Chapter 920 A Mournful Sight <TOC> Chapter 922 Special Physique
Translator: SumTLMan
In the wake of the demise of the bakery aunt, Vonman did not slaughter the adjudicator knight and refugees.
Even though he raised an assembly of venomous White-footed Tide Spiders, they were rendered ineffectual against the knight encased entirely in armor. With the knight’s presence, he also didn’t have the opportunity to take the life of the other refugees.
His original intention was to request aid from Angel. However, from beginning to end, Angel stood by as an uninvolved observer, devoid of intentions to intervene.
Therefore, he abandoned the intent for annihilation. At least, the chief instigator responsible for his brother’s death had already taken her own life.
At the close of this absurd narrative, the adjudicator knight, wearing a complex expression, finally voiced out, “I can empathize with your ordeal. However, as an adjudicator knight, I must bring this matter to a satisfactory conclusion. Therefore, please temporarily suppress your grief and accompany me to the adjudication office.”
He paused for a moment, the adjudicator knight turned his gaze towards Guina, a mere stick of a human, and said with a note of regret in his tone, “The gist of the situation is already known, you will be fine. I will apply for a relief fund from the adjudication office, at least it will alleviate your living conditions… If you’re willing, I can also adopt you.”
The knight’s last remark was evidently heartfelt.
From Angel’s perspective, the knight too was in fact quite innocent, having been merely caught in an untimely coincidence, and just happened to be a catalyst.
“I don’t require your shallow charity.” Vonman coldly glared at the knight, clutching Guina tightly in his arms, “All of you get lost from here!”
“I must take you to the adjudication office.”
The knight made a further advance, forcing Vonman to retreat.
Seeing the standoff in the atmosphere, Angel, who had been silent till now, spoke out, “Esteemed knight, they will be under my care henceforth, you need not worry.”
For the knight, although he was somewhat skeptical, it was undeniable that Angel held a noble identity.
An aristocrat’s willingness to assume responsibility for these two pitiful children indeed seemed like a favorable outcome. But as a knight steadfastly adhering to the principles of justice and fairness, he too was bound by his own convictions.
“May I inquire whence you hail?” The knight began, performing a chivalric salute before continuing, “Regardless of what may follow, at this juncture, it is necessary for these children to accompany me back to the tribunal to address the matter at hand.”
“From whence I hail is of no consequence. Matters here have come to their conclusion, haven’t they? Isn’t the truth clear as day? Pursuing right from wrong is no longer requisite, whether it be the proprietor of this bakery or these two children, their lives have been extinguished. The knot, knotted in death, has already been untied.” Angel replied, maintaining his decorum.
After a moment of silence, the knight countered, “However, this scene is not confined to a single incident. The decaying corpse outside also necessitates closure.”
“That farmwife met her end at my hands. A month prior, she had ruthlessly snatched Guina from her cradle and tossed her to the ground. I merely poisoned her. If anything, her end was more merciful than she deserved.” Vonman interjected abruptly, adopting a sarcastic tone, “What’s this? Is the knight of justice planning to avenge her? Well then, come at me.”
Vonman’s tone was filled with distaste.
Not only did the knight furrow his brow, but Angel too exhibited signs of discontent.
“Regardless of the reasons, since you have confessed, you must accompany me.” The knight approached, gripped Vonman’s hand firmly, intending to escort him away forcefully.
Witnessing Vonman being led away by the knight, Angel sighed helplessly, his fingers lightly brushing against each other.
Nightmare aura seeped into the foreheads of the knight and refugees.
Their expressions became instantly vacant.
“Depart from this place, then forget everything that transpired here,” Angel murmured softly, issuing a command within the illusion.
The refugees were the first to exit the basement, the knight too released Vonman, walking out in a daze.
Letting Vonman be taken to the tribunal by the knight wouldn’t have been a detriment, however, Angel, unwilling to further waste time here, decided to intervene.
On the verge of the knight’s departure, a spark of determination flickered in Vonman’s downcast eyes. With sudden vigor, he seized the sword hanging from the knight’s belt, poised to plunge it into the knight’s chest…
Boom—
A thunderous impact followed. Vonman was sent flying backward, crashing heavily against the wall, a spray of fresh blood spewing from his mouth.
Guina was flung aside too, yet she did not fall. Instead, she suspended bizarrely in midair, a pair of ethereal hands materializing behind her.
Stunned, Vonman watched the knight’s sword, which had fallen to the ground, mysteriously return to its sheath. The knight, unharmed, exited the basement, leaving the scene as though nothing had transpired.
Just a moment ago, he’d been bent on killing the knight. However, an unseen force had catapulted him aside. He was wounded; the knight was untouched. The only one capable of such a wonder, evidently, was Angel.
Vonman lifted his gaze, eyes fixed unwaveringly on Angel.
“Why?”
“Why won’t you let me kill him?” Vonman demanded, tears cascading down his face. “Aren’t you one of Goldfinch’s? Isn’t Sea Wave at odds with Goldfinch? If I kill him, shouldn’t you be pleased? Why won’t you let me kill him?”
