Chapter 97 - The Last Pity

From the butler’s memories, Kang De read a few important pieces of information.

That was all he found because his mental strength was limited now. He could only capture the most important piece of information he wanted to know in a short period of time… However, it was enough.

He learned about that little beggar.

He had received Kang De’s favor and said that he wanted to repay him. In the end, for 50 silver coins and the identity of a knight’s attendant, he betrayed Kang De and Knight Cleveland.

The result was very ironic.

Because the little beggar’s informant was Glenn, in order to monopolize the credit, Knight Glenn did not inform the nearby search team. Instead, he decided to lead his team to surround and kill the captives, Kang De and Cleveland, alone. He was very happy and promised to take the little beggar as a servant and promised a reward of 50 silver coins.

However, he was dead, and that search team was completely wiped out.

Before Glenn died, he ordered the little beggar to ask for help. The little beggar had indeed brought a search team, but everyone only saw the messy corpses on the ground. Knight Glenn and the two escapees had all disappeared.

In other words, no one could prove that the little beggar had provided important clues.

Most importantly, they had not captured the Goethe and Cathayan but had lost many people.

Unsurprisingly, when the excited and afraid little beggar cowered and approached the Glory Sand Manor, wanting to ask for the silver coins and status he had obtained from betraying his benefactor, he was impatiently kicked out of the door by the butler who had heard the news.

It would have been fine if they had caught him. If Viscount Samuel was happy, he might have given the little beggar a chance to change his fate. However, now, what kind of joke was this?

They did not capture him, but they suffered heavy losses. No one could prove that he had indeed provided clues.

—You still want money and status?

He did not even have to trouble Viscount Samuel for this matter. The butler could decide for himself.

He was only a beggar. Be it crying, begging, swearing, or explaining, the Viscount would not care no matter what he said.

Who would believe the words of a beggar?

There was once a person who would listen to him, but not anymore.

When Kang De saw the little beggar, he had just bought a few pieces of inferior rye bread and carried them in his arms. He carefully walked slowly home along the corner.

After being chased out of the manor by the butler last night, the little beggar returned home. He was afraid and angry, but there was nothing he could do. He fell asleep in this mood. When he woke up early in the morning, he felt hungry. He took out a few copper coins from under the brick at home and went out to buy food.

His grandmother was still sleeping on the bed, muttering to herself in her sleep. The house smelled of mold, cold and damp, and there was no hope. The little beggar always felt that his life should not be like this, but he did not know what was wrong. He could not explain it clearly. He only instinctively wanted to escape this situation, but the reality was cruel. He carefully hid the copper coins and bought today’s food for himself and his grandmother.

After buying the bread, he walked home and calculated how many days the money he had obtained yesterday could be used. He listened to the discussion on the street and looked at the worry on people’s faces. They seemed to be saying something, but when they saw him, they revealed disgusted expressions. The little beggar could not hear this conversation.

However, that had nothing to do with him.

The little beggar only wanted to go home. He thought of what had happened last night and felt even sadder. He was sad that wealth had flown away and even blamed the two of them for not dying cleanly. When he thought of this, he was stuck in a dilemma. He fantasized about how glorious he would be when he obtained the money and became a knight’s attendant. He thought of the cold reality and felt even more depressed.

Then, he saw a person walk out of the house in front of him.

The little beggar subconsciously dodged to the side to avoid being kicked, beaten, and scolded by an adult in a bad mood. However, in the next moment, he heard a familiar voice, “Liszt.”

Apart from his grandmother, no one called him by that name.

No… there was another person.

The little beggar suddenly looked up.

The black-haired man smiled gently, but his eyes were very cold.

The bread in the little beggar’s arms fell to the ground.

Without a word, he turned around and ran, but where could a mere malnourished child run to?

Before he could run more than two steps, he was grabbed by the neck. The Cathayan carried him into the unfamiliar house and casually threw him to the ground.

