Chapter 189: Ethan’s Principle

***

The Next Day.

Mavelard City.

“I hope all of you can agree to this proposal,” Ashley said.

The guild leaders nodded. They had gathered in the city hall to discuss something with Ashley.

As the head of LionArk, Ashley had invited all of them directly to attend this meeting.

This discussion was done solely to ask for understanding from the other guild masters.

Ashley requested that each guild send their members to take turns securing the city collectively, since LionArk still couldn’t handle security on its own.

None of them objected. Ashley explained that they would be paid by LionArk, and for that reason, she asked them to carry out their duties seriously.

One guild master stood up. He was the leader of the Twin Sun Guild —the first guild that volunteered to join LionArk after Ethan’s invasion of the city.

“I speak here as the first guild that joined the Mavelard Alliance. Lord Ethan knows very well what our contribution was during the first week after the invasion,” the man said.

Ethan nodded. He knew that without Twin Sun’s help, he would have struggled to maintain the city’s security.

“For that reason, I, Bagas, as the leader of Twin Sun, ask for your consideration,” Bagas said.

He stood up and bowed his head directly toward Ashley. The other guild leaders turned their attention to Ashley, waiting to see what decision she would make.

“I’m sorry. I understand your position, but—”

Ethan raised his hand and firmly gripped Ashley’s shoulder. The sudden pressure startled her, making her turn to look at him. She hadn’t even finished her sentence.

“Sorry, Miss Ashley. I thought your shoulders were tense,” Ethan said, smiling at her.

Ashley looked at his expression. That grip had not been a simple friendly gesture. She could clearly feel the strength in Ethan’s hand.

Slowly, Ashley understood what that grip meant. It wasn’t a massage — it was a signal.

A signal that she must not reject Twin Sun’s request.

“Apologies for earlier. As for Twin Sun, could you meet me later after this meeting is over?” Ashley asked.

“Of course. I’ll come see you.”

The meeting concluded. One by one, the guild leaders left the city hall, including Bagas and Twin Sun.

Ethan and Ashley were the last to step outside. Ethan let out a long breath.

“You almost made Twin Sun pull away from us,” Ethan said.

“Why? Why did you suddenly grip my shoulder like that?” Ashley asked.

“I know Twin Sun has the same rank as the other guilds here —in fact, some guilds are even stronger than Twin Sun.”

“But this isn’t about strength. It’s about loyalty.”

“What do you mean?” Ashley asked.

“After the invasion, I didn’t have any guild allies I could rely on. Twin Sun came without asking for anything from me —only loyalty.”

“Without proper appreciation, that loyalty will fade. And that would put us at a disadvantage.”

Ashley quietly listened. What Ethan said matched what she had been thinking as well.

He was right — she needed to appreciate Twin Sun for their loyalty to LionArk.

Now she also understood why Ethan had gripped her shoulder earlier.

Ashley decided she would speak with Bagas right after leaving the city hall.

What she had in mind was appointing Twin Sun as the head of the city’s security authority, responsible for leading small squads of members from other guilds.

Not gold or exp, but a position —a reward far more meaningful to Twin Sun.

Slowly, they left the hall and returned to the LionArk headquarters. Upon arriving, Ashley immediately met with Bagas.

Ethan turned when Leon called him. He didn’t know what Leon wanted to tell him.

He glanced to the side and saw Ashley and Bagas entering the headquarters building, while he remained outside listening to Leon.

Leon explained that Jason’s transfer to the Tower would be done soon. Darcy had already embedded a tracking spell on Jason.

If Jason tried to escape, he could be found easily.

“A tracking spell can be destroyed. Ashley’s idea won’t work,” Ethan replied.

“Then what should we do?” Leon asked.

Ethan fell silent for a moment, still looking toward the headquarters building. Leon followed his gaze.

After thinking for a long while, Ethan realized he had no other choice. He turned and placed a gentle but firm hand on Leon’s shoulder, signaling trust.

“A corrupt man can’t be trusted. He may say he’ll be loyal, but reality says otherwise.”

“What do you mean?” Leon asked.

“When will Jason be sent to the Tower?” Ethan asked.

“Tomorrow morning. They’ll take him to the north gate.”

Ethan nodded. That was enough time. He also told Leon that he planned to escort Jason to the Tower personally. Leon agreed, not showing any opposition.

Leon excused himself. That was the only reason he came —to inform Ethan about Jason.

He returned to the members’ dormitory, while Ethan walked into the LionArk headquarters.

Most of the administrative staff had already left for the day. Only a handful were still finishing their work.

Ethan climbed to the second floor, then the third. There, he saw Bagas exiting Ashley’s office while holding a token labeled “Head of City Security Authority.”

“Sir Ethan,” Bagas greeted.

Ethan raised a hand and lightly patted Bagas on the shoulder, smiling.

“Never misuse your authority. Don’t disappoint me.”

“I will never disappoint you, Lord Ethan. I swear!”

Ethan nodded, letting Bagas leave so he could begin assembling the city’s security teams.

The door to Ashley’s office was open. She was still working behind her desk.

“Isn’t it too late for you to be working on those documents?” Ethan asked, taking a seat in front of her.

“These are the documents for Bagas. I need to finalize them so he can start first thing tomorrow morning.”

“All right. I’ll wait until you’re done,” Ethan said.

“Thank you, Ethan.”

***

The Next Morning.

North Gate of Mavelard City.

Ethan, along with Leon and Darcy, escorted Jason to begin his tower raid. Darcy had placed a tracking spell on him beforehand, though she was unsure how long it would last.

There were many ways to erase a tracking spell —and Darcy wasn’t on the same level as Ashley.

Once they arrived, Jason turned around to face Ethan and Darcy.

“I apologize for my foolishness. I will atone for my sins inside the Tower,” Jason said.

Ethan gave him a faint smile. He reached forward and lightly patted Jason’s shoulder.

Feeling Ethan’s gesture, Jason felt even more guilty for having accepted Bernice’s bribe.

“Be careful in there. Take good care of yourself.”

Jason nodded, opened his party panel, and selected Floor 34 — the farthest floor he had ever reached.

Within seconds, Jason vanished from the spot and entered the Tower’s dimension. Ethan took a long breath, then extended his hand forward.

Bloodblade Ashura materialized and floated in front of him. Darcy and Leon were stunned. They had no idea what Ethan planned to do.

“Ethan? What are you going to do?” Leon asked in shock.

“Ashley forbade me from executing him. But if Jason dies inside the Tower, she will see it as natural. After all, there are many dangerous monsters there,” Ethan said.

“You really are cunning, Lord Ethan,” Darcy said with a wide grin, “But I like your idea.”

Ethan nodded. He activated the party teleportation feature and transported himself to Floor 34, the same destination Jason had chosen.

Within moments, Ethan appeared on the cliffside that connected to the Tower’s forest entrance.

He stepped forward, holding Bloodblade Ashura. In front of him, he saw Jason alone, still gripping his staff.

“Jason,” Ethan said firmly.

Jason turned reflexively, eyes widening in shock. Seeing Ethan on the same floor left him speechless.

“E-Ethan?!”

“You thought you could escape me? Unfortunately, no,” Ethan replied.

“I’m here to kill you.”

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