It was pretty easy to get in and out of the city with a knight with me. They didn’t even have to question anything, even entering during the night. At any rate, for now, we were in the clear. There should be nothing to worry about now that we had executed my knights’ replacements. And no one would know about it.
After our quick work, I sent Elyscia to unite with the other two. Apparently, their barracks was at the castle. Pretty near the hero, I have to say. However, we should take our time. Too risky to be rash right now. For now, I had everyone garner some information. So that at least we’d be familiar with who or what we would be facing. We should not go in blind.
With all that said, I was now all alone. And Elyscia gave me some allowance. Thinking about it, it is kind of weird to say that… A master getting an allowance from her servant. But, whatever…
Anyway, I was at the luxury hotel’s restaurant eating some cake. I missed cake. I had been wanting to eat some since I came out. Sweet things, I love them all. And now that I am undead, I need not worry about damaging my health.
I sliced the cake with my fork and put the cake in my mouth. The cake smoothly melted on my tongue, and the sweet flavor filled my senses. Pleased, I closed my eyes as I savored the flavor. Being free has never been more great.
I opened my eyes and saw my reflection sitting opposite me, glaring at me.
“You would find satisfaction in such a little thing? Souls are more nourishing than any human sustenance.”
Would you please just shut up?
“It is true.”
I frowned before eating my cake again.
Is it really that agonizing for you to see me happy?
She frowned. “Enjoy it while it lasts. Happiness is fleeting.”
And so is suffering. Just like how I got away from you.
“For now. Even your freedom is not forever. We will take control, eventually. We are patient.”
And I will not let you get your way. Now be silent. You sour the food.
She grinned. “All the more reason to stay.”
I realized I made a mistake with my words. Annoyed, I averted my eyes away from her. But she just placed her foot on the table. Even though she was just basically an illusion, or ghost, and wouldn’t even touch any physical matter in the real world, it was still disgusting. So I pulled in my cake and pointed a glare at her.
Just find another hobby.
“This is our hobby.”
I clicked my tongue and looked away. I noticed the people in the restaurant often glancing at me. They seemed intrigued and curious. I could even hear their hushed whispers at each other.
“Look at that girl.”
“She’s so pretty.”
“Is she a nobility?”
I was not particularly that beautiful back when I was living. But now I have completely changed. I was now basically flawless. Humanity had many flaws after all. Sweating, oil, pimples, scars, dry, rough skin, and so on. And I had none of those anymore. If I had to be humbly honest, I had become more beautiful than before.
“That’s because death is beautiful. It frees everything from all things good and bad. A liberation from the restraints of life. It is the fairest of all.”
And I was supposed to reflect that. Honestly, I just thought because I was basically undead now that my form changed. Just how my knights changed. But if this reflection of me said it, it may make some sense. She was quite prideful, at least I could trust her when it came to glazing death or herself. I guess me and my servants were reflections of death.
I ignored her and continued on my food. Now I noticed that I wasn’t feeling full or anything.
What…?
Would I never get full, ever…? But then again, where would the food I ate go? It felt like there was a pit in my stomach that just devoured the food into nothingness. I let out a sigh. It was fine if I lost this part of my being. What’s important is that I still had a sense of taste. I was satisfied with that.
“Pardon me, miss,” a waitress said after she approached. “Do you still wish for more?” she said in the most respectful tone.
I smiled. “Thank you, but I’m done.” I stood up. “That cake was delicious. Give my best regards to the chef.”
The waitress blushed and bowed her head. “Y-Yes, I will.”
With that, I headed outside of the hotel. I looked up, and the sun’s light and warmth touched my face. Today, I was to look around the place. To see what had changed. And also to see what this city had going on.
I started walking down the street, it truly was a crowded and busy place. There were stores in buildings selling all kinds of things. Wooden crafts, foods, flowers, paintings, and whatever. I reached a park and saw some musicians playing music.
It was then I recalled something. I have been here before. The layout was mostly the same, except for the change of the buildings. Thinking back on that time, I traced my steps. I was alone. My classmates were doing whatever they wanted. Many of them toured in groups. As for me, either because I just wanted to be alone, or just couldn’t find a group that would suit me.
Anyway, it was not that bad to be walking alone. It had its own charm, like enjoying and savoring things at your own pace.
I walked far and then stopped when I remembered this specific part of the city. In the past, this was a pauper’s district. Where the poor mostly were. Things were shabby back then, houses were old and creaky, dirty. The streets were disgusting and dirty people were sitting on corners.
And now, it was all clean. The buildings were new and shiny. No beggars or anything. I had to say, it was interesting to see. Cyrus really made a great kind of achievement. People were happy, and thinking that made me feel something deep within me… something unpleasant.
After walking some steps, I paused and turned to look towards a particular alley. The buildings had changed, but the alleyway was still here. I saw a kid suffering in hunger here once.
***
I had a small bag with me. Inside was some bread. It was morning, and I was quite hungry. But I was also interested in looking around this new medieval city. I wouldn’t say it was quite beautiful. Wooden houses, or those made of bricks. They were quite simple.
