Chương 14: Chapter 14: The East Borough of Backlund
Hobert resisted the urge to pat her head. With her height and appearance, she was just too pat-worthy. "Miss Derecha, your friend, Miss Hall, has asked me to help you out of your current predicament."
Last night, Fors had already used her "Apprentice" abilities to visit the prison and inform Xio about seeking help from Earl Hall's daughter and the young Viscount Glaint.
Xio politely replied, "Please thank Miss Hall for me. How should I cooperate with you?"
This girl really knows what she's doing!
Hobert smiled, "I need to know the entire sequence of events during the conflict."
"Alright," Xio began. "Mr. Bennett is an honest worker from the East Borough. About a decade ago, he was quite wealthy, but a failed business venture left his family bankrupt.
"Even during his toughest times, he still protected the pocket watch he inherited from his father.
"About half a month ago, when Bennett finished work, he found that his pocket watch had been stolen.
"Fortunately, the thief hadn't gone far. Bennett saw the thief's face and recognized him as one of Weir's men.
"Um, do you two know about the relationship between the thieves and the bullies in the East Borough?"
Hobert responded, "Roughly. Some thugs force or incite children in the East Borough to steal."
Xio nodded, "Exactly. So my judgment was that the seven- or eight-year-old thief wasn't at fault. Weir had to return the pocket watch and compensate Bennett with 3 soli for lost work time.
"But Weir refused to accept my judgment, so I had no choice but to use physical persuasion."
Physical persuasion, really? Hobert thought to himself: Isn't that just beating him into submission?
"I swear!" Xio said, "I only meant to break one of his legs, but he accidentally crashed into a table, and I heard he broke his spine."
She shrugged. "That's the whole story."
Hobert nodded, "I understand."
Lisa, who had remained silent until now, hesitantly asked, "Is that Weir character really that fragile? Or does he have some illness?"
Otherwise, how could such a small girl possibly overpower an adult man?
Xio opened her mouth but couldn't find the right words to explain.
"Miss Lisa, allow me to explain. This young lady is wearing a knight's training uniform," Hobert said with a wink at Xio. "To my knowledge, she has undergone rigorous knight training. Not just one thug, but even two or three adult men probably wouldn't stand a chance against her."
Xio quickly nodded, "Yes, exactly!"
She guessed that Hobert might also be a Beyonder or at least aware of their existence, which was why Miss Hall sought his help and informed him that Xio was a Beyonder.
Lisa was a bit surprised and started considering whether she should have her own daughter receive knight training as well.
Hobert then asked, "Where can I find Mr. Weir?"
"I don't know where he lives, but you'll definitely find his men at the Blue Knight Pub," Xio replied.
Hobert stood up, "Alright, Miss Derecha, please be patient. I will resolve this matter as soon as possible."
"Thank you," Xio said politely, shaking Hobert's hand.
Hobert had the odd sensation of shaking hands with a middle schooler. And he couldn't help thinking: Sorry, I'm not trying to look down on you, but this is the only way I can meet your eyes.
After leaving Minsk Prison, the carriage headed straight for the East Borough.
On the way, Hobert asked, "Miss Lisa, have you ever been to the East Borough?"
"A few times," Lisa replied, returning to her serious demeanor. "I've gone there to hire maids."
Hobert remarked, "I've heard countless stories about the East Borough, but this is my first time going there."
He asked, "What's your impression of the East Borough?"
"It feels like… like they live in a different world from us."
The carriage fell silent. After a few minutes, Hobert finally said, "You're absolutely right."
The carriage had arrived in the East Borough by now. It was Friday, a workday, yet the streets were still filled with vagrants with blank eyes and expressions.
Children, so thin that their heads seemed disproportionately large, ran through the streets, their eyes darting suspiciously as they eyed the carriage Hobert and Lisa rode in.
Hobert looked at the children and sighed, "They should be in school, living a life free from worry, not loitering around thug-infested pubs, doing petty theft."
He continued, though it was unclear whether he was explaining to Lisa or just talking to himself, "I know I can't help them right now. I just think their lives shouldn't be like this. Haha, what a terrible thing for me to say."
Lisa didn't fully understand what Hobert was saying, but she sensed something was off with the young man beside her.
Of course, Hobert wasn't quite himself. When he read about the East Borough in books, it didn't seem so bad. Having been born and raised in a peaceful country, and after crossing over, living in an upper-class society, it was hard for him to empathize with the people of the East Borough.
Only by coming to the East Borough did he truly understand what numbness meant, and what it meant to be "thin as a matchstick."
After a brief moment of reflection, Hobert quickly adjusted his emotions. As he had said, he couldn't do anything to help them now. Showing sympathy at this point would be meaningless and might even ruin his plans.
At the Blue Knight Pub, the scene was entirely different. The place was lively and filled with the stench of sweat and feet.
Too many people were trying to numb themselves with alcohol, trying to escape their wretched lives.
The pub was also a small black market. Thieves fenced their stolen goods here, and thugs conducted illegal transactions or formed shady alliances.
Hobert went to the bar and pulled out a 1 pound note. "Whoever can take me to Weir gets this pound."
The noisy pub suddenly fell silent. Most workers in the East Borough earned a weekly wage of 15 soli or even just 10 soli. A pound was a significant sum here.
A young man cheerfully stepped forward, "I'll tell you where Weir is."
Hobert coldly responded, "You need to take me there."
"Alright, no problem. Just hand over the money, young master," the man said, grinning after taking the money. "Now let me tell you—Weir is dead. What, do you want me to take you to hell? Hahaha."
The people in the pub joined in the laughter.
Hobert calmly unbuttoned his coat, revealing the revolver at his waist. "My gun doesn't seem satisfied with your answer."
He had anticipated the possibility of coming to the East Borough today, so he had specifically requested a revolver. As for his marksmanship? Well, let's just say the gun was most powerful when he didn't fire it.
The revolver once again silenced the pub. The young man's smile faded, "Alright, alright, young master, I'll take you there."
Under the threat of the gun, the young man didn't dare to play any more tricks. After several twists and turns, they finally stopped in front of a dilapidated door. The young man knocked, "Boss Weir, are you still alive?"
A rough voice came from inside, "Which bastard is here to steal my stuff again?"
Ever since he became bedridden, no one had treated him as a boss anymore.
(End of Chapter)
50 Power Stones = Extra Chapter
This is the end of the mass-release from now on we are going back to the regular schedule of 4 chapter a week
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