Chapter 3 Execute Him Outside

H-He's bowing?? This man was a Three-Star Warrior Captain, freshly returned from Nordwest! In Seraphia, that title was the highest, towering above all others. Yet here he was, bowing before Mark! "Josh, what's happening? You must be mistaken. This is Mark, and he's not even recognized on the hero list. Why bow to him?" Dean urgently protested, thinking Josh must have been intimidated. "Silence! You should bow too!" Josh's face turned pale, and he delivered a hard slap to Dean's cheek, compelling him to bow. Josh wasn't afraid of Mark, but feared the Defender! If Mark had ties to the Defender, severe consequences would follow today's actions! Eddie and Tamara were bewildered, but they didn't say much and just tried to help Josh up respectfully. However, Josh remained bowing, not daring to budge. "Josh, what's gotten into you? I asked you here to help me, not to shame me! Look closely. This is Mark, an insignificant figure from Seraphia. He's no bigwig; you've been fooled!" Dean, who had been slapped and was fuming, retorted while rising in frustration. "Hear the Defender's commands!" Just as Josh prepared to reprimand Dean, Mark intervened. Josh straightened immediately, his demeanor turning serious. The Clayton family recoiled and retreated to a corner, eyes wide with dread. "Dean, for insulting a noble marriage, you are sentenced to immediate punishment! Three-Star Warrior Captain Josh, for abusing authority, you are stripped of rank and title, reduced to a civilian." Mark's voice was icy and authoritative. Due to certain reasons, Mark couldn't reveal his true identity yet, but conveying the Defender's orders was well within his authority. Josh flushed red with anger and humiliation, nearly fainting on the spot. A decade of service and honor, lost in an instant because he had crossed Mark! What connection does he have with the Defender? Why is the Defender getting involved in his personal matters? "Haha, this is absurd! You're playing a grand act, speaking of punishments. Do you think you're a deity? The Defender is the highest commander among Yantara's hundred generals, and he's the supreme leader of the twenty legendary generals. Why would he bother with your trivial matters?" Dean laughed mockingly, finding Mark's behavior ludicrous and unbelievable. He even brought up the Defender! He's pretty convincing! "Leave," Mark declared coldly, disregarding Dean's mockery and addressing Josh, who was bowing. Relieved to be spared further retribution, Josh quickly departed. He had wanted to ask Dean to leave with him, but he changed his mind after some thought to avoid more trouble. As Josh exited the Clayton residence, he encountered two imposing men in black suits entering. Their demeanor and stride suggested they were military. It appeared they were there to execute orders from the Defender. "Mark … Mighty Mark … Could they be one and the same?" A chilling realization dawned on Josh, almost stopping his heart. If Mark was truly the Defender himself, everything would make sense. But that notion was terrifying beyond comprehension. Did I actually command the Defender to divorce his wife? Josh trembled, slipping away hastily without daring to ask more. Despite his decade of service in Nordwest under a different great general, the military kept the identities of the core generals highly confidential. Only the Defender's personal guards knew his true face. Whether Mark was the Defender or not, he was someone Josh couldn't afford to anger. Escaping with his life today was already a miracle. Inside the Clayton residence, as Josh departed, the atmosphere slowly returned to normal. Dean fixed a cold stare on Mark, his arrogance undiminished. "Kid, don't think I didn't warn you. The man you just angered is a Three-Star Warrior Captain. You might deceive him for a while, but once he catches on, your days are numbered." Shifting his gaze to Laurel and the rest of the Claytons, Dean sneered. "Everyone, despite the unpleasantness of this little drama, the outcome is still in our favor. This brat won't last long. Just wait for Josh's orders. Once this kid is out of the way, I'll come with the marriage gifts. We'll all be family, and I'll manage Clayton Group's projects." Eddie finally relaxed after hearing Dean's reassurance. He turned to his father, Greg Clayton, the current head of the Claytons, and said, "Dad, Laurel is your granddaughter. Just say the word, and we will formally establish her engagement." Standing beside him, Tamara revealed a lecherous smile, but her expression turned venomous when she looked at Mark. She still couldn't believe Mark had any real connection to the Defender. Now that he had sealed his fate, she figured it would spare Laurel from pining over him any longer. "Grandfather, I object!" Laurel insisted stubbornly. "Hmph, your opinion doesn't matter! Just wait for our wedding night, when you'll be mine. Haha," Dean leered crudely after hearing what Laurel said. The Claytons disregarded his lewd remarks, focused only on the advantages of aligning with Dean. Mark's expression turned icy, a hint of murderous intent simmering underneath. At that moment, two burly men in suits entered the room. "Who is Dean?" Their voices were cold and authoritative, instantly escalating the tension. Dean's smile froze. He glanced disdainfully at Mark. "You're quite the performer, huh? I can't believe you've put on such a show, and you even brought people to arrest me! Why not give them uniforms? Can't afford them? I can pay for them if you're broke! What a joke! Do you take me for an idiot?" Mark remained silent, merely giving the men a nod. They understood instantly and seized Dean. Compared to them, Dean was as feeble as a chicken, and he cried out as soon as they laid hands on him. "By order of the Defender, you are to be executed!" one of the men declared coldly. "Executed? Mark, have you lost your mind, still playing pretend? And you two, listen here. My cousin is a Three-Star Warrior Captain. Let me go, or he'll wipe out your families!" Dean cursed as they dragged him outside. "No need to bring him away for the execution. Execute him outside, and try not to make a mess," Mark said coldly as they reached the door. "Will do!" the men replied respectfully, hauling Dean towards an open area outside. Tamara and Eddie turned pale as they hurried after them, fearing the spectacle might escalate and that they might actually harm Dean. As they rushed, Tamara shouted, "You worthless scum. Do you think we'll fall for your act? Looks like you're eager to meet your end!" Bang! Before Tamara reached the door, a gunshot echoed. Dean's cries were abruptly silenced. Inside, Greg, Laurel's uncles, and other relatives trembled violently, their faces drained of color.