But I couldn't afford to get arrogant.
Overconfidence was a quick path to a grave, and not just for me.
If I played this game too openly, if the royal family perceived me as a threat or a meddler undermining their 'sacred' trial, the repercussions would be severe.
I, the people around me, and even my family, the Luthaires, could get implicated. And that was the best worst-case scenario. So I didn't dare to imagine the worst.
"Sir Lumin," Vice Captain Elria broke the silence.
"What about them?" she asked, gesturing discreetly out the window.
I followed her gaze. The bandits from the ambush were still there, tied up and shivering in the cold, looking utterly pathetic.
"..." I squinted faintly, a plan crystallizing. "Let's... Let's leave them here."
Elria's brow furrowed in confusion. "Leave them? They're criminals."
