Chapter 1437 - The Minion (1/2)

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

In that dark, depressing era, the imprisonment of minds by the Church and the supernatural forces in the dark corners were like a thick black cloud, looming over the hearts of all ordinary folk. It was not invisible and formless; it was tangibly affecting people’s life. The strict curfew was one of its manifestations.

By nightfall, the streets and alleys had to be cleared. Except for those with permission, no one was allowed to stay on the streets. It was not only a rule of terror but also a kind of protection. In the Dark Ages, towns at night were just as dangerous as the wilderness. Those who dared to venture outside at night usually never returned. Those who were lucky enough to make it back often times returned deeply changed, as though something terrible had replaced their souls. The medieval Middle Ages were rife with legends, and a large part of them was, in fact, real.

So whether it was the fear of a knight’s whip or the monsters in the dark, ordinary people would not remain on the streets after nightfall.

However, there were always exceptions.

There were always a few daring guys, either tempted by heretical power or the demon hunters. They chose the hazardous profession of becoming somebody else’s eyes and minions at night. They could disguise themselves as humans to evade the demon hunters and otherworldlings, they knew the streets and alleys of the town like the back of their hand and recognized everyone from behind. These people were daring and shrewd. They treaded no man’s land between earthly and supernatural forces, staying in that danger zone between secular power and supernatural power. They provided limited loyalty to the otherworldlings and the demon hunters. doing their dirty work.

If the price was right or the threat was high enough, they could even serve both masters at the same time. But getting caught would spell death for them. Nevertheless, for those who had already embarked on this path, they cared not of how long they would live as long as it served them in the present.

The otherworldlings, demon hunters, and even the human forces were their enemies as well as allies.

A guy named Gray Rat was the best in the business. He even claimed to be the best of the best.

Gray Rat had never gotten himself involved with supernatural forces. Many of his peers died because they could not stand the lure of mysterious knowledge. He was not too greedy for gifts from his master, who could either be a monster or a demon hunter. He knew that the rewards he received, however slight, were enough to keep him living a wealthy life. If he ever asked for a little more, it would kill him.

Gray Rat was curled up in a stinky corner between two houses, and he had covered himself from head to tail with a piece of ragged, grayish-black linen. He had been there for nearly an hour and was about to switch locations in ten minutes time. The night watchers would pass by soon. Those lazy guys wearing black and blue blouses were often late, but as a cautious minion, Gray Rat never risked it.

If caught, he would be fortunate just to get away after a considerable beating. The master who hired him would not come out to help him over such a ridiculously stupid reason.

The night was dark, and the rags on his body did not help much against the cold. While he carefully moved his limbs, which had gone numb from staying in the same posture for too long, Gray Rat scanned the streets and alleys for any suspicious movements. He squinted. His vision was of a fluorescent dark blue, and living things that occasionally passed by appeared red in his eyes.

A few red spots ran across the street; there were mice. That was the time when they were the most active.

Gray Rat understood why his peers could not stand the temptation of forbidden knowledge and power. Even Gray Rat often indulged in it. Owl Potion gave him incredible night vision, the Ritual of the Wild brought high physical strength, and Mongoose Ointment provided unlimited stamina as well as agility—all of them gave the illusion of immortality. When that illusion presented itself to lapdogs like the minions, it would be magnified. Not everyone could resist the psychological addiction.

A man and a woman appeared in Gray Rat’s field of vision.

He quickly gathered his wandering mind and focused on the man-and-woman pair.

Years of experience told Gray Rat that there was something suspicious about the man and woman.

It was not hard to figure out that other than the night patrols and knights, nobody would wander out into the streets during curfew hours. Even people like Gray Rat had to hide in a corner. Rue Truite, the only place where the homeless would wander around at night, was a lawless zone in the city. Those who loitered there deserved to be hanged on the gallows, and no decent resident would sympathize with them.

The tidily-dressed man and woman in the distance did not look like decent residents, but they were undoubtedly not beggars from Rue Truite.