Five minutes after Talc died, there were no living Talnamese left in the factory.
Most of them had killed each other, leaving a field of blood and guts that left Gina retching.
Cindy’s face was pale and stiff, and she did not dare say a word.
Frank stood along among the pile of mangled corpses, when he suddenly heard it.
“Donn…!”
He slowly turned to find a girl, her eyes locked on him, welling up with tears as if to tell him about all the years she missed him.
“You’ve got the wrong guy,” he said, lowering his head in silence.
When he looked up again, he was smiling. “My name is Frank Lawrence, not Donn—and I live in Riverton. Do you remember meeting me in Sage Lake Sect’s enclave?”
Nonetheless, Silverbell was clasping a hand over her dainty lips as she shook her head repeatedly.
“Stop lying,” she cried. “You’re Donn—you always will be! Did you know how long I’ve been looking for you? Everyone told me you’re dead… My father, even yours… But I never believed them and kept searching for so long… Let’s go home, alright?”
Frank had to restrain himself at the sight of her tearful pleas and said calmly, “I’ve met Donn myself. But he died three years ago at the South Sea—I just happened to learn the techniques he taught me. Take a good look… I’m not him.”
His calm gaze left Silverbell disappointed.
She started to doubt herself too, since her memories of Donn were getting fuzzy too after going a decade not seeing him.
Would he really be so cold to her, without even a flicker of doubt in his eyes, if he really was Donn?
And the way he looked at her… As if she was a complete stranger…
Nonetheless, she persisted. “No… My father told me that you’re alive and staying in Riverton. I was afraid to see you… I was…”
Frank sighed exasperatedly at that, shaking his head. “I guess your father was just telling you white lies since you’re stubborn. But Donn is dead-there was no way he’d survive his injuries.”
“R-Really?” Silverbell stumbled backward and flashed a pained smile. “I’m sorry, Mr. Lawrence… I’ve lost myself. Donn always said he’d marry me… And I was always waiting…”
Her murmur left Frank stung.
How could she be so silly to take some childish promise so seriously?
“I’m sorry that I’ve shown you such an unseemly side to myself,” Silverbell apologized, and took out a letter. “Here. It’s an invitation to join the Martial Alliance, which I’m now formally extending to you. Join us, and I’ll definitely arrange for a high position for you since you have the disposition.”
Then, she wiped her puffy eyes and breathed a silly giggle. “Will we see each other again, Mr. Lawrence?”
Frank stayed silent for a moment and shook his head without taking the invitation. “I’m sorry, I’m not interested in joining, and I think it’s better if we don’t see each other again, Lady Silverbell.”
