Final answer:
The character named V seems to be a figure whose presence brings relief to a victim, possibly as an end to their suffering or as an escape from their plight. The text references characters who experience complex emotions of relief and protection in daunting circumstances, but without concrete details on V, a definitive answer is elusive.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question seems to pertain to a character named V, who is implied to be an ominous presence, possibly bringing about relief to a victim due to the circumstances they find themselves in. From the excerpts provided, none explicitly discuss a character named V or their victims, but they seem to explore themes of relief, burden lifting, and complex emotional responses surrounding life-changing events. It is possible that the victims' relief at V's presence might be due to the end of suffering, or because V represents a change or escape from their current plight, but without a direct reference, it is difficult to provide a precise answer.
For example, in one of the excerpts, the character Jane Withersteen feels a 'cold, shrinking protection' in the presence of the character Lassiter and his guns, despite the fear they evoke. This could be akin to the relief felt by V's next victim, who may also find comfort in the presence of a powerful, if frightening, ally or liberator.