Chapter 30: [Ch. 30] An Unshakable Vow (Past)

Michiya and I kept conversing with each other until the library closed.

I was surprised to know that I didn't hate having a conversation as I usually did. Of course, we weren't talking about nonsense as everyone so often does. Instead, we were sharing with each other our own theories on spells. He had surprisingly good input that gave me ideas for my future projects.

As we walked back together with books in our hands, I watched as two men with a handful of girls stepped in our way. The two men snickered at Michiya. The tallest man spoke, "Oh, look what we have here."

The one next to him had jet black hair smoothed back into an intricate half bun with a hair crown on top. His skin was pale and his eyes were dark with cruelty. He wore bright-colored robes with a complex design hemmed into them. I recognized it as the clothing customary to Dong Guang's nation. Judging by its complexity, he had to be related to the Royal family in some way.

The man who spoke wasn't nearly as decorated as the man standing next to him. He looked similar in appearance but was clearly not the leader of the group. Even I could tell he was trying to appease the man dressed so brightly in an attempt to appeal to him. And it clearly worked.

The one next to him spoke in a mocking voice, "It's the stupid little peasant boy from that pig place."

The tall man snickered. "How disgusting! He reeks of pig manure too." They began to laugh mockingly while the girls behind them joined in covering their mouths with fans. Behind their laughs, I could tell they held a sense of insecurity.

The brightly dressed man clicked his tongue, "It's so amazing the trash they let into this place."

Michiya forced a smile, "Excuse me."

He tried to move around the group but was cut off by the Guang Royal. The Guang Royal snatched up Michiya's book and looked at it. He snarled, "What's with this crap? Are you trying to act smart? Didn't your mother ever tell you a peasant can't just read a book and suddenly become a scholar?"

"Hey, Prince Lin." The tall man joined in with a wicked smile, "He didn't know his mother."

Prince Lin gave Michiya a wicked smile, "Oh that's right. I forgot he was abandoned."

I looked back at the other two and the girls behind them. Are they the court ladies or something? They look just as smug as the two men standing in front of them with their chests out.

I glanced at Michiya and saw him wearing a forced smile as he withstood their hateful words. I don't understand why Michiya is just standing there letting them spew this nonsense. If it was me, I would have cut out their tongues already.

The other man spoke, "I can see why he was abandoned. What a joke!"

Lin spoke, "Seriously. Just go home peasant. Just because you work hard doesn't mean you're better than us. You'll still always be a peasant. Isn't that right, Qing?"

They started laughing in an annoying way and the girls behind them soon followed suit. I cut in impatiently, "What is wrong with him being here as a result of working hard? The way I see it, he has more of right to be here than someone who just got an invitation because of their family."

The men stopped laughing abruptly and the women around them followed suit while staring at the men in worried anticipation. Michiya felt his smile drop in surprise and looked over at me with wide eyes. He wasn't used to people standing up for him.

Lin finally turned his attention to me and acted as if he didn't recognize me, "Who is this broad?" He looked me up and down, stopping to gawk at my chest.

I really want to kill this idiot.

No. Not want. I will.

Michiya interrupted when he sensed my killing intent, "This is the daughter of the Baron, Lady Moao."

I glanced at him after he referred to me as Lady. Usually people aren't respectful to me outside of the Kingdom Sadon. They usually referred to me just as Moao even though it was considered disrespectful since I am from not only nobility, but also royalty.

Qing made a face, "No wonder she is an idiot. She's the daughter of an idiot."

Lin chuckled, "Well my beautiful Lady, this is a conversation amongst men. Please don't hurt that pretty little head of yours to think. Tell you what, if you want to talk later, I would be more than happy to host you in my private chamber."

The two men chuckled disgustingly. The girls looked at me in both pity and jealousy.

"Men? You two aren't men." I lowered my gaze, "You lack the necessities to be considered men."

Lin's face turned red in anger, "You-"

I continued while still feeling a bit of irritation at the sight of his face, "Besides, I would rather pull out my teeth than spend one minute having a conversation with you. And a meeting in your private chambers? I would rather pluck out my eyes and eat them with a side of bacon."

Lin's face turned from green to black, "Y-You!"

I turned back to Michiya. With my book in one hand, I wrapped my arm around Michiya's elbow and placed my chest against him. He flinched in surprise as his ears turned a bit red from the sudden touch. I stared up at him emotionlessly, "Come on now, Sir Michiya. Let us continue our chat about chaos theory."

I forced Michiya to move around the group with me. Lin still stood fuming and shouting at me, but I ignored him. Once we were far enough, I withdrew my arm. My voice was indifferent, "Why didn't you defend yourself?"

Michiya scratched his cheek. "Well, I can't really say anything. Our two nations are already on the brink of war. If I had defended myself and something happened, I would never be forgiven for it. I'd be kicked out of the Phoenix nation at the very least. At the most, they would give me over to Dong Guang's nation to be executed."

I looked at the clouds above listlessly, "Who cares if a war started?"

He looked at me in surprise, "Everyone would. People would die or suffer. War isn't good for anything."

I turned to him with a light flickering behind my eyes, "Why do you fear death? There is nothing to be afraid of. It's not the end."

You die and are reborn. There is no purpose in death or life. Both are meaningless and inescapable.

He continued to stare at me with wide eyes, "How could you say that? Don't you care if you die?"

"Not really. I have no desire to live or die."

"Why?"

"It's all pointless."

He looked at me with complex emotions, "Do you have any desires?"

"Not really." I paused after I thought for a moment, "Actually, there is one thing I am working towards."

"Oh? What is it?"

I turned to him with determination burning in my soul, "I'm going to open the boundary between the living and the dead."

"W-Why?"

I chuckled dryly, "To punish those filthy gods who dared look down on me. On all of us."

And I'm saving a punishment truly special for that despicable God of Reincarnation.

He will regret ever putting me through this hellish curse.

Michiya's face paled at my solemn vow. He looked around in horror to ensure no one was around and that no one had heard. He grabbed my arms, "You mustn't say that!"

I tilted my head, "Why?"

"They'll kill you! What you speak of is the dark arts. All nations agreed to kill anyone who practices it."

I averted my eyes, "Mmn."

He shook his head as he slowly released me, "Just don't tell anyone else this. I won't tell anyone either. But can you tell me why? Why do you wish to punish the gods?"

"To finally end my pointless existence."

I will use the magic of this world to kill the god responsible for reincarnation. After they are destroyed, I can finally end my existence and this endless cycle of rebirth and suffering.

I shook off his arms and began to walk away. As we walked in silence, he followed me with a strange expression. We bowed to each other saying goodbye before retreating to our respective residences. As I opened the door, Amanda stood up swiftly from the sofa as if she was caught doing something immoral.

She ran to my side and ushered me inside, "Lady Moao! You took longer than usual."

I stared at her in silence. Why was she laying down looking so lazy just a moment ago?

She looked away, "Princess Mona asked me to walk with her around the garden. Then we had dinner together. I left your meal at the table."

I ate sparingly while reading. I peered over my book and noticed Amanda was dozing off on the couch. I guess today she had too much excitement. But, I'm relieved. It's about time she starts doing things for herself.

I carefully carried Amanda to her bed and laid her down. I retreated to my office to complete my research and drink my wine.