The moment he fell to the ground, the little beggar curled up.

This was a habit he had developed from begging on the streets. If he was beaten, he could be injured less, but immediately after, he knew that such a defensive posture was useless.

This was because he saw the blood on the ground. When he looked up again, two corpses were lying on the ground.

The little beggar’s breathing quickened and his body began to tremble.

They were corpses.

The Cathayan said indifferently, “Don’t treat me as a bloodthirsty murderer. This couple has new injuries on their bodies. One of them was left last night. I remember his face. He was burned by a Molotov cocktail. There was only a small wound, so he survived. The other was injured in the arm by a stomp. They’re the group I chased away last night. Most of the people who chased us last night were involved.”

“I didn’t poison and set fire to the pharmacy and torture those people who came to see and treat their injuries to death because the main evil has not been eliminated. I can’t be bothered to waste time on idiots. After all, Samuel and the others are bad and those people are only stupid, but I have to borrow a house to use. That’s a different story.”

“Do you understand?”

He brought a stool over and added wood to the stove in the house. Something was burning on the stove. Kang De sat in front of the little beggar. “If you understand, let’s begin.”

The little beggar lay on the ground and trembled, “Don’t kill me. I’m sorry, I’m sorry…”

Kang De sighed.

“Don’t be afraid, really, don’t be afraid.” He said.

His tone was very calm and gentle. There was no fierceness or hatred.

He slowly said, “I’m mainly here to talk today. Of course, I won’t scold you or criticize you. When I capture Samuel and the others alive, I might reason with them, scold them, and condemn them. However, I won’t do this to you, because you don’t understand logic. You’re only a beggar. No one taught you how to be a person. You don’t know anything.”

“According to my ancestors, you’re not human, you’re an animal, a livestock, and a barbarian.”

“It’s very simple. If you’re bitten by a beast, will you blame him for not biting? It’s meaningless because animals can’t understand. You can only fight and kill.”

At this point, the little beggar’s body trembled even more violently. He wanted to beg for mercy.

“Don’t beg for mercy. Shut up, shut up. Listen to me, hear me out.”

Kang De’s words were calm and stable without any fluctuations.

“You might not know what you’ve done… so let me finish first.”

He smiled. “You know, if you hadn’t snitched last night and lured back those who had already left, we would have successfully escaped this town without falling into a bitter battle. He wouldn’t have died. So do you understand what you did? You directly led to his death. You made me what I am now.”

“I’m very angry, really angry.”

“Why? Why? I helped you and you said that you wanted to repay me. I don’t need your repayment at all. I only need you to shut up and return to your house quietly. I don’t want to hide in your house. I don’t want you to lure the pursuers away. I only want you to pretend that nothing happened.”

“But you betrayed us. Fifty silver coins, the title of a knight’s attendant.”

“I can understand you. Really, I can understand. In our society, everyone is very humane and knows how to think in your shoes. I know you want to change your life very much. I know the charity of a few silver coins is not worth mentioning compared to this. I understand. Really, I can understand.”

“However, so what if I understand?”

Kang De said seriously, “My friend is dead. I’ve gone crazy.”

“Do you know how much I hate you?”

He reached out and patted the little beggar’s head. “I wish I could torture you with all the cruel methods I can think of and make you beg for death. I want you to be as low as dust for the rest of your life and die in endless pain and regret. Really, really, I’m really, really angry.”

His words were still very calm.

However, the flames contained almost burned the little beggar’s soul.

“But…” He said, “You killed him, not me.”

“I’m here today to take revenge on his behalf, not mine.”

“Therefore, if he’s here, he definitely won’t approve of my revenge methods, right?”

“He’s a knight, a good person, and a fool. Do you know? Last night, when you left, I wanted to kill you, but he stopped me. He saved your life which ended in his death, causing me to become like this. I should have cursed him, but I couldn’t bear to, so I could only settle the score with you.”

