Rise of The Abandoned Husband

# Chapter 671 - The Commander's Unyielding Claim

The silence in the chamber was deafening. All eyes were fixed on the bent railing—the supposedly unbreakable Authentic Rock warped by my fist. I kept my gaze locked on Bancroft, watching as shock transformed into fear on his face.

"Stop the extraction," Bancroft ordered, his voice pitched higher than normal. "Now!"

The assistants scrambled to obey, quickly removing the device from Isabelle's arm. She slumped in her restraints, her breathing shallow but steady.

"Are you okay?" I asked her softly.

Isabelle managed a weak nod, her eyes never leaving mine. Despite her pain, I saw fierce pride there—pride in what I'd just done.

Bancroft stepped back, putting distance between us. "This changes nothing," he said, but his voice lacked conviction. "The execution proceeds as scheduled."

He signaled to the guards. "Take them to the execution grounds. Separately. And double the restraints on him."

The guards approached me cautiously, as if I might suddenly break free and tear them apart. I didn't resist as they added more chains, but I kept my eyes fixed on Bancroft, silently promising retribution.

"You should have killed me when you had the chance," I told him quietly. "Because now I'm going to come back for you."

A muscle twitched in his jaw. "Empty threats from a dead man." He turned to the guards. "Move him out first. I'll bring the woman myself."

As they led me from the chamber, I caught one last glimpse of Isabelle. Her face was pale from blood loss, but her eyes burned with defiance.

"Stay alive," she mouthed silently.

I gave her an almost imperceptible nod before the guards pushed me forward into the corridor.

The journey to the execution ground took us upward through levels of the Guild complex I hadn't seen before. We emerged into a large courtyard ringed by high stone walls. At its center stood a raised platform with two pillars of dark metal. The morning sun glinted off them ominously.

A crowd had already gathered—Guild officials in formal robes, aristocrats from prominent families, and military officers standing rigidly at attention. I recognized Michael Ashworth's stooped figure, his face impassive as he watched me being led to the platform.

The guards forced me to my knees before the pillars. The metal was cold against my skin as they secured my restraints to hooks embedded in the structure.

Darian Bancroft arrived minutes later with Isabelle. She walked with surprising dignity despite her weakened state, refusing the guards' attempts to support her. When they tried to force her to the second pillar, Bancroft raised his hand.

"No. She will watch from here." He positioned her at the edge of the platform, flanked by guards. "I want her to see everything."

Bancroft turned to address the assembled crowd, his voice carrying across the courtyard.

"Distinguished guests, members of the Guild, we gather today to witness justice served. Before you kneels Liam Knight, guilty of high treason, assault on Guild personnel, and interference with Guild operations."

A murmur ran through the crowd. I scanned their faces, memorizing each one. If I somehow survived this, I wanted to remember who had come to watch me die.

"By unanimous decree of the High Council," Bancroft continued, "the sentence is death."

He approached me, lowering his voice so only I could hear. "Any last words, Knight? A plea for mercy, perhaps?"

I looked up at him and smiled. "I'm going to enjoy watching you die."

His confident expression faltered momentarily. Then he stepped back, gesturing to two Guild officials standing nearby.

"Proceed."

The officials raised their hands, and two objects floated into view above me—weapons unlike any I had seen before. They resembled small cannons made of the same dark metal as the pillars, their barrels pointed directly at my head.

"Martial Saint Weapons," Bancroft announced proudly. "Crafted specifically for executions. They leave nothing behind—no body, no soul, no trace. Complete annihilation."

The weapons began to hum, vibrating with energy as they powered up. Light gathered at the end of each barrel, building in intensity until it was almost blinding.

I heard Isabelle's sharp intake of breath, felt her distress across the platform. But I kept my eyes forward, refusing to show fear.

"Execute," Bancroft commanded.

The weapons reached their peak charge, the light coalescing into tight beams poised to fire. I took a deep breath, my mind racing through possible escape strategies and finding none.

"If you kill me," I said clearly, my voice carrying across the suddenly silent courtyard, "know that I will haunt you from beyond death itself. Everything you've built, everything you care about—I will return to destroy it all."

The weapons hummed louder, ready to fire—

"STOP!"

The command rang out with such authority that everyone froze. Even the weapons seemed to hesitate, their deadly energy holding steady but not discharging.

Heavy footsteps approached from the courtyard entrance. The crowd parted hastily, revealing a tall figure in military uniform adorned with medals and insignia of the highest rank.

"Commander Burke," someone whispered nearby.

The name meant nothing to me, but the reaction of the crowd spoke volumes. Guild officials straightened their postures. Military officers saluted sharply. Even Bancroft's confident demeanor crumbled slightly.

