Although Nick had been disabled, he was still more competent than ordinary men as a professional killer. He could have won against the group of gangsters.
That was why Robin asked such a question.
“Ehn.”
Frustration flashed through Nick’s eyes. Lowering his head, he said, “After I failed my mission, I was injured severely. While wandering around Kisia, a woman saved my life. I stayed in her house while recovering, planning to find another chance to kill you. However, by accident, I fell in love with the woman. In the end, we had a baby.”
“It’s a girl. My favorite baby girl. Her mother is named Janet Gedge, and she is lovely and kind-hearted. I wanted to change my name and quit my profession, but one of my foes found me. I killed him. Then Janet knew my background and what I had done. Then…”
Nick broke off, tears welling up in his eyes. A while later, he added, “Then she committed suicide. She told me Primus was a great hero who had protected the country and people. If it weren’t for him, Kisia would have been destroyed long ago. She said she must end her life to atone for my sins. She asked me to take care of our daughter and forbade me to die with her.”
“Bang!”
Nick smashed his fists on the table as he had lost control.
Looking up at Robin, he continued, “General Bailey, I regretted it for real. She changed my life, but she left me alone in this world. After she passed away, I decided to quit my profession. My leg was broken, but I didn’t cure it purposely. Therefore, I’ve become disabled.”
“Take one, Nick. Bradley Gate. I remember you like this cigarette band.”
Robin passed a cigarette to him.
“Thank you.”
Nick accepted it, took a drag, and exhaled. “Ahem. Ahem. I haven’t smoked for ages. After coming to Stillwater, I suffered from poverty and took care of my daughter, so I quit smoking.”
“That was why I said you couldn’t kill me now, General Bailey. I need to raise my daughter. If you want to do it, please wait until she’s married. Or I won’t rest assured.”
“How old is your daughter?”
“Six.”
Robin rolled his eyes at him. “Let’s say. Your daughter will get married at 25. When you joined the military, you were 50. Now you are 57. In 20 years, you will be 77. If you still don’t have any treatment, your injuries will kill you before you turn 70,” said him bluntly.
“What do you want me to do so you can let go of me?”
Nick stood up, trembling, feeling agitated. Watching him, Robin believed Nick would even kneel to him if he asked Nick.
However, he didn’t think it was necessary.
“Sit down.”
Robin flicked his hand.
After Nick sat down, he continued, “I can personally forgive you for what you’ve done. However, I was a general, and I couldn’t forgive you easily. After I was injured severely at that time, Zibbema sent 200, 000 soldiers to attack us. If all our soldiers at Forte Eastern hadn’t united together to fight against them, the city would have been occupied. Kisia would have disappeared.”
In fact, Robin didn’t tell him the actual situation was far more severe.
Lying in the ward, Robin commanded his subordinate while a doctor was stitching his scar, although Robin was almost dying.
In the end, he made it and survived. However, 90% soldiers of Forte Eastern passed away in that battle. The surviving ones were almost disabled.
Robin felt frustrated as one of his most trustworthy subordinates had betrayed him. He had been prepared for everything but didn’t expect the dagger to be stabbed into him from his back.
He also thought it was his fault.
“Jeff is also in Stillwater,” Robin said after munching a skewer.
“Jeff?”
Nick’s expression changed. As one of the most excellent subordinates under Robin, he was equal to Jeff. Besides, Jeff used to save his life in a battle.
Since then, they had been as close as siblings.
After his assassination, Nick felt guilty whenever thinking of Jeff.
“Jeff fought against over 10, 000 foes alone. He was buried in the dead bodies, his body full of wounds. The medical troop told me Jeff’s body was full of blood and injuries, with three bullets in his chest when he was found. He struggled to survive and waited for the rescue.”
“Jeff said he wanted to kill as many enemies as possible to atone for your sins.”
“Bang!”
Nick couldn’t tolerate it anymore while listening to Robin. He picked up his bear, gulped it down in one go, and finally held back his tears.
His lips parted. Nick wanted to say something but bit back the words on his tongue. After swallowing hard, he uttered, “General Bailey, I’ve quit my profession.”
Robin understood it was because he had a daughter.
Therefore, Nick was unwilling to get involved in the killings. Even if he wanted to expiate his guilt, he had no competence to do it now.
“Nick, sometimes, quitting isn’t as easy as imagined. You disguise yourself to be a common man, but you are bullied. I know it’s because you have injuries and want to hide your identity. No one would expect the famous killer, Instructor, to be such an ordinary man.”
Robin flicked his hand and added seriously, “However, have you considered how many enemies you have. Not to mention myself, how many foes do you have in the west? What if they found you?”
“They could kill me,” Nick sighed.
As a professional killer, he was prepared to die anytime.
“Kill you? What about your baby girl? Are you willing to leave her alone in this world and let her be bullied? What if your foes found she was your daughter? What would happen?” Robin asked severely.
He wasn’t kidding.
Instructor was one of the best killers worldwide, so he had carried out many missions, most of which were super challenging. Also, he was bad-tempered, so he offended many people.
Once his enemies knew he was in Kisia, countless people would come over to torture him.
“What… What should I do, then?”
Nick collapsed in the chair. His face was full of stubble, looking like a migrant worker. His clothes were shabby. He didn’t look like the best killer worldwide at all.
Besides, Robin could tell he wasn’t acting. Nick was at the low point of his life.
That was life, though.
“Work for me, Nick. I’m willing to shelter you. You cannot return to Forte Eastern or leave Stillwater. Or, you may survive the assassinations, but your daughter cannot. I’m sure.”
Robin could protect him only if he stayed in Stillwater.
If Nick went to Forte Eastern, he would be torn into pieces by the soldiers, especially Robin’s troops. They had lost too many colleagues and felt ashamed of Nick, a traitor.