Chapter 726: A Miserable Person
Chapter 726: A Miserable Person
This district was the birthplace of Grandma's Mo deceased husband, who was once renowned as the emperor's right-hand man. Arthur was surprised, as this place didn't exactly scream fancy.
Grandma Mo told him the story about the man who rose from the slums, fought in every arena and colosseum, and became crowned the strongest fighter. Then, the emperor offered him the position of being his right hand, and the man accepted.
The emperor's right hand quickly became the most famous man in the empire since his strength, wisdom, and kindness made him close to the public. However, most nobles in the realm deemed him unworthy because of his 'dishonorable heritage.'
"Dishonorable?" questioned Arthur with confusion, and to his surprise, Grandma Mo sneered as if the mere idea repelled.
"My man was a descendant of the ancient people, who had once ruled over this land before the current Imperial Family came and claimed it as theirs. Have you seen the four pillars?"
"I have," nodded Arthur, and Grandma Mo brought him a plate of the soup she made. It seemed to be a mixture of whatever she had in store, but it smelled delicious.
"Those pillars have been here since the creation of this world. It was said that the ancient people had lived here ever since, learning the world's elements. Finally, one of those ancient ones became so proficient that they called him a guardian."
The spoon paused as Arthur was about to scoop from the soup, as the mention of a guardian shocked him. Arthur raised his head toward Grandma Mo, but she seemed occupied with preparing her meal.
"The guardian left after that and built his world, using the elements held within the pillars. It staggered the growth of his people, but he invited them to live under his rule. My man is the descendant of those who refused."
"You know quite a lot for an old innkeeper," said Arthur as he placed down the spoon and stared at her. "It is far from cautious about revealing all of this to a stranger."
"You are not a stranger, are you?" said the old woman. "You are as familiar as this inn and as familiar as the four pillars. The feeling of oneness resides in both of you, as you are a crucial part of this world."
"Is that a fact or an observation?"
"An observation of a fact," said Grandma Mo as she placed her plate in front of Arthur and grabbed a seat, taking out loaves of bread to eat with the soup. "I knew it the moment I laid eyes on you."
"Who are you, Grandma?"
"I am a woman who lived long enough to tell a few things. Thus, I can tell you are a good and miserable person."
Arthur was silent as the woman started eating her soup as if she didn't just call him miserable. However, it didn't seem like an insult to her, just another observation.
"Miserable people are those who change the world because the happy ones have no reason to do so," said Grandma Mo as if reading his mind. "If good people were miserable, you know the world needs changing."
"I thought you weren't a fan of change."
"I hate change because it was his goal for this nation, and that goal killed him. This is where he lived and cared for everyone in this area before the gangs entered the picture. I am here to continue doing what he was doing so that he doesn't disappear from this world."
Arthur felt that Grandma Mo couldn't talk more about it, so he didn't pry for the specifics. Instead, after he finished the meal, Arthur took out a bag from his subspace and placed it on the table.
"This has two hundred Sun Golds," said Arthur. "You can consider it payment for this meal. It was delicious."
"Are you trying to fool me, boy? No meal deserves that much money, and it was repayment for your help. So take this bag and leave. I know that you have better things to do."
"Please accept this help, Grandma Mo. This neighborhood, and you, deserve a small break."
"Money is not what we need, child," said Grandma Mo as she pushed the bag toward him. "This world has a way of turning fortune into misfortune. I doubt this money will bring me anything but trouble. Let us live as we used to, without getting dragged into another man's fight."
Grandma Mo finally showed Arthur who she was: a woman who was robbed of happiness time and time again. Life made her into someone who refused change because all change was terrible for her.
"This money serves no purpose here," said Arthur as he returned the money to his subspace and left the inn. "I apologize for everything the world did to you."
Grandma Mo watched him leave silently, and she then sighed and picked the plates. Then, however, her grip weakened on the plate, and it fell, breaking all over the floor. She watched it silently, feeling something ominous in her heart.
***
Hawk inhaled the cigarette deeply before letting its smoke leave his mouth. He was leaning on their hideout's porch, staring at the sky, welcoming the night. Then, he put out his cigarette and turned toward his subordinates.
"She still hasn't snapped out of it?" asked Hawk as he stared at the woman, still mumbling something. It was as if she was cursed, unable to recover from the near-death shock.
"She keeps peeing herself and is unable to form words," said their healer as he examined her eyes. "This is a psychological shock, nothing physical. So how did this happen, Hawk?"
"That outlander bastard almost killed her," said Hawk as he walked and crouched toward the woman and grabbed her hair. "Hey, idiot! You are still alive! Snap out of it already."
"It's useless, Hawk," said the healer as he shook his head. "This is more than a close experience with death, as we all had. She believed she was dead at that moment, and nothing could change that. Her mind shut down because of the shock."
"What a waste," spat Hawk as he threw her away, but the woman didn't resist. "That bastard dares threaten us in our territory? Who the fuck does he think he is?"
"That is my question," asked the healer with a frown. "This might be worth reporting to the boss. He might still be there when we collect the money tomorrow."
Hawk didn't like reporting to the boss because he saw some ugly things the last time he did. However, if something happens and the boss finds out he was kept in the dark, Hawk will lose more than his digested lunch.
"Take command until I come back. Make sure the rest don't leave or say anything about this. The boss will not like any leaks if this proves important."
After issuing his commands, Hawk left toward the upper areas. His boss lived in the Silver District and the rest of the wealthy. Even in comparison to the other houses, their gang had the biggest mansion.
Hawk heard that his boss obtained this house as a gift from the prince, Erin Voldor. Rumors have it that these two were close friends, created from the same mold. The Mansell Gang was probably the biggest in Helios because of that.
As he made his way to the upper district, Hawk was stopped by the knights. However, he showed them his luminous silver medal and was allowed entry.
The mansion could be seen from the bridge that connects the two districts. Hawk felt envious since he only had a small house in the Copper District. However, as he approached it, Hawk saw the guards situated outside.
"Is that Birdy?" asked the guards of the mansion, who were standing on each side of its gates. "It has been so long since you showed your face. I thought you were killed by other gangs and cooked for dinner."
"The name is Hawk! I am still a ring leader in this gang, so how about showing me some respect?"
"Maybe we will, when you lose that haircut," the guards said before laughing. "What are you here for, anyways?"
"I need to meet the boss for something urgent," Hawk swallowed his rage and told them. Their faces got serious, and the guard's leader squinted his eyes.
"How urgent?"
"The boss will decide that."
"He is not here at the moment, so wait inside until he is back," the guard pointed toward the mansion. Hawk nodded, walked through the gates, and made his way through the green-lush gardens.
At that moment, his phone rang. Hawk took it out and found that it was his healer calling him, so he answered the phone. However, there was just silence from the other side before the call ended.
"Hello? Did something happen?" called Hawk to no one's answer. He called back, but there was no answer. A sickening feeling sat in his stomach, making his back covered in sweat.