Book 13: Chapter 24


    Its truly unfortunate to suffer a shipwreck. Here, this is for the shrine.


    The owner of the vegetable store was a lot warmerpared to the owner of the rice store. He, actually, sold a lot of things at his store besides vegetables. He also sold eggs and chicken. Of course, things he sold werent things he provided. He was considerably more generous than the owner of the rice store, but he still didnt provide enough for two people. As such, I spent my own money to buy some more. Gold coins werent their currency. Still, gold is gold. If they melted the gold again instead of spending it, theyd still make a good deal out of it.


    In a serious tone, I asked, I want to ask one more thing pertaining to Ying. Why are you all so certain she cant leave? She volunteers to offer you protection, but I dont think that its right for you to treat her with this attitude. Shes willing to protect you, yet youre not willing to provide her with sufficient food. Youre not grateful to her in the least. Youre treating her the way youd treat a dog!


    Perhaps what I said was slightly harsh, as I noticed his gaze was weird. However, instead of answering my question, he abstained from speaking and looked interested. My anger gradually subsided. I started to feel awkward due to the way he looked at me. He finallyughed and, in a soft voice, replied, Young man, I can tell youre not from an ordinary family with a nce. You mustve grown up eating meat, right? Perhaps youre the child of a noble or youre a Prince and have always had everybody protecting you. Others will also provide food and money to your family as well as loyally answer to your calls. Let me put it this way: have you ever had a bodyguard?


    I nodded.


    Was your bodyguard formidable, then?


    I thought about it. Tanya was, indeed, formidable. She was the young girl who managed to take the head of the anthropoids leader against an army of ten thousand. Say what you will, but she was a very strong soldier. In the past, I had Philes, who was also very skilled; he just didnt have many opportunities to disy his skills. There was no need to mention Nier. Other than Elizabeth, there wasnt a single human who could defeat her nowadays.


    Yes.


    If they wanted to kill you, would you be in a very precarious situation? he asked, smiling sarcastically. As you said, Ying is very powerful. You havent seen how she looks when she fights the wyrm. Shes practically a demon. What would you do with such a demon right by your side? Would you not be afraid? What would you do if she suddenly decided to do that to your family? You are a noble who eats meat. Your money can maintain the loyalty of those more powerful than you, but what about us? Were just ordinary folks. Forget gold coins, wed pick up bronze coins until were pale in the face. How could we get Ying to remain kind to us?


    She said shed protect you.


    He mmed the table hard and cut me off: Thats what she imed. If we one day identally anger her, isnt it but a simple matter for her to massacre our vige? She can protect us, but its also easy for her to destroy us. Furthermore, how are we going to talk her out of leaving if she one day sees the outside world and wants to leave? Wouldnt we be at the wyrms mercy once she leaves? Naturally, we have to chain her down so that shell stay with us and protect us. Shes a violent dog that can fend off threats for us, but we need to ensure she wont bite us. Young Man, you have no idea how we ordinary folks must live. We have to use your so-called despicable means to obtain what you see as natural and right loyalty. Its the only way can we ensure our safety.


    He chuckled: You understand now, right, Young Man?


    I took in a big breath then picked up the basket to the side and went to the entrance. The owner didnt n to say any more to me. He casually waved me goodbye and headed to the rear of the store. I opened the curtain when I got to the entrance. I stopped and, without turning around, stated, Perhaps youre the one who doesnt get it. Money cant buy loyalty. My guards arent with me for my money. If loyalty could be purchased with money, then thered definitely be others whod be willing to pay more than me. The reason my guards are with me is because I trust them. I can trust them with my back. If you entrust others with your trust, theyll return it with their loyalty, understand?


    Oh?


    Money is the easiest thing to obtain in this world, but loyalty is the hardest to obtain. How can you exchange whats easiest to obtain for whats hardest to obtain?


    I abruptly turned my head and looked at a live chicken. Well, it was simr to a chicken I asked, Its all right for me to buy these, right?


    The owner smiled and waved his hand: Take them. Theres not much to sell anyway. Its decent enough for me if you can buy it. Theres a house close to the harbour. Perhaps youll find what you want to see there?


    I went to the harbour. It was more of a ford than it was a harbour. Old fishing boats were tied up on a vertically erected timber pir situated at the centre of the ford. I found the old man in charge of the fishing boats inside the small building. I spoke to him. He said there would be a boat. I looked at the boat and went into deep thought. I couldnt figure out how Ying was going to utilise the shabby fishing boat tobat the wyrm.


    I also saw the house the old man mentioned. To sum up its description, it was in ruins. Nheless, it was a house with a courtyard, which was rare to see. The walls of the courtyard were constructed using stone. The walls were two people high. It was covered in moss, so it mustve been abandoned for a long time. I didnt know what was inside, but as soon as I headed over, I noticed lots of people watching me. I couldnt aggravate the locals. I wanted to get to the bottom of what the deal with the house was, too.


    I finally understood the rtionship between Ying and the vigers. They werent grateful to her for her protection. They were afraid shed kill them; they were afraid of their guardian. Ying wholeheartedly wanted to protect them, yet they questioned and insulted her loyalty. She shouldnt be at the ind. Her loyalty was just a waste to its inhabitants. Loyalty should be repaid, but they werent grateful in the slightest.


    I carried a bunch of stuff back to the stone steps. I honestly felt that Ying was right. I forgot I was a patient who just suffered severe wounds and had yet to recover. I felt the basket carrying the big bird and a bunch of other stuff was about to snap my lower back.


    Ying waited for me at the door. Upon seeing me, she tilted her head and questioned, Howe theres so much stuff?


    With a smile, I answered, Some of it was stuff they gave, while the others was stuff I bought.


    I see, responded Ying, with a nod. She took the stuff: So, those are yours?


    Huh?


    As it is your stuff, we need to separate it. I can help you.


    I put a hand on Yings shoulder and solemnly looked at her: No. What I meant was for us to eat together. Be honest, Ying, you havent eaten anything in thest few days, have you?


    I need to eat very little.


    Ying wore poker face; therefore, I couldnt tell if she was acting tough or not. That was why I didnt n to guess. I shoved everything into her hand: Whatever the case, I cant let you take care of me for free. Consider it my repayment for your care. If you dont ept them, then Ill leave the shrine right now.


    You have nowhere to go.


    I can take a boat and leave.


    The wyrm is active.


    Im not scared. Would your conscience allow you to ept me dying to the wyrm?


    Fine.


    It was as if we were trading blows. I won in the end, though.