Chapter 126: Everybody Has Love

Chapter 126: Everybody Has Love

Although I had a nagging suspicion that the guy had a scheme in motion, I wasn't particularly concerned about it, as long as it didn't go against my own interests.

As a newcomer, I had expected to be viewed with some suspicion, but the exorcist didn't seem to be paying me any attention. Instead, his focus appeared to be elsewhere. Was he trying to make another deal with the chicken-headed demon?

I couldn't help but feel that the exorcist was a little too much for a small village like this. Even corruption had its limits, and the higher-ups wouldn't tolerate it beyond a certain point. If they stopped having exorcists kill each other over petty disputes, we wouldn't be facing a shortage of fighters.

The feast began as the village elder escorted the exorcist to his home. The elder's house was larger than most of the others in the village and had a stable for the animals. It wasn't ostentatious, but it was sturdy and well-built.

As we entered the house, the village elder, a tall and scrawny man, offered us alcohol, which the exorcist gladly accepted. He sat on the living room floor, using a cushion as a makeshift seat.

"I always feel welcomed in this village," the exorcist drawled, scratching his chin and wiping his lips with his sleeve.

But as he continued to drink, his behavior grew more erratic. He began throwing cups and trays of food around the room, causing the villagers to scramble for cover.

"Damn it! Why am I always stuck in these backwater towns?!" he shouted, smashing another piece of tableware on the ground. "No one would give a shit if you all died! Your village is a worthless piece of shit that doesn't even produce anything of value! That's why the authorities don't care about you! You're all second-class citizens!"

The room fell silent as the exorcist's words sunk in. The villagers' eyes turned to steel, and some of the men even reached for their knives. But the others quickly hushed them and ushered them out of the room before the exorcist could notice.

Although many feared exorcists, a good knife to the neck could kill most of them. However, the problem for most people was getting close enough to the exorcist to make the strike.

As I sat at the banquet, if one could even call it that, I watched as the exorcist feasted on a luxurious meal of chicken, rice, and vegetables while the rest of the villagers ate plain porridge.

Just then, Rose's friend approached the table and placed a tray of rice with honey and cucumbers in front of me. As she turned to leave, the exorcist reached out and grabbed her hand, his face flushed as he leered at her.

"Now, now, how did a shithole like this manage to produce a girl like her?" he exclaimed, his gaze wandering down to her chest. "I thought the whole village was starving. How did you get those knockers? Maybe my wife would grow some if she ate a diet of dead rats and tree bark!"

"Matilda, come back here!" Matildas father called out. He was an old man whose back was hunched and curved as if it had borne the weight of a lifetime's labor. His hands were weathered and worn, with deep grooves and creases etched into the skin. His whole appearance was that of a man who had spent his life working hard and had little to show for it.

***

Fuck! How the hell did I get caught up with someone from the Dark Sword Clan?! Yannick's thoughts raced through his mind, his heart beating wildly as fear gripped him like a vice.

He had heard rumors about Kon, an exorcist who stood against his clans ideals, but as someone who had been an exorcist for quite a while, Yannick knew that the Dark Sword Clan was a scheming bunch. The rumors painted Kon as a bit too much of a saint that could do no wrong, and Yannick had heard some stories about him, including one where he had butchered an opponent before their fight in the finals.

Yannick knew that the Dark Sword Clan was a tainted family whose instincts for murder and slaughter ran deep. They enjoyed murder and loved to kill. He had never imagined he would be face-to-face with one of their members. His legs felt weak just at the thought of what could happen.

How about we go outside and talk in some privacy? Kon's voice brought Yannick back to reality.

Yannick wasnt stupid enough to think that this was a genuine question, so he immediately got up.

The village was shrouded in darkness, with only a few flickering lights coming from some of the houses. The stars were scattered across the sky, creating a breathtaking view that would have been enjoyable under different circumstances. But Yannick was too consumed by fear to appreciate the scenery.

The hill was steep, and they had to climb it carefully, their footsteps making a crunching sound on the dry grass. The wind was picking up, and it felt like a storm was brewing in the distance. The air was chilly, and Yannick shivered despite himself.

As they reached the top of the hill, they stopped and stood side by side. The view was impressive, with the village sprawling out beneath them. The buildings looked like miniature toys, and the people like tiny ants scurrying around.

The silence was deafening, broken only by the sound of the wind whistling through the tall grass. Kon's expression was unreadable, and Yannick felt like he was staring at a statue. His heart was pounding so loudly that he was sure Kon could hear it.

Yannick knew he was in deep trouble and tried to think of a way out. But his mind was blank, and he felt like he was suffocating under the weight of his fear.

For a split second, Yannick contemplated attacking Kon from behind. But the thought quickly vanished when he realized that even if he were miraculously able to kill Kon here, his family, friends, their children, his parents, and their whole family would be tortured and slaughtered by the Dark Sword Clan.

I -I have a kid, Yannick stammered, his voice trembling with fear.

He was lying through his teeth, but he hoped in the deepest part of himself that Kon would spare him.