章 18: "Partners in Justice?"
In the squalid, chaotic streets, a frail middle-aged woman crawled helplessly, her emaciated body leaving a long trail of blood upon the worn cobblestones. Her disheveled hair, resembling a bird's nest, was soaked in dark crimson, altering its originally dull, ashen hue, yet evoking a profound sense of sorrowful desolation.
Observing her mother's pitiful state, the girl named Ya Ya, who had been like a lifeless puppet, her vacant eyes at last flickered with a hint of vitality. Tears that she had long suppressed erupted uncontrollably now that her consciousness had returned.
The anguished cries of the mother and daughter pierced the air, their heartbreaking wails even overpowering the howling wind and snow, resonating far and wide, evoking tears in those who heard them. Yet, this mournful lamentation elicited nothing but impatience from the middle-aged noble.
Count Joseph, the nobleman, halted in annoyance, turning to confront Ya Ya's father, bellowing, "Are you annoying me?! Control your woman!!! Or don't blame me for being impolite later!!"
"Yes, yes, yes, my lord, I will take care of it right away," stammered Ya Ya's father, his face a mask of fear and obsequiousness as he hurried towards his wife. He bent down, gripping her hair with force, dragging the frail woman, whose weakened body had been ravaged by years of illness, away.
Ignoring the long trail of blood left by his wife's frail body on the ground, and disregarding the pained moans as her hair was mercilessly tugged, Aya's father wore an expression of repugnant sycophancy, pleading, "My lord, please don't be angry. I shall remove this woman at once."
"Hmph!" The middle-aged noble snorted disdainfully, casting a haughty glance at the assembled onlookers, taking note of their timidity and fear, before strutting away in self-satisfaction.
As their master departed, a few henchmen hastily seized the weak girl and followed suit. However, the girl, now regaining her senses, began to struggle relentlessly. "Let... go of me... Mother, let go of Mother... Father... let go of Mother..."
The helpless girl fought with all her might, crying out as she stretched her alabaster hands towards the small figure of her mother being dragged away by her father, as if attempting to grasp the last warmth, the final hope, and the last affection she could hold onto in this cruel world.
Yet, the once hysterically frantic middle-aged woman had fallen silent, utterly still, no longer emitting a sound, quiet as a lifeless object. She resembled a tattered sack, devoid of sensation or struggle, allowing her husband to drag her by her withered hair, leaving behind a shocking bloodstain on the cobblestone street.
Ah, after all, Aya's mother was already frail, and with so much blood lost, she had likely succumbed to a state of unconsciousness.
Clearly, the girl understood this grim reality, and in an instant, helpless tears cascaded down her cheeks, swirling aimlessly in the air as she continued to struggle.
However, how could the frail girl's strength possibly match that of the robust adult men?
The girl struggled with all her might, yet she was unable to budge the strong hands that held her fast. Ultimately, she was helplessly carried away by the robust henchmen, her soft sobs gradually muffled by the swirling snow and wind.
This slum, rife with shadows and filth, momentarily fell into an eerie silence.
(Tsk... Tsk, tsk... how truly pitiable... such a tragic scene of human suffering, with the heartless and cruel noble, the wretched and depraved father, the bed-ridden mother lost to illness for years, and the helplessly fragile girl. Ah, indeed... it is a performance most poignant and stirring... ah, I feel so moved I could cry. What say you, young human? Are you on the verge of tears as well? Hahaha...)
Ignoring the malevolent taunts of the demon's mocking voice, the indifferent man turned away from the unfolding drama, shaking his cloak with a decisive flick before departing without hesitation.
Meanwhile, the small fox darted anxious glances, first at its master and then at the pitiable girl being led away, ultimately casting a timid look at Xiao Mu Yu. With a swift motion, it transformed into a streak of white light, racing toward the direction of the girl.
"..." Coldly observing the little creature's departure, Xiao Mu Yu halted, his expression unyielding.
(Ah, it seems the little one's sense of justice has ignited! Hahaha... How does it feel, young human? Are you pleased? After all, you played a significant role in nurturing that sense of justice within the little creature! If you hadn't incessantly whispered notions of 'noble companions' and 'justice prevails over evil,' it wouldn't have grown into such a paragon of righteousness!)
(Hahaha... Yet who could have anticipated that you, the teacher of justice, would ultimately become so malevolent—selfish, indifferent, heartless, and cruel? Truly, humans have a saying: time is a butcher's knife, darkening the ears of wood, ripening the grapes... Hahaha...)
Ignoring the cacophony of derisive laughter echoing within his mind, the cold man stood impassively, his icy gaze fixed on the retreating figures of the small fox and the girl named Aya.
(What will you do, young human? Will you intervene?)
In the recesses of his mind, sinister whispers stirred with excitement.
(It appears the little fox has followed those people. Aren't you going to hurry after it and bring it back? I dare say, if you don't rescue the girl named Aya, the little fox won't follow you back. Why not charge in and slay those nobles and their lackeys, delivering a righteous vengeance that would surely please the heart?)
(What say you, young human? What is there to hesitate about? The sword in your hand is itching for action! Go forth and quench its thirst with the blood of the wicked, noble companion!)
"..." Indifferently rubbing his brow, Xiao Mu Yu showed no sign of emotion.
At that moment, a frail hand clutched at his pant leg.
"..." Looking down impassively, Xiao Mu Yu discovered Aya's mother, this diminutive woman lost to confusion, precariously reaching out from the gap of the door, her bony hand grasping his pants like a bird's claw.
The exposed veins on her thin, dirty wrist lent the illusion that she was clinging to a life-saving straw.
"Help... help... Aya... Aya..." She struggled to part her parched lips, feebly lifting her hollow cheeks, marred by dirt and blood, her vacant eyes gazing up at Xiao Mu Yu.
"..."
A profound silence enveloped them.
The pitiful plea of the middle-aged woman elicited only a chilling stillness in response.
The icy wind swept through the space, offering not a hint of warmth.
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