The General’s Cruel Game

Bo Aibiyi stood nervously in General Baro’s room, leaning on his cane. Since General Baro had not granted him permission to sit, Bo Aibiyi dared not take a seat on his own accord. He wouldn’t even venture to speak of the matters he had prepared to report until given leave to do so.

General Baro was a tall, middle-aged man. His imposing, robust physique was barely contained by his crisp military uniform. His chin was clean-shaven, but a neatly trimmed, two-part mustache adorned his upper lip, giving him a distinctly gentlemanly air. While not conventionally handsome, his presence was undeniably formidable. His brown hair was styled into a meticulously slicked-back coiffure, lending him an overall aura of severe solemnity.

At this moment, the stern General Baro’s lips curved into a slight, enigmatic smile as he gazed at Bo Aibiyi with an expression that Bo Aibiyi found utterly unfathomable. Despite the recent death of General Baro’s only son, Bo Aibiyi could discern not a single trace of grief in the general’s demeanor. ‘How terrifying,’ Bo Aibiyi thought. ‘This man is truly terrifying.’ A pang of regret struck him. He should have prepared more thoroughly before seeking an audience with General Baro, perhaps even secured those two blades first and presented them as an offering. Then, he wouldn’t be trapped in such a precarious and awkward situation.

“Bo Aibiyi,” General Baro began, his gaze still unsettlingly inscrutable, “I am curious. Ten days ago, I dispatched a team to investigate the Velsen Forest. It consisted of four High-tier Grand Swordsmen, one Novice Spellthief, and you, a Peak-tier Archmage. What precisely transpired that led to only you surviving? This, my first question.”

“Ge-General Baro,” Bo Aibiyi stammered, his voice filled with feigned sincerity and profound humility, “we journeyed to the heart of the Velsen Forest without incident, and with the young master, we located the area to be investigated. However, shortly thereafter… we were attacked by swarms of Laughing Bears.”

He continued, “The peculiar thing was that it was daytime. During daylight hours, when the Balyaas Rabbit, the true overlord of the Velsen Forest, holds sway, the Laughing Bears, which typically only move at night, appeared and assaulted us! We were vastly outnumbered. Everyone perished in that fierce battle, and I, your subordinate, barely escaped with severe injuries, my magic utterly depleted!” He spoke quickly, attempting to absolve himself of all blame.

“Oh,” General Baro mused, stroking his chin thoughtfully. “Is that so? You must have endured quite a hardship, Bo Aibiyi. Now, for my second question: did you find any results concerning the matter I tasked you to investigate?”

“Yes! Yes!” Bo Aibiyi exclaimed, a slight tremor of relief easing his previously anxious heart, as General Baro’s questions seemed remarkably straightforward. “We discovered these items within those ruins! The young master believed they would surely bring you great pleasure, General Baro!” He hastily untied the small satchel at his side and respectfully placed it on the table before General Baro. Inside were the objects recovered from the ruins in the Velsen Forest’s core.

General Baro did not reach for the satchel. Instead, he rose to his feet, straightened his military uniform, and walked to the window. With a finger, he drew back the blackout curtain, casting a glance at the scenery outside.

“Very good, Bo Aibiyi. You’ve done well,” General Baro stated, one hand behind his back while the other continued to toy with the curtain. His eyes remained fixed on the view outside, a relaxed expression on his face, as if he had spotted something amusing. “Now, for my third question. I hope your answer will satisfy me.”

Hearing General Baro’s words, Bo Aibiyi’s heart swelled with excitement. It seemed his path to wealth and glory was now within reach. Full of anticipation, Bo Aibiyi awaited General Baro’s third question.

“Bo Aibiyi,” General Baro asked with a disconcertingly casual air, uttering words of unimaginable cruelty, “do you wish to remain whole in death, or would you prefer to die without pain?”

“Ge-General Baro… this…” Bo Aibiyi, whose face had instantly turned ashen upon hearing General Baro’s words, took an involuntary step forward. Despite the horror, a sliver of hope lingered in his heart that the general was merely jesting, as if seeking confirmation.

“Indeed, Bo Aibiyi,” General Baro confirmed, his previously relaxed tone abruptly turning sinister. “That is the third question. Therefore, while my mood remains agreeable, retract your unclean foot. And by the way, I expect an answer that satisfies me.” Bo Aibiyi instinctively pulled back the leg he had advanced.

“Oh, and since you’re still hesitating,” General Baro added, slowly moving from the bedside to stand directly before Bo Aibiyi. His towering height allowed him to look down imperiously at Bo Aibiyi, who was leaning on his cane. “Perhaps I should tell you a few more things.”

“You are aware of Lord Domu, the ‘Silver Reaper,’ whose reputation has been soaring recently, aren’t you?” General Baro spoke slowly. “I heard that not long ago, he completed a task commissioned by Mr. Tule, the wealthiest merchant in the Norachi Kingdom.”

Bo Aibiyi’s heart jolted at the mention of Domu’s name, yet he still couldn’t grasp the connection.

“That task,” General Baro revealed, “was to capture the overlord of the Velsen Forest, the Balyaas Rabbit.”

‘The Balyaas Rabbit!’ Bo Aibiyi’s mind raced. ‘Then the one that little girl named Dove was leading earlier must have been the genuine forest overlord! And most likely, Domu gifted that overlord to the little girl; they must share some special connection.’ A cold sweat broke out on Bo Aibiyi’s back at the realization. He counted himself fortunate for not having provoked that little girl. Otherwise, he would have likely met an even swifter demise than his current predicament promised, dire as it was.

