'Foolish.'
"Today, we stood as the witnesses to the end of a man.... a creature with countless unspeakable sins."
'The word is bound to burn down, yet... look at you.'
The cry of curses and cheers of excitement in the Holy Site was overwhelming. So much so that it almost drowned his own thought.
"Today, the sword of justice shall speak! Once again, we shall strike fear in their tainted hearts!"
ROARRRRR.
The Holy Site roared. Under the emperor's blazing gaze and the frenzied crowd, he threw away his remaining intention of reasoning and negotiating. He opened his eyes, for the first time in how many years, looking from below.
He let his flesh be dragged across the ground without any resistance, eventually thrown under a gigantic sword that even a Viceroy would not dare to get close to.
'Was that all...? That was all I could remember.'
"RELEASE!"
SPLURT.
He closed his eyes and slowly opened them again. He tried to remember how long it had been since he was able to do that. It was intriguing, so much so that blinking had been his sole entertainment for the past couple of days.
Creak.
'Right...'
As usual, his stale, new days would always be accompanied, or perhaps more accurately, be interrupted by someone from his distant memory.
"Woman, why are you always in my chamber?"
Entering his small, damp room, a woman with brown hair and brown eyes smiled at him wearily. She was pale and frail, looking as if she was going to trip and fall over just by carrying that small bucket of water.
"...Julian, why would you say such things? Do you not want me here?" The woman asked, smiling gently.
The black-haired boy stared at the woman's face. He wondered how someone could be so different and similar at the same time. Her tender eyes, which were obviously tired, managed to let out such gentleness that even the north's wind may envy.
Unfortunately, that gentleness did not bring him any comfort. Rather, it repulsed him.
Slosh. Slosh.
Under Julian's cold gaze, the woman submerged an old, worn-out cloth into the cold water before wringing it lightly. She then wiped and patted the rough cloth on Julian's face. From there, she moved down to his neck, and then down to his hands and feet.
Julian's eyes clearly said that the woman's action was unwelcome, but the other party seemed completely clueless. She did whatever she wanted, ignoring all the hissing and the tongue clicking from the boy.
"Julian, the Trial is only a week away," the woman said, finally breaking the long silence.
"This again... Why must you keep reminding me?"
"I am only saying... It's fine to withdraw fro-"
"Get out."
"Son, please, why-"
"Don't make me repeat myself."
Repulsive. That word could not properly describe that twisting feeling within his heart. Why? Why? So many questions in his mind, yet the answers always struck back at him with another set of torturous questions.
Julian had gotten tired of her constant pestering. As weird as it felt for him to say it, he needed time and space.
"I will leave now..."
Perhaps his mother was also tired of him, as she made her way out without anymore words. His eyes, before hateful, turned regretful as he saw the frail figure leaving the room.
"...Why have I returned here?"
He was clueless about why he returned to his younger self. He was already certain that the ownership of the Amulet had been transferred. He knew and was certain that the Amulet would not take effect.
Yet, he had returned.
'It's unbearable.'
He gazed out of the window to his side. The expansive charred lands, the dark clouds stretching to the end of the horizon, and the crows chucking onto the carcasses scattered around. His mind had not truly forgotten it, even after years had passed.
It was the same as he remembered.
"Right, today is the day..."
At the foot of the hill, Julian saw a group of men, with a few teens and even children were making their way up. They were dressed haggardly, fitting for the lands beneath them, and in their hands, they held makeshift weapons made from farming and rearing tools.
'Finally.'
Finally, the day that he had waited for had come. Much was on his mind since he arrived there, yet no clear directions had been found. While it may just be wishful thinking, he thoroughly believed that day would provide him with the greatly needed conviction.
"Joseph, why do you keep bothering us about this?!"
"Maria, O' Maria... Why, you asked? Have we not been fairly lax on your family all this time?" The man with black spots all over his face spoke. Tapping the makeshift spear on his shoulder, he continued, "So why is it so hard for you to cooperate just this once?"
"Right, you son would do just fine next year... Why must you let things drag this long?" a man with a hunched back chimed.
"Everyone did lots just to ensure your family is fed. We did lots to hold the promise of your late husband," another one chimed in.
Standing before the barely intact house, the 'guests' were circling and pressuring the homeowner. Intentional or not, some of the men kept tapping and pointing their weapons toward Maria each time she spoke or was about to argue.
Before long, the only voices heard and echoed in that yard were just of the unwelcome guests.
"Ma'am, I am sure Julian will understand. Why not let us speak to him this time? I am sure you would also prefer it that way..." A boy, clean and sharp-looking, spoke among the crowd.
"...No"
"And why is that? Last time, he fell and lost his memories? What about today? Did his legs get accidentally chopped?" A man yelled out, his voice impatient.
"Marly, I never take you to do this kind of thing," Maria spoke in a low voice.
"Tch, that stuff doesn't matter no-," the boy's words were cut short. With a bright expression, he spoke, "Julian! You finally show up, huh?"
Slipping through the already opened door, Julian's eyes swept across the entire yard.
There were many men, most were twice his size. With their number, they may be able to take on a beast or two with just a few casualties. Yet, he felt little to no threat coming from them. Whether it was because of the long life he had experienced, or the sloppy way those men were holding their weapons, he did not know.
"Maria, get in inside," Julian called out to her mother, calmly making his way toward the intruders.
"Whoa, whoa, Julian... Calm down, let us talk this out properly," the boy confidently urged, sneakily gazing at the sword in Julian's hand.
"Why are you still standing there? You know that I hate to repeat myself, right?"
Julian let out a sigh as he looked at his mother, who seemed to have frozen in space. He cannot describe even the emotions shown on his mother's face, let alone guess what was going through her mind to stand so worriless in front of an armed group.
Step.
He walked toward his mother, gently tapping her hand with the pommel of his sword.
"Ah, Julian..."
"Get inside, and don't even peek outside."
"Wh-"
"Inside. We are just going to talk this out."
"A-All right..."
A little surprised how easy it was to convince her mother to leave, Julian's eyes followed his mother all the way until she was in the house.
"Julian, it's good to see you again."
"..."
"Why are you looking at the door? You are the one who sent her away... See, shouldn't have acted so heroic now, should we?" Marlion snickered.
"She's inside now," Julian muttered, turning his head back to the bunch.
Julian was relieved and was a little ashamed. He was relieved because there wouldn't be anyone who would be bothering him. As for why he was ashamed, he just felt terrible for lying to his mother so early into his new life.
[Marlion Brundells(Soldier)][Arcana's Whispers]
State: Unawakened
Fate: 20
[Broks Witterflower(Peasant)][Eagle Eye]
State: Unawakened
Fate: 0
[Yousua Limpfeather(Peasant)][Poet's Thought]
State: Unawakened
Fate: 0
Shing.
Julian drew his sword. He already knew what was bound to happen that day. He already knew the sins those disgusting men were going to commit. Thus, he did not want to waste unnecessary words on them.
Step.
Shirrk.
A step. That was all it took for Julian to cross the distance between him and his enemies. A slash. That was all he needed to decapitate a man.
Thud.
"aH- A-Are you crazy, Julian?!"
His eyes landed and swept across the yard once again. Those that were loud before had gone quiet. Those who spread their chest proudly before were panicking. He sent his gaze at the puddle of blood that was stretching between his feet.
[Julian Swordshards(Peasant)][Greed(Earth Fold)(X)]
State: Unawakened
Fate: 0
Blessed Servant.