Chapter 30 - The Price of Knowledge

Evee’s eyes shot open to the sound of a loud commotion piercing the stillness of her room. Her body jolted as the door swung violently on its hinges, slamming against the wall. Instinctively, she reached out for Justina, only to find the other side of the bed cold and empty. Panic set in as she stumbled to her cloak, patting it down twice with trembling hands before realizing the book was missing.

Taking a deep, steadying breath, Evee composed herself and stepped out into the corridor. The noise grew louder, chaotic voices merging into an unintelligible roar. As she emerged into the open, her heart sank. A mob had gathered, their anger palpable, faces twisted with rage and betrayal. At the forefront stood Justina, gripping the book high above her head like a trophy. By their reactions, it was clear they had some idea of the book’s contents.

“We won’t stand by and watch you use us as your playthings anymore!” Justina roared, her voice cutting through the chaos. The crowd erupted in agreement, their collective anger washing over Evee like a tidal wave. Still groggy from her interrupted nap, Evee wiped at her eyes, trying to focus.

“Elaborate,” Evee commanded, her voice calm but firm. The mob fell silent, captivated by the weight of her authority.

Justina turned to them, raising the book even higher. “Everything is in here! Everything! The past, the present, and even the future. We are nothing but pawns in her game!” Her voice quaked with righteous fury. “You all saw how she turned the others away to die. It was because this stupid book told her to! And guess what? This isn’t the end of it. I’ve read as much as I could, and countless more will be sacrificed if we don’t put an end to this… to her!” The crowd cheered her on, their approval like fuel to a fire.

“No! Not anymore,” Justina declared. She snatched a torch from someone in the mob and held it to the book. Flames licked at the edges of the pages before consuming it entirely. Evee watched, frozen, as the book—and the future it contained—turned to ash. For the first time in a long while, she felt powerless. She could annihilate them all in a heartbeat, but she couldn’t protect those who didn’t want her protection.

The panic coursing through her veins was hidden beneath a mask of false composure. As the crowd jeered and protested, Evee’s gaze fell on Sofie, standing in the front row, her innocent eyes wide with uncertainty.

“Is it true?” Sofie asked, her small voice trembling, doubt and belief warring within her expression.

“Yes,” Evee admitted quietly. “Do you want to go on a road trip? I’ll explain along the way.” When Sofie nodded hesitantly, Evee took her hand and began walking through the crowd. The protesters parted like water before them, their shouts fading into silence. The soldiers at the gates opened them without question, and Evee left Corpsehaven hand in hand with Sofie, offering no explanation to those she left behind.

Meanwhile, at the heart of the city, different scene unfolded. All ships attempting to enter Corpsehaven without a Baron’s approval had been turned away or destroyed—save for one. It was neither a military vessel nor a merchant ship but a research craft, carrying a crew of scientists from the mainland.

Upon their arrest, the crew was bound and transported to Hound, who had made himself at home in the city’s core. They were lined up in his living room, their wrists chained as Hound lounged casually on a sofa across from them. His sharp eyes swept over the group, his expression one of mild curiosity.

Among them was Vorn, the sole creator of the relay core. He spoke first, his voice trembling with disbelief. “W-what happened here?” The perplexity in his tone was undeniable. “River was a place of peace and prosperity, not… this…”

Hound leaned forward slightly, his gaze piercing. “Who are you, and what is the reason for your travels?” His voice carried a weight that silenced the murmurs of the crew.

Vorn hesitated before responding. “I am Vorn, of the family Biken. I came for a visit.”

“What kind of visit requires a team of scientists?” Hound asked, his tone deceptively calm.

One of the scientists chuckled nervously. “The kind that’s none of your business,” he joked, attempting to lighten the mood.

The sound of steel piercing flesh shattered the tension. A spear impaled the speaker, the force breaking bone as it tore through his spine and emerged from his torso. Blood spilled in a sickening rush, pooling beneath him as his wide, panicked eyes darted around the room. His hands instinctively pressed against the wound, slick with his own blood.

“Thank you for your donation,” Hound said, bowing his head mockingly. “Binge was starting to get hungry. Take him downstairs.”

The seer holding the spear retracted it with a gruesome squelch, spraying blood in an arc across the room. He dragged the scientist’s still-conscious body across the floor, leaving a crimson trail that ended at a heavy door. The scientist’s feeble struggles ceased as the door shut with a resounding thud.

Cleaners emerged from the shadows, moving with practiced efficiency. In minutes, they had erased all traces of the gruesome act. The remaining scientists stood frozen, their faces pale, their breaths shallow. No one dared to speak.

“Now, where were we?” Hound said, his voice as calm as if nothing had happened.