short chapter, and as always, look at the notes at the end!

"Good morning, Londonium! Today we have a sunny day for the start of the week! But before we get into today's news segment, let's take a look at this mornings traffic.

It seems that there are some heavy delays at the M25 due to an accident involving a construction truck, more on that later. So if you're planning to take this route this morning, be sure to allow yourself some extra time.

In other news..."

"Dear, here's your lunch." My attention was diverted from the tv to my wife who handed me a bag of my favourite sandwich.

I smiled and kissed Her, "thanks, Monica." I replied softly.

I was getting ready for work, currently i am tying up my tie in front of the mirror.

"Let me help you with that." Monica moves Infront of me and begins to help me tie my tie, "there, you look handsome like the first time we met." She smiled.

"Same goes for you." I smiled back, i glanced at the clock, "welp, almost six thirty. Gotta get to work. Junior should be waking up."

"Yes, you should go." She goes to the stairs, stopping before going up, "oh, and you promise on that family vacation, right?"

"Hopefully i can get a bonus and a time off. But i promise."

After exchanging our goodbyes, i got out of the house and went into my car.

An old reliable to be sure. This automobile has accompanied me ever since I obtained my driving licence, gifted by my dad as a reward.

Such a shame that I'll have to replace it. The engine is getting old... Or maybe I can talk Monica about this.

I started the car and went off to the VBC headquarters in central Londonium.

The traffic was not too congested, though there were more cars than usual, it's probably the morning rush hour as usual. Haah, I should buy a bigger car. Monica said she wants another kid…

And… i will finally publish my article about Valor and expose corruption of the Nobility!

I made it to the VBC headquarters complex at around six fifty. A whole ten minutes early, great! I could have coffee before work and relax a bit.

I parked my car in the parking lot, and began to walk to the main building.

"Morning sir." A security guard greeted me as I walked through the parking lot.

Huh, weird, we don't have Lupo security guards here. Also, is that a Siracusan accent?

"Morning, are you new here?" I greeted him back.

"Yes sir." He said awkwardly.

"where's Hendriks?" I ask, referring to the head security.

"He's over there in the front entrance." He said pointing towards the main entrance. "The name's Capo, sir."

"Alfred Cordell. Nice to meet you." I extend my arms for a handshake.

The security guard smiled and shakes my hand.

As he shook my hand, i felt the sudden jolt of electricity runs through my body and causing me to tremble.

The security guard yelled something in Siracusan, I don't know.

The next thing I knew, however, was my world becoming black and I was put to sleep.

"Wake up… wake up princess…"

I slowly opened my eyes, and i was greeted by the sight of someone who i never wanted to meet again. Alter "Valor" Valero.

He was seating across a metal table in front of me, and as i looked around, i realized that we were in a large, and empty warehouse of some sorts.

My arms and legs are tied to the chair very tightly, making me unable to move a muscle.

I tried to speak up, but it came out muffled, only then i realized that i was gagged.

"Now now. Don't be angry, in fact, i am the one who should be angry! You betrayed me you know. Remember your promise?" He mocks.

I rolled my eyes at him. Of course I know. What was it? Something, something murdering my family and myself if I betrayed him? Something along those lines…

He rolled his eyes in response, "I'm sure you remembered. You're not an idiot Fred. I know you're not." He paused as he lit up a cigarette and walks up to me in an imposing manner, his footsteps reverberating loudly in the empty warehouse.

Grabbing my gag and forcibly tearing it, "so tell me… why did you do the things you do?" As he says that, he puffs a large amount of smoke into my face, making me squint my eyes as a response.

"How the hell did you survive?" I asked simply with a hint of irritation in my voice. Yes, i am fucking livid that he survived.

"You can't shoot a damn thing." He shrugs and gets back on his seat, "you missed my vital organs. Well, except one. But I can live without it."

"WHAT ARE YOU?!" I shouted. I wanted to stand up and fight him, but I was bound to the chair.

"I'm simply someone who entrusts my life to the Lord. And vengeance fuels me." He stared me down.

We both kept silent for a few minutes before he grabs a revolver from his coat and emptied it. Dropping and scattering the bullets on the table.

"Are you familiar with Ursine Roulette?" He said as he picked up a bullet and loaded it in, and then spun the cartridge. "You're gonna tell me a reason not to murder your family. And everytime you give me an answer I don't like, I'll aim at your head and pull the trigger. And unlike you, I don't miss. You have six chances if you're lucky. Go."

"Ha. A new game for you? Pointing a gun at the head of a defenseless man? Is this what the Lord wants?" I mocked him.

Click.

"Your rate of dying increased."

"I won't be intimidated. I can come back stronger and stronger. If you tortured me again, i will come out even stronger and more resilient to your tortures."

Click.

"You sure about that?" He dismissed it.

"I know you won't kill an entire family, Valor. I've seen you, you're… a pious man in your own way. You have your own sets of morals. You won't kill innocent women and children because of some dispute."

"..."

"So tell me, Valor. Why did you choose this life? Is it money? Is it fame? Is it power? Or is it to seek validation? Were you bullied in your childhood? Do you have abusive parents? You know full well that your religion forbids this sort of life your living."

As I awaited his response, I could see his fingers hesitating to pull the trigger. Clearly he is thinking about something.

"Are you really in it for the money?"

BANG!

…

Is this it? Is this the end? I can't believe I'm going to die like this, tied to a chair, shot in the head.

It's funny how your life can flash before your eyes in an instant like this. All the memories, the regrets, the missed opportunities. I wish I could turn back time and make things right. I wish I could tell my loved ones how much I truly care for them.

Monica…Junior…

I'm sorry we can't go on that family vacation.

Valor kept his gun pointed at where the man known as Alfred Cordell once was.

He kept still before slowly and silently put the gun down.

"... Rot in hell, traitor." He hisses.

After a couple of seconds, he stood up and picked up a jerry can and began pouring the gasoline on the body of Alfred who was knocked to the ground.

After emptying the Jerry can, he took one last drag of his cigarette before throwing it down to the body covered in gasoline, which went up in flames in a matter of seconds.

Valor stood there silently with his arms behind his back. Silently watching the flames getting bigger and bigger with a disinterested face.

"I am a believer in second chances, but I do not forgive those who crossed the lines."

He closed his eyes and his mind begins to wander to the green pastures of his village.

After a moment, he opens his eyes with the same disinterested face, and grabs his phone to call someone.

"Blow it up."

A/n: This was supposed to be uploaded on Saturday, but i got an idea and rewrited the entire chapter, well, a majority of it at least.

So yeah, this is a short chapter, and Fred's dead. How will this affect the socio-economic situation in Terra? I don't know.

What i do know however, is you all praying for me to get Seele in Honkai Star Rail.

And as always, comments are welcomed