Chapter 50: Time to go home (3)
ie9VgjXPeter sat quietly in silence, gazing at the wooden box in front of him.K9km
nvwAn awkward wooden box.L3Hbd
kRMkIt was carved with designs that could be described as ornate or peculiar.s6tZ
w1fuG“The House of… Ravnoma was the only family in the west that could honor its oath.”MDJ
7uxHT“I understand.”PzfCv
QzzoDMany of the priests, including Andreas, clasped their hands in front of Peter.YaTtnH
72kThey knew they carried a heavy burden for the Lord of the Land.l4P
o5hXZz“I will give you… the knights, and I will honor my oath as best I can.”FGfKqTr
umOFPeter stood up and addressed the priests.I9vfY
SxiHe would provide the best support he could.6qZp
ONPel1rHe would do everything possible to erase the traces of the dragon, the proof of his oath.2Gpp9
auvS7ST“Thank you, Count.”2GR
J5o2hAh“Please, feel like a guest until you are ready.”GM1sfrC
9NYAs the priests bowed and departed, Peter sighed softly.eva0B
wMtpz“He was right after all.”2Rq
PgvPBI“I guess it was his only choice.”1riCU
TJbj1Ravnoma, and its ruler of the West and guardian of the Alliance, had fallen.jCVESh
zgeYAnd the priests were bringing out the old Oaths from his now-ruined mansion and directing them to those who deserved them.oHQsq
DK7“…”YdNNlC
P1TC18Feeling frustrated and powerless, Peter took a few steps and glanced out the window for a moment.OSp1
rlUVQcFortunately, there he found something comforting, different from the heavy air of this place.30SGE
BQ6QThe carriage was moving.Jlk
jtv7j“It’s a flag I haven’t seen in a long time.”KBb
bJx5gJA small flag fluttered on it.Zb9
zDi3It was a flag Peter used to see frequently when he was younger.gEJ
aY9“You can rest a bit if you want.”OEB
Zvl1d“Your body must be warming up.”cxWt
CNn7OPeter nodded at Ragmus’s response.uMLdMR
RgIMHEven he would have done the same.dzcHr
IWrQaHe could fully understand the young man’s feelings.Jruoz
3SoA young man holding a flag that only the Knights of Bayezid could bear, was leaving the mansion.tPiqWdL
pxlNO5Returning.SqVjW
x1M0To his home.boNyFg4
w7dTo do what he must.IHBTim
4FEYF***JYL
wZNL2xPToday, as usual, a young man wandered through the dark streets of Soara.JA3Y7pm
5AuMost people in the dark alleys struggled to grab some bread, but the boy was born with conditions even worse than theirs.ucN
v4fvoFIDark skin like the night.heCzDl5
boiBeing a person with dark skin, subject to contempt and discrimination, Ned, born in the darkest corner of Soara, was even ignored.KIr
9rQTv“What the hell? There isn’t even a place to work.”4eK9gX
SbSbNed, with dark skin, opened his eyes, so he had to get up, and now that he had gotten up, supposedly, he had to eat something, but the situation in Soara didn’t even allow for a decent meal.xBi
UFFDAms“It wasn’t this bad before…”yii1
IKmHONed silently rolled his eyes, exploring every corner of the back alley.isc3u
NRiThe kids who used to stay afloat with mischief were now completely exhausted, only rolling their eyes without strength, and those who had work all night, despite their work, only had thin cheeks as they sighed.ZCGZUBN
kK8Everyone was bleeding.bVr0
s0WIn favor of the golden beetle that craved money.K35fs
zL6“The old times were better…”N87
Ug7BPPuSighing out of place, Ned’s gaze naturally turned to a particular building.bkksQKh
aLWl80YThey used to reminisce about the good times when people were in trouble.dppQLU
8mKL“Now, if I steal there, I won’t even be able to find the bones.”wEWL
pR25The building Ned was looking at was the Smile of Rose.HqBb
EjWLA place with a rough boss and a friendly madam.bZMMD
HuOOAD1But now, all the people who used to be there were dead or missing.nHF1