Commander Burke strode forward, his presence dominating the courtyard. He was older than I expected—perhaps in his sixties—but moved with the fluid grace of a seasoned warrior. His silver hair was cut military-short, and a scar ran from his left eye to his jaw, giving his face a permanent look of grim determination.

"What is the meaning of this interruption?" Bancroft demanded, though his voice lacked its usual authority.

The Commander ignored him completely, walking directly to where I knelt. He studied me with piercing gray eyes that seemed to see through me.

"Liam Knight," he said, his deep voice betraying no emotion.

I met his gaze steadily, saying nothing.

After what felt like an eternity, he turned to Bancroft. "This execution is canceled."

Bancroft's face flushed with anger. "You have no authority here, Commander. This is Guild business."

"This man falls under my jurisdiction," Burke replied calmly.

"Impossible. He's a civilian criminal."

The Commander's expression hardened. "He's part of the battle zone. That makes him mine."

A ripple of surprise moved through the crowd. The battle zone was spoken of only in whispers—a contested territory where military authority superseded even that of the Guild.

Bancroft's composure slipped further. "You can't just walk in here and—"

"I just did." Commander Burke gestured to the soldiers who had entered with him. "Release him."

"I have authorization from the High Council itself!" Bancroft shouted, producing the ornate scroll he'd shown me earlier. "Signed by all thirteen members!"

The Commander regarded the document for a moment. Then, with deliberate slowness, he reached out, took the scroll from Bancroft's hands, and tore it in half. The sound of tearing paper echoed in the stunned silence.

"Well," he said, dropping the pieces at Bancroft's feet, "now you don't have the authorization."

Bancroft's face contorted with rage. "This is treason! Guards, arrest him!"

Not a single guard moved. The Guild officials exchanged nervous glances. The military officers present seemed to be fighting smiles.

Commander Burke raised an eyebrow. "I wouldn't recommend that course of action, Bancroft." His voice was soft but carried an unmistakable threat.

Turning to his soldiers, he repeated his order. "Release Knight. Now."

Two soldiers stepped forward, producing keys that somehow fit my restraints perfectly. As the chains fell away, I rubbed my wrists, watching the Commander warily. I didn't know if being claimed by him was any better than execution.

"What about her?" I asked, nodding toward Isabelle.

Burke glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "The woman stays."

"Then I stay too," I said firmly.

A flicker of something—respect, perhaps?—crossed his face. "You're in no position to negotiate, Knight."

"I'm not leaving without her," I insisted.

The Commander studied me for a long moment, then turned back to Bancroft. "The woman's condition is deteriorating. Your extraction was excessive."

"She's Guild property," Bancroft snapped back, regaining some of his arrogance.

"She's an Ashworth," Burke countered. "And I believe her grandfather might have something to say about her treatment."

All eyes turned to Michael Ashworth, who had remained silent throughout the confrontation. The old man stepped forward slowly.

"Commander Burke is right," he said, his voice stronger than his frail appearance suggested. "My granddaughter requires medical attention. I demand she be released into my custody immediately."

Bancroft looked between Burke and Ashworth, realizing he was outmatched. "Fine," he spat. "Take her. But this isn't over. The Guild will not forget this interference."

Commander Burke smiled coldly. "Neither will I, Bancroft. Neither will I."

He turned to me. "On your feet, Knight. We're leaving."

As I stood, I caught Isabelle's eye across the platform. Relief and fear mingled in her expression. I didn't know if Michael Ashworth would truly protect her or if this was another trap, but at least she wouldn't die today.

"She'll be safe," the Commander said quietly, following my gaze. "Ashworth owes me. He'll keep her protected until we return."

"Return from where?" I asked.

His scarred face remained impassive. "From where I'm taking you. Now move."

With one last look at Isabelle, I followed Commander Burke from the execution ground, conscious of every eye following our departure. Bancroft's furious glare burned into my back, a promise of future retribution.

I didn't know what awaited me beyond the Guild walls, but for now, I was alive. And as long as I drew breath, I would find a way back to Isabelle—and a way to make Bancroft pay for what he'd done to her.

The Commander led me toward a military transport waiting outside the Guild complex. His soldiers formed a protective circle around us, their weapons ready.

"Why did you intervene?" I asked as we walked. "What's the battle zone?"

Burke's expression remained unreadable. "All your questions will be answered in due time, Knight." He paused, then added, "But know this—I didn't save you out of kindness. Where we're going, you might wish I had let them execute you."

With those ominous words hanging between us, we stepped into the transport and the doors sealed behind us with a heavy finality.