Lemone leaves Madame Volpe's house, the blackmail money in her bag. He knows he can't keep this money for himself. He must use it to end child trafficking and bring justice.
He heads towards the royal army barracks, determined to denounce the child trafficking network to the authorities. Arriving in front of the barracks, he is impressed by the grandeur and power of the building.
Lemone: (In her head) "This is where I'm going to end this. I'm going to take down this network and save these children."
He presents himself to a guard at the entrance to the barracks.
Lemone: (In a determined tone) "I want to speak to your superior immediately. I have important information about child trafficking."
The guard looks at him suspiciously.
Guard: (Sceptically) "And who are you?"
Lemone: (In a firm tone) "My name is Bard, and I am a citizen concerned with the safety of our city."
The guard still hesitates, but eventually leads him to the guard captain's office.
Captain of the Guard: (In an authoritative tone) "What do you want, citizen?"
Lemone gives him the bounty sheet concerning the child trafficking network and explains in detail what he knows.
Lemone: (In a precise tone) "I spotted this child trafficking in an abandoned tunnel under the city and in an isolated house in the forest. I am giving you this information so that you can put an end to this trafficking and save these children."
The captain of the guard is stunned by Lemone's information. He knows he is dealing with someone extraordinary.
Guard Captain: (In a grateful tone) "Thank you very much, Citizen Bard. Your information is valuable. We will immediately send troops to arrest these criminals and save the children."
Lemone smiled inwardly. He accomplished the first step of his plan.
Lemone: (In her head) "Now it's time to deal with Grock."
He thanks the captain of the guard and leaves the barracks. He then heads to the abandoned tunnel where Grock's hideout is located, determined to have him arrested.
Along the way, Lemone uses her "Invisibility" ability to make herself invisible and follow the soldiers from a distance. He wants to make sure they stop Grock and the other child traffickers.
Approaching the hideout...
After a long walk, the soldiers finally arrive at the entrance to the abandoned tunnel. They prepare for the attack, aware of the danger that awaits them.
Lemone: (In her head) "This is the moment of truth. I hope they can stop Grock and his men."
He carefully observes the operation from his hidden position, ready to intervene if necessary.
Royal army soldiers stand at the entrance to the abandoned tunnel, ready to confront the child traffickers. But they quickly discover that this tunnel is no ordinary.
Magic Soldier: (In disbelief) "It's a magic tunnel! It's protected by a powerful incantation."
The lieutenant of the royal army, a courageous and experienced man, steps forward.
Lieutenant: (In a determined tone) "Don't worry, my men. I will break this incantation and open the passage."
He concentrates his magical energy and recites a complex incantatory formula. The tunnel shakes, and the incantation breaks.
Soldiers: (In an enthusiastic tone) "Forward!"
They enter the tunnel, Lemone still invisible in their ranks. After a few minutes of walking, they emerge into a large underground room.
Nightmare scene...
The sight before their eyes is frightening. Hundreds of children are chained and frightened, crowded into the room like animals. Grock and some of his henchmen are watching them, a cruel smile on their lips.
Grock: (Sarcasticly) "Well, well, look who's here! The soldiers of the royal army. Have you come to save us, the good knights?"
The royal army lieutenant stares at him with contempt.
Lieutenant: (In a firm tone) "Your reign of terror is over, Grock. Prepare to be arrested."
Grock bursts out laughing.
Grock: (In an arrogant tone) "You really think you can defeat me? I am Grock, the lord of the underworld! You don't stand a chance against me!"
But the lieutenant of the royal army is a formidable warrior. He uses his combat skills and magic to incapacitate Grock and his minions with surprising ease with his sword.
Lieutenant (in a sarcastic tone): "Lord of the underworld? Huh, what a fraud."
Lemone: (In his head) "Amazing! This man is a true hero."
The soldiers free the children, who hail them as saviors. The royal army lieutenant smiled, satisfied with his accomplishment.
Lieutenant: (In a relieved tone) "Mission accomplished. These children are finally safe."
Lemone: (In an admiring tone) "Well done, Lieutenant. You did a wonderful job."
He comes out of his invisibility and presents himself to the lieutenant.
Lemone: (In a respectful tone) "I'm Bard. I'm the one who gave you the information about this trafficking ring."
The lieutenant looks at him gratefully.
Lieutenant: (Grateful) "Thank you, Bard. Thanks to you, we were able to save these children. You are a true hero."
Lemone smiled humbly.
Lemone: (In a modest tone) "I only did my duty."
Lieutenant Adam, a man in his forties with hard features and a determined look, questions Grock, the head of the child trafficking network. Grock, defeated and humiliated, quickly confesses his involvement in trafficking and his complicity with Madame Volpe.
Lieutenant Adam: (In a firm tone) "Very well, Grock. Your confession will be forwarded to the authorities. You will be tried and convicted for your crimes."
The Royal Army soldiers take Grock to prison, while Lieutenant Adam turns his attention to Lemone.
Lieutenant Adam: (In a grateful tone) "Bard, thanks to you and your information, we were able to save hundreds of children and put an end to human trafficking. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."
He hands her a purse containing 300,000 gold coins.
Lieutenant Adam: (In a solemn tone) "This is a reward for your courage and sense of justice. You have demonstrated great bravery and dedication."
Lemone gratefully accepts the scholarship.
Lemone: (In a humble tone) "I only did my duty, lieutenant. I'm glad these children are finally safe."
Lieutenant Adam smiled.
Lieutenant Adam: (In a friendly tone) "I have no doubt that you will continue to do great things, Bard. See you soon."
He leaves the tunnel, leaving Lemone alone with her thoughts.
A voice in the shadows...
Suddenly, a dark voice resonates in Lemone's mind.
Dark Entity: (Sarcasticly) "Well done, Lemone! You saved the world again. What a hero you are!"
Lemone immediately recognizes the voice of the dark entity that has haunted him for so long.
Lemone: (In an aggressive tone) "What else do you want?"
Dark Entity: (Mockingly) "Oh, I don't want anything, my dear Lemone. I'm just here to remind you who you really are. A bloodthirsty monster full of hatred. No matter how much you play the hero , you are nothing but a sadist."
Lemone clenches his fists, anger rising within him.
Lemone: (In a hateful tone) "You're wrong! I'm not a monster. I do what I believe is right."
Dark Entity: (In an ironic tone) "Oh yes? And it's right to threaten a woman and extort money from her? Is it right to risk the lives of these children to take revenge? Look at you in the mirror, Lemone. You're not a hero, you're a demon."
Lemone wavers under the weight of these words. He knows that the dark entity is right. He's done terrible things, things he can't undo.
Lemone: (In a desperate tone) "You keep telling me the same spiel. Listening to it so much, I almost forgot that it was because of you that I became a demon."
Dark Entity: (In a cold tone) "Embrace your darkness, Lemone. Let it consume you and become the strength you are meant to be."
-End of Chapter -