下載應用程式
2.5% Lord of Caldera / Chapter 8: Chapter 8 Beating An Old Man Who Lies

章節 8: Chapter 8 Beating An Old Man Who Lies

Sylas let out a hollow laugh in disbelief.

"Are you saying my grandfather lied?"

"He must have lied if he denied the debts he owed. Tsk tsk, as if pretending they didn't exist would make them disappear."

The village chief stroked his beard with a pitying expression. To an outsider, it might have seemed like a perfect performance, enough to make someone believe Sylas's grandfather had indeed lied. However, Sylas knew it was a blatant lie. It was practically an announcement saying, 

"I'm lying, so you better accept it."

'Ah, I remember now.'

Come to think of it, the same thing had happened before his regression. The village chief had come to falsely accuse him of debts, and Sylas, unable to tolerate it, had argued with him for a long time. In the end, the chief had backed down and left the hut, but later he rallied the villagers, demanding Sylas acknowledge the debts as a group.

However, during that confrontation, the second visit from the Corleone family occurred, and the matter was left unresolved.

'So today is that day.'

That meant there was no need to endure it any longer. A sharp smile formed on Sylas's lips.

"What—what's with that smile?"

"Ah, it's nothing. So, you're saying I really do owe these debts, right?"

"That's what I said! How many times must I tell you?"

The village chief flinched momentarily but quickly put on a brazen face, standing firm. There wasn't a hint of shame in his expression.

"I see. In that case, it can't be helped. Let's step outside for a moment."

"Wait, why all of a sudden…?"

Despite the chief's confusion, Sylas got up and opened the door, stepping outside. Perplexed, the chief followed him out. Once outside, Sylas picked up a wooden stick lying on the ground nearby.

"Chief, what does this look like to you?"

"It's a wooden stick, what else would it be?"

"Well, I see it a bit differently. To me, it looks like a perfect club for beating an old man who lies about imaginary debts. Don't you think?"

"What?"

The village chief paused, unable to comprehend what Sylas had just said. After a few seconds, as he processed the words, his face turned pale. Sylas's fierce grin was far too vivid to be mistaken as a joke. Realizing the situation, the chief began to back away, waving his hands in protest.

"Wait, wait. Calm down."

"I am calm."

"Sylas, let me explain. The debts really don't matter at all."

"What do you mean they don't matter? They're quite important. Important enough that hitting someone for making up lies about them is almost forgivable."

"Just listen to me for a—ahhh!"

Thwack.

The village chief rolled on the ground, clutching his side where the stick had struck. Although it seemed like a light blow, the pain seeped deep into his bones.

Sylas adjusted his strength carefully, making sure the blows hurt immensely. It was a skill he had gained from his experience before his regression.

[Your experience increases due to an accurate strike.]

[Your current Blunt Weapon Skill level is 'Novice.']

"Oh, a bonus."

Sylas smiled at the message. It meant he had perfectly controlled his strength, just as he intended. Deciding to practice this technique repeatedly like before, he aimed to maximize the experience points without ending things too quickly.

"W-wait! If you do this, I'll—ugh!"

[Your experience increases due to an accurate strike.]

"If you stop now, I'll forg—aargh!"

[Your experience increases due to an accurate strike.]

"I was wrong! The truth is, there isn't really any deb—aaagh!"

[Your experience increases due to an accurate strike.]

Sylas continued to swing the stick as if he were dancing. Although he hadn't used blunt weapons much before, raising the skill level might come in handy someday. It wasn't because he enjoyed the satisfying sensation with each swing. Not at all.

[Your experience increases due to an accurate strike.]

[You have gained enough experience to level up.]

[Your Blunt Weapon Skill level has increased to 'Skilled.']

"Whew, that feels refreshing."

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Sylas smiled, looking content as if he had just finished a satisfying day of farming. Without the village chief writhing below him and the blood-stained stick, anyone would have thought so.

"P-please, spare me…!"

The chief, his face swollen, clasped his hands together, begging desperately. His earlier confidence and brazenness had long since vanished. His mind was now filled with the fear that he might actually die.

"Well, I don't know. Do I have any reason to spare you?"

"If I die, the villagers won't just stand by!"

"Even if I spare you, they probably won't stand by either. You'll gather them and attack as soon as you get back to the village, won't you?"

"N-no, of course not!"

The village chief flinched as Sylas hit the mark. In fact, he was already planning to rally the villagers and storm Sylas's hut as soon as he made it back alive.

Sylas chuckled, poking the chief's forehead.

"Listen, chief. The truth is, I'm planning to leave the village soon."

As the chief thought, he nodded inwardly. If Sylas intended to stay, there's no way he would dare to do this.

"You have two options."

"Two options…?"

"First, you go back to the village and stay quietly in your home, reflecting on how you tried to scam my grandfather and me."

"And, the second option?"