xTYKvWhat used to be full of pleasant music and laughter from the women was now just a place full of heartbreaking moans and the shouts of thugs.ToX
JfftNow, if Ned were caught stealing there, there would be no blond boy to save him.xbNFJ4I
E5f‘Hmm?’GeZE
s0lCNed, lamenting the reality while remembering the old times, saw unusual people for the alley.rYc3Edc
XHYLRA plump man who seemed to have some money and another man with a sharp appearance, like a mercenary.VGU
Vj16Seeing them heading straight for the inn street, apparently to relieve their pent-up desires, Ned stuck out his tongue slightly.eqM
FG2“…This might work well.”9yQ
jDomxThe man who looked like a mercenary seemed to be a bodyguard, but in this situation, Ned was willing to take the risk.qY0
aL3It didn’t matter if he got caught as long as he didn’t die.vOjZ
E0gQDcHHe couldn’t depend on his brother forever.wEO
az2y‘…..’4uVaR
0lMoqafHe was full of hunger and desperation, clouding the judgment of the young man.nTJBL
XfjSlowly trailing the two men, Ned skillfully approached, hiding his body among the scattered debris. The way he approached slowly was praiseworthy enough.z7FI
se7dn“Now.”B6urZzn
2S3zq31However, Ned didn’t feel when someone pointed at him.hfkVmHA
0BuJj“…”flBZ
Kn0YCXXThe mercenary, who noticed the approaching black youth, naturally brought his hand to the sword handle from behind.nXI
J34Z1rAlthough tension gradually increased, Ned didn’t notice.w8gncGZ
KX1FUsHis lack of judgment was due to his concentration but lack of a broad view.zm9
sUyKif8Ned, trying to get close to the fat man.Ij7
kRd8tThe mercenary, trying to draw his sword upon seeing Ned.J0VaVZ
fJpQ2eSIn the moment of approach, about to be another fallen person in the back alley today.mm7
jYj61kW“You still act like an idiot.”jXyCdZ
OssxgSBam!lNH
TpHAt that moment, someone stepped between them.ISjlw6L
57gHA man who appeared so nonchalantly from an angle the mercenary couldn’t foresee.y9GVAqB
2kmR“Ugh!”Yq7be
yRh3Ned grabbed his numb neck and saw the man swiftly moving past him.JDao
KzKzYoA blond boy he had seen somewhere before.sDKGC
9pE4MNrAnd his familiar steps too.tpIXPB
pXmGGW3“What’s going on?”nywU7NT
gNFz7But Ned couldn’t associate that image with the boy who once sold seconds at the Smile of Rose.vfb
QbEIt was too confident and grand for that.8vGtpiQ
tJwzY“Oh, I lost it.”Hkq6
kTXbsaqThe boy, who had lost his prey of the day but had gained the sunshine of tomorrow, simply cursed without knowing anything.Yv2q
2rXToward the blond man who had just passed after turning in his neck.5kJYWE
qvp2kthAs the evening fell and darkness set in, there were shops that only then illuminated their dim lights.m4eXfLK
r1XKSOne of them.zuA
dSDSCQAmong the shops selling colorful flowers, there was one in particular that attracted men.XDh6cc
cVD9TRose used to smile at them, but now her attention was drawn to another shop window.CNW
XyPgqy“Hey, over here!”zVsK6
JqgK45“Next time, it’s me! Come play with me!”AY6Ryq
U00“You’re the one with the money, Marcella! Pour me a drink!”J46G37
oRXU“…”0nhndax
BP4Fh1dAt the back of the bar, where men shouted with wide-open eyes, a woman touched up her makeup.wnnB
zK5She used to have jet-black hair that would have been the envy of anyone, but over time, her hair was losing its shine.lE0s68A
AZrkaEIt had already withered beyond the point where any amount of makeup or jewelry could cover it, but maybe she didn’t mind.okS
PlWIt didn’t matter because men kept throwing gold coins of lust at the woman who had once been a symbol of the alleys.PiPc6kX
rtrDl“Marcella, are you ready to go out?”PfMo
