However, Bols failed to notice that as he left Arthur's Cake Shop, several shadows began trailing him.
Wood had already investigated the place where Bols had arranged for his wife and daughter to stay.
On Bols' way home, a blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl was already waiting by the roadside. When she saw the hooded Bols appear, the girl beamed with joy and ran toward him.
Seeing his daughter running toward him, Bols felt a bit puzzled as to why his wife wasn't with her. However, considering that his daughter was quick on her feet, it made sense that his wife might not have been able to keep up. Relaxing, he opened his arms with a smile.
As a soldier of the Empire, Bols usually wouldn't lower his guard so easily. But the person running toward him was one of the most important people in his life.
Moreover, his wife and daughter did have the habit of meeting him on the roadside when he returned home, so Bols didn't suspect anything at that moment.
Yet, as he opened his arms to embrace his little angel, an intense pain shot through his chest. In an instant, he realized that the person he welcomed wasn't his beloved princess, but a grim reaper come to claim his life.
Looking down at the dagger embedded in his chest, and at the blood-soaked dress of the girl standing before him, Bols' gaze shifted to the eerily calm expression on her face.
With a voice trembling with anger and despair, Bols asked Chelsea, "What have you done to my wife and daughter?"
His heart pierced, blood gushed from Bols' chest, and his life was slipping away. Yet his first instinct wasn't to stem the bleeding but to worry about the safety of his wife and daughter.
Seeing Chelsea's appearance, which perfectly mimicked his daughter's face, demeanor, and aura, Bols immediately connected the dots. He remembered the Night Raid member who had previously disguised herself as General Esdeath.
Given that the Jaegers had recently wiped out Night Raid's hideout, Bols understood that this attack was directed at him.
But for Chelsea to flawlessly imitate his daughter and intercept him on his way home, Bols feared the worst—that something had already happened to his wife and daughter.
"Don't assume everyone is like you, willing to harm innocent women and children. That's something we wouldn't stoop to.
"And even if I had such intentions, my overly righteous companions would stop me. So the only one dying today is you. Even in hell, you won't see your family."
Hearing Chelsea's words, Bols, surprisingly, didn't show any fear. Instead, a relieved smile spread across his face.
"I see… they're safe? That's all I needed to hear.
"In the end, the only one who deserves to go to hell is me.
"My wife and daughter know nothing about my actions. They've healed me like true angels. Even if they were to pass away, they wouldn't end up in hell.
"Not being able to reunite with them, even in death, is likely the punishment I deserve…
"Could I ask one last favor? Please, don't let them know about what I've done. That's my only request."
Bols had long come to terms with the fact that he would meet a violent end one day.
He knew he had committed countless atrocities while following orders to burn down villages. His hands were stained with blood, yet he had shamelessly continued to enjoy the warmth of his family. Deep down, he knew retribution would find him.
So when death finally came, Bols felt no resentment or regret. His only wish was for his wife and daughter to live peacefully and remember him as the man they had loved.
"Your request… I'll honor it."
Before Chelsea could respond, Wood stepped forward and nodded at Bols, whose life was slipping away.
The assassination of Bols was never Chelsea's solo mission. If Bols had noticed something amiss earlier, Chelsea wouldn't have stood a chance against him in a fight.
That's why Mine and Wood had been lying in wait nearby, ready to intervene at a moment's notice.
"Thank… you…"
With those final words of gratitude, Bols, one of the Jaegers, passed away.
When Chelsea stabbed Bols in the heart, he still had the strength to fight back.
After all, Chelsea was just an ordinary girl in terms of combat ability. While slashing his throat might have been a one-hit kill, piercing the heart—especially of someone as physically robust as Bols—was a struggle for her.
However, upon hearing that his wife and daughter were unharmed, the towering man chose to cease resisting and calmly accept his fate.
This final act of acceptance was why Wood agreed to fulfill his dying wish. No matter how grave Bols' sins, his ability to face death with clarity and remorse was worthy of respect.
After retrieving Bols' Teigu, Purgatory Summon, and finding the key on his body, Wood finally freed himself from the restraints of the Kongou Iron Bind.
Once the restraints were removed, Wood and his companions buried Bols. Then, Wood instructed Chelsea and Mine to return with Bols' Teigu while he picked up the cake Bols had dropped.
Even during Chelsea's attack, Bols had carefully ensured the cake was flung far enough to avoid blood stains. The pink box remained pristine, its elegant appearance untouched.
Chelsea and Mine were puzzled by Wood's insistence on staying behind. However, as they watched him disappear with the cake in hand, they realized he had something else in mind.
Meanwhile, at a small wooden house, a beautiful woman was standing by the door with a blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl, anxiously looking toward the capital.
"Mommy, why isn't Daddy back yet? He promised to bring me the biggest and most delicious cake."
