Chapter 16: Enter SimpleMMO World: Chapter 15
After we separated from the other team, Mcgreed, III, and I, headed to the west side of the city—the slum area. To our unpleasant surprise, the dingy place was exactly the same as portrayed in the movies and anime. Foul smell, dirty streets, rundown houses and malnourished people littered the place—bodies thin to the extent that we could see their bones from beneath their skin. They looked at us passing by with jealousy in their eyes. Some eyes held hope for even the smallest amount of help.
It was a heartbreaking sight that made our steps heavier. With each step, we had to pretend we didn't see their pleas for help. We could help them, sure, but we knew neither of their past, nor of their situation. Helping them blindly wouldn't be a smart move. It was both a cruel and ignorant choice… but it's one we had to make.
Suddenly, the unforgettable ting of a message resounded, much to my surprise.
"Huh, a message from BlackRaven?", I voiced as I read who the sender was.
"A message? Did something happen?" Asked Mcgreed curiously.
"Yeah, looks like they got caught in a big mess with a noble when they're trying to help a little girl…" I summarized the event to them.
"Huh? Noble? A noble!? Hey, that's not a funny joke. Not even a day passed since we got here and we're already on our way to jail!?" III was dumbfounded with the sudden turn of events.
"This is bad. Nobles hold big influence and authority within the country. If it was some lesser noble from the countryside, we would've been able to do something, but… That noble is the son of this city's Lord. We might have to prepare for the worst." Mcgreed started to worry what might happen to them.
" Damn it! I knew something like this would happen sooner or later. When we are at the hotel, I can feel all those eyes that are looking down on us as if we're inferior creatures. Even if it wasn't Khelgarr, eventually one of us will do the same. We're not in big trouble like you guys are thinking. No matter in which world we are, there is always discrimination. Are humans pitiful creatures that can't even tolerate the diversity?" I started to grieve about what happened. We just arrived in this world and I thought we can somehow enjoy ourselves in this 'fantasy' that we always see in anime... But... No matter in which world we are, there are always 'trash' that isn't necessary in this world.
" I agree, that's just how pitiful for some humans can be. Just because of the difference in eyes or skin color, they're treated like they're not even human beings... Should we go after them?" Mcgreed eyes showed how regrettable it is for some people who are mistreated because of something they're born with.
" No, that won't be necessary. Although we're up against the city's lord, we have Khelgarr on our side. Power aside, they can't mess with Khelgarr right now. The attitude that the messenger showed towards Khelgarr earlier... If my guess is right and Khelgarr didn't make the wrong move, then we can still get out of this mess. Also, don't forget that we're immortal. What can they do against beings like us? Just believe in Khelgarr and the rest. ( but... If it didn't turn out as I predicted, that means... An all out war with this country will be inevitable. Should I make a plan for that...? THAT'S A FOOLISH QUESTION! If this happened on our first day here, then there's no reason why it can't happen again! Thus, I should start make preparations while I can.)" My brain started to work on the plan as if I'm playing Chess.
" Immortal? But we didn't fully prove it yet. Wait.. Don't tell me... You?" Mcgreed and III were surprised but at the same time they felt relieved because the worst scenario they imagined wouldn't happen.
" Yeah, I forced Khelgarr to behead me when you guys were fighting the World Boss last night." I informed them how I tested immortality with Khelgarr. They were left dumbfounded, searching for a scar on my neck.
( A war huh? I can't believe that I'll be in a situation that forces me to make a plan for war. But... If it's war that they want, then a war that they'll get. A HOLY war that will cleanse every trash in this country! Then again, I'll need an army that is loyal to me in order to achieve that. Luckily I can use the money I have in SimpleMMO. So I don't need to worry about financial problems. With all this gold, how many soldiers can I hire? But the problem is where can I get those soldi- huh!?)
" Hehehe. What am I contemplating about when the answer is already in front of me? I just found my own army." I just can't help but laugh like a villain when I see all those people in slums who can't do anything but accept the harsh reality that they're forced to live with.
