ATAPOW Chapter 93
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Chapter 93: Miracle
Inside a small tavern in a certain, unknown alley of the Border Town.
This small tavern looked very unremarkable on the outside and its interior decoration seemed to be ordinary and mediocre. The customers inside could be counted on one hand, with the majority being completely intoxicated drunkards.
The little bell attached to the front door rang as a charming youth, clad in orderly ceremonial robes with a light blue fringe, entered the small and unnoticeable building.
The owner, who had been lying and snoring on the counter, dazedly lifted his head.
“Look at that, Mr Gordon is on time as always.”
“Mhm. The usual, a full glass of beer.” Gordon smiled as he sat before the counter.
“How is Boss Zhao’s business these days?”
“Sigh, how could it be different? I’m just idling my time away. These weary old bones of mine can no longer see the dawn of a new horizon. It’s incomparable to youngsters like you, whose prospects are bright and promising like the rising sun.” Said Boss Zhao while letting out a hearty laugh. He went behind the counter after putting away the few wine glasses that had fallen over on it.
Gordon casually took the neatly stacked newspaper that hung beside the counter. It had seemingly just been purchased this morning.
The headlines bolded in black words managed to attract his attention.
‘Shocking news! The curtains have dropped on the demon invasion with the frontline knights being found not guilty! The truth is actually this horrifying!?’
The characters below were densely piled up, one line after the other. Half of it described the temple trial as fair and impartial, while one-quarter of it was analyzing the so-called developments that incident had caused and the compelling circumstances behind it.
Gordon selectively browsed through the article and roughly understood its content. It briefly described the arrangements in the aftermath of the trial that had taken place on the day before yesterday. The frontline knights had been found not guilty and set free, while the truth behind the situation had been dugout. It was reported that a certain supervisor from the Chivalric Order of Radiant Knights’ border branch had collaborated together with a knight leader in an attempt to spark a rebellion. When that failed, they had shifted the blame onto the frontline knights. Now that the truth had come to light, the section chief had brought them to justice and executed them on the spot.
“The direction society is heading to is becoming more and more unfriendly to commoners. Even the Chivalric Order of Radiant Knights has traitors appearing within it, I really wonder what benefits those traitors received from the demons…” Boss Zhao carried a full glass of bubbling beer in his hands as he returned to the counter.
Gordon smiled. Without commenting much, he lifted the large beer glass and drained the liquor inside with one gulp.
“Where’s Rain, Boss Zhao? Why don’t I see that child around here?”
“She… Is on the second floor, sitting on a summer chair while basking in the sun. I’ve really let that child down…” As Boss Zhao talked about the subject, he revealed a bitter smile. A wave of gloominess overcame him.
“Is that child a little better now?”
“…Her mood seemed better.”
“Can I go up and see her?”
“Sigh, alright. That kid doesn’t have any friends, and the only person she can strike a conversation with is you…”
On the second floor of the tavern, a small girl, looking no older than fifteen years, was sitting on the balcony. Her small and exquisite facial features resemble that of a silent porcelain doll.
Lil’ Rain was seemingly very afraid of the cold; A blanket covered her body on top of the western style dress she wore. Her long black hair laid scattered on the ground, while her beautiful black pupils were devoid of any luster. In its place was a darkness so empty it was horrifying.
Just like usual, Lil’ Rain, who was enjoying bathing herself in the rays of the afternoon’s sun, suddenly felt someone lightly placing a hand on her shoulder.
“Big Brother Gordon? Is it you?”
“Oh? You’re able to recognize me immediately even when I don’t say anything?” Gordon was smiling and squeezed the young and tender cheeks of Lil’ Rain.
“I am already fifteen years old, so can Big Brother Gordon stop treating me like a child, okay?” Lil’ Rain pouted her lips, seemingly unhappy with Gordon’s actions.
“Haha. Does Lil’ Rain have any dreams? For instance, being a dancer or something like that?”
“No…” Lil’ Rain shook her head like a rattle-drum.
“Hm? Is there really nothing?”
“…If I really have to pick something, then I choose to be able to take a look at Big Brother Gordon’s face.”
“Hehe. I want to see whether Big Brother Gordon looks like the very handsome stud in my imagination.” Lil’ Rain smiled as if she was cracking a joke.
“This is your dream?? Isn’t that a bit too insignificant? What’s there on my face that’s good for you to look at?” Asked Gordon in a teasing manner.
“No… This is an unattainable dream to me.” Lil’ Rain turned her head over, her spiritless and empty eyes attempting to look towards the position Gordon was at.
“I am on your left side, Lil’ Rain.”
“Eh? Is that so? Oh.” Only then did Lil’ Rain succeed with turning her head towards Gordon.
“This dream is not necessarily distant at all. What did Old Zhao say all the time? That if you bask in the sun every day, there inevitably will be one day your eyes will regain their vision?
“Pfft… Does Big Brother Gordon actually believe in the fairy tale that my old man invented? Lil’ Rain has given up on believing it long ago.” Said Lil’ Rain in laughter while covering her mouth.
“Then why do you still bask in the sun every day? Aren’t you still holding on to a trace of hope by doing that?”
“…” Lil’ Rain didn’t respond.
“Boss Zhao didn’t lie. I am looking at your eyes and I can tell that they’ve already more or less recovered.” Gordon gave a warm smile.
“Mr Gordon, lying to a disabled person is actually a very unethical thing, you know.”
“Haha, I‘ve never uttered a lie before.” Gordon lightly caressed Lil’ Rain’s supple head and closed his eyes. As he uttered a series of reduplicative syllables in a low voice, a chanting that sounded as warm and inviting as the winter sun resounded.
“Puar emisit, veda en demum tuem Senctus Deminus………dimittet vebis pacaete vastre……”
A gentle halo made up of warm hue colors blossomed out of Gordon’s hand. Like spirits with intelligence, the light elements seemed to have discovered something and came pouring down into Lil’ Rain empty eyes one after the other…
“Have a good dream, Lil’ Rain. Only after you’ve woken up will your life truly begin.” Gordon caressed the young girl that had fallen asleep with her eyes closed and left the floor.
“…” After a long time had passed.
“…Eh? Have I fallen asleep? …Are you still here, Big Brother Gordon?” Lil’ Rain raised her eyelids as she always did. In her opinion, this action was completely meaningless.
However, what had awaited and welcomed her when she opened her eyes this time was the dazzling sunlight outside the window.
The bustling streets, the scorching warm sun, red tiles, bricks of a building, and the ringing clock tower in the distance. This garish display of colors and the vibrant expressions of the passersby on the street had been vividly presented in her eyes.
“T-This is…” As she took in the sight, traces of tears filled Lil’ Rain’s eyes.
…………
“So, what type of person is the Chivalric Head?”
“…” Lan Yi suddenly turned silent.
“…A cold and detached killer decisive in her decisions that is emotionless, two-faced, and a daughter-con.”
“After hearing you say all that, I suddenly feel a great sense of danger…” Ji Bai slightly knitted his eyebrows.
“That was in the past. As for now… You should head in by yourself, you will know once you enter.” Lan Yi didn’t explain further as she turned around and left.
“…Why does this building’s aesthetic look a bit vampirish? Did someone from the higher-ups personally issue an edict to construct the central management building in this manner?” Ji Bai’s eyebrows were tightly creased and the corner of his lips quivered slightly.
The bat sculptures adorning the roof gave him a feeling as if he had returned to prison once more.