The Kind of Evil-Chapter 283: Despicable.

‎Arka was in his cabin, looking at all the reports on his desk that had been giving him a headache in the past few weeks. He expected that South Neva would become the safe haven for the people across Neva since the demon forces no longer exist there. Since the rest of the world was still dealing with the emissaries of evil, they didn't feel safe back home and decided to evacuate to South Neva.

‎"Commander, Count Blackheart wishes to see you. Should I let him in?" A knight asked from outside Arka's cabin.

‎Arka sighed and knew that the day would finally come where Rasmus would want to see him.

‎"Let him in," Arka answered as he pushed all the reports to the side of the table.

‎Rasmus entered Arka's cabin and saw Arka standing in front of his desk. Arka guided him to the couch and then sat across from him with a serious expression.

‎"I heard the borders are reopened and people began to take refuge in South Neva. You must have a lot of things to deal with, so I won't be long," Rasmus said as he placed his cane, rested against the couch's armrest. "Any news from the other commanders related to the current situation?" He asked.

‎"There will be a big meeting among all Commanders of the seas. The Admiral himself has something to discuss about the current situation. With that being said, starting next week, the borders will be closed shut, not allowing any non official or permitted ships to sail the sea," Arka answered as he crossed his legs and leaned his back.

‎"At time like this to close the borders? Looks like the Admiral has the full authority when it comes to the sea," Rasmus hummed as he tapped his index finger on his knee. "Do you believe that's the right decision to make, Commander?" He asked.

‎Arka looked over at his desk with the pile of reports, and most of them were some companies and powerful families trying to appeal for permits for their vessels. He took his time to think and it had been bothering him ever since he got the letter of order directly from the Admiral himself.

‎"Based on where you look at the order, it can be good and bad, Count. In my stand point as a Marine soldier, I serve to protect the people. But to believe in protecting others it can have two meanings, to prevent threats and to bring the people away from threats. That question of yours, I cannot answer," Arka answered with a serious expression as he kept staring at his desk.

‎"A right choice made from duty may still haunt you if it hurts the ones you meant to protect. Although you're in a dilemma of that situation, as a structured system, order brings stability, disunity brings chaos," Rasmus said with a stoic expression as he stared at Arka.

‎Arka narrowed his eyes, knowing what Rasmus was trying to say.

‎"So you're telling me to look away at the possibility of the people that are going to be locked up in the house that's on fire?" Arka asked with a serious expression.

‎"If you had a choice, would you be so troubled right now?" Rasmus tilted his head, resting it on his fist. "It's a complex, a common one. One believes they can make a better choice but then when they were given the possible choices, they made the same choice as the one they despised," he continued as he sat straight and looked at Arka's desk.

‎Arka sighed, keeping his arms crossed as his defense mechanism toward uncomfortable truth.

‎"You can speak the whole ugly truth when you're powerless because there's barely any consequences. But once you hold power, those consequences shackle you. Not because you want to protect yourself, it's because you're protecting those who shouldn't get involved," Rasmus said as he glanced at Arka. "It's not whether what the Admiral ordered is right or wrong, but can you trust him with all your heart that he has made the right choice? You're not an individual, Commander, you're a part of the foundation that keeps the wall strong that keeps the people safe," he continued as he leaned back and kept staring at Arka.

‎"So you want me to blindly obey every order just because I believe the Admiral is doing the right thing?" Arka asked with his brows arched.

‎"Again, I asked you the question. Do you have a choice, Commander? If you believe that you can't accept things as is, then raise in power to be the one to decide the fate of the people," Rasmus answered with a calm expression. "But then again, once you find yourself in the position like your Admiral then find out your Commanders don't believe in you, what would you do? What would you feel?" He asked.

‎Arka chose not to answer because he knew he didn't have the answer to defend himself. He realized there was a context between obedience and limitation that made his obedience don't feel wrong. Risks and consequences, all of them were happening in his head when he chose to disobey.

‎"The fire isn't a threat yet, Commander. The house is not yet on fire. You can calculate risks and merits, but don't focus only on that. You can be both obedient and a problem solver, you just need to know where to put your duty and conscience," Rasmus revealed.

‎Arka had so many things inside his head, and he felt like a mess. He furrowed his brows and closed his eyes, trying to sort everything out. His fear toward Anastasha's words still lingered in his head as well when she said she would share with Rasmus rather than kill each other. He felt that the big picture was being repainted by those two while the world was oblivious about it.

‎"What's your purpose of visiting, Count?" Arka asked as he kept his eyes closed.

‎"Join us," Rasmus said without hesitation, his gaze pointed at Arka's face. "We will give you everything that you need, while I personally want nothing back from you," he continued.

‎"Why should I join you? I don't need help from someone like you," Arka answered as he began to open his eyes and stared into Rasmus's eyes.

‎"Just because the fire isn't a threat yet, that doesn't mean the fire won't grow fiercer, Commander. The lives you can't protect, I can, however, I don't see any benefits from doing so," Rasmus responded with a stoic expression.

‎"So you're trying to make me feel the guilt, is that it?" Arka said as he clenched his fists on his lap.

‎"I'm only stating the fact, the guilt will always be there even if I mentioned it or not," Rasmus answered blatantly with a cold gaze toward Arka. "The choice is yours, Commander. I offer you relief and prevent deaths of the innocent, but seeing that you're so reluctant, are you even righteous?" He asked as he tilted his head.

‎Arka knew what to say, but the words stuck on the tip of his tongue. He knew that his answer would backfire on him because that was how Rasmus was. He knew Rasmus would only push him further into the corner, and that would put him in a place where he no longer saw options or a place to stand to bargain.

‎"Using the lives of others as a bargain?" Arka asked with his gritted teeth, holding his anger.

‎Rasmus smirked as he tilted his head, staring into Arka's eyes. That gesture was enough to make Arka feel like he was sitting on the edge of the cliff.

‎"You don't need power... yet. You don't need wealth. What else can be bargained but your conscience? The purpose of a bargain is to benefit both sides, and I'm doing exactly what you need," Rasmus answered.

‎At that moment, Arka realized that he was already in the corner. The first question that Rasmus asked him was the trap, and he fell for it. He was utterly shocked when he showed his vulnerability at Rasmus and that made Rasmus find his weakness, the currency that he couldn't refuse.

‎"Now, Commander..." Rasmus grabbed his cane and slowly got up from the couch. "I'll give you some time to think. No need to rush," he smiled at Commander and then left the cabin.

‎As soon as the door closed, Arka leaned back and sighed deeply as he rubbed his face. He didn't know what to think at that moment, and deep down he was scared to think about the offer. He would also hate himself to consider the offer, but at the same time, something else within him that wanted to consider it.

‎"What should I do..." Arka mumbled as he kept rubbing his face.

Rasmus looked at the vast sea and decided to enjoy the weather, standing next to the railing. He then saw Novia approaching, her expression cold and showing hostility in her eyes.

"I overheard everything you said with the Commander. So this is how you force someone to join you?" Novia asked as she glared into Rasmus's eyes.

"Force him? No. I gave him two options, and whatever he chooses, I'll respect it," Rasmus looked at Novia with a stoic expression. "Each choice has its own consequences, like how it has always been. It's about which consequences he'll bear," he continued. "It gave him an option, not forcing him in any way," he added.

Novia gritted her teeth and clenched her fists as she kept glaring at Rasmus.

"If you find it wrong, why don't you help Commander, Lady Novia. Why don't you offer to help him? But then, do you dare to bear the burden of the lives you couldn't protect?" Rasmus asked with his head tilted.

"You're despicable, Count..." Novia said and then walked away.