Chapter 59: What price are you willing to pay?

Wanting to survive…

Vis paused in the middle of wrapping the bandage.

He had heard those words too many times before.

From the thief’s blade, from the claws of the aberration, from the edge of a crumbling cliff.

Each time, they came either with heart-wrenching cries or the overwhelming stench of blood.

But never like this.

There was no immediate threat around, only a deathly silence and a woman kneeling on the ground.

Not a savior.

More like a judge.

This feeling of having his life and death completely controlled by someone else—Vis was experiencing it for the very first time.

His gaze settled on Morfiana.

The female knight who had wielded her sword against him not long ago now bore such a sincere wish to live.

When it came to “wishes,” no one in this world could lie in front of Vis.

No matter how polished the words, no matter how masked the expression.

The “wish power” rising steadily from Morfiana was the most honest proof.

The glowing motes grew brighter and brighter, from scattered fireflies converging into a brilliant Milky Way.

So bright, it could almost be called dazzling.

Vis narrowed his eyes.

This was a substantial amount of “wish power.”

(She truly wants to live…)

Vis let out a faint sigh in his heart.

Having seen so much, he naturally knew how to tell the difference.

Among the desire to survive, there was a vast gulf.

Some were simply afraid of dying, crying out, “I want to live.”

Others bore burdens they could not abandon, and so, “must not die.”

The former were cowardly wails, the latter firm convictions.

Those who feared death might resort to any means to survive, showing all manner of disgrace.

But those who chose to walk on for unfinished beliefs—Vis regarded that as the true meaning of “survival.”

Of course, to him, whether it was conviction or cowardice, wish or obsession,

it all ultimately turned into one thing.

The abundant “wish power” emanating from Morfiana caused a momentary stir in Vis’s heart.

Seeing Vis remain silent, expressionless as he stared at her, Morfiana’s heart sank little by little.

She shifted forward on her knees, bowed her head deeply, her forehead almost touching the cold ground.

“I know I have done unforgivable things to you.”

Her voice trembled uncontrollably.

“I once raised my sword against you, nearly killing you. I have no right, no face to ask for your forgiveness. You can punish me in any way—even if it means living worse than death, I will accept it all. I only hope… I only hope Mr. Vis can give me a chance to live.”

She raised her head, tears blurring her eyes, yet stubbornly kept looking at Vis.

“For the Heinetionshu family, for my sister, I cannot die yet.”

Ah… family.

Vis understood clearly now.

So that was it.

She seemed to be a woman with a strong sense of responsibility, burdened by her family.

Otherwise, such a huge surge of “wish power” would not have erupted at this moment.

Vis deliberately cast a scrutinizing glance over her from head to toe.

“I’m a mercenary, and I have indeed taken many requests. Saving people from peril—though it sounds boastful, that’s more or less how it is.” Some are unfortunate, some lack ability.”

He shifted his tone, his gaze sharpening.

“But you’re trapped in danger because of yourself. If you want to be saved now, only you can save yourself.”

Hearing this, Morfiana raised her head in confusion, her eyes full of bewilderment.

Save herself?

Right now, with nothing left but her life, how could she save herself?

“Besides, honestly reporting on the purge of the Aberration Tide and its results is Tisa’s duty and responsibility as the squad leader.”

He glanced at the girl soldier captain standing motionless nearby like a statue.

“Your request now is to live, yes, but it’s asking someone to betray the mission and loyalty of a soldier. Do you understand that?”

Morfiana followed his gaze toward Lortisa, the girl captain with an indifferent expression, who nodded slightly at Vis’s words.

That nod shattered the last shred of hope in Morfiana’s heart.

She instantly understood Vis’s meaning.

This plea for survival not only troubled Vis but forced the loyal squad leader to betray her own stance.

The female knight’s face paled instantly. She immediately lowered her head deeply, shame filling her voice.

“I understand. I made an excessive request. If you two don’t agree, that’s only natural. I suppose it’s fate. No matter the outcome, I will accept it calmly—that is what I deserve.”

Though she said so, her body remained kneeling, unmoving.

“But before that, I still… still hope Mr. Vis will reconsider…”

Her voice grew smaller and smaller, almost inaudible, leaving only a suppressed sob.

Seeing her pitiful plea, Vis once again turned his gaze to Lortisa.

The girl soldier captain maintained her indifferent demeanor, as if everything happening was unrelated to her.

Yet Vis caught a faint flicker beneath her lowered eyelids.

Perhaps it was hope?

Most likely just an illusion.

Vis withdrew his gaze, thinking no more.

Come to think of it, Morfiana was indeed a pitiful person.

She became a knight for the honor of her family, only to end up under a despicable knight commander.

Blindly obeying orders, forced to act as the white glove for dirty deeds.

By the time she came to her senses, she found herself not far from death.

People like her—

Yes, they were commonly called cannon fodder.

Vis let out a soft sigh.

“I am no good person…”

Hearing that, the faint light just kindled in Morfiana’s eyes dimmed instantly.

It was as if the last bit of strength supporting her entire body had been drained.

She went limp and collapsed onto the ground.

But both Vis and Lortisa could see clearly.

On that cold and pale face was no trace of resentment—only a deathly, dejected release.

However, Vis’s words were not yet finished.

“As you see, I’m a mercenary.”

His voice sounded again.

“Just like the common impression, mercenaries work for pay.”

The sudden change of tone made the kneeling female knight jerk her head up, blinking her tear-filled eyes.

Vis continued in a matter-of-fact tone.

“You want to live—that is your contract, and I have clearly heard it. But, to live, what price are you willing to pay?”