Meanwhile…
At the east side of the city, people at the shopping street witnessed scenes that they never imagined would've happen in their whole life. A man dragging a noble's neck while surrounded and followed by hundreds of soldiers. The soldiers are waiting patiently for the man to let go of the noble's neck before they can take him down.
" Argh! Haha... The soldiers... are here. You are surrounded. Just give up and... Let go of me. You don't stand a chance against all these soldiers." The noble kept threatening Khelgarr with the hope that he will get scared and let him go.
" Shut up. Just show the way. Whether you live or die, it's up to me. If you keep talking, I might accidentally end your pitiful life." With more than hundred of soldiers surrounding Khelgarr, he kept walking as if they are nothing but pebbles on the road.
" M-mister.." The little girl's hand shaking, scared when she saw the soldiers pointing their swords at them. With one of her hands holding the flower basket and another hand grabbing Cleidious' cloak.
" It's okay. We'll protect you no matter what happens." Cleidious pats the little girl's head as he tried to calm her down.
" That's right, we are strong misters. We'll beat all the bad guys who try to hurt you." Reaper said smugly while walking beside the little girl like her bodyguard.
" Especially that guy. Nobody can win against him. He is a superhuman who can destroy a mountain. Well... He already did it though. Haha. That's why, our little princess shouldn't worry about it." BlackRaven tried to make her feel safe. " Today, you're our princess and we're your knights that'll protect you from bad guys." BlackRaven took a flower and put it on her head.
" P-princess? I'm... princess.. Hehe. Thank you.. very much!" The little girl gave the brightest innocent smile of her life with the tears of joy in her eyes. The fear completely disappears from her eyes and her hands are no longer shaking.
After a long walk, they finally arrived at the big mansion of the city's lord. Edward--the city's lord came out with his wife and bodyguards.
" WHAT IS THIS!? WHO ARE YOU!? LET GO OF MY SON!" Edward immediately shouted when he saw Khelgarr choking his son.
" Father... He-help me." The nobleman begged his father to help him.
" Y-you peasant?! How dare you touch my son with that filthy hand of yours! Hurry up and remove your dirty hand on my Larth!" Edward's wife can't hold her anger.
" Heh, I can see that you really are this trash's mother. Indeed a trash just like her son." Khelgarr starts with mockery.
" A trash and a pig. That makes you the mother of pig trash here. Not a normal pig but a trash pig. That suits you really well. Muahaha." BlackRaven added to Khelgarr's mocking.
" Uiirghh!! Wh-what did you just called me!! How dare you!! Hurry up and slaughter these rude commoners!" Edward's wife bites her handkerchief, unable to control her anger.
Before the guards could moved, Hanz arrived at the scene after the news reached him. " Sir Khelgarr? What are you doing? What just happened?" Hanz is puzzled by Khelgarr's action.
( Sir Hanz! Great! If it's Sir Hanz then no one can fight against him, finally I'm saved. I will make sure these ingrates suffer before I end their worthless lives!) Larth felt relieved when he saw Hanz and start to imagine how to make Khelgarr suffer to satisfy his anger.
" Sir Hanz? Do you know this man? Who is this man?" Edward asked Hanz about Khelgarr's identity.
" Yes, he is one of the travelers that I brought back yesterday and he is Khelgarr, the one who will have a match with me in one week." Hanz exposed Khelgarr's identity.
" What? Then why is he doing something like this? Did we do something wrong to him?" Edward is confused by Khelgarr's action.
" Oh, of course you don't know but you are still responsible for what happened. Because you failed to educate your son about the value of life, he almost killed an innocent girl who did nothing wrong." Khelgarr believes that the extreme superiority complex that Larth has is part of Edward's responsibility as a father.
" Wh-what do you mean... Did nothing wrong? That.. trash tainted the beautiful town that.. my father built. For a slum trash dare to walk on this.. noble street, that alone is a crime that deserves to be executed!" Larth still trying to defend his distorted belief even when he can hardly catch his breath because of Khelgarr's hand gripping his neck.
