Orano, having received the key, quietly slipped away from the room, his belongings tucked under his arm. His destination was clear: Caitrin. However, he was unaware of the ordeal she was facing.

On the highest floor, in the Earl's private chambers, Caitrin was being subjected to a brutal interrogation. The Earl, his face contorted with rage, was berating her, his voice a thunderous roar. "How dare you speak to me that way, in front of my people!" he bellowed, his words punctuated by vicious blows.

With a sickening thud, the Earl's foot connected with Caitrin's face, sending her reeling. "Slaves like you, who disobey orders, make me sick," he spat, his breath ragged. He paused, struggling to regain his composure, before continuing, "Now tell me. What was your true purpose? Why did you come to Emperal? What were you really doing here?"

Caitrin, her face bloodied and one eye swollen shut, managed to speak. "We didn't come here to cause trouble for people like you," she replied, her voice barely a whisper.

"So you're not telling me the truth," the Earl sneered. "Be it."

As he raised his foot to strike again, his gaze fell upon the necklace around Caitrin's neck. His expression transformed into one of greed. With a swift movement, he yanked the necklace from her, his fingers closing around the delicate chain.

Examining the necklace with intense interest, the Earl's face lit up with a sinister smile. "This is it!" he exclaimed. "A valuable piece, one of the rarest kind!"

He turned back to Caitrin, his eyes glinting with avarice. "How could someone like you possess such a precious item? Where did you get it, and what was your purpose? Speak quickly!"

Caitrin, her voice trembling, replied, "This necklace belonged to my grandmother, then to my mother. It has great sentimental value to me. My parents gave it to me, and I planned to sell it here to save my village. But someone like you made that impossible."

The Earl's laughter echoed through the chamber, a cruel and mocking sound. "You were going to sell it here?" he sneered. "Did you think we would pay a peasant like you for something as valuable as this? You don't even deserve to carry it."

He paused, his eyes glinting with contempt. "But I suppose I should thank you. After all, if it weren't for someone like you, this necklace would never have come into my possession."

The insult, the sheer arrogance in his words, ignited a fury within Caitrin. Every word he uttered, every contemptuous glance, fueled her anger. She clenched her fists, her teeth grinding together.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"It's utter nonsense," she spat, her voice barely a whisper. "People like you despise others simply because of money."

"Is that so?" the Earl scoffed. "And why would I choose people like you over something that could make my life easier and give me confidence? Would you betray me? Would you dare to question my judgment?"

Caitrin's anger surged. "Do you think it's worthless to have someone who cares about you? Do you think money is more important than people? It can't even compare to the countless experiences, ideas, and conversations you could have with others.

Happiness? Don't make me laugh. People choose money because it makes them feel safe. Money doesn't talk back, doesn't tell you what to do. That's why they choose it.

Is it worthless to be cared about? Is it wrong to listen to others' opinions? Absolutely not!

You may have more money than others, but that doesn't make you superior. Money can provide comfort and material possessions, but those things are temporary.

People like you can never understand the value of hard work, the pride and satisfaction that come from achievement. You can never know the feeling of having someone you love by your side.

Even a simple "I trust you" or "I love you" is worth more than anything.

I would risk my life for someone I care about. Money is worthless to me.

I refuse to be a person who lives only for money and forgets the true meaning of life. I will not become a disgusting person like you!"

As she spoke, the Earl's expression darkened, his anger evident.

The Earl was about to strike again when the door burst open, revealing Tatsumi. His usual demeanor was replaced by a chilling intensity, his eyes burning with a vengeful fire.

"Who are you, and how did-" the Earl began, his words cut short by Tatsumi's swift action. With a powerful grip, Tatsumi seized the Earl's face and slammed him against the wall, his head striking the hard surface with a sickening thud.

Using his fingers, Tatsumi lifted the Earl into the air, his face contorted with rage. "If you ever dare to beat another person under my protection or an innocent woman, I will make you regret your existence," Tatsumi growled, his voice a low, menacing rumble. "Instead of your loved ones crying over your grave, you will have gold to laugh at your own demise. Never forget that."

With a brutal force, Tatsumi slammed the Earl onto the table, shattering it into pieces. The Earl lay on the ground, semi-conscious and unable to feel anything.

Orano approached Caitrin, unlocking her handcuffs. "I'm sorry I was late," he said. "The security here was more stringent than I expected."

Caitrin coughed, her voice weak. "It's no problem," she replied, taking Orano's hand to help her up. "Our real problem is what will happen now. We've just picked a fight with the boss."

As soon as she finished speaking, the alarm blared, and an announcement echoed through the building. "Attention all troops! Orano Tatsumi and his accomplice have escaped from the dungeon! All troops are to report to headquarters immediately. The criminals must be captured as soon as possible!"

Orano glanced out the window, seeing the Sniper Unit soldiers converging on the building. He turned to Caitrin. "From now on, we're wanted criminals," he said. "We'll have to be cautious. But first, we need to find a way out of here. Follow me."

Caitrin nodded, and together, they began their escape through the labyrinthine corridors.