What Must Be Done?

Having split his shadows across the surroundings to exterminate as many vampires as possible had its drawbacks in the underground battle.

As he ascended the stairs, Ethan noticed an elite soldier restraining Seth, who resisted arrest, while Lisa tried in vain to stop the other agents from shooting. "What's going on here?" Ethan's cold question caught everyone's attention. The soldiers stiffened, and one of them stepped forward to report. "Regent, this man wanted to enter the basement to stop us from eliminating the vampires because he believes his brother is still alive."

"Just for that?" Ethan raised his gaze and stared directly at Seth, who was handcuffed.

Seth looked at Ethan, bewildered, and asked, "Is there a problem?"

"Selfishness is a luxury many indulge in without realizing it. Do you think you have the right to feel distressed just because you're afraid of being left alone in this life?" Ethan signaled the soldiers to release Seth and stepped closer.

Jacob, who had been applying force, observed Ethan holding Seth by the neck. The situation could have calmed down, but Jacob still wasn't sure what kind of trouble they were in, so he preferred not to cause more complications.

"What right do you have to kill people who can be saved?" Seth raised his voice, tears welling in his eyes, knowing he had lost his brother.

Bam!

Ethan punched Seth in the stomach, his cold gaze making many feel suffocated, but Lisa, who was nearby, immediately shouted, "What do you think you're doing?"

"Don't interfere, Lisa." Jacob murmured, knowing perfectly well who the regent in front of him was.

Ignoring everyone's stares, Ethan grabbed Seth by the hair again, lifted him off the ground, and dragged him through the house. He said, "I always recommend to my soldiers that they fight for someone special and set aside that sense of duty to humanity. If we fought for people like you, many would question their duty as hunters."

Ethan, having dragged Seth into an empty room, shouted at him, "Open your eyes, Seth. Look closely at what's in front of you."

When Seth opened his eyes, he saw the bodies of four soldiers killed by vampires; their faces were emotionless, and none of them had even let go of their weapons.

"What do you see? Tell me, do you think your delinquent brother has more right to live than they do? The guilt of losing a loved one must be painful, but respect those who gave their lives for you at this moment." Ethan threw Seth to the side and, seeing that everyone had calmed down, sighed.

"This is what must be done. If we indulge in saving any human lives that are truly useful for saving ten more, I'll always choose my soldiers."

Ethan might be cruel, but he had been giving small pieces of his life to people like this without receiving anything more than complaints.

"Why did my son die?"

"Why didn't you save my husband?"

"Why didn't you arrive on time?"

"Maybe you won't understand us, but if you know that thousands of people die every day just so all of you can have your shitty lives, then you'll understand everything we fight for and realize that the value of your brother's life is insignificant to me." Ethan said and, before leaving, looked at a soldier standing silently nearby and ordered, "Take these good men to the vehicles. Complete the finalization of this incursion."

"Yes, regent…"

A man named Ludo walked over to Seth and said, "Don't blame the regent. It's said he prefers to get hurt himself rather than lose someone in an incursion, but even someone like him can't save everyone."

"What will happen to me now?" Seth, a murderer and criminal, thought these people would arrest him.

"You've killed many vampires. We can overlook your life since you're insignificant to us. If you believe you want to avenge your brother's death by killing more dark entities, all your crimes will be postponed as long as you kill monsters for the people you've killed."

"I understand…"

…

When Ethan stepped outside, he saw Bobby placing bombs.

"Everything okay?"

Bobby looked at Ethan and said, "I'm fine. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Ethan replied as he checked his smartwatch.

"Regent Ethan Winchester, your mission has been completed. The elimination of the ancient vampire was given top priority, and now that the mission is complete, the Light Association sends its congratulations. "

"Go to hell." Ethan muttered, closing his eyes, completely exhausted.

It may not seem like it, but this job had burned much of his personality, and he increasingly preferred to stay away from people.