Chapter 38: The Penitent, The Eternal Warrior
Chapter 38: The Penitent, The Eternal Warrior
If he had stayed in that village all along.
This was the question the old man had pondered over the years, and he knew time could not flow backward; he could not return to that crossroads to make a different choice.
He came here to tell this story, driven by guilt in his heart, to repent for past sins, wishing to face his belated trial in court.
But he did not know if the court would accept such absurd actions from an old man like him.
Perhaps the judges and jurors would only think he had become senile, scoffing at his story, even praising the tale he had concocted as not bad, then casually turning it into a joke over drinks.
This question plunged Hasturinto silence.
The Rune Kingdom would never allow an old man to admit in court that past killings were wrong.
Because then, the wrongdoers would not just be the old man, but also the royal and noble ones.
And it would also indirectly admit that the war between the Rune Kingdom and Fasack was far less just than the common people believed.
This was absolutely not allowed.
If the old man's story were viewed from another angle, say the person saved by the village was a Fasack soldier, and the place destroyed was a village of the Rune Kingdom.
Then, the Rune royals and nobles would surely have the old man speak out such a thing at a critical moment, to show the people the cruelty and terror of Fasack.
Unfortunately, it could not be changed.
Was the old man wrong? Hasturhad no right to judge him, but if he were the protagonist, he would quietly take away the girl who loved him after his wounds healed, leave the battlefield, and find a quiet little village to live out the rest of his life.
"Sir, I'm afraid I can't help you with this matter," Hasturspoke, his tone heavy yet apologetic.
If he got involved, the end result would be just another drowned noble's body in the Tasok River.
"Your words are the greatest help to me," said the old man as he shakily stood up, his face showing no sign of disappointment, as if such a response was not unexpected.
"Sir, many things are beyond our power to change," Hasturmused for a long time before giving such a reply.
"Yes, I understand," the old man said lightly, a faint smile on his face as he bid Hasturgoodbye and turned to leave.
…
Hasturmomentarily wanted to draw back the curtain to glimpse the legendary old man.
But he resisted the urge, knowing even if he saw him, he could not offer any help.
After the old man left, Hastursat quietly for a long time, finally sighing deeply, realizing he could not just watch the old man die.
After a moment of silence, Hasturstood up, left through the back door, and after greeting Professor Volun, he took a carriage to the nearest court.
Arriving at the court, Hasturglanced at his pocket watch, 5:20 PM, forty minutes before the court closed.
He stepped off the carriage and stood near the court's entrance, waiting.
If he was not mistaken, the old man should already be on his way here.
From the old man's confession to his final release, Hasturunderstood his thoughts.
Despite knowing his actions were absurd and laughable, changing nothing, he would still do it because he was old.
Facing imminent death, some become extremely panicked, while others find peace after reflecting on their lives.
The old man belonged to the latter, so he would come, and it would be today!
After about ten minutes, Hastursaw an old man step down from a carriage.
The old man, dressed in black formal wear, leaning on a cane, his silver hair neatly combed, deep wrinkles carved by time, his dark brown eyes holding a calmness born of experience, and a faint smile on his face, the epitome of composure in the face of life's tumult.
With one glance, Hasturrecognized him as the old man who had sought his help.
The old man looked at the court, a place to judge sins, and instinctively bowed, then straightened up, walking with firm steps.
As he approached the entrance, Hasturstepped forward and said, "Sir, only by living can you repent for the things you feel guilty about."
The old man paused, gave Hastura careful look, and with a smile said, "May your future be without regrets."
"And yours as well."
"This has been an afternoon full of surprises."
The old man walked into the court under Hastar's gaze, smiling.
Hasturdid not follow, nor did he say anything more, just silently watching the old man's figure disappear from view, entering the hall symbolizing judgment.
…
"Baron Campbell, we meet again, thank you for your generosity last time." Under the night sky, at the Greylint household, Hasturmet again with Hugh and Fors.
To contact Mr. A for the extraordinary gathering, Hastursought Fors' introduction through Greylint, ostensibly claiming he was interested in such extraordinary gatherings.