"Second, you do what you were planning—gather the villagers and attack me. But then, you'll pay the price for it later with tears of blood."


章節 9: Chapter 9 The Custom Of Hospitality

The village chief let out a sigh of relief at Sylas's words. At least it meant he would be spared for now. However, at the same time, a surge of anger rose within him.

'Pay the price? This insolent brat…!'

The thought that a young boy, barely out of childhood, would dare speak of repercussions to him, the village chief, was infuriating. He wanted nothing more than to shout back and dismiss the nonsense. However, escaping from here was his priority.

"Of course, the first option. It's my fault this has happened—how could I resent you for it? I've realized it's all the consequences of my past wrongdoings."

Tears welled up in the chief's eyes as if he had genuinely repented. It was a performance convincing enough to deceive anyone. Sylas stared at him for a moment, then lightly nodded and pointed toward the village with his stick.

"Alright, I'll trust you. I'll spare you, so go on."

"Th-thank you! May the goddess bless your merciful heart!"

The village chief bowed his head to Sylas several times before running back to the village. As he put some distance between himself and the hut, his expression changed. The tears vanished, replaced by a face twisted in rage.

'Just you wait, boy! Before today is over, I'll have you kneeling before me, begging for mercy!'

Grinding his teeth audibly, the chief disappeared over the hill. Watching him go, a cold smile formed on Sylas's lips.

"You've chosen the second option. Then, you'll pay the price."

Back at the hut, Sylas explained the situation in detail to Roderick. The basement was well soundproofed, so he hadn't been able to hear everything that had transpired.

"These wretched bastards!"

Roderick fumed upon hearing the full story. Even if there had been a real debt, charging excessive interest alone would have been cruel. But to fabricate a debt entirely and keep someone bound for life? It was beyond wicked.

"I will never forgive them!"

"Calm down, Roderick."

"How can I possibly stay calm?"

Despite Sylas's attempt to calm him, Roderick couldn't contain his anger.

"That scoundrel tried to frame you for something you didn't owe, and despite you sparing him, he still had the nerve to threaten you with future regrets!"

The more he thought about it, the more furious he became. He had suspected as much when they were first attacked, but now it was clear that the entire village was corrupt to the core. Unlike the enraged Roderick, Sylas could only manage a bitter smile.

"I'm not worried about myself, but I am concerned for you. The village chief isn't the type to make empty threats, so something will likely happen before the day is over."

"If that old man returns with others, then I'll fight too!"

Roderick declared boldly, ready to die in battle rather than allow harm to come to his lord's kin. However, Sylas shook his head.

"Stop. Aren't you my guest? Allow me to protect you according to the custom of hospitality. Otherwise, how could I face my mother after death?"

"...!"

The custom of hospitality—one of the sacred traditions—dictated that a host must do their utmost to treat and protect their guests. Failing to uphold it would be the ultimate dishonor. However, it was rare for people to truly observe this custom.

Even among nobles who valued honor, if a powerful individual demanded they hand over a guest, they would often comply. Commoners, naturally, were even less bound by it. After all, Roderick himself had been robbed despite arriving as a guest.

'Yet, to think someone raised among commoners would uphold the tradition so thoroughly.'

What an honorable person this was. It was a virtue seldom seen even among nobility.

"Understood. But if you find yourself in danger, I will still intervene. It is my duty to ensure your safety."

"Stopping you from doing so would be asking for disloyalty, so I won't object."

With Sylas's permission granted, Roderick clenched his fist. If that village chief did come back, he wouldn't let it slide.

The young master may have spared him even after his threats, but Roderick wasn't so forgiving.

At that moment, Roderick noticed a wooden stick in the corner.

"Young master, what is that wooden stick for?"

"Oh, I used it to chase away wild animals. Don't mind it."

Sylas smiled as he pushed the stick further into the corner. Roderick looked puzzled, glancing in the direction where the stick disappeared.

Judging by the fresh blood on it, had he perhaps used it to fend off a fox or something?

'But for that, it seems a little too fresh…'


Load failed, please RETRY

禮物

禮品 -- 收到的禮物

    每周推薦票狀態

    批量訂閱

    目錄

    顯示選項

    背景

    EoMt的

    大小

    章評

    寫檢討 閱讀狀態: C8
    無法發佈。請再試一次
    • 寫作品質
    • 更新的穩定性
    • 故事發展
    • 人物形象設計
    • 世界背景

    總分 0.0

    評論發佈成功! 閱讀更多評論
    用推薦票投票
    Rank 200+ 推薦票榜
    Stone 79 推薦票
    舉報不當內容
    錯誤提示

    舉報暴力內容

    段落註釋

    登錄

    tip 段落評論

    段落註釋功能現已上線!將滑鼠移到任何段落上,然後按下圖示以添加您的評論。

    此外,您可以隨時在「設置」 中將其關閉/ 打開。

    明白了