章節 19: My life is but a blessing

Two years have come and gone, and with each passing day, Master Mei's presence seems to radiate even more splendor. What was once a daunting distance now feels insurmountable, like a billion miles instead of a mere million.

Two years have passed, and Master Mei appears more splendid each day. Before, the distance seemed like a million miles; now, it looks like a billion. Today, I saw Carlos flirting with someone else, and Master Mei was nowhere to be seen. This is not the first time I have seen him act in this deceptive way, but it is not my place to tell Master.

One more year has passed, and the Master has finally made it to the top hundred after a breakthrough. To celebrate this joyous occasion, she has agreed to double our initial salaries. Celebrations can be heard all around the manor. Some workers are allowed to drink in honor of her achievements. However, one person sits alone; as you might have guessed, it's me.

I'm terrible at writing these, aren't I? It has been fifteen years, and I've become the official head servant in the manor. I was promoted by the Master, and smiles filled my face as I received the promotion.

I have finally gathered enough gold coins to go back to the city and live like a king. But, I can't bring myself to do it because of the heavy burden I feel in my heart. Most of the servants have moved out and started families, and I am the only one of the original twenty who is still here. As I stand before the mirror, I can see wrinkles starting to form. I feel like I've wasted my life as I watch it pass me by.

Where has the optimism of the past gone, and who is the middle-aged man I see reflecting?

Two more years have passed, and Master still looks as beautiful as the day I first saw her. Today, she gathered us all for some important news. I was the most anxious out of all of us. Then, I received the information I dreaded the most: She would marry Carlos.

My heart constantly hurts as I keep the smile of a humbled servant and offer my congratulations.

She said the wedding would be within a month, and as those words escaped her lips, I seemed to die inside, bit by bit.

Is it possible to die but still seem to have breath in your body unwillingly carrying you on?

This was all I needed to know; my time had been wasted. I have finally decided to return to the city and enjoy the remaining decades of my life. After the Master was informed of my decision, she seemed surprised as I told her.

She has accepted my resignation but has asked me to stay for a month. I reluctantly agreed out of one last good gesture.

A week before the wedding date the rains pelted down on the roof.

That day, I heard screams of terror around the sect. I looked outside a window to see devil-like beings descending and devouring all the disciples of the sect that could be found.

It is the most horrifying scene that one can possibly imagine. On the roads, limbs could be seen scattered everywhere.

There were light flashes in the skies as human forms could barely be discerned as roars of rage followed.

I was scared and trembling, yet I remembered a person, and it seemed to all go away.

Where is Master, I wondered?

Is she alright?

Has she made it out safely?

She is with Carlos, right?

At the very least, he will be able to protect her.

I stopped caring for my own safety and hoped she would be alright with all the will in my heart.

The massacre continued as the rains became red with blood and the anguish of the deceased cries. They spared no one; women and men were seen as the same and died most horrifyingly.

I witnessed the most grotesque scene: a man being stretched by a red and purple beast with protruding horns.

He screamed and begged for his life as tears trickled down his face.

The beast, however, seemed to laugh until the man burst apart, and his entrails started to litter the blood-red floor as they fell.

'Isn't this hell on earth?'

I thought as I attested to the most wicked of acts. My worst nightmares were nothing more than thoughts of beautiful butterflies compared to this.

Is this what it means to be a cultivator? to take part and contend against such things?

If that is the case, isn't being a mortal a blessing?