“Therefore, I’m here to take revenge on behalf of Cleveland.”

“As a knight, I’ll give you revenge.”

The little beggar’s body trembled.

Endless fear crept in.

“50 silver coins and the title of a knight’s attendant.”

“You want money and a new identity that can change your fate.”

“Then I’ll give you these.”

Kang De took out a set of slightly dirty clothes from the side and threw them to the little beggar. “Put them on.”

The little beggar looked at the clothes in front of him and subconsciously reached out to touch them. This was material he had never come into contact with. To him, these was clothes that he did not even dare to dream of.

Kang De said, “Hurry up… or I’ll throw you into the fire.”

The little beggar hurriedly did as he was told. To the current him, this set of clothes in front of him even covered the fear of death… He had never worn such clothes in his life.

“Alright, alright.”

Seeing that he was done putting it on, Kang De nodded and said, “You’re very energetic. Clothes make the man. You’re very handsome. Do you know that this is a set of clothes worn by a noble young master? Wear it. From now on, you’re a noble.”

“You’re the youngest son of a viscount. You’re very obedient and smart, good with words, and likable. Your eldest brother has gotten a good job in the capital. You might inherit the family business and become a viscount. Countless townspeople worship you. They’ll do whatever you ask them to do.”

As he described, the little beggar revealed an envious expression.

“Glenn said that he wanted to reward you with 50 silver coins and hold a grand collection ceremony for you. He’s dead, but there has to be a ceremony, so I’ll arrange it for you.”

“From now on, you’re not only a knight’s attendant, but you’re also a noble. It’s a grand ceremony that belongs to you. Although I’ll be absent, the viscount will personally attend and watch everything.”

He grabbed the little beggar and pressed him to a chair at the side. He took out a rope and tied him to a heavy and cold iron item.

The little beggar said uneasily, “Then… what’s that?”

Kang De said, “Gas tank. It’s used to cook on our side. Of course, it has other uses. For example, an explosion. With this explosion, it can blast you into pieces that can’t be put together again.”

Only then did the little beggar remember the threat of death. He began to tremble again.

“Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid. Don’t you want to be above others and become a noble? Then I’ll fulfill your wish. I’ll let you wear the clothes of a noble and let you have the status of a noble. I’ll also let you know what your so-called noble will face, endure, and encounter.”

“From now on, you’re a noble.”

“Very soon, many people will come here. There are many knights and guards. They treat you as their little master. There’s the noble Viscount. He’ll treat you as his son.”

“You’ll explode. You’ll die. You’ll shatter.”

“Your father will be inconsolable and cry loudly.”

“As for you, the flesh and blood of your shattered body will be gathered and buried with the etiquette of a noble. You will be buried in your family’s cemetery and rest there with the bones of your ancestors. Then…”

Kang De put his mouth to the little beggar’s ear.

“Then, I… will dump them together.”

The fear in the little beggar’s heart rose infinitely. Kang De did not hit him or scold him, but he still felt bone-deep fear and struggled and cried.

“Spare me, please spare me. I don’t want to be a noble anymore. I…”

“Don’t speak, don’t speak. It’s not over.”

Kang De said softly, “You betrayed us for the silver coins and identity. Now that you didn’t obtain anything, won’t my friend have died for nothing? Therefore, I’ll give you your identity as a noble. I still have to give you money…”

He took out the iron pot from the hot stove.

It was smelted with silver.

“The weight of 50 silver coins. D*mn, I still had to rob to get these.”

He stretched out a steel fiber and stirred it. “I’ve melted gold before. Although I’m unfamiliar with it, I have some experience and will do it well… Liszt, these 50 silver coins will turn into silver thorns that will wrap around your body and lock your soul forever, bearing in mind your betrayal and despicable actions.”

“Wait, it’s a little hot. I’m afraid you’ll die. I’ll cool it down first.”

“—Wait!”