" What!? There's a filthy bug in this street!? Oh no! The noble street has been tainted. Hurry, we need to dispose of that filth right away dear!" Edward's wife gave the same reaction as Larth. In her eyes, the little girl and those from the slums are far more inferior than nobles, to the extent that they didn't deserve to be treated as human beings.
" Bug you say!? The only filthy bug in here is you and your pig faced son! She's just trying her best to sell flowers. It's not like she is stealing or doing some kind of crime. Plus she is just a little girl." reaper replied to her with anger that can't be described when he saw the wife's reaction toward the little girl.
" How can you people be like this? She is just another human, just like you and me." Cleidious held the little girl's hand that started shaking again.
" Huh!? Don't put me in the same level as you and that filthy bug. You're nothing but filth that is unneeded in this world." The wife refused to acknowledge to be the same level as Cleidious and the little girl.
" Enough! The one who is unnecessary in this world is people like you. I have hoped that you might be different from your son but it looks like it's just a waste of time. I should've just killed your son back then. Now, watch carefully how I end your pitiful son's life!" Khelgarr lifted up Larth higher so that his feet can't touch the ground and tried to break his neck but was stopped by Hanz.
" Please wait! I know you are angry but you can't just kill him. Even if these people are like that, they're still noble. If you kill him, this whole country will go against you!" Hanz warned Khelgarr to prevent the worst outcome.
" What are you doing Sir Hanz!? Hurry up and save my son. Just dispose of this filth before it's too late." the wife ordered Hanz to stop Khelgarr no matter what.
" That's right, Sir Hanz is an S-Rank adventurer. Please stop that man no matter what!" Edward tried to push Hanz to fight Khelgarr.
( Heh! It's over for you DAMN COMMONERS! There's no way you can defeat Sir Hanz. Do you understand now you damn commoner!? My life is protected by S-Rank adventurers, it's different from your pathetic life! Hehe.) Larth can't wait to be saved by Hanz and for Khelgarr to be punished.
" Sir Edward... Unfortunately I can't stop Sir Khelgarr by using force. If we were to fight, I can't guarantee the safety of the people in this town. The aftermath of the S-Rank battle will completely wipe out this whole city. I'm sorry to say this but... Even if Sir Khelgarr kills your son, I won't fight him and I will stop the soldiers if they try to capture Sir Khelgarr. I won't risk this whole city just for one person. I'm sure you understand this if you're this city's lord." Hanz is unable to obey Edward's command while putting the town of Elicia at stake. It's a heartbroken answer to be heard but Edward understands it well. As a Elicia town's lord, it's his duty to protect this town.
" H-huh? Wh-wha-what are.. you saying Sir Hanz? Wh-what nonsense.. are you talking about? Hurry up.. and save me." Larth's face became pale as if he lost all hope to survive when Hanz refused to save him.
" W-what? Th-that is... Are you saying this city is more important that my son!?" The wife flustered while Edward can't say anything. All he can do is watch his son suffer while grinding his teeth out of frustration.
" You got that damn right bitch! Your son has no value compared to this town. Even if we add you as a bonus, it still is nothing. After all zero plus zero is still a ZERO. HAHAHA!" BlackRaven continues his mockery to annoy them.
" Your name is Khelgarr is it? I know for the fact that most nobles always look down on commoners and they have their own reason for that. Most nobles spend a great amount of their own money, time and intelligence to make this country prosper. For many generations we worked and drained our resources to improve the livelihood of our people but it was all in vain. Failure after another failure we faced with the hope that the next investment will bore its fruit. We don't know why it's so difficult to help our people. Then, after a proper investigation, we found out that the problem lies within our own people themselves. Their selfishness to monopolize our investment for themselves, their satisfaction with the little they have that they refused to improve and their own ego that wants to stick to the old, unprofitable tradition. They trample on our generations of efforts to help them like it's a nuisance to them. Because of that, we stopped our efforts and lived in our own society with less interaction with commoners. After some time, nobles, especially the new generation started to view commoners as lazy ,selfish, ingrates and people who have failed to move forward,--to evolve. It's an unfortunate event but I hope you understand where my son's superiority complex came from." Edward revealed the history that makes the nobles look down on commoners. Khelgarr unconsciously lower down Larth as he listened to Edward.
