“You bastard! With all this evidence in front of you, what do you have to say for yourself?” Austin barked.
“Your Highness, please let me explain…” Huxley broke out in a cold sweat, his voice trembling with panic.
“This is a lie. Someone’s trying to frame me! I’ve always followed the law-how could I possibly be involved in something so vile?”
“The evidence is right in front of you, and you’re still trying to weasel out of it?” Austin shot back. “Looks like you won’t confess until death is knocking at your door.”
He raised his hand and ordered, “Guards, throw him into Grimhold Keep. Use whatever means necessary-let’s see how long he keeps up this act.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
A squad of enforcement team members rushed in and surrounded Huxley.
Cornered, Huxley finally lost his nerve. He dropped to his knees with a thud and begged, “Your Highness, I admit I made a grave mistake.”
His voice cracked as he continued, “I wasn’t thinking clearly at the time. Please, for the sake of my years of service to West Lucozia, show me some mercy! From now on, I will serve you with my full loyalty.”
He lowered his head in a deep bow as he finished.
Huxley had no idea where the evidence had come from, but one thing was certain-if Austin pursued this to the end, it could mean the annihilation of his entire family.
At that moment, pride and dignity meant nothing-only survival mattered. As long as he could keep his wealth and status, he would do anything-even become Austin’s lapdog.
“You were so defiant earlier. Where’d all that bravado go?” Austin sneered.
“I was a fool. I thought I could deceive you, but you saw right through me. I see now I never could’ve fooled you. I was wrong, and I won’t do it again.”
Huxley kept his head low and didn’t dare to breathe too loudly. His fate was in Austin’s hands now. All he could do was hope for mercy and pray that Austin might spare him. He’d give up everything if it meant keeping his life.
Defiance was no longer an option. The enforcement team surrounding him were elite fighters-the best he’d ever encountered. He stood no chance against them.
Even if he escaped the castle, what then? He could run, but there’d be nowhere to hide. And what about his family?
“You don’t regret your actions. You just know you’re about to die, don’t you?” Austin’s voice was ice cold. “Your crimes are beyond forgiveness. If I let you go, how
could I expect anyone else to follow the
law?”
Huxley’s face turned ashen, like all the colors had been drained out of him. Still, he clung to a sliver of hope.
“Your Highness, I’ve served West Lucozia for years. I may not have accomplished great deeds, but I’ve worked hard. Even if I’ve made mistakes, I don’t deserve to be executed. Please… have mercy.”
“Fuck you!” Austin snapped and kicked him to the floor. “You’ve burned, killed, and looted without a second thought-and you call that a ‘mistake’? You’re lucky I haven’t flayed you alive.”
The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. He raised his hand and ordered, “Drag him out and give him 50 lashes. If he’s still alive, bring him back for further questioning.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Axel pulled out the Dragon Rope and bound Huxley tightly before dragging him out. The rope sealed his cultivation, and he couldn’t even use his true energy.
Axel then threw him down and lashed him with the punishment rod. He put all his strength into every blow, showing no mercy.
By the time the final strike landed, Huxley’s back and thighs were a mangled mess of torn flesh and blood. He blacked out at one point, but Axel doused him with cold water to wake him up.
Afterward, Axel dragged him back into the meeting room.
Huxley was so battered he couldn’t even beg for mercy. His head hung low, and he looked barely alive.
“I’ll ask you one question at a time. Answer truthfully, and I’ll grant you a quick death. Lie, and you’ll experience every one of Grimhold Keep’s 108 tortures. Understood?
“Austin shouted condescendingly.
“Yes… I understand,” Huxley rasped weakly.
“Is Jovian still alive?” Austin demanded.
“H-he’s dead…” Huxley didn’t dare to hide the truth.
“Where’s the body? Who killed him?”
“Mr. Prescott sent assassins to ambush him. Jovian refused to be captured and took his own life.” Huxley hesitated before adding, “As for his body… Mr. Prescott already had it incinerated.”
Austin frowned. He had expected as much, but hearing there were no remains only fueled his fury.
“Take him away and have him sign his confession,” he ordered.
Two guards immediately stepped forward and hauled Huxley to his feet.
“Your Highness… I deserve to be executed for my crimes, but my family is innocent. Please have mercy on them…” Huxley pleaded, looking utterly miserable. He knew his fate was sealed and could only hope his loved ones wouldn’t be dragged down with him.
“You’ve spent years embezzling and abusing your power,” Austin said coldly. ” Your family has benefited just as much-they’re far from innocent.”
He had no patience for further discussion. With a wave of his hand, he ordered, “Take him away. Lock him up and keep him under close watch. At noon tomorrow, execute him in public.”
