Chapter Nine, Late Night Conversation
Very well. How about your father
A small half pot of water was completely poured out. The little beggar carried the water pot out of the bridge arch, scraped the snow off the ground to clean the pot, then came up to the bridge surface, gently knocked some fresh snow down from the bridge railing, and then walked back into the bridge arch. Next to the tent, he built a simple stove with bricks, pulled out the dry grass from inside the tent, and took out some wood used to weigh down the tent, and started boiling water.
Come, let us drink. Look, how delicious and fragrant we are. You must be eager to taste our flavor, right
Alright, I have understood your basic situation. You are without parents and even lack a name. Your speech is quite brief. Um... By the way, tell me how you came to know about me
The taste of water ... ... the refreshing taste of water. ... ... This is not the taste brought by the filthy river water, but rather a small sip of water exchanged for the luxurious yet scarce lamp oil, the wood and dry grass used to prop up the tent. Watching these lovely liquids steaming, they seem to be enticing the little beggar, whispering continuously in his ear.
Alright, young man, let us further understand the basic situation. How old are you
The little beggar did not respond. His indifferent gaze remained fixed on the face of the infant girl. However, ten seconds later, he suddenly embraced the infant girl and began to run.
Because she is useful
The voice of the blood-eyed echoed in his mind, yet, just like before, the little beggar remained silent. He merely stared blankly at the river before him, observing the floating rotten wood, the carcass of a wild dog, the foul-smelling sludge, and the ink-like water. After a long while, he turned his head and looked at the white snowflakes that fell from the sky beside him
How do the people around you address you
Hello, human kid, what is the matter with you again
... ...
Thief, beggar, garbage, mold, filthy person, bad person
... ...
The conversation was interrupted once again. Blood Eye and the little beggar exchanged glances once more. Not for any other reason, but because this conversation was indeed too brief and lacked any value. Blood Eye was even surprised to have found such a child to hold onto this time!
Tonight, everything has finally turned into black and white
I do not want to
However, beneath an arch of a bridge, there is a place surrounded by tattered cloth. From that semi-transparent makeshift tent, a faint orange glow emerges, becoming another hue in this black-and-white world
The infant girl was placed on the dry grass, and her complexion was consistently poor. The little beggar pulled aside the blanket next to her and covered her with it. Then, he took a water jug from beside the grass pile, exited the tent, and filled it with a little less than half a jug of water from the river.
"Who will support you in the next four years?"
The blood-red eyes widened significantly, emanating an endless aura of intimidation. In its presence, anyone who harbored even the slightest hint of guilt would be completely devoured by this eye
Ah, I do not believe it either. However, at this stage, I have no need to reveal my name and background to you. You only need to obediently follow my instructions, and in due time, I will naturally grant you honors and wealth that you cannot even imagine for your entire life... No, I am afraid it is honors and wealth that the entire continent cannot fathom. By the way, what is the name of this continent now
... ...
Blew it away
died
The blood-red eye remained silent, merely coldly gazing at the little beggar. After the little beggar ran out of three alleys, the chain connected to the hilt suddenly contracted, pulling the dagger entirely into the little beggar's right arm, which was tightly bound by the chain, securing it in place
... ... do not believe
Oh? Blood Eye suddenly became interested and said, "So, did that man ever mention what my name is?"
... ...
Goo ... ... Ugh ... ... Ugh wow ... ... !
However, the little beggar stood by the riverbank, holding this small half pot of water, without moving.
Sad Continent
The meaningless conversation continued for several rounds. After this round ended, the Blood Eye no longer asked questions, and the little beggar no longer answered. One red eye and two black eyes began to glare at each other again, while the little infant girl in the little beggar's arms felt the warmth of being held tightly, and her breathing gradually became steady
Afterward, he entered the tent carrying a water bottle, burrowed into the blanket, and held the infant girl in his arms. He took a clean straw, dipped it in the water, and placed it by the infant girl's mouth
The sound of rustling
The little beggar said this sentence in an extremely indifferent manner
Blood Eye snorted, her tone revealing some dissatisfaction: "Hey, what is your name?"
... ... And what about your mother?
A mouthful of bread paste, a mouthful of water. The little girl was truly starving, eating heartily. Soon, she had drained nearly half a pot of water. Fortunately, it seemed that the little girl was now full. Her small head tilted to the side, and she fell into a deep sleep. The little beggar thought for a moment, then decisively opened the tattered garment he was wearing, placing the little girl along with her swaddling into his embrace, closing his clothes, and draping a blanket over them. He sat there leaning against the wall of the bridge arch, extinguishing the oil lamp. The little beggar thought for a moment, then decisively opened the tattered garment he was wearing, placing the little girl along with her swaddling into his embrace, closing his clothes, and draping a blanket over them. He sat there leaning against the wall of the bridge arch, extinguishing the oil lamp.
