As Apolo entered Cristobal's body, he immediately felt the difference in the axe and understood why his family claimed that this axe was cursed. From the giant's perspective, the wooden handle of the axe was filled with tumors that moved from one place to another while screaming in agony. Occasionally, some of these tumors would emerge from the axe, just as Apolo was doing among his descendants, revealing that they were actually dismembered, impaled, headless, arrow-pierced, or simply half of them. All the people emerging from the axe showed signs of having been killed, and it seemed that these unfortunate souls were competing to see who had died in the most horrible way. However, these "ghosts" were not the ones speaking to the giant because it was clear that these wretches had lost the ability to think as they did when they were alive, and their movements were more random than an attempt to communicate something to the giant.

The "ghosts" that were really speaking were the tumors that moved incessantly in the metal part of the axe, and their voices were like the union of thousands of voices in constant suffering, although their words showed a single thought:

—So how are you going to make up for this mistreatment? I've been fighting by your side forever, and you treat me this way, you heartless giant!

—I was drunk!—Thought the giant, glancing at the weapon with ill will. Although he didn't say it out loud, Apolo could also hear it, so without hesitation and without any shame, the deceased eavesdropped on his descendant's conversation.

—Drunk or not, there are limits, and crossing them has a price!—The tumors in the axe responded in unison, writhing violently.

—What's the price?—Cristobal asked in his head with concern, glancing as his nephew observed him in silence from a distance.

—Kill all the filthy peasants in this miserable town! Let not one wretch survive! Let these rats suffer my hatred!—All the tumors in the axe shouted in unison, their voices resounding throughout the giant's mind, making Apolo extremely uncomfortable. It felt as if his head were splitting in half and then coming back together.

—We're about to go to a besieged castle; you'll have plenty of time to have fun beheading our real enemies. Just try to...—The giant thought, not at all pleased with the request, while massaging his forehead.

—These rats aren't even ours, and you're the general in charge of this place. You have the power and the perfect excuse; no one will know: Do it for me, Cristobal, do it for my honor! Make these rats wriggle in agony, let their screams fill every corner of this little village!—Interrupted the tumors in the axe, moving relentlessly and hypnotically.

—Do you know how big this town is? It's practically as big as a city in the Empire. My uncle and my father will notice if so many rats die, and to make matters worse, they're useful rats. Besides, even if I wanted to help you, we don't have enough people to accomplish what you're asking for. This time you're taking it too far with your whims!—Cristobal thought, quite angry, casting a sidelong glance at his worried nephew, concerned that the young one might know some exotic magic that could read his mind.

—If I'm asking you, it's because you already know you can do it. Deep down in your heart, you know perfectly well that you can do whatever you please with these animals. Cristobal, you know the excuse and the orders you have to give: you just have to say it out loud in front of your men, and they'll do all the work—responded the tumors seductively, as if they were whispering each word slowly into the giant's ears.

—But of course, my men would do any nonsense I told them to do. The problem is that my father and my uncle not might believe my miserable excuse. It's possible to fool my uncle, but my father already doubts me, doubts my "orders", and he sent an idiot to watch my every move. Remember, we can't lose our façade. There's a big difference between a cruel general and a general who lost his mind, and no one gives soldiers to a lunatic. My father probably has plenty of hints about this "little" problem I have, and luckily for both of us, the old man still doubts himself enough not to kick us out of the army. Still, no matter how much Dad constantly looks for excuses to pretend this problem doesn't exist, this might be the straw that breaks the camel's back, a whole town is...—Cristobal thought, biting his nails, while glancing at Tea, who was silently watching him with boredom.

—You're not crazy, Cristobal. Can't you see how you doubt your own actions? That makes you a responsible and sensible general. So you're a completely sensible general about what you're about to do, and you're completely responsible for ending all these miserable lives of these annoying peasants. But what's wrong with that? Is it wrong to have a little fun? Haven't you already brought enough glory to your family? Why do you keep worrying about their opinions, and instead, focus on enjoying yourself, as we always have? Once again, we'll see the rats dance with death, but this time, it'll be grand!—The axe tumors said energetically and full of life, but their words sounded like whispers that entered and fluttered inside the giant's head.

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—Don't you understand what I'm telling you? Precisely because I love having fun with you is why I can't do what you're asking me to do. A whole town is too much! My father won't tolerate such savagery. As much as my dad loves me too much to exile me, this is simply...—Cristobal thought, while glancing at Tea constantly, fearing that someone might hear what he was thinking. However, his nephew only looked at him like an idiot, seemingly more concerned with wasting time than with the "conversation" the giant was having with his axe.