“However, one fact that most people are unaware of,” General Baro continued, “is that the Balyaas Rabbit, the overlord of the Velsen Forest, is a parthenogenic creature. It produces only one offspring per birth, and then the mother dies. Thus, there can only ever be one Balyaas Rabbit in the Velsen Forest.” After speaking, General Baro fixed his gaze on Bo Aibiyi’s eyes, seemingly eager to observe his reaction, deriving pleasure from the unfolding realization.

‘So that’s it… that’s how it is…’ Bo Aibiyi finally understood. There was only one Balyaas Rabbit, and that sole creature had long since been captured from the Velsen Forest by Domu, the “Silver Reaper.” That was why he and his companions had encountered swarms of Laughing Bears in broad daylight; the Balyaas Rabbit, which had suppressed them, was gone. ‘But why… why did General Baro, knowing all this, still send… send… us to our deaths?’ Bo Aibiyi stared at the tall man before him with an expression of utter incomprehension.

As expected, General Baro discerned an unmistakable blend of shock and terror in Bo Aibiyi’s eyes. It was akin to a drowning person believing they had miraculously grasped a lifeline, only to discover that the “straw” was, in fact, the tooth of a devouring leviathan from the depths below.

“What reason would I have to allow someone with no blood relation to me to continue existing as my son?” General Baro said, slowly retaking his seat on the sofa, crossing his legs, and smiling. “So, I simply sewed a few pieces of honeycomb, the Laughing Bears’ favorite, into the clothes I gave him. Then, I assigned him a seemingly straightforward task, sending him into the Velsen Forest. As for the others, they were merely there to lend an air of authenticity to the affair.”

He continued, “However, I truly didn’t anticipate, Bo Aibiyi, that you are quite exceptional, possessing considerable talent. Regrettably, I no longer have need of it.”

“Now then, my dear Bo Aibiyi, please make your choice swiftly.” General Baro’s voice held a faint edge of impatience, completely disregarding the still-stunned expression on Bo Aibiyi’s face.

Bo Aibiyi finally understood. He, like all the others, had been merely a pawn, discarded by General Baro. Yet, unexpectedly, this pawn of fortune had managed to escape the trap General Baro had set. ‘Indeed, I am truly blessed by the Goddess of Fortune,’ he thought. ‘I survived, and I will live even better in the future!’ As this thought solidified, the fear vanished from Bo Aibiyi’s face, replaced by a grotesque, twisted smile.

General Baro observed Bo Aibiyi’s sudden, contorted smile. Though slightly perplexed, he remained unconcerned. Regardless, the man before him was already marked for death; it was merely a matter of time. Still, with a moment to spare, General Baro was curious to witness what struggles this dying man would attempt.

“General Baro,” Bo Aibiyi began, speaking each word he had meticulously considered, “your subordinate knows that his life is entirely in your hands. However, you must also be aware of my talents. Prior to this, I was unaware of the young master’s true nature. That is why I would never have dared to return to Morgan City if I didn’t possess information that could compel you to spare my life.”

“Well done, Bo Aibiyi,” General Baro remarked, raising an eyebrow. “You’ve finally gotten to the point. I was wondering how you dared return to Morgan City if you weren’t acting with such brazen confidence.” He clapped his hands together lightly in front of him, a gesture of praise.

“Thank you for your praise, General Baro,” Bo Aibiyi replied, now devoid of fear. Believing himself blessed by fortune, he harbored no doubt that General Baro would accept his proposition. “However, the information I possess is of paramount importance. I will not reveal a single word unless my safety is guaranteed. General Baro, please consider this carefully. Do not make a decision you will regret for the rest of your life.”

“Are you… negotiating with me, Bo Aibiyi?” General Baro leaned forward, his eyes, sharp as a hawk’s, fixed on Bo Aibiyi. “A decision you’ll regret for your entire life? Hahahaha~ Most amusing, Bo Aibiyi, most amusing.” He then burst into laughter, clutching his stomach, even as he made his promise to Bo Aibiyi. “I agree. If your intelligence can even slightly surprise me, I will not only spare your life but also reward you! How does that sound?”

“General Baro,” Bo Aibiyi said, looking at the still-laughing general, “it’s not that your subordinate distrusts you, but this matter is of grave importance. Please allow me to draft a Soul Pact.”

“Heheheh… very well, Bo Aibiyi,” General Baro replied with a chilling tone upon hearing Bo Aibiyi’s proposal. “However, if you are merely attempting to stall for time, I wouldn’t mind allowing you to experience the most agonizing form of death imaginable.”

Bo Aibiyi used magic to draft a Soul Pact. General Baro scrutinized it carefully before signing his name.

“You will absolutely not be disappointed, General Baro,” Bo Aibiyi declared, his excitement barely contained as he gazed at the general’s signature. “Your subordinate guarantees that this information is truly invaluable!” His life was secure, and wealth and glory were now within his grasp.

“Stop beating around the bush, Bo Aibiyi,” General Baro said, tapping the table with his hand. The sound roused Bo Aibiyi from his delighted reverie, as he had been foolishly grinning at the Soul Pact. “My patience has its limits.”

“It’s a divine artifact… General Baro!” Bo Aibiyi exclaimed, his eyes bloodshot as he stared into General Baro’s. Remembering the dazzling, almost golden light that had compelled him to kneel, he spoke with fervent zeal. “I saw it with my own abilities… a divine artifact!”