I JUST WANT A PEACEFUL LIFE

While Duke Jacob and Duchess Amberblaze do their own task, King Leon does not stay idle either. Currently, he is already back inside Frostfall Castle. In front of him, Count Otebon Flamewaver is kneeling on the ground while restrained with various enchanted chains.

"Let's get this done. Did you betray me, Otebon?" asked King Leon coldly.

"I am sorry, Your Majesty." said Otebon gloomily.

"*Sigh* Fine. Let's change the question. Did the extermination squad belong to you or me?" asked King Leon.

Hearing this question, Otebon knows the meaning behind this question. As the intelligence and counter-spy squad, the extermination squad is unique and different from any other squad.

It emphasizes not only strong military power and intelligence gathering but also absolute loyalty toward King Leon. Like the shadow squad, which has strict requirements, the extermination squad has various strict requirements, especially for higher-ranking members.

Most members must sign a strict soul-bound contract to be loyal to the Heart Kingdom's king. In other words, their life and death is in King Leon's hand. This is also why King Leon didn't truly mind Otebon's betrayal.

However, it didn't mean Otebon couldn't find any loophole in this contract. As the leader of the Extermination Squad, Otebon could easily smuggle Guardian members or other people who are not bound by the contract.

With this method, Otebon could slowly overpower the one who had already signed the contract and make the whole squad unbound to King Leon's control.

*BOOOM* When Otebon didn't answer his question, King Leon angrily hit the bound Otebon to the ground.

"Fuck you, Otebon!!" cursed King Leon in anger.

Compared to Otebon's betrayal, King Leon is more furious about the hidden mole inside the Extermination Squad. Who knows how much effort and work is needed to clean the squad.

Moreover, the Extermination Squad is also a hidden intelligence organization. They couldn't just call back every member and do the inspection. It is like revealing that they belong to the Extermination Squad.

At that time, the Heart Kingdom counter-spy and intelligent network will be truly disabled. Once it is truly disabled, King Leon knows it will take at least a few years to recover. In those years, he knew the whole Heart Kingdom would be vulnerable and lost in the information war.

Fortunately, Otebon is also not crazy enough to involve the outsiders. King Leon still knows well about Otebon's nature towards outsiders despite his betrayal. Otebon would prefer he dies than let outsiders win and get benefits.

King Leon grabbed the bleeding and wounded Otebon on the ground.

"Otebon, I don't care if you want to die or whatnot later. But, do your job properly this time. I want you to kill those that are not signing the contract. Every single one of them must die." said King Leon furiously.

As the Extermination Squad leader, Otebon should know who is contracted. King Leon even hoped Otebon would keep the name list.

Hearing King Leon's order, the gloomy Otebon flinched a little bit. This momentary change of expression was noticed by King Leon.

"Don't be stubborn, Otebon!! You know exactly how dangerous those guys are. Who knows when they will reveal information to other nations. They probably did it now when they heard about the situation here." said King Leon.

"...." Otebon is still not answering and seems to be thinking hard.

"Otebon!! Is this the Otebon that I know?! The one that prefers to die than let those other nations win?!!" said King Leon again.

Hearing this, Otebon opens his mouth before closing it again. It is as if he made the hardest decision in his life.

"My family… Please spare them." said Otebon while bowing his head.

King Leon was surprised at the sudden revelation. He didn't expect Otebon to involve his family in the Extermination Squad.

'No wonder he is very indecisive. What a headache!!' grumbled King Leon inwardly.

"How many?" asked King Leon.

"Five. There are five of them, including my wife." replied Otebon.

"Five? Don't tell me it is all your family?" asked King Leon.

"Yes." replied Otebon shortly.

"Otebon, are you fucking nuts?!! Did you think the Extermination squad is a playground?" rebuked King Leon.

King Leon and Otebon know how dangerous the Extermination squad work is, especially the one that stays undercover. Yet, Otebon still dares to send his family inside.

"I don't have any choice!! Either they become an extermination squad or guardians!! Those who enter Guardian will never survive. Their ending is only a fight to the death. I… I can't send my family to death. I don't have any choice!!" said Otebon with a struggle.

