The Island of Devils

Chapter 10

Willy Tybur was talking to his kids. "Well, your father needs to get going. Be good kids and listen to your big sister."

"Where are you going?" "Don't leave!" "Bring me something!" "I wanna go, too!" "No fair!" "Let me come with you!" "Pretty please!"

Willy frowns at his four kids. "Sorry. I'm afraid not this time." He hugged them tightly.

"Huh? How come?" "It's not fair!"

"Behave, you guys!" Their big sister told them. "Don't be selfish! You're making it hard for him!"

Willy placed a hand on her head. "Fine... Make sure all the kids get along."

She blushed and smiled at him. "Yup! Good luck with your work!"

"Thanks. I think it's time I head out." He stood up and walked away from them.

They waved him goodbye. "Take care!" "Bring me something!"

Willy stopped in front of his wife, who looked sadly at him. "Darling..." His wife had tears in her eyes.

Willy frowned and kissed her cheek, "I'm sorry. Take care of the kids." He walked away, and his wife began to cry.

Willy left the room. "Let's go."

Willy was in a carriage with Commander Magath. He looked out of the window and asked, "I suppose, if I'm attacked, it'll be during the speech?"

"I can't say for sure, but that seems the most likely." Magath answered. "Only then will most of our brass be gathered in one spot. However, it's the protocol to make escape plans at the last moment for security. Naturally, VIPs will use carriages."

"Let's sit them at the 'special seats' on the edge. Clump them together as much as possible."

"Are you sure about this?" Magath asked.

"Compared to our predecessors, the Tyburs haven't been playing around. We've been building relations with the world's elite, improving the reputation of Eldians, and watching Paradis Island's movements. But we should've been our own backyard."

The carriage passed an alley, and a person with a hat stood there, reading a newspaper. "Before we knew it, we had enemies crossing the sea and at our necks. At this point, they might get sliced at any moment."

The person in the alley closed the newspaper and walked away. "It's the conspirators working with Paradis who I fear the most. We still don't know, our motherland Marley has many enemies. Some, in our own military. We'll smoke them out by lightning a fire under their asses. We can plan for their attack and use it to our advantage. Unless you have a better idea, we proceed as planned."

"Even if they take the bait, we lose way too much." Magath replied.

"We'll sacrifice incompetent officers. If the enemy's goal is to damage Marley's military, it works perfectly. When you rebuild the military, the party will approve whomever you choose."

"But so many will die." Magath argued.

Willy stood up. "Most of them will be Eldians! They're spawns of the devil! Don't change on me now, Commander Magath. You've sent countless Eldians marching into machine guns and land mines. Why does it matter whether they wear uniforms or not? Just keep doing what you've always done."

Magath closed his eyes and bowed his head. "Let me say one thing: This isn't war. We don't know the enemy, their goal, or how they'll attack. Plus, the venue will be packed with a huge crowd." He looked up at him. "Lord Tybur, I doubt I'll be able to protect you. If we proceed, you will die. They won't pass you up as bait."