The female orc plea for mercy echoed through the room, a haunting sound that would send chills down the soul of any human.
But I was not human, much less had emotions.
I would do whatever it took to get what I wanted, there was no cost to it. Because in my life there was only one ideal, a law embedded in my brain.
I will comment on evil, to defeat the greater evil. Because in this world, compassion is not a weapon, it is not a path and it is not a way out; compassion is the worst flaw of the human race.
Galahad looked at me in terror, his eyes pleading for guidance. But this was my plan from the beginning, if I forced him to watch this scene, I knew that his morality would be fighting in his heart. Galahad Neville had always been a good man, Public Safety Officers were never subjected to atrocious situations, so their souls were pure and their consciences were clear.
But the world we lived in demanded that we be something more. The DSA and its staff had to be willing to be matires, to do things that others wouldn't even consider. Because we were created as harmful tools, we are weapons and our only purpose as such is and always will be to kill, create violence and condemn the living.
I sighed deeply and turned to Urglukha.
—The artifact. Tell me where the artifact is.
Urglukha's eyes flickered with fear and anger, but she remained silent.
I continued.
—You and your people have been robbing the central cities since the day you stepped through the portal. We know they have the weapon. All we want is the location. If you tell us, no one else has to die.
—I-I don't know —Urglukha stammered, her voice shaking with fear.
I narrowed my eyes and clenched my jaw. Amoretti stepped forward, his Oberon raised.
—You're lying —she growled—. Tell us where the artifact is, or your other son dies.
Urglukha's eyes widened in terror and he began to sob.
—Please, I don't know!"
I looked at Amoretti, my eyes tired.
—Do it —I told her.
Amoretti did not hesitate. She raised his weapon and aimed it at the smaller orc's head. Urglukha let out a piercing scream and dug her nails into the wooden floorboards, trying to push herself toward his son.
But before Amoretti could pull the trigger, there was a loud mechanical noise.
—STOP! —a voice ordered.
I turned to see Officer Galahad Neville standing to my left, gun raised.
—You... You don't represent justice! —he said, his voice shaking with rage— You are nothing more than animals with a little power! You have no right to do this!
Galahad's words were like the whispers of a dying man, worthless.
But before we could do anything else, Urglukha attacked me. The force of his blow sent me flying through the air and I crashed into a wooden wall.
When I came to, I saw that chaos had broken out in the room. Amoretti was bleeding from a gunshot wound, and Galahad's weapon ejected a wisp of smoke. The female orc was furious, its fury unleashed.
"Amoretti was shot by Officer Galahad Neville. I was attacked by Urglukha, an orc twice my size."
When I understood my situation, I tried to stand up but my head was throbbing with pain. This was not how I wanted everything to end.
But my analysis was interrupted when Urglukha realized that his attack, unlike what he would have done with any human, failed to decapitate me, she began a charge in my direction.
Instead of evading, the way I could have done without a problem when I realized the violent attack she unleashed on me, I stood still, looking at her.
As she crashed into me like a demon beast would have, I felt overwhelming energy radiating from her body. In a split second, I was lifted into the air, she had me caught in a vise wrench. The force of the grip squeezed the air from my lungs.
—GAAAAAAAAAAAH!
The sound of Urglukha's war cry pierced my eardrums, sending a shock wave of pain through my head. My vision momentarily blurred as my body fought to cope with the lack of oxygen. Urglukha, a living being descended from the world's foremost warrior race, moved her body with remarkable agility and struck me against a wooden table with grace and precision. The impact jarred my bones and I felt the table shatter under me.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
Despite the intense agony, I had the Sentinel suit to thank, as it was taking most of the impact and reducing the pain.
Which gave me time to develop a plan.
For starters, I was face up on the ground as I used my forearm to support Urglukha's neck to prevent his yellow fangs from tearing my face off. Therefore, I needed to get rid of the weight of me first.
I focused my genetically enhanced senses, searching for any weaknesses in his body. So, I saw it. It was a needle-sized vein on the left side of his neck.
With all the strength I mustered from my years of training, I sent a surge of energy into my right arm that was obstructing Urglukha's neck and pushed her back. With the same hand that pushed it, I harnessed the energy and hit the ground with such force that the remains of the wooden table flew into the air. The impact shook the ground and sent a sharp piece of wood up to my head, and then, I used my left hand to grab the piece of wood in the air and retracted it up to Urglukha's neck.
Two seconds. It had all happened in two seconds.
A cascade of black blood fell on my face, filling my nostrils, my eyelids that I closed in time, and my ears. Urglukha's scream changed considerably, instead of the pride she had shown in his howl in heat for me, she was now crying agony.
Still with my eyes closed, I took advantage of the fact that she was sitting on top of me and pushed her with my knees. The moment I did, I could feel her weight through a shock wave and be guided by her screams, creating a path for me to her exact position.
I drew the Oberon with delicacy and speed and put two bullets in his heart.
At that moment, I heard another voice.
—I-I didn't... I didn't mean to! My finger slipped on the trigger and... and I...
It was Galahad crying for forgiveness.
I raised the Oberon's barrel an inch to my left, pulling the trigger more surely than I did on Urglukha.
