𝒲𝒾𝓃𝓉ℯ𝓇 𝒲ℴ𝓃𝒹ℯ𝓇𝓁𝒶𝓃𝒹： 𝒯𝒽𝒶𝓌 ℴ𝒻 𝓉𝒽ℯ ℱ𝓇ℴ𝓏ℯ𝓃 ℋℯ𝒶𝓇𝓉

𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐵𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑅𝑖𝑛𝑔： 𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟 28

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"Kyrie eleison....God have mercy on her..."

**
Noble Bell College - Bell Tower Interior

Once the Aide and Vice President disappeared from earshot, Rollo turned sharply to the others, a sharp eyebrow raised.

"What is this?" he demanded, confusion and frustration twisting his features. "Have you taken pity on me? Am I so weak and pathetic to you? SPARE ME YOUR PITY." His voice cracked with bitterness.

Idia groaned, clearly annoyed. "Ugh... Some people just take their own ideas and run with 'em."

"What do you mean?" Rollo frowned.

Azul gave a knowing look. "I thought you would've realized by now that Malleus isn't some sap."

Rollo fixed his gaze on Malleus. "Explain yourself."

Malleus tightened his hold on the sleeping Y/n, careful to keep her undisturbed amid the tension. "I've come up with a fitting punishment for you." he said coldly. "Will you confess to your misdeeds or continue to feign innocence? The final decision is yours to make."

Vanitas, leaning casually against the wall, hummed thoughtfully. "Heh... so that's your approach."

Rollo scoffed, a dark smirk curling on his lips. "Heh... Hahaha! What a feeble punishment! All I have to do is keep quiet, and I get off scot-free!"

Malleus's eyes narrowed. "That's acceptable to me. "You'll be able to deceive others, of course, and even yourself. But you'll never deceive the Bell of Solace that's watched over you all this time."

Rollo's smirk faltered; beads of sweat appeared on his brow. "The Bell of Solace...?" he whispered, staring wide-eyed at Malleus.

"Indeed." Malleus nodded solemnly. "You hold it in high esteem, do you not? And yet you sought to misuse it for your own ends. How you live with your deeds is up to you." His glare bore deep into Rollo.

"......" Rollo went silent, disbelief washing over his face like a cold wave.

Vanitas scoffed with a hint of dark amusement. "Heh. How utterly poetic."

Malleus's voice was low and sharp. "You can come clean or hold your tongue. Either way, you'll regret it. No matter which choice you make, you will spend the rest of your days racked with the fires of remorse. There's no greater punishment I could inflict upon you, Flamme. Wouldn't you agree?" he smirked.

"...Touché." Rollo let out a bitter chuckle, sweat beading on his brow. "You villains are quite well-versed in tormenting others. Hmhm... Mmhmhm... Hahaha..."

Malleus turned his gaze to the others. "I trust the rest of you are fine with this?"

Vanitas grinned darkly. "Of course."

Silver nodded approvingly. "Malleus... You've turned this into a matter of conscience for Rollo. What a brilliant decision. I agree it's for the best."

Sebek puffed his chest with pride. "If such is your wish, Malleus, no one would dare object! Oh, how truly lucky I am to serve such an incredible liege!"