The little girl gazed toward the capital, then turned to her mother with a hopeful expression.
"Be patient, dear. Daddy's work is very demanding, but he's never broken a promise to you, has he?"
Although she comforted her daughter, the woman couldn't help but feel a pang of worry. Bols was late, far later than usual.
For some reason, unease had been creeping into her heart since earlier that evening.
Not long after, a figure finally appeared in their line of sight.
Unfortunately, it wasn't the man they had been waiting for but a polite, handsome young man with black hair.
"Excuse me, are you Bols' wife and daughter?"
Hearing the unfamiliar young man's voice, Bols' wife initially felt a bit cautious. However, his respectful demeanor and polite tone quickly reassured her that he didn't mean any harm.
"Yes, we are Bols' wife and daughter. And you are...?"
"Madam, I'm one of Bols' colleagues in the capital. Due to an emergency mission assigned by the higher-ups, Bols won't be able to return as promised."
Wood spoke calmly and with practiced politeness as he handed the neatly wrapped cake box to the little girl.
"Before leaving, Bols specifically asked me to deliver this cake to you on his behalf."
The girl's face lit up with joy upon seeing the cake, but her expression quickly turned to disappointment when she heard her father wouldn't be home to celebrate with her.
"You're Bols' daughter, aren't you? Just like he said, you really are a beautiful angel. It may be a bit early, but let me say it anyway—happy birthday."
Hearing the young man's kind words, the girl shyly replied, "Thank you, big brother."
The simple joy of a child quickly replaced her earlier disappointment. As she opened the box and saw the enormous cream cake inside, her unhappiness vanished entirely.
Meanwhile, Bols' wife noticed a fleeting moment of awkwardness in Wood's expression. Her instincts immediately told her that something was amiss.
"Annie, be a good girl and take the cake inside. Mommy needs to have a word with this gentleman."
The little girl didn't hesitate. Cheerfully carrying the cake into the house, she added, "Mommy, hurry up! If we wait too long, the cake won't taste as good!"
Forcing a smile to reassure her daughter, Bols' wife turned back to Wood, her face now serious.
"Mr. Wood, please be honest with me. What happened to my husband?
"If this was truly an emergency mission, he wouldn't have just sent you with the cake. He would have left a note or some explanation for me."
Wood sighed. It was clear that Bols' wife had already guessed the truth.
"It's unfortunate, but the truth is that your husband, Bols, is dead.
"He was killed on his way home to see you and your daughter. Among those responsible, I was one of them.
"If you wish to hate me, I won't blame you. After all, we were on opposing sides. Enemies are enemies. And if you wish to seek revenge, know that I won't show mercy."
Since the truth could no longer be hidden, Wood decided to lay everything bare. He believed Bols' wife deserved to know.
"I knew it… Mr. Wood, you're with the Revolutionary Army, aren't you? Or perhaps you're an orphan from one of the villages my husband burned, seeking revenge?"
What surprised Wood was her reaction. While the news of Bols' death caused her great sorrow, there was little hatred in her eyes.
"Bols was a kind man. He often regretted becoming a soldier of the Empire.
"He hid his work from us to avoid worrying us, but how much could he really hide from someone who shared his bed every night?
"I knew he had done many terrible things, and he often spoke to me as if leaving his final words. Still, I never expected this day to come so suddenly."
She sighed, her voice calm but heavy.
"I won't hate you, Mr. Wood, and I won't tell Annie the truth. This was my husband's wish, and as a mother, I don't want my daughter to be consumed by a cycle of revenge, throwing her life away for nothing.
"For you to personally deliver this cake, I can tell you have a kind heart. Bols' sins have been repaid. Can we end things here?
"All I want now is to honor his wishes and raise my daughter properly."
As she spoke, she humbly bowed before Wood, her gesture full of quiet dignity.
"I don't know what my husband may have done to you or your people, but I understand you were enemies. To spare us, however, is not something I expected. I can only thank you for your mercy."
Wood shook his head. "Madam, please raise your head. I never intended to harm you or your daughter.
"Even if you decide to hate me or seek revenge one day, so be it. Once you've chosen to act, you must also accept the consequences. I, too, am prepared to face them—just as your husband was.
"But if I had truly meant harm, do you think you'd still be standing here now?"
With those words, Wood turned and began to leave. After a few steps, he stopped, seemingly remembering something.
"Bols' grave is in the woods, two kilometers north of here.
"And if you want to keep your daughter safe, you'd best move soon. Without Bols' protection, his old enemies—or even future members of the Revolutionary Army—may come looking for you.
"Not everyone will be as merciful as I am."
Hearing his final words, Bols' wife visibly trembled. Watching his departing figure, she bowed deeply again, her gratitude silent but profound.
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