Free Web NovelChapter 358: Complete madness
Setan lifted his head and found two familiar figures standing outside the cell.
One was Yian. The other was Bran, Maya’s father.
A faint crease formed between Setan’s brows.
"Father, what are you doing here?"
Yian sighed heavily.
"Setan, your Uncle Bran once rendered a tremendous service to the clan years ago. The tribe still owes him a reward. He might be the only one capable of helping you now."
At this point, Yian could see no other path left to save his son.
Setan remained silent. He knew perfectly well that Bran’s assistance would not come without conditions. No one would offer such a favor for free.
Bran stepped forward and looked directly at him.
"Setan, if you’re willing to marry Maya, I’ll help you."
His tone was straightforward and blunt.
"I have devoted most of my life to this city. I have influence, connections, and people who still respect my word. If I choose to intervene, I can make a difference."
"Thank you, Uncle Bran." Setan’s expression remained calm and somewhat distant. "But I will never marry Maya. I simply can’t."
Bran’s face darkened immediately.
"Think carefully before you answer." His voice sharpened, turning ice-cold. "Other than me, no one can save you now."
A flicker of irritation crossed his eyes.
"Maya is a Saint Female. She’s beautiful, talented, and admired throughout Blazing Flame City. Countless males would consider it an honor to marry her."
If his daughter had not stubbornly adored Setan since childhood, Bran would never have wasted such a valuable reward on him.
That favor could have secured far greater benefits for either his daughter or his own mate.
He had always respected Setan’s abilities, but now, the young lion seemed almost ungrateful and even rude.
"I have already made my decision." Setan’s voice never wavered.
Seeing his stubbornness, Yian became increasingly anxious.
"Setan, why are you still clinging to this?" His voice rose louder with frustration.
"You and that female have no future together. Why can’t you accept Maya instead?"
He clenched his fists into tight balls.
"Your life is hanging by a thread. What possibilities are left between you and that female?"
In his eyes, Maya was everything a male could hope for.
She adored Setan. She would undoubtedly treat him well. Why couldn’t his son see that?
"Father, stop trying to persuade me." Setan’s gaze remained unwavering. "My mind is made up."
Yian’s chest tightened with frustration.
"Can you stop being so foolish for once?"
His voice trembled.
"Do you have any idea what three days of Ice Thunder Punishment will do to you?"
For a fire-aligned Flame Lion, it was practically a death sentence. Yet Setan seemed completely indifferent.
"I know." His answer came quietly. "But even if it kills me, I will never betray Nina."
The conviction in his voice was absolute. He would rather die than trade Nina’s trust for his own survival. In this lifetime, there would only ever be one female he was willing to marry.
Nina. No one else. freewebnσvel.cѳm
Yian stared at him in disbelief.
"Have you completely lost your mind?"
His frustration finally erupted.
"That female already left! She’s gone, and you’re still thinking about her?"
He could barely contain his anger.
"You defended her before, and I tolerated it. But now you’re willing to throw away your life for her. Are you really planning to remain loyal to her even in death?"
He genuinely could not understand. What kind of spell had Nina cast over his son to make him this devoted?
A faint shadow crossed Setan’s eyes.
"Nina didn’t abandon me." His voice softened. "I was the one who asked her to leave."
A brief smile touched his lips.
"She knows nothing about any of this."
Bran watched the exchange quietly from the side. The more he listened, the more convinced he became––Setan truly had handed the sacred relic to an outsider.
It was madness. Complete madness.
Yet from another perspective, Bran could not deny what he saw.
As a male, Setan was loyal. Steadfast. Devoted beyond reason. A rare quality in this world.
Perhaps that was exactly what his daughter had fallen in love with.
Yian pressed a hand against his forehead.
"You really intend to drive me to my grave." His voice carried both anger and helplessness. "Have you thought about your mother at all?" freewёbnoνel.com
His eyes reddened from the weight of unshed tears.
"If something happens to you, do you know how devastated she’ll be?"
No matter how much he pleaded, nothing seemed capable of changing his son’s mind.
A flicker of guilt finally appeared in Setan’s eyes.
"I believe you’ll take care of Mother."
The response nearly made Yian choke. For a moment, he could not even find the words to argue.
Bran shook his head and sighed.
"In that case, there’s nothing more for me to say."
His disappointment was obvious. If Setan refused to help himself, there was little anyone else could do.
At worst, he would simply find his daughter a better match. Someone willing to cherish her. With Maya’s status and beauty, suitable candidates were plentiful.
"Bran..."
Yian’s expression dimmed. Even this last hope was slipping away.
Bran looked at his old friend and spoke honestly.
"It’s not that I don’t want to help." He gestured toward Setan. "You’ve seen his attitude for yourself."
His voice grew firm.
"The reward I earned belongs to my daughter. I won’t waste it on someone who refuses her outright."
Yian lowered his head. After a long silence, he nodded.
"I understand."
A heavy stillness settled over the dungeon. Setan watched his father’s weary expression and felt a stab of guilt.
"Father... I’m sorry."
Yian closed his eyes to take a break from all of this. When he opened them again, all that remained was exhaustion.
"Forget it." His voice was quiet now. "This is the path you’ve chosen for yourself."
Without another word, he turned around and slowly walked out of the dungeon.
The echo of his footsteps faded into the darkness, leaving Setan alone behind the iron bars once more.