No name? Ha, then how do your parents call you
Hello... I said, could you say a bit more? You only answer what I ask, isn't that a bit too brief?
died
Young man, we are free now, and we can finally have a proper conversation
idiot, son of a dog, rabbit offspring, living off others' labor
The little beggar extended his right hand from the blanket. Among the chains, a black dagger faintly revealed itself. And that blood-stained pupil emitted a dazzling light within the small tent
How did he/she die
The indifferent little beggar spoke out his plan without hesitation
It is now the late hours of the night. The entire Senag has transformed into a true "dead city." Everywhere is shrouded in darkness, devoid of light, with only the cold and white snow covering everything. The streets, houses, signs, and carriages—all are merged with this indifferent hue, no longer resisting its encroachment
It can be discerned that this is a rhetorical question
In the corner of the tent, there was a broken oil lamp. The light inside was dim, and the oil burned produced a foul-smelling black smoke. This was quite normal, as the oil had been retrieved from a gutter. Even this small amount of oil led to three beggars fighting over it, only for it to be stealthily taken by the little beggar.
The snow slowly melts, turning into water. Then, this water gradually begins to emit steam. The little beggar's throat emits a hoarse dry cough; he is also thirsty. Moreover, the dehydration caused by severe blood loss makes him feel as if he is about to go mad at the sight of this luxurious hot water! Yet he still endures, slowly extending his hand to take the water.
The little beggar fell silent for a moment. He lowered his head and glanced at the infant girl in his arms. The little girl was sleeping soundly, but she still seemed to have a slight fever. Seeing this, he gently pulled the blanket, wrapping himself and the little girl even tighter.
Ten years old
I have no name
The blood-red eyes stared at the little beggar, and then, there was a profound silence
Is this girl related to you? If not, why do you take care of her instead of throwing her away? Depending on your answer, I will decide whether to continue helping you or seek the next awakener
This time, the little beggar did not even respond at all
The negotiation over the payment for services did not reach an agreement, resulting in the death of the service provider at the hands of the client
First of all, I need to understand a bit. Young human, I have come to know a little about your character. But before I formally introduce myself, I need you to answer me a question.
The little beggar swallowed hard; too parched, he lowered his head and leaned closer to the water...
Is it useful
I myself
"It was given to me by a man"
Ah, Annihilation? Demon Sword, Annihilation? Good, not bad. From now on, I shall be called by this name.
After a long time
At what age did your parents pass away
The little beggar stared at the blood-red eyes, his expression devoid of emotion. Anmie also returned his gaze with a cold snort, saying: "What, you don't believe that this is my name, do you?"
Yes
The liquid, emanating warmth, caused the little girl to open her mouth in a fluster. She was both hungry and thirsty. The fever had already drained too much of her strength, and she urgently needed to replenish her nutrition
Blood pupil turned slightly, catching a glimpse of the infant girl in the arms of the little beggar, and spoke in a tone of utter disdain: "Human, does she have any relation to you?"
But before long, Blood Eye was the first to speak: "Um... are you referring to a brothel?"
Oh? How did he die
Father, 5 years old. Mother, 6 years old
Robbery, killed by soldiers
... ...
Hey... I see. Human boy, I cannot tell from your eyes that you are lying. Very well, your answer satisfies me. Alright, let us formally introduce ourselves. What is your name
Why?
It seems that you are truly uncooperative, young man
Oh? Interesting, do you want to take revenge?
The little beggar gazed at the blood-red eyes, remaining silent
... ... Demon Sword, Dark Annihilation
She can be sold for money. Girls can be sold. Men, no one wants.
Unable to live, thus died
The cooing of the baby girl momentarily stunned the little beggar. Suddenly, he thought of something and pulled out a half piece of bread that had already frozen into a popsicle from his bosom. He looked at the bread in his hand, then at the baby girl who was opening and closing her mouth repeatedly. After hesitating for a long time, he finally bit into the bread, using his saliva, which had almost run dry, to turn the bread into a paste and fed it to the baby girl's mouth
Inside the simple tent, there is a great deal of dry grass spread out, along with a blanket taken from other beggars who have frozen to death. The gaps in the tent are carefully patched with newspaper, and there is always a bit of paste available from the trash bin behind the civil affairs bureau.
No! There is still one color that has not found rest. At the very moment when the warm glow of orange light fades, the color of blood shines bright!
... ...
The little beggar nodded. It was very decisive
Do you not wish to seek revenge as well