"My uncle's been playing me like a piano," Albus stated, looking downcast. "So I'm gonna have to ask you to forget what you saw tonight. Just walk away. My uncle is involved with both me and that group Cormac runs."

As Tibaut sat at the other end of the table he had to process everything Albus told. His face wasn't peachy either and he looked deep in contemplation.

"Listen, I'll arrange for you and your group to leave tomorrow. Don't worry about the payment, I'll make sure it works out." Albus stated. He moved back his chair from under the table.

Tibaut could still feel the pain of the brawl from yesterday with Cormac. Certain parts inside his body were in pain he didn't know existed and sitting in this room for so long had only emphasised the pain. He didn't know if he was able to stand up. Yet he did not hesitate in what he did next. He threw the table and flipped it towards Albus.

With one punch, he split the table in half and looked at Tibaut with regret. His eyes had noticeable pain, but there was no shock at this reaction.

"So that's your answer…" Albus remarked as he looked at Tibaut.

"Of course it is," Tibaut responded. "You know how many fathers and brothers out there are missing their daughters and sisters because of you? How much fear have you caused for the people of this parish!?"

Albus shouted at him "You think I wanted to do this!? You think I wanted everything I ever admired sullied by that bastard if I don't work for him!?" Albus looked on the verge of crying. "You know I considered you somewhat of a friend. That's why I was so insistent on getting you to leave. But if you're gonna spout some bullshit about me then I'm not sure I can let you go."

"Bullshit? I don't want to hear that from a man who kidnaps women as casually as picking berries." He responded.

"Of course it's bullshit. You'd never understand the weight on my shoulders of what I have to protect. Every woman here is at risk of becoming some plaything under my uncle if I don't obey him. It must be easy to talk like that when you don't have anything to protect."

Tibaut gritted and clenched his fists. Albus realised that he must have struck a nerve.

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"Yeah, that's right I don't have anything to protect anymore. All the family I've ever known are dead because I was too weak to do anything. But I'm not gonna let you use that as an excuse. Did you even try to disobey him? Did you even try to find a way out?" He asked.

"Of course not. You think those women are a game to me? If even one of them had something happen to them because I messed up, it wouldn't have been worth it. I don't care how dirty the option is, if it's to protect them, I'll do anything."

Tibaut clicked his tongue. "This is useless. Screaming at each other like children isn't going to do either of us favours."

Albus also commented. "Of course, it isn't, my uncle has tested my resolve time and time again. There's nothing you can do to change it."

Tibaut began walking over towards him.

("That's the thing, Albus. I might never call you my friend because of the actions you've had throughout your life but any friend would want to set their friend on the right track no matter how far down they've gone down on the wrong one. Maybe prison can be a good start for getting a sick bastard like you, back on track. Though with how prisons are in this era that might be wishful thinking.")

("This bastard, I gave him a way out yet he refuses. Doesn't he realise what's at stake for either of us here?") Albus watched as he walked ever closer.

Tibaut got right in front of his face. And threw a punch. It felt like he had punched a steel wall. But he didn't let the pain show on his face. He looked him dead in the eyes with anger.

("At least it won't be hard to punch him. After all, this bastard threw away so many human lives. Even if he was forced to kidnap women, the killing of the adventurers is all him. I never knew them and may never know what they were like but they alongside the women that got kidnapped need some retribution. I may give you a chance to repent if you survive after this but that doesn't mean I won't try to kill you tonight.") Tibaut thought as he landed another blow towards his stomach. It again felt like he had struck a block of iron. Albus showed no reaction to this and simply exhaled as this happened.

Tibaut landed another blow, with a near textbook roundhouse to his chin. Finally, he reacted to a hit of his and staggered back slightly. Albus responded with a blow that left Tibaut speechless. The punch flew towards him like a cannonball and he could barely move quick enough to dodge.

Albus then backed away and threw a flurry of punches. They were substantially quicker than the one he threw at Tibaut.

Tibaut clicked his tongue. He realised it wasn't by chance or skill he dodged that first punch. ("I was hoping not to kill him but it really does seem like I'll have to use my fireballs.")

He realised due to him being as injured as he was already, he was sweating while Albus looked like he was in the best shape of his life, without a drop of moisture on him.

He wiped the sweat off his brow and approached him. Albus had disappointment on his face and walked towards him.

Fire lances began to periodically appear around Tibaut while Albus looked on in disinterest. Albus closed the distance between them within a moment and the fight began in earnest.