The truth about the villagers’ involvement in Magic-making was kept hidden, as the matter was too bizarre.
If it were to leak, it could cause unnecessary panic, thus it was temporarily concealed.
Although this case has temporarily come to a close, deciding on the form of judgment is now a headache.
Nearly 200 people in the village were involved, more or less.
It was not feasible to arrest and detain all the villagers, especially considering that among them were elderly people with grey hair and children with youthful innocence.
Eventually, a compromise was reached.
The main criminals were taken for reformation through labor, with the most serious offenders receiving twenty-five-year sentences.
This included Camren.
However, given his current state as a paraplegic, he was temporarily left in the village.
The other elderly and children were also sentenced to stay in the village for reformation, with a few supervisors assigned to oversee them and require regular self-criticism notes.
Those with minor roles were merely detained for a few months before being released.
For Camren, lying in bed waiting for death was worse than death itself, so he chose suicide.
He pierced his throat with a rusty nail, ending a short life full of sin.
Even in death, he wanted to take someone down with him.
In his will, he exposed all his crimes and depicted Howard as an utterly despicable villain.
As a henchman of the village chief, he too was a major accomplice and couldn’t escape the law’s punishment.
“Is everything in there true?”
Uriel asked.
He couldn’t stand by idly regarding his only brother in this world, but acting out of favoritism would betray his principles.
Uriel was caught in a dilemma.
Howard didn’t deny his past wrongdoings.
“Some of it is true, but some is fabricated.”
“I did help the village chief to detain those women, preventing them from escaping, but I never raped or killed any of them.”
As a man, Howard was gentlemanly; he never bullied weak women and sometimes even protected them.
He only killed those who deserved death!
“Is that true? If so, I can ask a lawyer friend to help you get the lightest possible sentence.”
Howard had saved him and had voluntarily led everyone to the Magic Temple, essentially turning himself in.
Although Nora had been in a foolish state before, in her memory, Howard truly wasn’t a bad person.
“Mr. David, I can testify that Howard did not deceive you. If you don’t believe me, I have witnesses.”
Those were the women detained in his cellar.
They were saved by her, and now, to repay Howard and Nora a favor, they were also willing to testify for Howard.
With the victims’ joint plea and the act of turning himself in… Howard was eventually sentenced to five years, with the possibility of a two-year reduction for good behavior.
But regardless, he had to spend three years inside.
Howard never regretted his actions, knowing his imprisonment was deserved, with nothing to fear.
His only concern was for Nora.
“Bro, can you give me an hour to talk to Nora?”
Uriel was aware of his and Nora’s relationship; there must be a lot they needed to discuss.
As the captain, he could certainly fulfill this small request.
“Alright, I won’t hold you up any longer, Howard… I’ll wait for you here to come back.”
“Thanks, bro.”
This was the first time Nora faced Howard since she had woken up. The toxins in his body hadn’t been completely cleared, and he looked a lot more haggard.
There was silence for a while, but eventually, he was the one who broke it.
“Nora, can I still call you that?”
He knew her illness had healed and knew of her identity as a lady of high society, once standing in clouds.
For someone as lowly as him, buried in the dust, if it hadn’t been for her being trafficked here, he might never have met her in his lifetime.
Howard truly liked Nora, wanting to protect her from the moment he saw her, to hold her in the palm of his hand for life.
What about her?
Did she hate him for taking advantage of her vulnerability, for staining her purity with mud?
Nora was very conflicted at that moment, unsure of how to face Howard.
In her mind, more than anything, were the moments of their time together over the past month.
His care and attention, the multiple times he stepped forward to protect her.
“Yes.”
Howard smiled at the affirmative answer. He was actually very handsome, with a well-formed and delicate face structure.
It was just that the UV rays here were so strong that his skin had turned a bronze color, making him look less delicate and more rugged.
“Come with me.”
“Okay.”
He suddenly took her hand and walked together.
“Why is it so cold? You are unhealthy. Uncle Ronin said you had a miscarriage before and haven’t recovered well. You have to take care of yourself in the future.”
“I asked Uncle Ronin to prepare some medicine for you. Remember to take it after I leave.”
Nora did not push his hand away. The weather was cold, and the warmth from the man’s palm continuously transferred to her fingertips.
Hearing this, her heart trembled, and she looked up at him in astonishment.
“You, you know about… my miscarriage?”
Howard nodded.
“You fainted the day after you arrived, and I carried you to Uncle Ronin.”
So, he knew all along.
“Then why are you still so good to me? Don’t you mind?”
Most men would care about that.
Howard would be lying if he said he didn’t mind, but he felt more pity for Nora than anything.
What kind of irresponsible man would let his woman have a miscarriage?
“I don’t mind, I was never a good person to begin with. I had women before.”
“If I had known I would meet you in this lifetime, I would have kept myself pure for you.”
He couldn’t change the past, but since meeting Nora, he hadn’t been involved with any other women.
Nora couldn’t help but feel a sour nose, and tears uncontrollably fell from her eyes.
Drip by drip, like pearls, they landed on Howard’s heart.
He suddenly pushed her against a tree trunk, lowering his head to fiercely capture her soft lips, deeply entangled.
During many nights, holding her made him feel as if his dark and dirty life had found a glimpse of redemption.
“I know I’m not worthy of you, and you probably hate me during this time.”
“Nora… but even if you hate me, I hope you don’t forget me.”
His kiss was fierce, as if the two had reached the end of the world, desperate and mad.
All of Nora’s breathing and rationality were taken away by him.
Between breaths, there was only the fresh scent of grass and trees on the man.
In her ears, was his nearly pleading hoarse voice.