The barbarians were already retreating, dragging the wounded and the dead, still in shock after the fall of Number Three.

  But one of them stayed behind —

  the same one who had begged for her life before.

  She didn’t move. She remained on her knees, her face streaked with tears, dust, and blood.

  — I have nothing… — her voice broke the silence. — In the Empire, they say even your body can be used as currency.

  Lukas stopped. His heart locked for an instant.

  — If you let me live… — she lifted her trembling eyes, desperate — I could… I would do anything.

  The air seemed to crack.

  The gladius in his hand still dripped fresh blood. The curved shield trembled under the weight of its own echo.

  — You… dare look at me and think I’m that kind of worm? — Lukas’ roar split the air. — You think my mercy can be bought with filth?!

  The girl collapsed forward, her forehead hitting the cold stone.

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  — No! I just… — her voice faltered, sobs tangled with fear. — We… we have a strong sense of gratitude. We always repay in some way. I’m just a survivor… I’ll do anything for my family. I heard people here in the Empire trade everything… I have nothing of value… — she hesitated, breathing short — …but I have my body.

  Lukas froze.

  Mana twisted within him, a dual surge rippling through the air — gold and black, the fusion of César and Morgana.

  The girl shivered under that weight. It wasn’t a normal aura.

  It felt as if light and shadow were fighting for the same space inside a single boy.

  She stepped back, trembling.

  — F-forgive me… I didn’t mean to offend you… please…

  Morgana sighed, her voice dripping with lazy irony.

  — Don’t take it too personally, chocolatinho. Barbarians are blunt about many things — even when they’re trying to dodge trouble or find a suitor. Heh… she’s just following her customs. In despair, the body becomes another bargaining chip.

  Lukas clenched his fists, fury pulsing through his jaw.

  — That’s not culture. That’s despair.

  The girl sobbed harder.

  — It’s… what we do to survive. I just want to see my sister again…

  Morgana laughed, dark and cruel.

  — Ahhh, even in this she reminds me of the other one. I’d put her in chains, make her my jewel at night. Such a waste to let her go, chocolatinho…

  — Silence. — Lukas’ voice came out raw, more to himself than to her.

  Then César’s tone echoed like tempered steel:

  — This isn’t just about her, Lukas. It’s about you. Will you carry the same hatred from your past life… or will you break the cycle now?

  The voice of the shield sounded like metal striking metal.

  — What you decide here will define whether you’re still a man… or just another monster.

  Lukas closed his eyes. The gladius rose slowly.

  The girl held her breath.

  The end seemed certain.

  But the strike never came.

  With a sharp click, Lukas sheathed the blade and turned his back.

  — Get out of my sight. — His voice was a storm contained. — Today you live. But never again offer me something like that.

  The girl collapsed into tears — this time, tears of relief.

  Lukas walked on without looking back. Blood dripped from his lips, each drop a reminder of what still burned inside him.

  Killing enemies was easy.

  Defeating himself… that was the war that never ended.

  End of Chapter 42.