" I see, you have my sympathy for that. But that doesn't give your son the right to rob an innocent girl's life just because she is selling flowers in this street." Khelgarr still can't forgive what Larth did to the little girl.
" You're right, what my son did is wrong and it's undeniable that I'm also responsible for him to be ignorant about people's lives. I'm too occupied with my duty as a city lord that I forgot my duty as a father. This time, I will thoroughly educate him. So please... " Edward beg Khelgarr to let his son.
" Dear! What are you doing lowering yourself to this commoner!? Even if it's for your son, you will damage your dignity as a noble." the wife was displeased with Edward's humility.
" Hah! Look at your mother, she cares about dignity more than your life. Looks like even your mother thinks your life is worthless." Khelgarr whispered to Larth.
" Th-that's not.. true." Larth tried to deny what Khelgarr said. He still believes in her mother.
" Oh really? Then why don't we try to make a bet? Putting your life on the line." Khelgarr comes out with a different plan after seeing the reaction of Larth's mother.
" Alright, why don't we do this? Earlier your son offered me 800 gold coins in exchange for his life. Then, why don't we settle this with money? How much do you think your son's life is worth?" Khelgarr offered them a suggestion that might save their son.
" Hah! In the end, is it all about money huh? As expected of lowly commoners. Fine, I'll give you 5000 gold coins. Just hurry up and let go of my son. (5000 is cheap compared to Larth's life but for commoners like him.. Commoners will always be commoners. But remember this, we will make you pay dearly for that 5000 gold. Hehe. )'' The wife thinks that Khelgarr will accept her offer immediately.
" 100 000 Gold coins. I will give you 100 000 Gold coins in exchange, let me kill your son." Khelgarr increases the offer to see the wife's reaction.
" What!? 100 000 Gold coins!? Th-there's no way I'll accept that. Besides, there's no way for a commoner like you to have that much money." The wife was agitated but still refused firmly.
" There's no.. way my mother will accept no matter how much you offer." Larth believes that her mother won't abandon him.
" We'll see about that. 1 million Gold coins for your son's life. Of course, you won't believe it if you can't see it with your own eyes. TAKE OUT: 1 MILLION GOLD COINS." Khelgarr brought out 1 million gold coins. People who are witnessing it was dumbfounded by the mountain of gold coins that Khelgarr's summoned.
" Ohh! This... A mountain of gold... This is… 1 million... D-dear what should we do? Sh-should we acc-" The wife started to consider taking Khelgarr's offer but was stopped by Edward.
" What are you thinking!? Of course we'll reject. No matter how much he offers." Edward shouts at his wife, seeing her lusting over the gold coins.
" Then how about 2 million gold coins? TAKE OUT: 1 MILLION GOLD COINS." Khelgarr kept on increasing the stake.
" D-dear.. Th-this is a lot of money. M-maybe we shou-" The wife started to think it'll be a waste not to accept the offer.
" Sir Khelgarr, no matter how much you offer, you won't be able to purchase my son's life with money." Edward strongly refused Khelgarr's offer just as how a father is supposed to be ,unlike his wife.
" ( Just a little bit more and that woman will..) Fine then, how about 10 millio- no, 20 million gold coins. TAKE OUT: 18 MILLION GOLD COINS! Let me end your son's life and this all will be yours" Khelgarr offered his last stake, a mountain of shining gold coins.
" It's still no. I won't acc-" As Edward tries to refuse Khelgarr's offer, his wife crosses him.
" I guess it can't be helped! We'll accept the offer. When I think back about it, what Larth did was wrong after all!" The wife showed her true color just as Khelgarr wanted to.
" What are you saying? Are seriously want to give your own son's life for money!?" Edward can't believe that his family is distorted to the extend that his own wife willingly giving their son's life for money.
" H-huh? Wh-what are.. you saying m-mother? ( NO NO NO NO! THERE'S NOW WAY SHE WILL TAKE THE MONEY IN EXCHANGE FOR MY LIFE. THIS MUST BE A JOKE.)" Larth can't believe what his mother just did to him. Feeling betrayed by his own mother made Larth bathe in despair.
