The Deadly Assassin Robin (Tristan Storm) novel Chapter 1404

"Mr. Ramsey! I fear it's a trap."

Daphne and Rita had both caught the unsettling glint in Kage's eyes and stepped forward to warn him.

Robin cast a cold glance at Kage and his men. "I've never bowed to anyone. But for Shirley, I'm willing to lay down all my pride. If giving you everything I have can bring her back, then so be it."

"But if any of you dare break your promise—" his voice sharpened, "I'll tear every last soul from Netheris, until there's nothing left."

His words pierced through the crowd like a thousand icy blades.

No one doubted his threat.

The power in his presence—

The deathless fury in his eyes—

It silenced the entire Soulforge Platform, casting a pall like a mountain of corpses.

Kage's heart clenched.

A crushing fear overtook him—every pore of his body felt it.

It was the first time since becoming High Pontiff of the Dark Syndicate that he was overcome with such uneasiness.

After a long beat, he turned to Nox and gestured at the blade in his hands. "What about this one?"

Nox was trembling all over in excitement as he examined the legendary weapon, a relic of unfathomable ancient power.

He handed it over with reverence, staggered as he presented it to Kage. "Your Holiness, this is it. The very first ancient relic—Dragon-Slaying Dagger!"

Kage accepted it eagerly. "Yes ... yes! It's truly the one!"

Caym and the others swarmed around him, praising it with gleeful admiration.

Soon they were all lost in self-congratulation—boasting of decades of secret operations across Earthend, sacrifices made in silence, strategies laid in shadows.

None of them mentioned Robin's request again.

Kage's face radiated triumph.

Surrounded by his Pontiffs, Guardians, Archmages, and elite guests from all corners of Netheris, he stood like a king above kings.

"My friends," he began, his voice rising, "since we arrived in Netheris, the Dark Syndicate has spread the sacred light of our faith. We've saved the masses from their misery.

"Our teachings have shown them the wisdom of repentance—that life itself is meant to be a trial.

"They now accept suffering, embrace poverty, abandon pleasure, and dedicate their lives to the path of penance.

"For the future salvation of Netheris and its people," Kage declared solemnly, "we, as the chosen of the Holy Order, bear a heavy burden.

"We must selflessly shoulder the weight of wealth, pleasure, and all worldly indulgences—so our people may instead embrace illness, poverty, ignorance, and hardship in this life.

"Only by suffering now can they achieve redemption in the next.

"My friends, for the strength of Netheris, for the eternal joy of our people in the afterlife—we must not fear luxury, nor shy from decadence, nor hesitate to revel night after night. Let us continue to make sacrifices ... for their sake!"

The moment he finished, the Branch Pontiffs, Grand Guardians, and other high-ranking clergy raised their arms high. "We will give everything! For this cause, we'll exhaust ourselves to the very end!"

Caym gave a casual shrug. "Not that I recall, Your Holiness. When did we ever claim to have Ms. Dunn's soul?"

He turned to Robin with mock sympathy. "Oh my, Mr. Drakebane, you may have misunderstood. Perhaps her spirit is somewhere else? Truly sorry. We have no idea where your wife's soul is."

Daphne's voice cracked with fury. "You liars! How could you go back on your words? You promised—if Mr. Ramsey handed over the dagger, you'd give Ms. Dunn's soul back! Now you pretend you never said that? Is this the kind of shameless deceit the Dark Syndicate is known for?"

Caym shook his head slowly. "Our High Pontiff is merciful. He won't take offense at your crude tone. But I'm warning you—insult us again, and we won't be so forgiving."

Arthur was so infuriated by the shamelessness of these swindlers that he nearly passed out. He couldn't hold back any longer. "Your Holiness!" he shouted. "You've always preached the virtue of honesty. How can you break your word like this?"

Caym's expression turned icy. "You traitor! How dare you question the authority of the High Pontiff? Kneel and repent—now!"

Arthur shouted back, "You demand faith and virtue from your followers, but you yourselves are nothing but cowards and cheats! You disgust me!"

"Silence!" Caym roared, lifting his hand to kill Arthur on the spot.

But Varryn stepped in front of Arthur, shielding him. "Caym, he's just a child. Are you really going to strike him down?"

A storm of power flared from Varryn, radiating in all directions. He challenged, "If the High Pontiff made a promise to Mr. Ramsey, then honor it. A true ruler keeps their word!"

Kage held Caym back and replied coldly, "Varryn, I'm doing this to punish a criminal from Earthend. "He killed our warriors. Mocked our faith. If we let that go unpunished, how will the Dark Syndicate ever maintain authority in Netheris?"

He turned to Robin and declared, "Drakebane, the dagger is in my hands now. Do you still dare to defy me? You want your wife's soul? Fine. But you must submit to our civilization. Confess your sins. Beg for forgiveness.

"If not, then your wife's soul will be cast into the Wraithlands beyond the northern ridge, never to return."

Robin's eyes blazed with fury. He took a step forward. Then another. "You want me to submit to you? In your dreams. If your so-called civilization demands I crawl at your feet, then let me show you what it means to face the wrath and pride of Divine Drakebane."