This fucking psychopath!
Marden cursed inwardly as sweat poured down his face. Pain was an old friend, and so it was manageable.
But the dread…
Even the Cult Leader hadn't evoked such terror inside him. Marden couldn't even see the man's attack. One moment, he was talking to him, and the next moment, he had collapsed to the ground, miserably lying in a puddle of his own blood.
For a brief moment, a horrifying thought entered his mind:
Is he… going to kill me?!
But soon, he started to calm down.
There was too much at stake here. There was no way the hidden ruler was going to kill him over something so trivial. After gathering his thoughts, he finally relaxed.
He exhaled a deep breath, then said in a steady voice:
"I apologise for the disrespect, my lord. It wasn't my intention."
Seated on the throne, the hidden ruler's eyes flashed with boredom. He rested his chin on his hand and muttered, "Go on."
"…I beg your pardon?" Marden asked, head still lowered.
