Aether then looked coldly into Franklin's eyes and said,
"People don't want to hear the truth because they don't want their illusions to be destroyed."
Many people choose to believe lies that make them feel good instead of facing the truth that might hurt. When someone tells them the truth, it breaks the false ideas they had about themselves, others, or the world.
In simple words, Franklin believed he had joined an organization that would rebel against the noble society.
But Aether revealed the truth, the organization Franklin was part of was actually controlled by the nobles.
Franklin had also been searching for a small cultist group that made aphrodisiacs, hoping to take revenge.
But when he learned that the cultist group was part of the same organization he belonged to, he didn't want to believe it.
He clung to the belief that he was rebelling against the noble society, but in truth, he was just a pawn of the nobles.
This shows that the truth can be painful, and lies can feel safe. That's why people often choose to believe lies instead of facing reality.
"You!!! You're...." Franklin's eyes trembled. "You're just saying that so I reveal my organization. Hahaha… did you really think I'd fall for that?"
He forced a smile. He didn't want to believe Aether's words. But deep down, a thought crept in 'what if it was true?'
Aether leaned closer to his ear and spoke in a low voice,
"Your organization's name is Ataraxia."
The moment Franklin heard Aether say the name, his eyes widened in shock. His organization was a secret group, its name had never been revealed to the outside world. No one was supposed to know it.
Aether then continued, his voice calm but sharp, as he listed off details about the organization:
" Your organization's base is in...
Your leader is...
You're using the underground trade routes...
You're experimenting on humans to create....
You're planning to kill the Emperor."
One by one Aether revealed their secrets, every motive, every hidden plan.
Franklin's mouth hung open in shock. His voice trembled as he asked,
"W-Who are you.....?"
Aether didn't answer.
Without a word, he pulled a dagger from his system inventory, and in one swift motion he decapitated Franklin.
Slash
An Apostle who had sold their soul to a Demon King couldn't be killed by normal means. Even if their arms and legs were cut off, they would still survive.
The only way to truly kill an Apostle was to cut off their head.
On the other hand, the Left Guardian stood in shock after witnessing Aether kill Franklin.
"Young Lord?" The Left Guardian's voice wavered. He had planned to extract information from Franklin, but Aether had acted on his own.
Even the Noctvain family would've preferred to extract information from Franklin first.
If the Elders of the family heard this, they would definitely cause a commotion.
They would try to control Aether, since he was the next heir.
But Aether didn't care about the consequences.
In his past life, he had been the Patriarch. He was used to giving orders, not following them.
Making decisions alone, it was second nature to him.
"Young Lord, you're..." The Left Guardian was about to warn him, but Aether's gaze froze him in place.
There was sadness in Aether's eyes, but also a fierce bloodlust.
However, that bloodlust wasn't aimed at Franklin, it was directed at the noble society that had used Franklin as their pawn.
Meanwhile, Franklin's cut-off head fell to the ground and was slowly burning like a piece of paper. His body was also turning to dust.
I'm sorry, I failed to keep my promises.....Ah... Anna, please forgive me...
As he slowly approached death, a face flashed before his eyes.
It wasn't his mother, nor the nobles he wanted revenge on.
It was Anna.
The woman he loved, And the woman who shattered his heart when she moved on....
* * *
The Noctvain family ruled over seven counties that spanned the vast lands of their territory.
One of these counties was Gradano.
From birth, Franklin had been a slave to the Gradano Count family. He was tortured and forced to do hard labor every day. His life was filled with loneliness.
But everything changed when he met Anna.
She was also a slave with a cheerful personality, and over time, they grew feelings for each other.
As they stayed together, they shared pain, dreams, and quiet moments of hope.
One day,
"Franklin, let's believe in the Noctvain family. I heard they'll take action and free us from slavery." said a beautiful slave girl, wearing a metal collar around her neck.
It was Anna. She was talking to Franklin with hope in her eyes.
"Anna, don't trust those hypocrite nobles." Franklin replied. "Two years ago, they came here to check on slavery. I ran to the investigator and begged for help. my eyes was full of hopes, but he didn't even look at me.
Later, the Count dragged me to his room and beat me with a whip."
Upon hearing this, Anna's eyes filled with tears. "Franklin." She placed her hand on his back and patted it softly, saying,
"They gave us chains so we'd forget we had wings."
"....." Franklin stayed silent. He rested his head on her shoulder, and his tears soaked her shoulder.
"But Franklin, I still dream of the sky….. Franklin, run with me. Even if we bleed, let it be while chasing freedom."
"..." Franklin jolted and jumped, scared by the thought of running away.
Anna also stood up and looked into his eyes.
"I want to live with you forever, Franklin. I want us to start a loving family… with our child. Please, Franklin." Anna said, her eyes filled with tears.
But Franklin looked terrified at the idea of escaping. he remembered someone who once tried to escape, and how the Count's special squad slowly tore that person's limbs off.
Tremble! Tremble!
Franklin's hands were shaking violently. Anna then softly hold his hands and said
"Franklin, I feel like I'll be separated from you....It scares me every time I think about it."
She held Franklin's shaky hands to support him, and slowly, his trembling began to fade.
But as she spoke, her own hands started to tremble.
"Franklin, you're not understanding how much I love you. Listen, if I ever die without marrying you, and you dig up my grave, you'll see it filled with blood. That blood will be from my heart… because I was separated from you, and my heart exploded inside the grave."
Upon hearing this, tears welled up on his face. He began cursing himself.
I was scared of the Count… but she was scared of losing me.
He pulled her into a tight hug and, in a broken voice, whispered,
"Never talk about dying, you stupid girl" he said, his eyes filled with tears and his nose running.
"Waaaaaaaa..." Anna also burst into tears as she held him tightly.