Unexpectedly, this time Hugh also came with Fors.
"Miss Hugh, I also want to thank you for your contribution to the rescue of Professor Wayne," Hasturreplied with a smile.
Fors, with three question marks flashing above her head, glanced at Hastar, then stared at Hugh, trying to discern their relationship from their conversation and expressions.
"Just an accidental employment."
Hugh, unable to bear Fors' gaze, simply explained, and seeing Fors' thoughtful look, Hugh subtly nudged her shoulder, signaling her to mind her image.
"It's getting late; we can go now."
"Yes, I believe this will be an interesting night."
Hastursmiled as he and Fors, Hugh, took the carriage and left, as for Viscount Greylint, he had matters to attend to tonight and couldn't get away, only asking Hasturto inquire again about the pharmacist's potion formula.
The last time this task was taken by Fors, and then there was no news until recently when Fors politely apologized to him, saying she couldn't find those vampires hidden in the night.
In fact, Fors had only sent Hugh to post a task seeking vampires, and then there was no follow-up.
The carriage drove for about ten minutes before reaching its destination, a wooden house by the roadside, looking desolate and secluded.
The three got off the carriage and approached the wooden door, Hugh said, "It's best not to reveal your true identity when attending such extraordinary gatherings."
To prepare for this extraordinary gathering, she had disguised herself in no less than three layers, even using insoles to slightly increase her height.
Well, she swore it was just a little bit, out of necessity for the disguise, not because she disliked being too short.
Hasturalso disguised himself, wearing a black robe that covered his entire body, a black hood to hide his hair color, and a cat-face mask bought on a whim to cover his face.
Leaning on a cane that could draw a sword if necessary, a good find while sorting through the original owner's belongings.
The cane was silver-gray, with a large crystal set at the top, and the shaft just below was twisted in a spiral pattern, hiding an elegant, slender sword inside, about sixty centimeters long.
Hasturtested the sword's strength; it was thin, sharp, easily cutting through hard bone, and the steel was extraordinary, well-forged, not easily blunted.
He suspected the sword might be some extraordinary weapon, but he had yet to discover its special use.
Seeing Hasturand Fors ready, Hugh approached the wooden door and knocked in a pattern of three long and two short.
The door creaked open, revealing many participants already seated inside, most of them also disguised in various ways, with only a few openly showing their true faces.
The three walked in, and the door was closed behind them by a servant.
Their arrival drew the attention of everyone present, with Mr. A's gaze being particularly memorable.
His eyes, like two slippery tentacles, crawled over people's bodies as if wanting to strip off their clothes and probe inside, a skin-crawling sensation.
This made Hasturrecognize Mr. A at a glance, but he kept silent, instead deliberately showing a hint of curiosity.
Hugh introduced, "That one is Mr. A, a powerful extraordinary person and the convener of this extraordinary gathering."
Hasturnodded silently, while Fors examined the two blackboards erected in front, covered in rows of words.
Hugh explained some of the trading rules to Hastar, who was attending the extraordinary gathering for the first time.
The content on the blackboards represented the trades participants wished to make.
They would clearly state what they needed and what they were willing to offer in exchange; if someone was interested, they could directly complete the trade.
All trades were notarized by Mr. A, ensuring no fraud.
Hasturlistened quietly, then, following Fors' example, began writing his needs on the blackboard.
In addition to the crystallized core of the earth rhinoceros horn, he also wrote down the pharmacist's potion formula.
He did not seek to purchase the Roselle diary here, as that would attract too much attention.
He could feel Mr. A's gaze occasionally falling on him, as if measuring something.
Soon, one trade after another was completed before Hastar's eyes.
But as the gathering neared its end, there was no news of the pharmacist's potion formula or the crystallized core of the earth rhinoceros horn that Hasturneeded.
"What a failed gathering, looks like I'll need Grek's help," Hasturmused to himself, his lawyer's potion nearly digested, needing to quickly gather the materials for the barbarian's potion.
Just as Hastur was feeling disappointed about the night's gathering, a servant quietly approached him, handing him a note, whispering, "This is from Mr. A."
(End of Chapter)