"If we grab him now, we get a strong beast and an angry village." His gaze sharpened. "If we wait, we get a Red Beast closer to awakening, a goddess whose power will likely grow after childbirth, and a village that has spent half a winter exhausting itself preparing for enemies it cannot see. Which option sounds more profitable?"
Profitable.
Fifth City did not make decisions based on honor or mercy. Only profit.
The squad leader hesitated. "Master, there is also the prophecy to consider. If the Red Beast's power grows too wild, we may not be able to control him."
"That is why we watch," the master said flatly. "Not as bandits, but as gardeners. We will prune, we will water, and we will cut if any branch grows in the wrong direction."
He pointed lazily at the kneeling figures.