" That's right. Your own mother just sold me the right to kill you for 20 million gold coins. Well aren't you glad that your value is 20 million gold? That's really expensive you know?" Khelgarr whispered to Larth pushing him into deeper despair.
" I'm sorry Larth but you are also at fault here. You can't just try to kill an innocent girl. That's definitely wrong. Also, with all this money our family can raise our nobility that we can't even imagine. Just think of it as doing this for our family. I'm sure my dear Larth understands it right?" Larth's mother tried to cover for her greed.
( Wh-what is this woman even saying? Just earlier, she just did the same as I did. Does this woman like money that much? More than me? Her own son? Wh-what the hell is this? Why... Why does something like this happen to me?) " Larth still can't believe the reality that is happening to him.
" Beside, if you're in my position, I'm sure you will do the same without hesitation. After all, you are my son." The words that come out from Larth's mother make him realise how wrong the environment he lives in. If he'll without a doubt will trade his families' life if it's for this much money.
(THAT GIRL!! IT'S ALL HER FAULT. IF IT'S NOT BECAUSE OF HER… I..I.. I will.. never know how mother sees me… Money over my life. The greed that she showed for money even though we already have enough of it. But that girl… She must be desperate for money to the extent that she would risk her own life selling flowers at an unfamiliar place to her. That little girl... she is just... trying her best to survive but I...) Larth slowly begin to realize his wrong and distorted belief as he saw his mother's greed.
" If you want to kill me that much... then hurry up and kill me. I... don't care anymore." Larth completely falls into despair and depression. The feeling of hopelessness being abandoned by his own mother that raised him since he was a child, pushed him to give up on hope.
( Looks like this guy is completely broken. I guess I should end it here huh. But then, his father still didn't give up.) Khelgarr waiting to see Edward's last resort. Whether he will offer a higher stake or just watch his son die.
" Sir Khelgarr. Even if I offer you all the wealth in exchange for my son's life, I'm sure it won't be enough BUT! Please... Please! He is my only son. Please let him go. If it'll satisfy you... take my life instead. I'm the one responsible for raising him like this... Take my life instead. Please let him live. He still has bright future ahead of him and I'm sure he'll change." Edward can't come up with anything better that can persuade Khelgarr. As the last resort, he lowered his knees to the ground and grovelled to beg Khelgarr to let his son live. Edward's action leaves everyone who witnessed it speechless, especially Larth. A ray of hope that brings him up from the bottom of the pit of despair. To think that his father, a noble and a city lord would prostate, willingly to give himself to a commoner in order to save his son's life.
" F-father.. sorry… I'm so… sorry father." Larth can't describe how shameful he is for making his father that he admire to prostate, begging for him. He keeps apologize to his father, repeatedly.
"Larth… No, it's my fault for ignoring my duty as your father." Edward believes that he is also as guilty as his son for not educate his son properly.
"Heh, I guess you are lucky to have a father that is willing to go that far for you. This time I'll let you go since your father lowered his head on the ground, that alone is priceless. More than 100 million or a billion gold. But, I won't say the same for your mother though." Khelgarr throws Larth to where Edward prostrates. Khelgarr actually already wants to let go of Larth when his mother accepts the offer and breaks his heart, just putting him in a deep despair is more painful than death. But he is lucky to have a father that can drag him when he is in deep despair.
" B-but dear… What about all this mone-" The wife tried to persuade Edward to take the money but immediately stopped Edward.
" Stop it!! YOU JUST GET INSIDE!! I will talk to you later." Shout Edward at his wife.
Hanz stopped the soldiers from trying to capture Khelgarr and the rest. Since Khelgarr didn't kill Larth, Hanz decided to treat this event as a personal quarrel between Khelgarr and Edward's family. As Khelgarr and the rest walked away, " Wait." Larth stopped them. " Those flowers, may I buy them?" A sudden turn of events enabled Larth to change his point of view for the better.
" Yes! Thank you for buying my flowers!" The little girl sold her first flower to the noble with her brightest smile.
To be continued....
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