95 CHAPTER 95: CORRUPTION
'Shadow Knights—The Modern Robinhoods.'
A single news report written in papers about the shadow knights were circulating all around the kingdom. However, no one knew who was disseminating the information since the pen name of the author was not included on the article.
Feeding the hungry, providing shelter for the poor, giving justice to the oppressed, savior and what not.
A lot of good things was written about the shadow knights and a vintage photo of certain people was attached to it. However, only their backs were exposed while riding the horses. No faces can be seen.
The article unbelievingly reached not just one or two regions but even the royal city heard about it too!
Now it has become the talk of the town.
Prince Leo got a hold of one article and read it himself. Whoever wrote it made the group heroes in the kingdom of Allen. He must admit, that writer was incredibly good.
Maybe it was also a part of the shadow knight's propaganda. To spread good things about them to get people's attention. If that's the case, then they are definitely up to something. He was in deep thought when he heard some people chattering nearby.
'Look at this group! I saw some of the members and they were really great!' One said.
'I heard they are good people unlike the other groups nowadays.'
'They are totally different from the other groups.' Another butted in. 'These guys are righteous! Too far from the raiders and rebels we all know. Have you heard about what they did in the land of Tubal?'
'Of course everybody knew about that!'
People everywhere kept on blabbering good things about the group. He rarely heard negatives about them.
"Tsk!" He hissed and was about to turn around and leave when he suddenly bumped into someone…again. "Hey…" He halted as soon as he saw the face he'd been waiting to see for the past few days. "Diana, right?"
"Leo! Nice to see you again." She chortled in surprise.
"What a pleasant surprise to see a beauty early in the morning." He smiled. "If this is not destiny then I do not know what to call this encounter."
"Coincidence?" Diana chuckled.
"Anyway, where are you going? Why are you in a rush?"
"I'm visiting a friend… at the infirmary."
"Can I tag along?" Leo requested.
Diana looked at him for a second and after coming into terms with her thoughts, she finally agreed.
"Thank you. Sorry if I am bothering you, I don't know anybody here so…."
"Eh? I thought you were on a business trip when I first met you.''
"Business trip? Did I say that?"
"No…? No. I don't remember you saying such. Sorry, I thought I'm good at guessing." She made a guilty face but laughed after.
Leo laughed at her cuteness and innocence. He never thought he'd be seeing her again so this time, he will seize the moment to get to know her.
After a few minutes, they arrived at the infirmary but Leo hesitated to go inside in fear that someone from the physician might have seen him before. Exposing himself as one of the royal prince should be the last resort he would do.
"I thought you want to tag along?" Diana glanced at the daze man.
"Y-yeah, I'm coming." Leo disheveled his hair before entering the infirmary. Some physicians kept on glancing at him and he could see reservations in their eyes as well.
Guess they were rummaging their brains about him.
He tried catching up to the woman and acted like an average person. People might recognize him if he walks high and mighty just like how the princes usually do.
"Lily!" She kissed the child. "Beverly, how is Mr. Simon?" She asked as soon as she reached the two who were sitting beside the sleeping man.
"Thank goodness, he is somehow recovering." Beverly replied before looking at the man lying unconscious on the bed.
"Oh yeah, before I forgot, this is Leo. Leo, my friend Beverly. And this is Lily, Mr. Simon's granddaughter."
"Nice meeting you Beverly, Lily." He kowtowed before them. Nonetheless, he met the scrutinizing gaze of the woman.
"I think I saw you before." He mumbled as she traces her jaw trying to think where she possibly met him.
"I also said that the first time we met." Diana laughed when she remembered how she stared at the man thinking that he was the young Brad Pitt.
"Ha-ha! Yeah, I remember that." The man chuckled playfully.
Now that Beverly recalled, this man looked like one of the royal princes. But as she looked closer, the prince wouldn't be as silly as this guy so she brushed her thoughts away.
After which, Lily played with Leo while Diana and Beverly talked about the old man's condition.
"He woke up a while ago but it doesn't change the fact that he's fleeting away. I just don't know how to tell the little kid about it." Beverly informed Diana who sadly glanced at the frail old man.
"What did the doctor said?"
"His liver was beyond repair as well as his kidneys. They said he only have a few days to live."
Sadness overwhelmed the two women and Leo saw it even if he was a distant away from them. Seeing how they lowered their heads in grief means the old man was in a bad state. Therefore, he did his best to entertain the little kid who fell asleep in his lap after a few minutes.
"Did you inform Liam about him?" Beverly asked.
Diana shook her head. "They're not yet back."
"This is bad. He might not be able to see him for the last time."
Diana did not respond but she uttered a silent prayer.
"They might arrive tomorrow night since Sonia was busy preparing a feast for tomorrow to welcome everyone. I'll make sure to tell him about Simon's situation."
It was already a week yet the team hadn't return yet. As for Diana, she was able to meet the merchant who was in charge of the camera store. Turned out that he was an expert in his field. Unfortunately, all her devices were beyond repair!
Good thing the merchant offered her a brand new camera in exchange for all her gadgets. She couldn't do anything about it and though it pained her to leave her stuffs, but carrying useless devices won't do her any good. Might as well take the useful one.
She also spent her days teaching Sonia some tricks about the use of camera as they visited beautiful spots in Rouen. One place she loved the most was the majestic waterfalls located at the hill of Sola. They said it was approximately 120feet high!
She looked like a dwarf at the picture when she stood on the rocks near it.
Sarah didn't join them since she was busy learning the runabouts of being a seer. Therefore, she stayed with the old woman she met in Rouen who became her mentor. She'll probably come to the villa when the team returns.
Aside from teaching Sonia how to use the camera, she also spent some of her days visiting Simon, Lily and Beverly. Of course, she didn't forget to do her personal job.
Meanwhile, the feast that the Ammihod tribe prepared will last for three days. However, Liam spoke to the chief head and came into terms so they can set out tomorrow morning.
The uneasiness that he has been feeling the past few days troubled him greatly.
Besides, they have a lot of things to do so they can't stay a little longer. Also, Daniel had been missing his wife for the past few days.
*********
Back at the Infirmary…
Leo handed the sleeping girl to Beverly so he could go out to the market to buy some food.
He was not aware that the infirmary was not providing free foods for their patients' despites paying a high amount for their medical fees. He tried asking the physicians about it but they said it was an order from the higher management and it has been that way for many years now.
There should be free foods for all the patients!
The reports of the head of the department of medicine always included a big amount of budget for patients' food allowance and it has been increasing every year but turned out that it was just a bluff.
He must expose the corruption of the government officials at all cost!
After buying some food for them, he quickly returned to the infirmary. Lily might be awake and she must be hungry by now. She was a bit thin and frail so she'll be needing some healthy foods. However, he halted on his tracks when he saw some physicians rushing to where Simon was while Diana held the crying child.
"Diana… what happened?" Leo came to her side. Beverly was sobbing in a corner.
The little girl was weeping nonstop. Her voice was filled with anguish.
"Leo… Mr. Simon…. he's…" Diana lowered her head and tighten her embraced onto the little girl.
Be strong, Lily…
