Chapter 675 - Between Light & Light (XIII) (2/2)
Boom!
The drunkard twitched uncontrollably and took in a final breath of air Just a little distance ahead, a wo pinned to the wall by arapidly in their short-lived enjoyotten his head sues sneered as they searched the drunkard’s body Finally, everything including his ragged, filthy coat was snatched away, leaving a naked corpse in the muddy, dark alley Lily shrieked in horror
“Mr Rhode! T-They just killed solance, which left Lily increasingly worried
“Q-Quick Call the city guards The uards wouldn’t care They have never co
“To them, it is best for the people here to massacre one another until there are no survivors”
“Why…”
Lily lowered her head and gazed in silence Suddenly, a filthy child ran up to Rhode’s group from the side with a smile Then, he extended his hands dirtied with iveyou Just one silver coin and I can survive Please, kind=hearted sir…”
“Ah, please wait a moment”
Lily retrieved a sack of coins fros, suddenly, the child revealed a er that he had hidden!
“Get lost!”
Anne snarled and swung her steel shi+eld to strike off the rascal The rascal rolled on the ground continuously before colared at Anne Anne was not at all afraid She welcoround
“Don’t even think of it with Anne around Get lost, or Anne will crush you into mince meat!”
“Tsk bitch!”
The rascal spat disdainfully before disappearing into the dark alleys
“He… He…”
Lily looked vacantly at the commotion She couldn’t believe her eyes She was petrified when the rascal darted toward her with his dagger She felt as though he wasn’t a Human, but a ferocious beast instead! If it wasn’t for Anne who careed to give him money already…”
Lily couldn’t find an explanation Meanwhile, Anne curled her lips
“Don’t be silly He isn’t just begging for your roup of people will appear to be begging forfor you to whip out the coin sack so they can snatch it away! What’s the point of you giving hi in this horrible place after they finish spending theet away from here Hmph But that rascal is really stupid Even if he snatched your uarantees that he won’t survive for more than 2 hours With that many people around and without Anne’s protection, he must be really blessed to be able to leave this place safely”
“…”
For unknown reasons, Lily’s expression turned incomparably complex when she heard the word ‘blessed’ She opened her h to speak, but she eventually didn’t say a word
The trio headed forward, but the dark inclined path seemed to be endless The farther they entered, the more uncomfortable Lily was Her pale expression due to the harsh winter had become ashen She leaned close to Anne and if it weren’t for Anne, perhaps she would’ve collapsed
Rhode came to a halt as they had arrived at a small plaza, which was also considered astreet vendors and several poor people gathered around They stared at Rhode’s group almost simultaneously There were hostilities, hatred, disdain, and uncertainties in their eyes Rhode understood these emotions as nobles wouldn’t normally step into such places, after all
“Mr Rhode They are…”
Lily was at a loss She couldn’t finish her sentence
“They’re losers Losers who are abandoned by society I think you can see it for yourself, Lily, thathere They’ve left their homes and came to Casabianca to start a brand new, better life But they failed They can’t find jobs and no one illing to eather in this place and live day by day”
“Why didn’t they leave?”
“Leave?”
This time, it wasn’t Rhode who answered her doubt It was an elderly azed at the little girl
“You think that we don’t want to leave, Miss? But how can we leave? Do you kno much hard e’ve put in to coave up everything just to co the days of their dreams But those sons of bitches who rule Casabianca are nothing more than vicious, ruthless devils!”
The elderly er at hi was broken off by cruel thugs and no one is willing to hire ot together and snatchedthat this is a great, roup of politicians say? Casabianca was snatched away froon Soul by them and a paradise built by them, Humans! This place welcomes everyone equally! That’s a coive a damn about our benefits All they think about is themselves!”
The elderly man displayed a bitter smile
“Back then, a politician specially visited us and brought a few men out He claimed that he was the co free from poverty! But what happened thereafter? After the elections, those men were thrown back into here like trash!+ Those sons of bitches politicians don’t care about our lives at all We’rechip to display their kind heartedness and loving care during the election! We instantly became a pile of worthless rubbish after they succeed No ives a dahed violently before spitting out a mouthful of pitch-black blood He lifted his head and waved his hand weakly
“Leave this place, Miss This isn’t a place for you people We’re just like the kind of people who that person beside you said—losers We have no value in existing Even though the Light Parliaroup of liars Those politicians are busy fawning over the big bosses and trade associations everyday How is it possible for theht to vote and can’t help theain their reputation and position in any way”
“But shouldn’t the Light Parlia over everyone? For the sake of equality, freedos have reached a stage where even a little child like you believes in their nonsense”
The elderly hter
“They only think about the as they have authority, position, and wealth?”
The elderly aze
“Leave this place, Miss This isn’t a place for you people, neither for us Ultimately, we’re still outsiders in this place… We were never the owner and on’t ever have the right to be one Hah… Not only us, but also the Elves, Dwarves… None of them like this city, this nation”
“… Thank you, Sir”
Lily said She retrieved a few gold coins from her pocket
“This… Please have it…”
“These things are useless to esture
“Money is the source of all evil in this place I’m old and I don’t dare to accept the ht after you people leave, so you’re better off leaving this place…”
It was already dusk when Rhode’s group returned to the ilints in Lily’s eyes had as though been contaminated with darkness and became dull
“Today… thank you, Mr Rhode”
Back to the place where they firstfrom her appearance
“I’ve never known… that these people exist I’ve always thought that the Light Parlia happiness and freedo that they have done is to make the lives of their people better because only Huht will shi+ne on everyone and nothing will change…”
Lily lowered her head
“But… is this right? Mr Rhode?”
“This isn’t a probleazed at the sky
“But I can tell you a story, Lily A story between the northern wind and sun”
“Northern wind and sun?”
Lily looked curiously while Rhode nodded slightly
“The northern wind issued a duel with the sun to see as ht and whoever could make the traveler remove his cloak would be the winner The northern wind blew as hard as it could, but the traveler didn’t reust Instead, he held it even tighter Then, it was the sun’s turn The sun used its warm rays to shi+ne on the traveler After a while, the traveler took off his cloak due to the stifling heat…”
Rhode shrugged
“In other words, if the northern wind continues to blow and the sun doesn’t appear, the traveler won’t remove his cloak”
“… Thank you, Mr Rhode”
Lily revealed a co
“Today… I’ve learned things that no one has taught ht then, I shall take irl turned around and her petite figure vanished as she turned the corner of the lush bush in the garden The corners of Rhode’s lips perked up and he said softly
“… You’re welcome”
Rhode turned around and faced Casabianca
The scarlet brilliance of the setting sun illuh devouring the spotlessly white city Rhode squinted and his eyes revealed aused for their selfish benefits, you’re better off being used by me, Your Majesty”
He mumbled under his breath