“I’m not inclined to comment excessively on your affairs. However, the root cause of this farcical drama has little to do with this knight. If it weren’t him, it would have been someone else. Your present wrath is, in fact, misplaced.” Angel paused before continuing, “Indeed, Goldfinch and Sea Wave are at war. Yet, when you attain a broader perspective, your vision won’t be confined to the wars of mere mortals.”
Having spoken, Angel paid no mind to Vonman’s resentful gaze, instead turning to clean the dank basement with a spell.
As the murkiness gradually cleared, Angel seated himself at a table in the basement, then turned to Vonman, “If you’ve managed to compose yourself, let’s get down to business.”
Vonman lay on the ground for quite some time before he managed to struggle to his feet. He first picked up Guina, then spoke softly to Angel, “May I speak privately with Guina first?”
“Yes.”
In the dim light, Vonman held Guina and retreated away from the cellar, lowering their voices to a murmur. No matter how hushed their whispers, to Angel, they sounded as clear as ringing bells.
The children’s conversation was, from Angel’s perspective, composed mostly of trifles. They wept together for a long while, grieving for the lost Aniga and Chira. Only after a considerable time did they turn to what Angel considered the ‘real’ topic – his identity.
Ironically, it began with Vonman explaining Angel’s origin to Guina but concluded with Guina interpreting Angel’s behaviour to Vonman.
“When he arrived in the cellar, he remained a bystander, not intervening even when the old woman in the bakery committed suicide. Yet, he did step in when you tried to kill the knight. From these incidents, he seems more law-abiding than most…” Guina dissected the situation in a steady voice, while Vonman listened attentively.
Previously in the cellar, Guina had remained aloof and silent, seeming detached, yet it was now clear that she had been carefully observing the entire situation.
“Taking into account these details, and how he has treated you, I think he is more reliable than the summoner or… Kusha. Following him, I don’t foresee any issues.” Guina’s voice was calm and steady, only betraying a hint of bitterness when she mentioned “Kusha.”
Angel had to suppress a chuckle at this point.
Guina must have guessed that he could hear her conversation with Vonman, hence she deliberately said all those things. She appeared to be analysing the situation, but in truth, she was subtly trying to get into his good graces while also securing an escape route for them.
Guina’s foresight was indeed sharper and deeper than Vonman’s, even though her youth sometimes made her intentions transparent. However, Angel believed, as she grew older, her mind would become more mature and restrained.
After approximately half an hour, Vonman returned to the cellar with Guina in her arms and seated themselves opposite Angel.
Guina resumed her taciturn demeanor, quietly nestled in Vonman’s embrace.
Looking at the two children before him, Angel felt a pang of regret. Barely in their teens, they had already endured trials that even adults would struggle to bear, especially Guina.
He had heard of Guina’s situation from Vonman before, forming a concept in his mind. But seeing her in person, her wretched condition deeply unsettled Angel.
With a beauty that would turn heads, Guina was blessed with a mane of golden curls. Alas, she now found herself bereft of hands and feet, her lips cruelly sewn shut. Yet, even amid such excruciating circumstances, Guina persisted. The flame of the will to survive never extinguished in her eyes.
Indeed, both Guina and Vonman were tainted with an unmistakable shade of malice – a trait that Angel was not partial to. Yet, it was undeniable that it was precisely such a disposition that enabled survival amidst their current predicament.
“I’ve already spoken with Guina. As long as you can assure us survival, we’ll follow you, Lord,” Vonman conveyed, anxiety tinting his voice, not daring to meet Angel’s gaze. “Also, regarding Guina’s injuries…”
“I can ensure she won’t die,” Angel stated, his gaze falling upon Guina. “Her current state, devoid of limbs, does not matter. As long as you continue your dedicated practice, be it through limb regeneration or transplantation, you will reclaim your full form.”
Upon hearing this, a light sparked in Guina’s eyes.
Vonman, in his anxiety, probed further, “Can Guina truly regain her hands and feet?”
“Yes.”
Vonman’s face lit up with joy, “That’s wonderful. Guina and I are willing to take you as our master!”
Angel waved a dismissive hand, “I am not yet qualified to accept disciples. I am merely your guide. If you are serious about the path of a wizard, once we return to the Wizard Organization, they will arrange mentors for you.”
Vonman and Guina shared a glance before nodding in agreement.
“But don’t celebrate prematurely,” Angel cautioned, “Admission into the Wizard Organization is not a given just because you possess talent. You must also undergo a trial.”
“A trial?”
Angel refrained from specifying the details of the trial. Instead, he briefly introduced the “Nine Cabin Blood Duel”, a trial devised by Sanders, as an example. The high rate of elimination and mortality left Vonman and Guina taken aback. Yet, to Angel’s relief, he found no trace of fear etched on their faces.
“The trial is not immediate, but it can arise at any time. I hope you two can successfully pass through it,” he ended.
Chapter 920 A Mournful Sight <TOC> Chapter 922 Special Physique