"It is either this or send them to their death." added Otebon with tears.

Everyone knows how much struggle and pain it is for Otebon to make this decision. When a hard bone man shows tears, it is not because they are weak but because they already bear too much pain. King Leon also knew of Otebon's struggle and didn't comment on his decision.

King Leon closed his eyes briefly before opening it up as if he had already made his verdict.

"Clean up those uncontracted ones." stated King Leon coldly before walking past Otebon.

Hearing his verdict, Otebon feels like getting an execution order.

"For your family, I leave their decision in your hand… Don't disappoint me anymore, my old friend." added King Leon before leaving the room.

"Yes... Thank you, Your Majesty." said Otebon while kneeling and bowing his head.

Leaving the room, King Leon was immediately briefed by his adjutant on various kingdom matters. At this moment, they notice a petite young girl looking around as if searching for something.

Noticing the young girl, "You there?! State your name and business?" said one of the Royal Guard.

"Err… I.. I am sorry. My name is Aulia Di.. Aulia Dipo. I just want to go to the kitchen to fetch some water." replied the petite girl.

"You made the wrong way. The kitchen is on the other side of the hall on the first…" said the Royal Guard sternly.

"Wait… What's your name again?" asked King Leon.

"Ahh.. Aulia Di.. Dipo." replied Aulia nervously.

"No, you are not. The Dipo family was already extinct long ago." said King Leon.

"I.. I am adopted." said Aulia.

"Hm?? Tell me, did you get adopted by an old man or a burly middle-aged man?" asked King Leon.

"Err… I was adopted by Patimura Dipo." replied Aulia in confusion.

"I know… Is it the burly middle-aged man or the old man." asked King Leon again.

"My stepfather is a burly middle-aged man." replied Aulia.

Hearing this, King Leon seems to have lost interest in Aulia. Ignoring her, King Leon returns to focus on the report in his hand and walks away without saying anything. A lot of work still needs to be done for the Everwhite evacuation.

Not only did he need to prepare land for living, but King Leon also needed to consider their living conditions, culture, society, and many other things. All of this needs his decision as the ruler of the whole nation.

Seeing King Leon ignoring her, Aulia couldn't help but be downcast and walked away slowly. She is lost in this castle since it is her first time coming here. However, she is also not stupid to not know who King Leon is.

Living in a dangerous political circle at Everwhite, she knows how to judge someone by their behavior and appearance. Aulia could notice King Leon giving a vibe as her own stepfather. She knows this person is not only strong but a true leader.

Aulia thought she could at least get in contact with King Leon to change her life and escape from being a political puppet.

'*Sigh* Forget about it. But, why the old man… Wait, come to think of it. The one that was saved before is an old man.' thought Aulia.

Curious by the old man's identity, Aulia mustered up courage and turned back to approach King Leon again. Her sudden change was also noticed by the Royal Guard. They immediately take out their weapon and stop Aulia.

"Stop!! What are you doing?!!" said the Royal Guard coldly.

"Erm… I want to ask who the old man is that his excellency talked about," said Aulia.

"Go back now. His Majesty is busy now." replied the Royal Guard.

"Err… I just need to ask for a moment. I promise after that, I will walk away. This is important for me." said Aulia.

Unfortunately, the stern Royal Guard didn't buy it and even pointed their weapon toward Aulia. This small commotion also attracted King Leon in the distance. With his perception, he could easily hear what Aulia said from a distance.

"Hold on. Let her come." ordered King Leon from afar.

Hearing this, the Royal Guard lets the girl approach King Leon.

"T-Thank you, Your Excellency." said Aulia.

"Speak. I don't have a lot of time. You said the old man I talked about is important to you." said King Leon.

"Y-Yes. When I was a child, I was saved by an unknown old man from Gram. Later, that old man gave me to my stepfather to care for before he adopted me. However, I don't know the old man's name or identity. I never had a chance to thank him." explained Aulia.

"Ahh… I am sorry. I don't know if this is the same old man that his excellency talked about." added Aulia in a hurry.