Chapter 109: The Ripper’s Ultimatum

An hour earlier, on a secluded path in the imperial city’s outskirts.

Martha clutched the trembling Leah to her, her eyes fixed in terror on the monstrous man before them.

The man was almost entirely shrouded in a tattered, blood-soaked cloak.

Only his hands, transformed into grotesque, sharp claws, protruded from the sleeves. Blood ceaselessly dripped from the tips of these talons.

He stood hunched before them, his heavy, ragged breathing carrying a distinct note of pain, making him resemble a wounded beast.

Not far off, their donkey cart was tied to a tree.

The couple who usually drove the sisters back to the village lay injured on the cart, side by side, their pained wails echoing through the quiet.

****

Just two minutes prior, the sisters had been riding in their neighbors’ donkey cart, returning to the village as they always did.

Then, this man had suddenly appeared, ambushing them mid-path. Without warning, he had lashed out with his claws, injuring the couple and dragging the sisters from the cart.

Martha nervously glanced at the neighbors, who lay sprawled on the cart. Their injuries didn’t appear severe, yet their agonizing cries sounded as if they were enduring torture in a dungeon.

“Don’t worry, they won’t die anytime soon. I have no time to waste on them right now, and I hope you won’t waste mine either.”

The man pointed at the two sisters. “You know the Saintess of the Church, don’t you? I’ve seen her speak with you a few times.”

Leah was too terrified to speak, while Martha hesitated before nodding.

She could somewhat guess that the monster before them was the very Ripper who had recently plunged the city into panic. Now, with their lives in the hands of this deranged Killer, she dared not lie, knowing he might slaughter them all if displeased.

“You, you’re a student at the Holy Sanctuary Academy, aren’t you?” The man then shifted his finger to Leah. “Is the Saintess hiding in the academy now?”

Leah stiffened, rigid with fear.

“Answer me!” the Ripper roared.

Leah trembled, nodding immediately. She had indeed seen Jeanne Decker at the academy.

“Relax. I have no interest in your lives. Depending on your cooperation, I can spare you,” the Ripper said in a hoarse voice.

****

Jack Cage, the Ripper, aimed to abduct someone Jeanne Decker knew, then threaten her into a solitary confrontation.

Initially, his target wasn’t these sisters at all. It was the young lady he’d seen Jeanne Decker escorting during his earlier surveillance—a discovery that surprised even him, as she was the very prey he’d marked in the commercial district.

Their relationship seemed good, and as a noble, capturing her offered a high probability of luring out Jeanne Decker.

However, that evening, he staked out her residence but failed to find her.

As darkness fell, he realized the noble girl, like Jeanne Decker, might have hidden in a safe place. After all, he hadn’t just ambushed Jeanne Decker nearby; he had also slaughtered an entire family in the same area, a piece of news sufficient to alarm the resident nobles and wealthy.

He immediately activated his backup plan, turning to abduct the sisters instead.

“Having two people makes things much simpler…” The Ripper scrutinized the sisters carefully. “Choose: one of you stays with me as a hostage, and I’ll let the other go first!”

Both sisters gasped in surprise, having never expected such a condition from the Killer.

After a second’s delay, Martha was the first to regain her composure and speak. “I’ll stay. Let my sister go!”

Leah reacted swiftly, echoing, “No, I—”

However, the Ripper gave her no chance to speak, raising a hand to point at Martha. “Excellent. The one who decides first makes the decision.”

Leah felt as if she had plunged into an ice cellar. That single moment of hesitation meant her sister’s resolve to protect her had surpassed her own. Her slight wavering had put her sister, who had always cared for her, in grave danger!

“Alright, Leah, go now.” Martha pushed Leah behind her.

“Sister, I…” Leah clutched Martha’s sleeve, shaking her head repeatedly, hoping Martha would change her mind.

“Don’t be so quick to say your goodbyes. I told you, I have no interest in your lives; my target is the Saintess of the Church. If you’re lucky enough, perhaps both of you might even survive.” The Ripper coldly interjected, raising his hand to point at Leah. “Listen carefully: the Saintess of the Church, Leah, should still be holed up in that academy. I want you to go find her now! There’s a cornfield about a mile west of here. I’m giving you two hours. Whether you beg or trick her, get the Saintess of the Church to meet me there alone. If she arrives within two hours, I’ll release your family. If she doesn’t, or if I see any other suspicious person approaching, you can expect to collect your sister’s corpse!”

Leah and Martha exchanged glances, finally understanding that they were merely pawns for this Killer to lure out Jeanne Decker.

The Ripper’s meaning was clear: he wanted Leah to convey the message, demanding Jeanne Decker to confront him alone. If Jeanne Decker complied, he might continue to hold Martha hostage, but there was also a slim chance he would release her.

Conversely, if Leah failed to go, or if Jeanne Decker refused to come, or if Leah notified the Inquisitor, the Ripper would not hesitate to kill his hostage.

Leah looked at Martha with a questioning gaze. Martha remained silent for a long moment, then spoke, her voice barely a whisper, “Go, but whatever you do, don’t come back!”

She hadn’t told Leah not to do it, because, in a way, it was her only hope of survival. She certainly didn’t want to die. Perhaps, with even more luck, Jeanne Decker, as a Holy Knight, might be capable of defeating this damned Killer and rescuing her.

Yet, she didn’t hold much hope, believing that most people wouldn’t readily agree to such a perilous, solitary meeting—it was clearly a trap!

Regardless, this would at least ensure Leah’s safety. At least one of them would survive.

At that moment, the Ripper suddenly approached them, reaching out to grab Martha, pulling her close to him.

“Sister!”

Leah cried out in terror, trying to rush forward and stand between them, but Martha pushed her away. “Don’t come any closer!”

“Before I let her go, I have one more condition.” The Ripper gripped Martha’s arm so tightly she felt her bones might snap.

She felt the Ripper’s gaze clinging to her, and she involuntarily tensed, goosebumps prickling her skin.

But for Leah’s safety, she suppressed the sickening sensation, enduring the intense pain as she struggled to speak. “Release Leah first! I’ll cooperate with whatever you want me to do!”

The Ripper noticed her subtle reaction and suddenly let out a bone-chilling, low chuckle.

“Sacrificing yourself for family, are we? I truly admire that! Don’t worry, I’m not interested in your body, but I want you to willingly pay a price—let me see clearly if your resolve to sacrifice for your family is truly genuine!” the Ripper said, staring intently into Martha’s eyes.

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