章節 28: An Introspection of Character

In all fairness, the world is not. Every day is a battle to be won, in the name of equity.

This is a truth that Kari Faust has believed all her life. Paganized by Adelredus, sharpened by the harsh conditions of her world; Kari lived a life of paying back what was due of her and to her.

As she wiped the blood from her knuckles, she looked at the man that was formerly Count Graf—reduced to a slab of meat, about to be fed to the wild animals. His already rotting carcass finally matched his corroded character.

The door to the tea room opened to reveal Kari's staff. They slipped in and started to work on the mess quietly. As they did their job, Kari played with Count Graf's last memento—a cigar case. The late count must have been quite the smoker for only one tube remained in the small container.

Kari took the cig out of its casket and had it lit using the candle on the dinner table. She took a puff, savoring the tobacco taste before snuffing it out just as quickly as she had it lit. As soon as the workers were done covering up the job, they left with the count's body for proper disposure.

Walking around her halls with a bloody fist, Kari could not help but feel elated.

It has been too long—more than half a decade—since she last killed someone. She had almost forgotten the sensation. Ever since that woman came, she had lived a life unbefitting of her beliefs in life. But, tonight reminded her of her own nature.

And what a relief it was.

Her reaction a few nights ago to almost killing Alva because she lost control almost made her feel embarrassed. Lost control? No. It was simply her nature, calling out to her—reminding her of who she was, and is.

Kari laughed.

Passing by the dining area, she was able to sneak a peak at her disciples. Ah, there they were, ignorant and unbeknownst. Kari watched from the shadows as they interacted.

Truly, Dustan and Alva were like children. Merrily eating and chatting at the same time, these children were a stark contrast to those snotty nobles who knew nothing but table etiquette and gambling. Kari wondered if this is what it meant to be born a noble; or if it is simply something that accumulates over time.

Looking at the contrasting temperaments of Alva and Dustan, Kari believed it to be the latter.

"—and that Master of ours, where is he by the way?" Alva's mention of Kari caught her attention.

"Master had dinner with a guest." Hund answered.

At his words, Alva smirked. "Shall we have a little talk about the Master then? I am a little curious about the man."

Kari scoffed.

"What is there to talk about, Alva?" Dustan asked impassively, neither smiling nor frowning. He seemed preoccupied—distressed, even. For what reason, the lot of them could only guess.

Alva spared not a glance on Dustan's way, which was oddly suspicious. Instead, the lad focused his attention on the older man.

"What do you think of the Master, Hund?" Alva asked with a forced smile.

Hund took a sip from his mug and stared at his plate in thought. "The Master... is quite a generous soul."

Fool. Kari thought to herself. Her thoughts seemed to mirror Alva's as the boy audibly scoffed.

"Generous is quite a word to describe him. He's rather boorish, I rather think. Quite the manipulator too." Alva's choice of words amused Kari.

He was on point.

"Well, he can be boorish and generous at the same time." Dustan interjected. "No one can dictate that being uncultured translates to the inability to be compassionate."

"Compassion is for people who have the means. Not boorish men who make a living out of violence."

"You confuse compassion with pity, Alva. They are not one and the same."

"Do you know what is more confusing? A man liking another man." Alva prodded.

Dustan remained impassive at Alva's taunt. Seeing his unresponsive reaction, Alva decided to prod a little deeper.

"Hund, you mentioned your previous job at the border, correct?"

Hund looked up from his plate. "... Yes."

"Have you ever heard of such scandals? I imagine the commoners' life to be quite promiscuous. Surely you have heard a rumor or two."

"I'm not sure what you to hear." Hund replied.

Alva threw a side-glance at Dustan. "Oh nothing, Hund. I am simply curious about the trespassers who dare sully the name of our Lord with sodomy." He gave the prince a pointed look.

"... Are we not the same then?"

"What?" Alva couldn't help but look at Hund, frowning in confusion.

"In the name of your Lord, we are trespassers for using violence."

"Are you trying to be smart with me?"

"I am merely—" Alva slammed his fists on the table, cutting him off.

"You must think so highly of yourself simply due to the fact that you were anointed as the senior disciple, hm?" Alva gave the man a forced smile. "Get off your pedestal. Treat us with respect—have I not made it clear to you?"

Kari could no longer hide in the shadows.

"If anyone has to get off their pedestal, it is you, Alva." All of them turned their heads to Kari's direction as she sauntered towards them.

"What is the matter here?" She queried, eying Hund. The lean man bowed politely, greeting her with veneration.

"Nothing Master..." Hund trailed off. Then, the man saw Kari's bloody fist. "Master, your fist—!"

"Oh, this?" Kari brought her fist up to study it. "I had to let off some steam." She replied with a devious smile.

Alva looked disturbed. "You psycho. Being cooped inside your room for so long must have scrambled your wits into mush."

Kari rolled my eyes. "Shut up, money tree."

"Money tree?" Alva asked, confused. However, Kari had no intention of explaining the matter to the hubristic blonde.

"Well? Go on and eat. I shall take my leave." Kari walked away from the group.

Alva sighed, exasperatedly, as soon as Kari was out of earshot. "Great, what a Master we have. I can only imagine the horror those poor souls who would soon be joining us must feel."

Alva turned to Dustan. "Just what do you see in him?"

Dustan looked at his plate and smiled. "Master is a good person."

"What nonsense! You said that before, and now you continue to use the same excuse. Tell me, Dustan. What of Kari Faust's character appeals to you?" Alva challenged. Hund quietly watched the exchange.

"Character? I do not look at his current character, Alva."

"What?" Alva looked even more confused. "You contradict yourself, Dustan. How can you call someone good if you do not even look at his character, as you say?"

"I look at what he is to become." Dustan answered with a melancholic smile.

"What does that even mean?" Alva shook his head. "See? You are only proving my point!"

"If this conversation has proven anything, it is the fact that you do not know anything, Alva." Dustan's tone switched to a darker tone. "I suggest you keep such comments to yourself in the future."

At his behest, Alva had nothing he could do except grit his teeth and obey. However, this was not the end to his introspection.

Oh no, he was only getting started.