Melody of Strength novel

Chapter 127Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

Liam and Edmund left with the Westhaven soldiers.

“If you want to rescue Aurora,” Carissa said to Barrett, “take your trusted aldes up the mountain.”

By saying this, Carissa was actually preserving some dignity for both Barrett and Aurora. If the shame endured by the Westhaven crown prince were to be repeated on them, the things Barrett would see upon going up the mountain would surely be appalling.

However, Barrett was concerned there might still be Westhaven troops stationed on the mountain. Thus, he requested that Carissa lend him the Mystic Army to accompany him.

Carissa regarded him for a moment. “Are you certain?”

Feeling an inexplicable tremor at her gaze, he asked, “Can you tell me if Aurora truly committed the massacres?”

“You should have asked Liam earlier,” Carissa replied calmly. “Or, you can ask Aurora yourself when you meet her. Liam is unlikely to have killed her.”

Barrett found it hard to believe that Aurora could have committed such acts. He recalled Liam’s words, which were extremely vague. The massacre was mentioned only briefly, while the apology to Carissa was emphasized.

If Aurora had indeed committed the massacre, then the destruction of the Sinclair family would indirectly be attributed to her. She had caused the death of Carissa’s family, and Barrett had sought to marry her, abandoning Carissa.

As Barrett contemplated this, a flood of conflicting emotions overwhelmed him. A heavy weight was pressing down on his chest, making breathing hard.

He was unwilling to believe that Aurora could do such things. He would personally ask her once he

saw her again.

Barrett suddenly lifted his head. “Liam’s words cannot be fully trusted. You should accompany me up the mountain so we can get to the bottom of this, General Sinclair. If Aurora admits to it in your presence, then…”

His face turned pale and grim.

If Aurora confessed, what could he possibly do? What could ever make up for those irreparable mistakes and lost lives?

After a moment of silence, Carissa agreed to go up the mountain with him.

Barrett didn’t trust Liam, and feared that there might be Westhaven troops lying in wait on the mountain. He also requested the Mystic Army to join them.

He was unsure of the exact nature of the abuses inflicted on the prisoners of war, believing that such abuse would, at most, involve torture. Therefore, he had no idea what he would encounter on the mountain.

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Carissa understood all too well, but this was also part of Liam’s plan.

+15 BONUS

Aurora hadn’t killed Arthur. He had taken his own life after being released due to the crushing of his dignity, honor, and physical torment.

Because of that, Liam wouldn’t kill Aurora, Intending to destroy her dignity and reputation. He would leave it to Aurora to decide whether she would end her own life, or endure.

Liam knew many would come to rescue her. With a hundred thousand soldiers descending from the mountain, who could say if another hundred thousand might be waiting above?

At the very least, he was sure Barrett believed so, for Barrett had never truly understood Westhaven.

Michael ordered the torches to be raised, and over ten thousand men marched up the mountain in a grand procession. Violent and the others followed without any objection, because they knew exactly what they would see.

After traveling for about half an hour, the winding path finally led them to a flat area. This area had been cleared as a temporary camp, large enough to accommodate a hundred thousand soldiers. In the middle stood a wooden cabin, from which the sounds of agonized screams were coming.

Hearing these cries, Barrett sprinted forward and kicked the hut door open. It was pitch dark inside, so he quickly instructed someone to bring a torch.

When the torchbearer stepped inside, Barrett’s gaze fell upon nineteen figures within the cabin.

His face went ashen instantly.

All of them were completely naked, their bodies covered in numerous scars and cuts. One horrifying injury was particularly disturbing–it was as if…

They had all been castrated!

The hut was filled with the stench of feces and urine. It was evident they had been drenched in it.. Excrement smeared their faces, bodies, and mouths. Aurora was no exception.

She was the only one wearing something. However, she lacked pants, and the blood pooled beneath her. Her private parts were clearly visible.

Coming to his senses, Barrett roared, “Get out! All of you, get out!”

He grabbed a torch and rushed inside, but there were no clothes or armor left in the hut. They had all been burned.

Desperate, he stripped off his own armor and outer garments, wrapping them around Aurora’s legs. He then put on bis armor again, and lifted her carefully in his arms.