Galahad didn't speak anymore, he didn't even moan. I assumed the bullet had entered his head.
I waited three seconds for the pumping of blood to come to her senses, my breathing slowing to relax and my sigh expelling the last trace of bloodlust from my system.
I wiped my eyes with my thumb and was finally able to see my surroundings.
It seemed that the second shot at Urglukha was unnecessary, because the first had opened a wound two meters wide and high where her heart was supposed to have been. Her organs fell from the wooden hole below her, creating a crimson cascade of debris as black as coal.
Looking up, I saw that Galahad Neville was gone. From his torso up, he already had absolutely nothing.
—Reinhardt.
My head turned slowly in the direction of her voice and my lifeless eyes fell on her.
—Amoretti.
When I took a step forward, I dropped to one knee. It was only then that I realized that post-traumatic fatigue from having used my improving senses was taking its toll on me.
Despite feeling tons of invisible weight on my shoulders and the natural pain during the cooldown, I dragged myself to Amoretti who was resting on the ground in a large pool of blood.
—Status —I said, lifting the Sentinel uniform from her.
「 Beatrice au Amoretti
Age: 38 years
Female
Status: Deadly.
Details of the physical condition of [Beatrice au Amoretti]: Shot to the liver, perforation of the right blood vessel. Physical recovery is: non-existent.
[Beatrice au Amoretti] has: 23 seconds to live.
22...
21...
20...」
—You've won? —she asked me, tightening her grip on my hand.
I looked at her with disinterest, but answered her immediately.
—Of course, Investigator Amoretti. Did you want me to lose?
She returned my blank stare.
—Of course not. I would have had to go save you, something I obviously wouldn't do.
—This is the first time in all my years of service that someone has used my name.
—Are you thinking of proposing to me because I have?
—Wouldn't you break my leg if I tried?
—Do you see me capable of doing it in my current condition?
—No, you only have ten seconds to live.
When I told her that, her hand began to shake uncontrollably. But despite the reality that she was getting sick, no tears fell from her eyes. Her lack of emotions forbade her that help that all humans have to console themselves.
—So, what are you waiting for?
I didn't think she was serious until I got a closer look at her eyes.
I didn't think I could see another living thing the way I did with Investigator Amoretti.
I had no idea that in this world full of misery and hate, the opportunity to use "that" would actually present itself.
I put my hand in my pocket and took out a rusty and dirty watch, when I opened it, a piece of paper stood up and I expanded it with my trembling hand.
> My dearest Beatrice,
>
>
>
> As I write these words, I feel a deep shame, because the moment of my confession weighs heavily on my conscience. The courage that has finally welled up within me, urging me to reveal my true feelings to you, seems out of place, even inappropriate, considering the circumstances that surround us. The dishonor of my own cowardice burdens me greatly, and I cannot help feeling overwhelmed by a feeling of selfishness that takes possession of my soul.
>
>
>
> Yet despite these feelings of shame and inadequacy, I am forced to tell the truth, for I fear another moment like this will never arise again. Realizing my own ignorance, born of my mortal limitations, and my own folly as a man, has been a heavy load to bear. How could I, in my own stupidity, have been so blind to the depths of my emotions for you, Beatrice? How could I not recognize the deep connection that has blossomed between us?
>
>
>
> It is with a heart brimming with emotion that I bare my soul before you, Beatrice. I am filled with a love that transcends mere words, a passion that burns with an intensity that I can no longer contain. Your presence lights up my days and haunts my nights, and the idea of a life without you by my side is a prospect I can no longer bear to contemplate.
>
>
>
> In your presence, Beatrice, I am very aware of my own shortcomings, my own imperfections. My former ignorance and lack of understanding now appear as bitter regrets gnawing at my conscience. But it is with this new clarity that I kneel before you, humble and vulnerable, to ask for your hand in marriage.
>
>
>
> Beatrice, I am willing to wait, for my love for you knows no bounds, and my desire to make you my wife is unwavering. Your happiness, your well-being and your consent mean everything to me, and I promise to honor and care for you for all eternity, if you decide to accept my humble request.
>
>
>
> The darkness that once enveloped my heart has been dispelled by the light of your love, and I am forever changed. The elegance and sophistication you bring into my life have lifted my existence to new heights, and I am forever grateful for the profound impact you have had on my very being.
>
>
>
> Beatrice, if you decide to accept my proposal, I promise to dedicate my life to making you happy, supporting you in all your endeavors, and loving you with a depth and intensity that words alone cannot express. I promise to be your unwavering companion, your confidant, and your rock in times of storm. With you by my side, I know our journey together will be filled with love, passion, and unwavering devotion.
>
>
>
> My dearest Beatrice au Amoretti, I am honored by your presence in my life, and I am honored to have the opportunity to call you my own. I await your response with bated breath, hoping against hope that you will choose to be my loving wife and grant me the privilege of spending the rest of my days in your company.
>
>
>
> Yours forever, Reinhardt Rosemont.
>
>
I picked up her delicate hand and realized how fragile she looked. Then I took it to my cold and dry lips, and kissed it.
—I hope you heard my words, Investigator Amoretti.
Her eyes were closed deeply.
But the smile on her lips maybe told me something...