Chapter 22: The Time Has Come

The talk went smoother than expected. Elena even asked the captured women, "Do you have anywhere to go back too? If not you're welcome to stay here with my people".

The captured women, who had just received some clothing from a few of the killers that went to search through the houses looked around at each other.

With what happened to them, there was no chance their families would want to take them back. In this world, a woman's reputation is the most important thing to her. Now that they've faced this tortuous humiliation, going back would just result in their families wishing to kill them to preserve the family's honour.

Some of the younger girls didn't understand that, wanting to speak up to say they would go back. But after the older women explained it to them, their faces turned pale. They obviously didn't want to believe it, but after thinking slowly, they finally chose to stay.

However, even if these were their saviours, they were still wary of what was expected from them. The oldest of the women, who had been taking care of the group looked up at the leader of these masked killers, and asked with trepidation, "We're just regular women, all we have is ourselves. What could we possibly do to help?"

Elena could hear the fear the woman tried to suppress, she wasn't impatient when answering, "I hope that you can take care of my people. Their training will need to be increased and they will have to go out to do tasks. So they'll be too busy to look after themselves. If you're willing, could you help them with their daily needs?".

The group heard what the leader said, they looked around at the masked killers. None of them showed any intimidating gestures, just waiting for their answer. The oldest woman whispered to the group, asking for their opinions. And even though all of Elena's group could hear the whispers, they didn't show it.

The woman received the answers from the others, and said "We humbly accept your proposal. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to live".

Elena smiled sincerely, "No, I should thank you. You've solved a dilemma of ours".

Elena had her killers gather up the bodies of the bandits, strip them of their belongings and set up a large pyre on an empty space in the stronghold.

The smell that wafted from the burning heap made the normal women gag and retch, but the killers stood there unphased.

Seeing the indifference of the killers, the oldest woman of the group, Renee was more certain of their decision. 'These people are definitely worth following' she thought assuredly.

After the mass cremation, Elena explained to the group of women that she had to take the group to complete an important task, before they could all return.

Although a little worried, Renee and the rest of the women still nodded, saying "Come back safely". They watched as the group of twelve disappeared into the forest, making no sound as they moved.

Elena rushed back, seeing that the sun was about to rise, they didn't want to be caught by any of the people that guarded the brothel.

Reaching the familiar yard, Elena allowed the team to rest. The group went back to their rooms hastily. They had been told by Elena that they were about to leave this place, so naturally they'd need to be well rested, so as to be able to fight to their best ability.

The day passed and afternoon finally came, Elena gathered her twenty killers in front of her. All of them were eating to fill their stomachs, no sound but chewing and swallowing could be heard.

Eina knew that Elena didn't want to talk to her, so she just followed along with the rest of the group, kept her head down and ate.

Elena said "A distraction will be needed. I managed to get my hands on a potent aphrodisiac for a previous problem, but now it will probably come in handy again today.

I'll have it spread in the brothel where all the guests are staying. While all of you will split into pairs and attack the shadow guards on the perimeter of the brothels. None of them need to be spared."

Facing the heads of the eunuchs loyal to her, she continued,"The eunuchs will set fire to all the buildings they can, before escaping into the city. Use the chaos to loot whatever you can. Most likely the other prostitutes and their people will see the situation and flee, which will cause a lot of panic in the city. Just follow the trend and look for places to stay quietly".

The killers and head eunuchs all heard the orders and said in unison "Yes, Master".

When night fell on the brothel, it once again became vibrant and prosperous, filled with laughter and music. The backyard however, grew silent and oppressive. As if a beast lurked in its depths waiting for a chance to escape.

Elena personally took the aphrodisiac to the front. Avoiding the eyes of the guests, she snuck her way up to the top floor. And slowly placed the incense in various areas, lighting them as she went. She quickly escaped through the window, not forgetting to shut it tightly after she left.

A group of eunuchs waited in the darkness, just out of the light emitted from the flourishing brothel, ready for the chaos that was about to spread. This was the signal, for the rest of the groups to start burning the yards throughout the backyard.

The pairs of killers had already started attacking the guards on the perimeter of the brothel. Hiding their bodies and taking their place, so as to not draw any attention.

Elena waited with bated breath. It wasn't until she began to hear the laughter stop, replaced with screaming from the women inside. She heard running and yelling inside. She gestured to the eunuchs who rushed towards the various doors, their faces covered with wet towels so as not to be affected by the aphrodisiac.

Bolting the doors from the outside, and laying firewood and strong alcohol along the outside, before throwing down the torch that they'd picked up.

Elena watched as the fire spread from the initial area, climbing up the large wooden building. She could still hear the screams of the women inside, none of the people inside aware of the situation that was about to befall them. But Elena had no sympathy. She watched with indifference as the once prosperous building, was swallowed up by the raging torrent of flames.

And this was the signal that the rest of the groups were waiting for. The beginning of the fall of this cannibalistic place.