MMM: Chapter Seventeen: First Friend
Thanks probably wanted to cry some more, but there were no tears left. His well had run dry.
It was his idea, after all. He had suggested servitude as an alternative to execution, and here he was, facing the consequences of his own cunning. He had achieved the outcome he'd hoped for, but it still left a bitter taste in his mouth.
For the sake of his pettiness, he had fallen from grace so quickly—no, spectacularly. Looking back, his actions seemed so foolish that he briefly wondered if someone had slipped something into his food. It had to be that, right? How else could he explain his utter recklessness?
His Vice Commander's absence these past two weeks—likely consumed by the Second General's upcoming wedding—had emboldened him. But it was only a matter of time. Sooner or later, word would have reached her.
Now, as he looked up at Caroline, his eyes filled with desperate hope, he felt like his heart might stop. The mere seconds it took for her to deliberate felt like an eternity.
Caroline closed her eyes and turned her head away, exhaling heavily. Her gaze had been cold and unrelenting moments ago, but now she seemed almost exhausted by the weight of her decision.
"Do whatever you want with him," she said finally, her voice steady but detached. "So long as he doesn't go unpunished, I'm satisfied. Execution, crippling, slavery—it doesn't matter to me."
Thanks flinched as her words landed like a blow.
Licht, standing nearby, shifted his gaze to August, who towered over everyone else in the room. His expression was questioning, almost seeking permission.
August shrugged. "It's your call. He didn't wrong me, so I don't have any stake in this."
Licht's eyes flicked briefly to August's disciple, Giselle, who stood silently by his side, before awkwardly looking away.
"Hm." Licht let out a low hum, his expression contemplative. "It would be a waste to rid the world of a Tier 4 Transcendent, even if he is scum."
The insult landed harshly, but Thanks didn't dare argue.
Licht's mind raced. He recalled his mother's cryptic remarks about his half-siblings and her suggestion that he consider taking on followers. Initially, he had dismissed the idea—especially with someone like Mercedes. But now, here was a prime candidate, practically gift-wrapped. He couldn't let this opportunity slip away.
"On that note…" Licht continued, his tone sharp and decisive, "death and crippling are off the table. Your offer of servitude will be accepted. Any objections?"
Thanks' lips parted as if to express gratitude, but Licht's glare stopped him mid-breath.
"Not that your opinion matters," Licht said icily. "From this moment forward, you won't eat without my say-so. You won't relieve yourself without my permission. Even sleep is a privilege I'll decide whether you've earned."
Licht turned to Ines, his voice softening slightly as he asked, "So, how do we make this official? Do we need a witness? A trip to the church?"
Ines blinked, momentarily caught off guard by Licht's commanding tone. He had sounded nothing like the tentative young man she had grown familiar with. For a moment, his demeanor was that of a sovereign addressing his subjects.
"There wouldn't happen to be a Paladin among us, would there?" she asked, glancing around the room.
"Nope," Franziska's voice rang out as she reentered the room, cutting through the tension like a blade. She strode to her seat, forcing the still-invisible Lady Ursula to vacate it with a huff.
"You'll have to go to the church," Franziska said flatly, her gaze fixed on Licht. "Until then, he can spend the night in a cell. Tomorrow, you can take him there to seal the deal. Satisfactory?"
Licht nodded without hesitation. "That's fine with me."
Franziska's eyes shifted to Caroline.
"I have no objections," Caroline said, her voice neutral.
"Good." Franziska clapped her hands lightly. "Then, that's settled. You all may leave."
The five Thorny Beauties exchanged glances before filing out of the room, their expressions a mix of curiosity and unease.
But as they reached the door, Licht's voice rang out.
"Hey, you! Where do you think you're going?"
The women froze, turning back with various expressions of confusion, irritation, and wariness.
Licht pointed at them. "You haven't taken the Oath yet. That means you should be spending the night in a cell as well."
Mercedes, whose mood had just begun to stabilize, felt a surge of rage that nearly made her choke. Her neck flushed red as she spat out her response.
"Little girl—!" She stopped herself, clenching her teeth. "I mean, Young Master Licht. I am a Thorny Beauty. I wouldn't tarnish our reputation by going back on my word. Besides, the Vice Commander is aware of our agreement."
Licht raised an unimpressed eyebrow. "You didn't seem too worried about your reputation when you attacked me."
"I was drunk!" Mercedes snapped, her fists clenched tightly at her sides.
"And that excuses it?" Licht asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
Mercedes visibly trembled with frustration, her face contorted in barely suppressed fury.
But then, she stopped herself. The reality of Licht's status—his near-royal standing—hit her like a bucket of cold water. She couldn't afford to lose control, not here.
Her voice wavered as she spoke again, softer this time. "If you're uncomfortable with me going back to my hotel, what would you have me do? I won't stay in a cell. I… I could follow you instead, wherever you're spending the night."
The room grew quiet. Licht tilted his head, scrutinizing her.
"That works," he said finally. "Follow me back to my hotel, then. Get yourself a room there."
He gestured toward Thanks, adding, "And tomorrow morning, you'll meet me here when I come to take him to the church for his Oath."
Mercedes blinked, momentarily caught off guard by his lack of pettiness. A flicker of goodwill stirred within her, only to be smothered by her lingering annoyance. Her emotions twisted into a complex knot, reflected in her conflicted gaze as she nodded.
After sending her teammates off, Mercedes followed Licht and the others out. Ines and Lady Ursula, meanwhile, exchanged contemplative looks.
Is it just me, or is there an air of pride around him all of a sudden?
Once the Thorny Beauties had left, Licht turned back to August and Giselle. He hesitated briefly before speaking.
"I… I apologize for my earlier outburst," he said quietly. "Your name just… reminded me of someone important to me. Someone I'll never see again."
August nodded, his face softening with understanding.
"I see," he said.
Giselle, who had been silent up until now, stepped forward. Her expression was gentle, her eyes empathetic.
"There's no need to apologize, Licht," she said softly. "I understand."
Licht smiled bitterly. "Thank you."
Giselle tilted her head and smiled. "How about this? Let's start fresh. How about we become friends?"
Licht stared at her outstretched hand, blinking in surprise. Slowly, a small smile spread across his face.
"Sure," he said, reaching out to shake her hand.
But before he could pull away, Giselle stepped forward and wrapped him in a warm embrace.
For a moment, Licht froze, unsure of how to react. But then, his shoulders relaxed, and he allowed himself to lean into the unexpected comfort.