curious why we’re here?” Nicolas finally broke the silence when Michael didn’t respond.

Michael laughed bitterly. “What difference does it make? You and I are no longer on the same path. Now that I’ve fallen into your hands, I admit defeat.”

He tossed his weapon aside, eyes full of despair. “Do whatever you want. Kill me if you must.”

Seeing him like this didn’t surprise Nicolas. But Willow’s eyes welled with tears.

She whispered, “Michael, do you not care about me anymore?”

Michael glanced at her indifferently. “We are no longer husband and wife. What’s the point of dwelling on the past?”

His gaze was full of mockery. He should have seen it sooner.

Nicolas had always loved Willow. How laughable that he once believed it was merely sibling affection.

No man risked his life for someone who was merely a stepsister.

“Michael, stay here, please. Let’s live like we used to. Wouldn’t that be good?” Willow, though she had once hated him for being cold, had over time begun to remember all the warmth he had shown her. It hurt to recall.

She stepped forward with pleading eyes. “Stay in the stronghold. Let’s live as before. Wouldn’t that be nice?”

“You two?” Michael sneered, eyes darting between her and Nicolas. “And what would I be? Your husband or your brother?”

That one sentence left Willow beet red and speechless. Lowering her head in embarrassment, she murmured, “It doesn’t matter. I don’t want to lose you or Nicolas. If the three of us could be together like before, wouldn’t that be perfect?”

Her words made Michael’s blood boil with rage. “To hell with your ‘perfect’ solution! Even if I’ve fallen, I still know what shame and decency are! You two siblings, yet you did such disgraceful things. You want me to join in your filth? Disgusting!”

A heavy blow struck the back of his knee.

Unable to withstand it, Michael collapsed to the ground, eyes full of defiance. “Just kill me already. I don’t want to see any of you ever again.”

“Stop! Do not harm him,” Nicolas commanded sharply.

“Your Highness, he was insolent. I couldn’t stand it,” Marquita protested.

Nicolas waved a hand calmly. “That’s just his nature. It’s fine.”

Marquita sulked and stomped off, unwilling to interfere further.

Matthew and Joseph took turns trying to persuade Michael. “Michael, you’re a disgraced criminal now. Rising again is hard. Why keep serving that dog of an emperor? Join us. Eat and drink your fill. Wouldn’t that be freedom?”

“Exactly, Michael!” Joseph added excitedly. “You’re so powerful. With you on our side, we can take over cities in no time. Once our army grows, we’ll storm Pidence City and make that dog emperor pay!”

Neither of them showed any remorse, only naked ambition.

Willow stepped forward timidly, tears in her eyes. “Michael, come with us. Your father and mother died so unjustly…”

“What did you say?” Michael stiffened, slowly turning his head toward her, eyes bloodshot like a trapped beast.

“Your parents. They were killed by government soldiers,” Willow sobbed. “I heard it with my own ears. The deaths of your parents. If big brother hadn’t arrived in time, I would’ve died too…”

Michael stood frozen like a statue, eyes wide in shock.

It was Athena who bribed the officers. She ordered…

Willow seized Michael’s hand, her voice trembling with desperation. “Michael,” she pleaded between sobs, “Your parents… they were brutally murdered. It’s all my fault. I was useless, I couldn’t protect them…”

Michael stared blankly at the ground, his eyes hollow as if his soul had been ripped away.

As Willow leaned in again, Michael’s hands shot out and clamped around her throat in a brutal, vice-like grip.