Chapter 37 What to do la?
Eznho took a deep breath and looked at the window with emotional eyes. He started to narrate everything that happened to him, unlike before, he did not conceal anything and told every detail including the killings. From his first kill at the road while going back to Sin city up to the five guys he killed a couple of days ago.
Despite his inability to recall things, he narrated what he could remember during the attack of their caravan. He told her about every strange encounter he had including the gray flame, the subtle hint of Talong about the ring and about his invitation.
Minchin listened carefully and did not miss any detail, she was shocked many times but refrained from commenting and just let Eznho do the talking. It took a while before Eznho finished talking, after that, Eznho felt a little lighter as if a boulder he was carrying was taken away from him, he actually felt good. Now he realized, it was actually nice to have someone close to you whom you can tell everything about.
“Little Ez, I won’t be a hypocrite and say that what you did was not good. Those people tried to kill you and you were only defending yourself,”
Minchin spoke in a gentle manner and tried to comfort the boy.
“I know aunt, that’s what I also think but they said that if I am to continue cultivating I would have to face the truth and have to kill more people. Tell me, aunt, how do I decide if I am to take the life of someone? I mean, do I even have the right to take their life?”
This was Eznho’s question, he was still a child after all and did not yet accumulate enough experience.
“Little Ez, after hearing all about your encounters I can tell for sure that you have a great destiny ahead of you. If you are to ask me I would say that, if someone wants to take your life, you have the right to defend it. And if ever you have to decide who to kill, from my perspective it would be the people who deserve it, evil people who do evil things and never ever take the life of an innocent person little Ez.”
Minchin answered honestly, she was more mature and also had her own fair share of experiences.
“As what that man said about your father, you have the right to know the truth so I won’t stop you from whatever decision you make. I will always be at your back cheering you on, just promise me not to wantonly kill people without reason and I repeat, never take the life of an innocent person.”
Eznho stayed silent and contemplated inside.
“Whatever you decide to do next, we are here for you, little Aiza, Budoy and that big brother of yours. One more thing, no matter where your adventures take you, always remember that there is someone home waiting for you.”
Minchin also turned emotional, her intuition told her that they would separate in the near future. She did not want to hold him back so she stayed strong, after all, Eznho could not possibly stay by her side forever, he has to live his own life. She only prayed that he would live a happy life. Taking a deep breath, she kissed Eznho’s forehead and stood up while showing a doting smile then walked to the door.
“Good night little Ez, don’t stay up too late. We still have a big day tomorrow,”
“Good night aunt Minchin, thank you.”
Enzho spoke with wholehearted gratitude, he felt like his path was now clearer than before. He closed his eyes and weighed everything on his mind, after a while, he opened his eyes. It was now filled with determination and all the traces of confusion were gone.
.....
The group departed early in the morning after settling everything at the inn. The owner was somewhat dejected after seeing a big source of income leave in a carriage. Minchin was constantly awed and shocked after looking at the surroundings they passed.
She did not go out even once and the only place she visited was the inn’s back garden. Her eyes constantly moved as she saw many new things, she was like Eznho when he first strolled around, it was rather amusing to watch.
They easily passed the gate and reached the middle district, basing on the map, the house was about twenty kilometers to the east. Time was not of the essence so they took their time and marveled at the sceneries they passed. They could even vaguely see the wall that separated the inner district, from the middle.
What kind of sceneries would be inside?
Eznho asked himself while trying to imagine what the inner city looked like. It took them an hour before they reached the house. The gate was closed and a number ‘69’ was carved on it. In the middle, there was some sort of a hole that matches the residency badge which also had a ‘69’ on it. Eznho took it out and put it in front, a second later, an unlocking sound was heard and Eznho pushed the gate open.
Little Aiza could not contain her excitement so she ran inside first.
“Wow! Look at this everyone, it’s beautiful.” She exclaimed from the inside.
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The other followed suit and what they saw astounded them, the open courtyard was actually filled with green grass, flat rocks were embedded to form a pathway while a small fountain with a fish design was spewing water from its mouth. Flowers with different colors and small trees were growing at the side.
Little Aiza was jumping up and down and was rolling her body on the grass. The three who were watching could help but laugh at the little girl. After unpacking everything, everyone picked their own rooms, Eznho was forced to sleep in the room where the head of the family stays. Minchin and little Aiza prepared dinner, they were one happy family, the only one missing was Martin. After eating, Eznho distributed the residency badge to everyone and kept the others for future use.
Eznho planned on going back to Sin city after settling everything and get his big brother. He was worried but could only endure for now, and besides, there were dangers in traveling.
.....
The next day, the group planned to go out and explore a little bit around the middle district. They finished breakfast and started to prepare when someone buzzed some sort of a doorbell but made with a simple formation. Everyone was puzzled as who would visit them, they were new in town and did not know anyone.
Budoy volunteered to open the door but a short while after opening it, he slammed the gate and came back with a gloomy face.
