“No way! We can’t let them take Walter!”
“Exactly! We will go down swinging if push comes to shove!”
“That’s right! We do not fear death!”
Glen was left glowering as the rest of the Turnbulls argued in defiance.
“Go down swinging?! Easy for you to say!” he bellowed. “Have none of you considered how serious a blow it would be to our family if we went to war against the mayor of Morhen?! It wouldn’t just be the Martial Alliance if the mayor sends the garrison, we’re really screwed!”
Looking at everyone around him pointedly, he continued, “At that point, we’d be unable to clear our name while we leap into the pit our enemies dug for us! And that’s exactly what they want-for us to fight the Martial Alliance!”
While most of the Turnbulls were stunned, some still argued defiantly.
“What, are we supposed to just give up?”
“Exactly. Even at best, we’d lose Walter… And our reputation is going down the drain…”
Glen simply turned to Frank and said quietly, “Mr. Lawrence has already said it-we will let them take Walter while we investigate the incident. When we do, we will be able to save Walter, even turn the tables against our enemies. Mr. Lawrence has already seen that reality, but the rest of you are disappointingly ignorant.”
Even Susan quietly admitted to her shortcoming as Glen glared sternly at everyone.
And once they turned quiet, Silverbell strode up and asked, “So? Have you come to a decision?”
“Lady Silverbell.” Glen nodded politely. “We will surrender Walter, but will you listen to my one request?”
“Speak,” Silverbell replied, her expression remaining haughty and impassive.
“Walter has been framed,” Glen explained. “Someone is trying to drive a wedge between the mayor and our family. That is why I would ask that the Martial Alliance refrains from using violence against Walter, while we gather evidence as soon as possible to expose the real culprit!”
Silverbell, however, shook her head. “I can’t offer any assurance… You know what the mayor is like, and nothing you say holds sway.” “Hehe…”
The bearded elder with Silverbell
chuckled coolly. “You Turnbulls
would harbor a criminal when net
he
molested Ms. Laine in public. Talk
about despicable.”
“Exactly.” The other elder sneered. “I’d be skinning him if I were the mayor.”
Their attitude left the Turnbulls hesitant, especially Susan, who was shielding Walter behind herself, glowering.
Judging from what they said, torture awaited her husband if the Martial Alliance took him away, and even if he returned, he would not be in one piece.
As such, there was no chance she would let those savages take him!
However, that was when Walter sighed and rose to his feet, then walked toward Silverbell and the members of the Martial Alliance.
“Don’t bother,” he said. “It’s my crime,
and I will shoulder the
consequences myself. It doesn’t
matter if I was set up-it’s still acceptable to me if I can save my family with my sacrifice.”
“Walter!” Susan was sobbing and barely herself.
Glen sighed bitterly too. “It’s a treacherous path, but there’s nothing else we can do for now…”
With that, the Turnbulls did not argue at all as the Martial Alliance took Walter away.
