Chapter 4, Ordinary Life

Asa stood with the old man Sandru and several vegetable vendors in front of the butcher's shop, listening to the owner passionately recount how the cultist drew symbols with his hands, shouting that all the prisoners were suddenly decapitated, blood flowing like a river. The vegetable vendors whispered to each other, agreeing to go to the church together to seek holy water for protection.

Bending at the waist, carrying a mat on his back, limping slightly while walking, and donning a tattered long robe that enveloped his entire body, he was dressed in a manner that perfectly suited his appearance. After following Sandro around the streets for a couple of days, the people in the neighborhood became familiar with him, all knowing that he was the hunchbacked assistant of the old man Sandro

More importantly, his daily studies of magic and meditation captivated all his attention. Each day, he could feel himself making progress. From the simplest task of stopping bleeding to the true art of restoration, from the most basic act of lighting a candle with just two fingers to being able to roast a fish barehanded

That night, after meditating, Asa was drawn to the light streaming in from outside the window. He stepped out of the large house and beheld the brightest full moon he had seen in his lifetime, the second time ever.

Moreover, it is even more unacceptable to allow so many people to die in vain on the mountain tops of the western wilderness. Driven by a strange intuition, Asa vaguely felt that the situation he reported at the Duke's residence had not truly reached the intended destination.

Having come close to death countless times in the Lizard Swamp, I now look at the search teams filling the streets without feeling the slightest bit of tension. Sometimes, when I see groups of young soldiers working so hard for my sake, I feel an inexplicable affection for them, wishing to pull them aside and invite them to sit at a street stall to eat something, earnestly advising them not to waste their efforts any longer. Sometimes, when I see groups of young soldiers working so hard for my sake, I feel an inexplicable affection for them, wishing to pull them aside and invite them to sit at a street stall to eat something, earnestly advising them not to waste their efforts any longer

A patrol of the guards brushed past Asa, with a few of them glancing at him curiously.

Asa has always believed that the Duke's warrant for his arrest is due to some misunderstanding between him and Xiaoyi. Given the current circumstances, he can only speculate in this manner.

Two months ago, I watched helplessly from the mountaintop in the western wilderness as my entire unit was annihilated, then I was pursued by orcs, fleeing for my life in the Lizard Swamp, nearly losing my head... Now I have arrived in the royal capital, inexplicably becoming the most notorious fugitive in the entire city... Currently, I find myself in a large room filled with corpses, accompanying a peculiar old man as he handles the bodies. Reflecting on the experiences of this period, even I find it hard to believe.

However, just as even the most seemingly sacred woman is still human, and being human means needing to use the restroom. Since the magic academy aims to study healing magic, it must also study the human body, which necessitates having a dedicated place for storing corpses

About two months ago, the bloodshed and brutality experienced that night were overwhelming; now, living surrounded by corpses and organs no longer feels repulsive.

It was merely a glance. Even Asa did not dare to look at himself too much when he saw the mirror. His face now resembled a waxen grotesque that had been partially melted by fire and then re-solidified, pockmarked and covered with glistening lumps of flesh, his features distorted and twisted into a mass, even his eyes were pulled askew. Even a half-orc or a big-eared creature would be ten times more handsome than him.

In theory, it would have been entirely possible to quietly slip away while old Sandro was not paying attention; with this mask and his current notoriety in the city, he could undoubtedly pass through without hindrance. Yet, he has not done so.

Every day consists of such study, practice, and meditation. He has been completely immersed in this life of continuous improvement since he was five years old; for him, this lifestyle is the most serene and peaceful. Everything unfolds so naturally, without any tension or pretense. In this mundane life filled with corpses and pursuits, Asa unknowingly spent a month.

It seems that old Sandru had become so accustomed to contact with corpses that he treated people as if they were dead, showing no wariness whatsoever, making their interactions quite convenient. He never inquired about Asa's matters, not even asking for Asa's name; after all, there were only two living beings in the large house, and when the other spoke, he knew it was directed at him. In contrast, Sandru had named the three wild cats that often came to the large house looking for food. The two appeared to be like long-time friends who had long since worn away their mutual curiosity.

However, none of these are the most important. The reason for not escaping all this time is that Asa does not feel that there is anything wrong with this strange way of life at present

Certainly, considering the sanctity of the church, such research is conducted discreetly and only when absolutely necessary, and such places cannot be within the magic academy. The large house is situated in a remote corner on the western side of the city, and the only living beings inside are Asa and the old man Sandru.