“What happened, big brother?” Little Aiza inquired with inquisitive eyes.
“The person got the wrong address, why don’t you go and prepare yourself so we can go have fun outside,” Budoy vaguely answered with a smile.
Little Aiza pouted but she knew it was something she could not pry on so she went to her room while grumbling.
“Who was that?” Eznho questioned after the little girl left.
“Sigh, I never thought we would encounter him as soon as we came here. Big brother, do you remember the merchant I told you about? The one who wanted to offer little Aiza to one of the nobles?” Budoy started to remember the past.
“Yeah, I remember, was he the visitor?” Eznho guessed, while Minchin just listened to the conversation.
“You got it right big brother, ugh, he was the previous owner of this house and just wanted to see who the new owner was,” Budoy answered with dejection.
“I see, what a small world, did he say anything else?” Eznho asked.
“I slammed the door right after knowing his intentions, I’m sorry big brother, I just couldn’t control myself,” Budoy answered apologetically.
“No worries, little brother, he is not welcome in this house anyway,” Eznho patted Budoy’s shoulder to comfort him.
“Budoy, how are you and little Aiza related to that man?” Minchin asked curiously.
“We just met him by accident, actually both Aiza and I don’t have any memories before meeting the merchant. The only thing I could remember was me and my little sister were running from someone or something. I don’t know why but my mind told me to run as far as we can. After running for days, we started to weaken due to exhaustion and lack of food. That was the time we saw the merchant’s caravan, he welcomed us with all smiles and gave us food and clothes. Little did we know that he had ulterior motives, I have only accidentally overheard him so we had a chance to escape. After that, we have been living in the shadows of the outer district.”
Budoy told the whole truth, he trusted Minchin and Eznho that is why he was able to tell everything about him and his little sister. Eznho and Minchin were both shocked by the sibling’s story, they did not expect it to be that tragic. They did not ask before because they could see the reluctance in their eyes, but now they felt pity for them.
Maybe that’s why senior Talong said not to pick up strangers with unknown backgrounds. Maybe he knows something, I have to ask him later on.
Eznho felt a headache coming. The sibling had a mysterious past and he had no idea about it.
We will deal with it if it comes.
“I never thought you had such a tragic past, do you have any clue at all as to where you came from?” Eznho asked.
“No, big brother, no matter how hard we tried, we could not remember a single thing,” Budoy answered with a downcast face.
“I am ready! Let’s go!” The gloomy atmosphere was broken by little Aiza when she came running with a yellow dress while draped in a fur coat and a yellow ribbon on her hair. She looked more adorable and cute that way.
“Big brother?” Budoy was not sure if they would push through with the outing.
“Don’t worry, he can’t do anything in the open and besides, the middle district has rules,” Eznho answered with confidence. Budoy nodded in response and his heavy feeling became lighter.
“Wow, little Aiza you look good on your dress,” Minchin commented.
“Thank you aunt Minchin, how do you like it, big brother?” Little Aiza looked at the two boys.
“It looks good on you,”
“You look adorable in that,”
Budoy and Eznho spoke at the same time, which made the atmosphere awkward.
“Hahaha, thank you,”
Little Aiza found it funny and bowed in a ladylike manner then hugged Eznho and Budoy. The atmosphere became jubilant after little Aiza’s performance, she was the star of the family.
“Alright, it’s getting late, we should head out and enjoy the day,” Eznho spoke with enthusiasm and the group left the house to explore the middle district.
.....
“What a lucky day, never would have I thought that I would find the siblings in my old house,” A middle-aged man sitting on a chair while sipping wine was feeling delightful. He was the merchant who was met by Budoy and Aiza. His name was Alibaba.
“I had to sell the house to procure more money and buy little girls and offer it to the fatso. If I could acquire that little girl, it would fetch me a great price. I have to investigate things first, I have to know who is standing at the back of those two,”
Alibaba furrowed his brows while thinking of a solution, the middle district has rules and protects its residents. He could not do anything rashly.
“Onyok,” He shouted.
“What is it, milord?” A silhouette appeared and spoke.
“Investigate everything about the people who bought one of my houses,” Alibaba instructed.
“Your wish is my command milord,” The silhouette acknowledged and disappeared.
“I have to visit the fatso later on and offer the girls,” Alibaba mumbled to himself and gulped down the wine.
.....
Eznho and the group walked around the middle district and explored the place. They entered shops and even bought some things even though Minchin was trying to tell to be thrifty. Little Aiza was all smiles the whole time which affected everyone around her. People who even saw her found her adorable and cute.
They went for lunch at the Good Taste Restaurant and ate a sumptuous meal. After that, little Aiza was still energetic so they continued the tour, this made everyone broaden their horizon and familiarized themselves with the place.
The group was on their way home when they met their neighbors, they introduced themselves to each other. They even had a daughter with the same age as Aiza. Everyone was tired when they got home, except for Eznho, he still had to go somewhere else later on.
Unknown to the group, a shadow was tailing them and noted every place they visited and every move they made.