9k7xyTThe woman with the long cigarette stood behind Marcella.Vyxvc
BqUThe smoke she exhaled was unbearably acrid.Z9mcKd
6ea“I need one more person to settle my debt. If not, you won’t leave here until your body is in pieces.”Rbr
j7tttvkThe middle-aged woman smoking the cigarette mocked her with a smile that seemed to have poison etched into every wrinkle.LxkvdTy
BHBC0qr“…”WOeaR
0PTIt was a mockery disguised as advice, but Marcella didn’t respond.CR7AO
Mo8pPm8Anger, sorrow, or fear.D1cS7ha
WjwShe knew that all the negative emotions emanating from herself were like sweet wine to the woman behind her.oadHHCb
teaO“…Let’s see how long you can keep yourself so dignified.”b4A
wITYA3Since she didn’t like Marcella’s lack of response, the middle-aged woman caressed Marcella’s chin from behind her back and growled.DrRZ
nI7QGBut Marcella just returned the smile.X7nZs
N770oz“Long life, Madame.”GRBZJ
O4TcLoO“…”01kIg2
Mc5mMarcella didn’t let herself be intimidated.LsRmPo2
NqjlShe was just trampled on.E1K31Y
waX5A6TWhile watching Madame leave the dressing room with a furrowed brow, Marcella resumed her makeup session.NuR2bI
VuSHer reflection in the mirror was pitiful, but instead of bursting into tears, she preferred to apply another handful of powder.wwG
6ws3EMarcella acknowledged that she had risen too high above the matter of a simple prostitute.eqz3s
HAsqLynAnd here, in the alleys of Soara, there was always someone who applauded eagerly for those who fell.JzaB1
WNzxjPz“…Still, this is good enough.”CgiqF
tCGShe sadly smiled to herself in a space reserved only for Marcella.qnZ2YRD
qyAShe was one of the victors here in the alleys, even if the pain of the fall had shattered her body.iYKAI
yNOsLfAt least she had chosen her own destiny.JKp
ZogGCCGEven the method of her destruction.CiloT
ypgvv“It’s coming out!”NU5G
HwkAt Madame Ancalzin’s exclamation, Marcella forced a smile and stood up from her seat.ETNIT
Ydz4yInstead of the charm that naturally emanated from her, she displayed the forced glamour of makeup.um0dcgX
7h9v“Marcella!”uhwjp30
ShO“Here! Here’s my gold coin!”Mdsq
tlyEmWhen she appeared under the bright lights, the men began to shout.s3a
1qRO0bMarcella stood still in her assigned seat and observed the men in front of her.VVdRS8
zdg1cmhMen dominated by desire, like pitiful beasts.baLo98J
gIT1“…”QWA
VcwnMjSIn front of her were countless bottles and glasses because she knew how to cook but not how to drink.8emBuD
ufIdfJNone of them really mattered.VNK
sRH7She would prepare a drink for the man who paid the most.bIBo
I4omUcqAnd the man who held his cup would be the winner of the day, free to smell the withered flowers at his leisure.XnMfUW
qu74Because that was all.dciI
pOeS“Here! Take it. I have a gold coin!”9u5z
Xo8h“Gold! I have two gold coins!”7shw0mz
RdD“Can we pool our money here? I’ll pay 3 gold coins between the two of us!”z6o5
ROyRMMarcella closed her eyes as she listened to the men shouting at her.z4yBS4x
i0IrcuThe men in front of her were throwing gold coins, but none reached her feet.aT0NHv
TJ1k4hAThe chains of debt that Jack the Maimed had imposed on her bound her.gV75
pH6ch5The Madame by the window, who had just mocked Marcella, smiled.IerEQOp
n4OSrFHow wonderful it was to see how a withered flower produced golden honey.CNsm
KqapVXS“Then…”dZkofrS
aLPZMadame picked up a long cigarette and prepared to auction off Marcella to the highest bidder.avJJeL
WYR9“One hundred gold.”XA3
sEisThe voice resonated lowly through the deserted stairs.kxH9n
5sxIt was a voice so clear and powerful that everyone present turned their heads.Brd92v
dJ1iH“…What?”qPL
xcdomD“I’ll pay 100 gold.”iXRRyr