The little beggar suddenly let out the most intense struggle and shout, “Lord! Lord! Please agree to a request of mine! One! Just one! Please let me go back and see my grandmother! She can’t see anymore and will only be alone in the future. I have to at least tell her where the money is hidden!”

Kang De paused for a moment.

Then he shook his head.

“No.” He said, “Because before Cleveland died, he called out for his mother.”

Soon, the little beggar’s desperate and painful groan sounded from the house.

Not long after, an arrow letter was thrown into the Glory Sand Manor.

Viscount Samuel had learned his lesson this time. Mage Richard had been left in the manor to prevent a third surprise attack, and he had led his men to rush to the house. No matter what, it was his son.

The knights and guards sealed off the nearby streets.

The archer went up the wall.

Everyone was on guard against the attack of the Cathayan Clown. In just an hour or two, the fear and death he brought had already swept through the Glory Sand Viscounty. Everyone was facing a great enemy.

The door opened.

The viscount and the others advanced cautiously and saw the little boy in the house.

He lowered his head and was wearing familiar clothes. It was Lynch.

Worry flashed through Samuel’s eyes, but he did not rashly enter. The letter was about negotiation. He shouted, “Kang De! Come out! Didn’t you say you wanted to talk?!”

Without answering, he winked. The two guards held swords and shields and carefully stepped into the house.

Then, flames surged and exploded.

A terrifying air wave spread out.

A strong battle aura rose from Viscount Samuel’s body. It was far larger than Glenn and the butler. After suffering such an impact from a distance, his battle aura was enough to ensure his safety.

However, it could not protect his mind.

He watched helplessly as an invincible force suddenly exploded.

His child, his Lynch, was instantly blown to pieces. Flesh and cloth flew in all directions, still burning and shattered.

His mouth opened and he made a gurgling sound.

Then, he howled like a wolf.

In the distance, Kang De listened to the explosion and the viscount’s shout.

“It’s indeed much stronger than I imagined…”

He recorded it in his notebook.

Then, he turned around and walked into a house.

He knew this place. He had been here before.

This was the little beggar’s house.

The house was damp and smelled of mold. An old woman was lying on the bed. When she heard the voice, she sat up and said shakily, “Liszt… No, you’re not Liszt. Who are you? There’s no money or food in the house anymore. Feel free to look…”

Kang De looked at her and was silent for a moment.

An old lady who could not see anything and could not do anything. She relied on her beggar grandson. Now that she had lost her grandson and was only left alone, one could imagine her future.

He said coldly, “I’m a knight of the Glory Sand Viscounty. On the orders of the Viscount, I’m informing you that your grandson, Liszt, has made contributions to the viscounty. The Viscount has decided to confer him the title of a knight’s attendant. The ceremony will begin tomorrow. Today, he has to stay in the Glory Sand Castle for etiquette training…”

“Is… is that true?”

The old lady struggled to get up. “Lord Knight, please sit, please sit. There’s nothing here. I’m really sorry. Liszt is a good child. If he can do anything for the lord…”

Kang De took a few steps forward and held the old lady who was fumbling to get out of bed. He said calmly, “Old lady, please lie down. When Liszt becomes an attendant, he’ll bring you to the castle. Just wait for another day. Tomorrow, he’ll come back to pick you up. Just wait to enjoy life…”

A happy and expectant smile appeared on the old lady’s face as she nodded gratefully.

Kang De supported her with his left hand and raised the nail gun with his right.

He pulled the trigger.

Sharp enchantment. There was no pain when it struck a vital point.

The old lady’s body trembled for a moment before she fell down with a blissful smile.

Kang De closed the old lady’s eyes and lay her down.

—Rest in peace, pitiful stranger.

“I’ll leave my last bit of pity to you. From now on, I won’t do such things.”

He took a few steps back and turned to leave.

Cleveland, is this revenge enough?

I’ve avenged you.

Then, there’s only my hatred left.

Don’t worry, it’ll be over soon. It’ll be over soon.

…