A Man Like None Other - Season 8 Episode 28

After glancing at the dehydrated remains of his former adversary, Jared studied his surroundings and found the members of Mapleton staring back at him in fear, much to his amusement.

The five leaders regarded Jared as if he was the devil himself.

“Is anybody going to step out to avenge your fallen king?” Jared demanded.

The members of Mapleton, numbering in the hundreds, did not dare utter a single word. Even the five leaders did not know what to say.

Lyanna stepped forward. “Let them go, Jared.”

No matter what had transpired, I have called Mapleton my home for twenty years. I have loved ones here who love me back.

It did not matter to her whether or not some of them in the crowd had participated in her parents’ persecution now that the man who gave the order was dead. Lyanna wanted nothing more than to put the matter behind her.

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“That depends on them.” Jared narrowed his eyes as he watched the crowd closely for the first signs of rebellion as it was in his nature to be harsh with his enemies.

“Poison King is dead,” Weston declared as he drew himself to full height. “This was a grudge between Mr. Chance and Poison King. Nobody in Mapleton is going to inherit the grudge. Consider it resolved.”

He was aware that nobody else was going to say a word if he did not take the initiative. In a manner of speaking, Weston was, at that moment, the highest-ranking member of Mapleton before the appointment of the next Poison King was finalized.

“We won’t be seeking trouble with you, Mr. Chance,” the other members of Mapleton chimed in, each one more courteous than the last.

Jared was pleased.

I like that. This is a society that recognizes strong leaders.

“Let’s get out of here, Jared,” Lyanna pleaded as she tugged at his arm. “I never want to see Mapleton again. All I want to do now is to look for my sister.”

Before he could answer, Weston fell to his knees before her with a dull thud.

“Ms. Lyanna, you can’t go!” he sobbed. “If you do, we’re all done for!”

“Carlos from the Empyrean Sect is coming to marry you in three days, Ms. Lyanna,” he continued with a sniffle. “If you leave, they will have cause to attack us. With Poison King gone, it is going to be genocide when they come. Please stay for our sake!”

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“Please stay, Ms. Lyanna!” The other members of Mapleton followed his lead as they fell to their knees.

Before he died, Poison had been a formidable enough adversary to the Empyrean Sect to hold them at bay. With their biggest obstacle to conquest removed, the Empyrean Sect would waste no time in taking advantage of the power void in Mapleton.

If Lyanna was not ready to be wed in three days when the Empyrean Sect came for her as promised, it would definitely anger them enough to raze the entire town.

Lyanna bit her lip in pity for the men on their knees.

As much as I care about them, I can’t be throwing away my virginity to Carlos!

However, Lyanna’s heart softened once more at the recollection of two decades worth of memories shared with many of them.

“Let’s leave in a couple of days,” Jared suggested. “I’d like to meet the members of the Empyrean Sect.”

Lyanna gazed up at him with gratitude, certain that he had agreed to remain behind for her sake.

Evidently, the members of Mapleton felt the same way. “Thank you, Mr. Chance! Thank you for your mercy!”

Unbeknownst to them, Jared had his own motives. He was planning on ascertaining the existence of a spirit spring behind the walls of the Empyrean Sect.

As planned, Jared and Lyanna remained behind in Mapleton. Over the duration of their stay, the residents of Mapleton revered Jared like a deity. They made sure he dined and wined well and made him feel most welcome.

Lyanna’s impression of Jared had improved as well. Often, she would pour her heart out to him and parade herself before him in deliberately skimpy clothing to stoke his desire.

Well, he has seen everything anyway. Might as well make it easier for him!