wISgRbi.….8OQ8rq
44r957zTo Madame’s surprise, someone was ascending the worn-out steps.AlW
Vc3“…!”TFyy1
i4ZMarcella involuntarily shuddered upon hearing the creaking and closed her eyes tightly.GTIS
1flFShe let out a muffled cry upon hearing the man’s footsteps who had brought destruction to the Rose’s Smile.ap8
S7FrsNxCreak-.BWwt
IOWUHe had taken it all in stride, but the memory of that day still struck deep into Marcella’s soul, tearing open her wounds.v3F
QR7tgD“…Sir, did you say 100 gold coins?”WuJ
dqJvMadame asked from the window to the man ascending the stairs to make sure she hadn’t misheard.aisWf
t2cIBPBThe men, who had just gasped with desire, also stared at the sudden entrant with open mouths at the enormous sum.g0dPLK
TRSBut the man who had climbed the stairs with imposing steps said nothing more, only moved briskly toward where Marcella was sitting.rvxx5
CDus0“May I request here?”cT7q
OaN“…Yes.”We37l2J
27bI shouted an outrageous amount, but Madame was unable to dissuade him.Mws
LXQ2egOn one hand, his aura was fierce enough to kill.pXn
8k2“It seems you have the money.”ag6EhU
IUmmUThe man’s black cloak and leather armor looked very luxurious.nthxMs0
TbjSHe was hooded, so I couldn’t distinguish his face, but it was clear that he was at least a young noble from somewhere or a knight of certain renown.ZtwA
FyPS8QHe looked like a man who could easily pay at least ten gold coins, if not a hundred.dNqOjr
3RAIf so, he would be more than worthy to hold the withered flower.sahp9
XAO“Would you like a menu board for…?”TCLA8D
He1taNh“No, thank you.”ssfj2ph
z8hTThe young man, who had already grasped the atmosphere of the place and restrained Madame with a skillful touch, looked at the woman in front of him, with his eyes still closed.HMU9m
Y3FbNSMadame was momentarily perplexed.NMfI
93qiThere was no sign of desire in the man’s smile.5Cz2Oz
fD1qotIt was just a smile of sadness.OkusIb
vWm5e“I always missed these things, even after I left…”0wrrkO
rJ7JsaUnintelligible words began to flow from the man whose sudden appearance had everyone’s attention.IzKng
SdNLW3“Grilled sausage and blood sausage and hash browns on white wheat bread…”zkIFrx
n5iMiEveryone stood bewildered, looking at the man who was ordering breakfast in a place where drinks were supposed to be ordered.aWRcC5Z
iULha“Is he crazy?”gTfwm
CAfmjfYEven Madame, the owner of the establishment, shook her head in disbelief.U2upx
lcqE“…!”IEKExJ
0XVZMarcella, however, could understand clearly.mFqGAuh
LLGqsThe words uttered by the man in front of her were nostalgic.3MpBiLo
UFgnThey were foods that had always appeared in the landscapes of her dreams.spy6g
mrmc“I want the one… that Jorge always ate, please, Lady Marcella.”jsg
K8ns5UIt was the food that she had always prepared for Jorge.h16o4
7RS9GeHMarcella didn’t want to open her eyes.CCEkk
QqquRdThe boy’s voice was familiar, almost dreamlike.KeqaP
cNkgtQIf she opened her eyes and saw the reality in front of her, and it wasn’t what she expected, she didn’t think she could bear it.pG7
wn0ZZ“Ah…..”X7rklOB
YJoghYMarcella slowly opened her eyes with tears streaming down her face.l9022
gXDySVA sigh of relief escaped from her lips.i7TMHy
IX0Through her blurry vision, she saw a blond boy.HACgH
qgaSx“I told you I would come back, Lady Marcella.”KVV
KIDypDA bright golden glow emanated from the man as he took off his hood.W4ZOu
E5hoIt wasn’t the tarnished gold that the men in this place exhaled with lust.BZlN6
fikZpTIt was the color of the daytime child that Jorge had picked up, and Marcella had washed.hR1rtGh
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