Olivia sat in front of the communication system, staring intently at the computer screen.

"I've got you some good news, Miss Blake," Bell's face appeared on the screen, a bright smile on his face.

"I'm sure you have an answer. We can't keep him locked up for long, It's been a day" Olivia replied, faking a smile to appear more polite.

"You're actually going to have to keep him locked up. There is no need for chains, just keep the room locked for the safety of your group. We can't let him poison anyone else," Bell explained, his calm voice which always wins people's hearts easily.

"What about the pardon?" Olivia asked, her curiosity evident.

"Erien gets a full pardon," Bell said, his tone unwavering.

"Thank you, sir," Olivia said, this time with a genuine smile.

"No need to thank me. He deserves justice," Bell said.

His eyes then shifted to Kalvin, who was leaning against the wall, lost in thought and biting his nail.

"And you, Kalvin," Bell said, his tone firm. Olivia rose from her seat as Kalvin put down his hand, knowing Bell's tone did not bode well.

"Come closer to the screen and listen," Bell commanded, and Kalvin obeyed.

"Sounds like trouble," Carl, who was nearby, whispered to Kalvin as he started to walk forward.

"Pray for me, Sherlock," Kalvin whispered back, a hint of hilarity in his voice.

Bell stared at Kalvin's face with a firm look. "I hope you've learned the consequences of misusing firearms by now. It wasn't just one death, it's someone's family," Bell said, his tone sharp.

"Yes, sir," Kalvin replied, his voice obedient.

"So I think you owe Erien an apology," Bell said, his voice firm.

Kalvin's face went from obedient to confused. "You really don't expect me to do that, sir," he said, terrified.

"Not expect, I want you to do that right now," Bell commanded, his tone tough.

Kalvin bit his lip. "No, Bell. I can't. Please don't force me to do that," he begged.

"You must do it!" Bell demanded.

"It's not fair!" Kalvin cried out.

"It is. Even Madam Elsa apologized to you, didn't she? So I don't see a reason for you not to do the same," Bell said roughly.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

Kalvin's face was a mix of annoyance and pain. "He tried to kill me and my sister! We both barely escaped death! Do you want me to apologize to him? Bell, are you even worried for us?"

"I am worried for you! That's why I'm asking you to do this. I no longer want you to suffer because of these cases. Remember, you hated Elsa for making you commit a murder? It's the same here. You forced Erien to commit those attempts to murder," Bell explained, his voice calm and emotional. Kalvin looked away, his face twisting with discomfort.

"I can't, please," he begged, his voice laced with desperation. He didn't want to disobey his teacher, Bell, but he also couldn't give up his pride.

"It's up to you to decide what my words meant to you, if it's nothing then let it be" Bell said, his tone firm as he pressed Kalvin to do as he requested.

Kalvin looked up, his eyes pleading. "Please," he uttered, his pride seemingly crumbling in the face of Bell's insistence.

Bell's gaze remained unwavering as he looked at Kalvin. "The choice is yours, Kalvin," he said, leaving the decision squarely in Kalvin's hands. Kalvin bit his nail nervously, Olivia could see the wheels turning in his head. His arrogance was at war with his respect for his teacher also adapted father. after a moment of agonizing silence, Kalvin spoke, his voice defeated. "I'll do as you wish, Bell," he conceded, the light in his eyes dimming.

Bell's face broke into a warm smile, almost as if he had anticipated this outcome. "That's my boy," he said, pride evident in his tone. "I appreciate your courage."

Kalvin managed a weak nod, putting in a useless effort to fake a smile.

In the evening, Kalvin, Carl, and Olivia made their way to meet Erien. Kalvin was visibly nervous, his stomach in knots as they approached the door.

He swallowed hard, his throat feeling dry, as they entered the room where Erien was being held.

"So what? Am I supposed to jump out of the ship?" Erien asked, his voice laced with its familiar sarcastic humour.

Olivia took a deep breath before responding. "You are pardoned," she said, her tone measured.

Erien's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Pardoned?" he repeated, his voice dripping with scepticism. "After everything that's happened?"

Kalvin kept his gaze fixed on the floor, unable to bring himself to meet Erien's eyes.

Carl stepped forward and released Erien "It's true," he said, his voice calm. "The council has granted you a full pardon." Erien was surprised at first. Then Erien's expression shifted from shock to cautious optimism.

"And what's the catch?" he asked, his eyes narrowing. Olivia glanced over at Kalvin, a silent plea in her eyes.

Olivia's expression hardened as she spoke. "You won't be leaving this room," she said firmly.

Erien's face twisted into an insane grin. "You expect me just to stay here? There's not even a toilet in this place?" he said, his tone dripping with humiliation.

"We'll be putting you in the other storage room instead. We can't risk you poisoning anyone else, seeing as you seem to be a master at it," Olivia explained, her voice unwavering.

Erien's expression shifted to one of fear. "No, you can't do this! You can do whatever you want on this ship, but I didn't come here to join some expedition. Let me go, I can use the submarine to get to the Octagon Veranda. I don't want to die the 'honourable death of a brave voyager,' I'd rather live like a coward, in your words, Olivia," he pleaded.

To Carl's surprise, he suddenly saw a smile spreading across Kalvin's face. Kalvin stepped forward, facing Erien head-on.

"I'm so sorry for killing your brother and all the troubles you've been through," Kalvin began, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "But... you're eventually going to die on this cursed ship. You wanted me to die, didn't you? Isn't it funny how the tables have turned?" Kalvin said, a revengeful smile playing on his lips as he turned and left the room.

Olivia stared at Kalvin, her expression a mix of surprise and dismay. This was certainly not the kind of apology that Bell had wanted Kalvin to make. It was clear that Kalvin's anger and resentment towards Erien had not been fully resolved, and his "apology" was nothing more than a thinly veiled taunt.