"Hey, where are you going? Why are you dazed?" The old man Sandro handed him the items he had bought with the bag. Asa took the items and, with his head down, limped along behind.

The large house is usually approached by no one. However, apart from the three wild cats nearby, a visitor arrives every two or three days. He is also an old man, dressed in a black robe, with cheeks so gaunt that it seems he has never had a full meal in his life. Dark circles under his eyes suggest he has never slept well, and he always comes at night to see Sandru. During these times, Sandru allows Asa to go into the inner room to read by himself. The two old men light candles in the large house filled with corpses and organs, chatting until midnight

A mundane life always brings a sense of relaxation, and over time, a person's feelings seem to completely dissolve into every detail of this life, no longer desiring any fluctuations or changes. However, he knows this is not acceptable; after all, some matters cannot simply come to an end like this. He cannot inexplicably live his entire life as a fugitive, nor can he remain in the shadows forever. Although it appears there is no danger at present, what he cannot endure the most is the feeling of being restricted.

It has been a month, and the operation to hunt down the terrorist remains in full swing. Groups of guards can be seen searching everywhere on the streets. Posters with the suspect's image have been put up in every corner, and people are discussing the individual depicted. Some say he is a spy sent by a hostile nation, others claim he is a new breed of beastman, while some assert he is a cultist from the Necromancer's Guild

Old Sandrew is surprisingly considered a member of the Magic Academy, and that large house filled with corpses also belongs to the Magic Academy, which somewhat surprises Asa. Even in the countryside of Kalendo, when miners and blacksmiths, who are addicted to cheap wine and prostitutes, mention the Magic Academy, they show a respectful demeanor. It is the most important institution of the Church, almost regarded as the center of the Church in the minds of many, a place for studying magic and training priests and wizards. When lower-class commoners hear about the royal family or other military matters, they feel it is an abstract concept, far less interesting than the rumors on the streets. However, once they are injured or have committed a wrongdoing, it is the priests from the Magic Academy who come to offer help in times of unease and guilt. Therefore, in the eyes of ordinary people, it is a sacred and noble place

He also discovered a dusty book behind the bookshelf of the old man Sandru. The pages were made of a type of leather, very ancient yet completely undamaged. This was a rather peculiar book; from the table of contents, it was evident that it contained an astonishing number of spells and various skills related to magic, as well as anecdotes. However, aside from the table of contents and the opening chapter on the method of meditation, the rest was written in a script that Asa did not recognize. Asa did not ask Sandru about it; instead, he practiced meditation daily according to the method described in the first section that he could understand. However, aside from the table of contents and the opening chapter on the method of meditation, the rest was written in a script that Asa did not recognize. Asa did not ask Sandru about it; instead, he practiced meditation daily according to the method described in the first section that he could understand.

The work of Old Sandrew primarily involves the storage and classification of various organs and limbs. He often finds himself with ample free time and occasionally visits the market. However, he generally enjoys experimenting with corpses, such as reassembling different parts from several individuals into a single humanoid form, employing some inexplicable magic on the corpses, or slicing an organ into dozens of small pieces to soak in various potions. This is a rather resource-intensive hobby, which is why Sandrew maintains a good relationship with the city guards and jailers; whenever there is an unclaimed or inconsequential corpse, they promptly sell it to him for a few copper coins. Asa's job is to assist in transporting and dismembering the corpses, chopping up the organs, purchasing daily necessities from the market, and managing their meals.

There are many reasons not to flee, such as the fact that learning magic has been an unattainable wish of his since childhood. Sandru's room contains numerous books on magic. He is also waiting for the caravan from Brakada to return Xiaoyi. This seems to be the only opportunity in the current predicament. The duke's order for 'immediate execution' left him with no chance to clarify his situation, not to mention that he is completely unaware of the reasons behind it. The only hope lies in waiting for her return to see if the misunderstanding can be clarified.

"Holy water must be sprinkled in close proximity, and it is most effective on underwear," said Old Sandru to several vegetable vendors

Of course, this is just a mask. It is a very well-made mask, with visible pores and the veins on the tumor faintly discernible. It feels just like real skin, with the same elasticity. Old Sandru's craftsmanship is excellent, and wearing it does not cause any discomfort. However, Asa is hesitant to ask him what materials he used to create it.

It was exactly two months since I last saw it, on that hill in the western wilderness. The moon was equally soft yet dazzlingly bright, and not a single star dared to grace the sky. This moonlight pulled Asa's memories back to that time, reliving a night of slaughter