—It's simply brilliant, an impressive idea, a work of art. Think, Cristobal, think with that giant head of yours and answer me this question: Do you think you'll have another opportunity like this to do what you have in mind? Think about the screams of the little rats, their pleas, how they'll try to save their children, and answer me this question: Are you really going to let this opportunity pass? This war is about to end, Cristobal, and you never know how long it will be until the next party begins...—The axe tumors asked, vibrating harmoniously. Meanwhile, Apolo's head struggled not to explode from the number of voices he was hearing at the moment. The pain was such that it caused the dead man to leave the giant's body for a few minutes until the pain disappeared, and everything returned to normal. Somewhat surprised that he could still feel such pain even when he was dead, Apolo re-entered the giant and cursed himself for leaving his body, as the conversation was getting really interesting, and he wanted to know how Cristobal would respond. Unfortunately, to his dismay, when Apolo re-entered the giant's body, Cristobal was already pulling the axe out of the poor impaled woman, and the axe tumors remained silent, not revealing the decision the giant had made.

—Finally done arguing with your axe?—Tea asked, looking away to avoid seeing the gruesome scene unfolding a few meters away.

—Yes, we need to go to the camp, check that the men haven't been too agitated by the forest fire, and make sure everything is ready for the siege—Cristobal replied, as he grinned while splitting the girl's corpse in half with his axe.

—Disgusting...—Tea murmured, glancing at the scene briefly. His expression revealed that he had accidentally seen something he didn't want to see—Before we leave, put on your armor. It's one thing for me to see you naked, but you can't let your men see you naked, uncle.

—I can't have a kid who has never even touched a woman in his life giving me orders, can I? Remember, you're not in the castle; you're the second in command, and I'm the commanding general. When you finish this mission, you'll be a general just like your brothers and cousins—Cristobal responded, while searching for his armor. Fortunately, the armor was quite large, and it seemed that he had taken it off in this place.

—Do you have that much confidence that everything will go well?—Tea asked, a bit nervous. This was the first time in his life that he had left the castle, so the inexperienced young man was quite worried and feared he wouldn't survive the cruelty of war.

—Kid, you're practically a battle mage, and you've been raised as a soldier since birth. It's in your blood. Just enjoy the moment and try to have fun...—Cristobal replied, putting on his breastplate. Despite his large body, the giant was really skilled at putting on his armor, so he didn't need anyone's help—But, I mean... it's not like I enjoy everything about this job one hundred percent. There are many things I hate about my job, and the harsh reality is that no soldier really likes war. But, as you told your little pet, we swore to defend the forest. If we don't finish this siege in time, it will be our people's blood that will be spilled because of us, and as a general, the first thing you have to watch out for is that your men don't die. The second is that you don't die, and the third is the goal you're fighting for.

—I know, I always knew this day would come, sooner or later I would have to use everything that took me so many years to learn...—Tea said somewhat despondently, gazing at the girl's corpse that was now cut in half. His expression actually revealed that the young, inexperienced man was far from convinced by his own words.

—Come on, kid, help me fasten the wrist guards—Cristobal requested. The giant could do it himself, but Cristobal didn't appreciate the tone with which his nephew had replied.

Tea approached the giant and began to fasten the wrist guards. Meanwhile, his uncle looked at him intently and said:

—You know, boy, the harsh reality is that you can always tell the oath to go to hell.

—How?—Tea exclaimed, stopping his work for a few seconds before quickly resuming it, somewhat nervous that it might be noticeable that those words had affected him more than he wanted to admit.

—A soldier's life is short, and ours is long. It's a life full of misery and suffering, where your friends live less than flies, and tragedies accompany you to the grave. Tea, I practically saw you grow up since you were a baby, so let me warn you: don't live this life forgetting to be happy because of your family's gaze or their opinions. If, when you finish this mission, you think that being a soldier isn't for you, then tell the oath to go to hell and find something that makes you feel alive—Cristobal said, recalling that his nephew had never shown interest in combat training or the warrior's path. Instead, Tea used to enjoy playing with his little pet and performing cheap magic tricks.

—The truth is, I'd love to be able to decide for myself, but I don't have options. If I'm not a soldier, what the hell am I going to do with my life?—Tea asked, somewhat candidly, revealing that he was more concerned about his own future than he let on.

—Kid, be whatever you want to be, but don't ask me to answer that question for you. I can't answer that question for you. As I just told you, you can be whatever you want and do whatever you want with your life. You don't owe anything to my brother, and even less to your grandfather, so don't feel bad for them and be happy. There's nothing worse than living a life in the shadows, fearing that other people will find out who you really are and hate you for it—Cristobal said, looking at his faithful axe. Meanwhile, Apolo eavesdropped eagerly, pleased to be spying on this intimate conversation. Ancestors' lives were truly spectacular!