I took a bite of the bread I grabbed from the bag. It was delicious. It had some sweetness in them. However, I was a bit disappointed that I didn’t have a lot of choices to eat while traveling around. It would have been nice if there were some burgers or waffles. But what did I expect in this setting?
I noticed some of the common people staring at me. They must have recognized I was someone special or something, considering my outfit. It was so well made compared to the shabby clothes the commoners had. Still, it made me feel quite shy and self-conscious.
I bit on my food again.
As I walked around with no destination in mind, I arrived at a peculiar place. Compared to the nearby buildings in this area, things were more gloomy. There were dirty, raggy people sitting on the street. A drunk man holding a bottle was walking around with a limp, muttering something inaudible.
Did I just get to a poor zone or something?
Realizing that, I got more scared. This kind of place meant more danger. Especially for a lone girl like me. But thankfully, not like I was completely defenseless when something happened. At any rate, I should hurry out of here and proceed onward.
Clenching my food tightly in my arms to prevent them from being snatched, I proceeded with a faster pace. I didn’t attempt to run, because it would only garner more attention. As I walked, one weird man suddenly came in my way, he held out his hand, as if begging for food.
I winced and quickly moved away from him, avoiding his dirty, dusty hands. I also had to be careful, any one of these approaching me might threaten me with a knife or anything. The desperate could get desperate, you know. It made me nervous.
A moment later of rushed footsteps, I arrived at a cleaner area. I leaned on a building and let out a relieved sigh. I lived, nothing bad happened to me. Medieval settings typically had looser rules, and well, murder might be more common. I could defend myself, but I would certainly rather avoid trouble and not hurt anyone, or just get myself hurt in any way.
Okay, time to get back to it.
I took a step forward when I noticed a boy sitting on the floor in an alley, leaning his back against a wall. He was dirty, grime stuck to his brown hair, mud on his clothes. He seemed around eleven or twelve years old. Hearing me, he looked up at me for a moment. His face looked pretty terrible, depressing, in fact.
He lowered his head back, and his stomach growled in hunger. He overall looked so pitiful. Thinking about his plight, I glanced at my bag of bread. I subtly groan.
Fine… He has it worse than me.
This one time, perhaps I’d help someone. Some people commonly have something that others rarely have. Even the simplest things like food. Well, the kid didn’t pester me, so he was on my good side.
I walked over to the kid.
“Hey kid.” He slowly looked up at me. “You hungry? Here.” I handed him the bag forcefully.
“... This is…” He was confused.
“Food.” I smiled. “Don’t waste it.”
His eyes widened, staring at me. Was receiving something really that shocking?
Feeling a bit awkward, I just said what only came to mind. “Good luck.” And with that, I walked away.
I continued with my tour, and I had to buy some food again for myself.
***
This spot here definitely was that same place.
“Are you seriously reminiscing about your good deeds?”
My reflection appeared. And she stood where I stood once. She formed a gentle face. “Ah, the child was so pitiful. Suffering in hunger. No child deserves such suffering. Isn’t that your thoughts?”
That’s none of your business.
“Was it worth it, acting like a good person?”
Was I ever bad?
“Good question. It’s more like you try to be.”
What’s wrong with that? People always try to be good. We lose nothing in that.
“A good deed is rewarded with goodness. I must say, you were quite adorable when you gave that boy your food. This face did that?” She chuckled as she held out her hand at her own face.
Indeed, that face, my face in the past. Thinking about it, I might not have done anything if I didn’t feel pity. But still, I did. Did that count for something?
“Was it all worth it?”
What…?
“You acted good, but where did that end in? Where did that get you?”
Are you saying I shouldn’t have acted like a good person?
“If acting good leads to suffering, is it really worth it? Don’t criminals become rich so easily? And good people suffer everyday just to grind for money to live. Criminals garner riches a day that a common person would get in their lifetime.”
Perhaps living as a good person is what matters.
“What a stupid way to live. Do you really believe that?”
… I don’t know.
“Some good deeds are just not worth it. What matters is yourself above all. You should have tried to save yourself back in that cave, too. That’s how your classmates survived, and you suffered.”
I frowned. He might be right. I tried to find a way to save everyone, without having to sacrifice anyone else. Maybe if I also started pointing fingers, I might have been spared from the torment.
“Do you understand it now?”
I groaned and shook my head, walking away from this piece of the past. I continued walking around the city, things were beautiful in this festive season. Then, people started gathering and walking together in droves.
I paused, curious at what was going on.
“Come on, hurry up!” said one man, beckoning his friend.
“Why? What’s going on?”
“The hero is out of the castle!”
“Wait really?!”
“Yes. Now come on!”
I felt my chest become heavy when I heard that. The hero, Cyrus, is here outside, walking down the street. That adventurer did mention that he would often go out in the city. But he certainly garnered an intense amount of attention.
“What are you going to do?”
I felt nervous…
“Wouldn’t even try to see him?”
I clenched my fist.
Of course I would take a look.