Expected Truth

  ?When Blade landed back in the Origin Realm, the first thing he did was contact Aisha.

  ?“Where are you?”

  ?It took some time before he got a response, which came with a cute emoji. It didn’t take long before Blade realized she really liked the emojis, often sending them with each message or sending just emojis. Blade didn’t know why, but he simply found the trait cute and a bit funny, even.

  ?From her messages, he got that she was still in the village. Before he left, Severance spoke her mind.

  ?“Are you sure it’s best to leave now? You made Caliburn twice, used Heavenly Reversal against the creatures, and have been using it to enhance yourself. You have grown stronger and can now do most normal things here, but you still need more to move at the speeds you are used to.”

  ?He took time to think. She was right, he hadn’t really taken a proper moment to rest after battling Raiden. It had really only been the time he was unconscious. He had also used a good portion of his Mora. Even if he had a lot, it didn’t mean he could use it infinitely. On the other hand, he was more interested in going and meeting up with Aisha than staying here for another unneeded second.

  ?“Yeah, it’s definitely not the brightest idea. But we can’t remain in the Abyss forever. Also, the Overseer is probably frantically looking for me, you can guess what would happen if it’s found out that I and Aisha are related.”

  ?Sighing, Severance relented, though not before adding.

  ?“At least eat something. Remember that I am a part of you, not the other way around. You are still human and have human needs, even if I don’t.”

  ?At her acceptance and suggestion, Blade smiled as he began walking. He couldn’t hurry, unless he wanted to reopen his wounds, but he did use the time to recharge his Mora.

  ?Stopping at the first village he found, he truly saw the difference in society. Unlike Central City, there was no proper technology here. Central City was easily the size of a country, yet every part of it was flourishing. Was this then the cost of it all? What was truly the price of everything they flaunted? And when was it enough?

  ?Walking through the village, he wore a long, black hooded cape covering him. The guards were still hunting him, and he doubted they would stop because of some innocent casualties.

  ?Was there truly such a thing as taking it too far? Could everything be justified as doing it for the greater good?

  ?Buying a bag of buns, he sat cross-legged on the highest rooftop there was. What did it mean to fight for the greater good or for one’s own evil? Did it truly make a difference in the grand scheme of things? And if it was, what were the people around him? Or a better question, what was he?

  ?It had never mattered, nor had he cared, and it wasn’t like he was trying to play any moral high ground. How much should good and evil really matter in defining someone?

  ?Letting out a sigh, he continued looking over the horizon. Even with everything going on, the world was still beautiful. Weird, but pretty. Maybe that was the magic of this place. beauty even in ruin. The sigh was relaxing if nothing else, though he wondered how right it was to feel this relaxed when the people under him were struggling.

  ?Crushing the now empty bag of buns and tossing it in a trash bin, he landed back on the ground. The place looked worse than the slums he had met Aisha in. After some thought, it made sense. The place Aisha had been in had been under the direct protection of Raiden before she was forced to join the Overseer. That must have given them some fame and power, even if it was little.

  ?How could he help them? Unlike Raiden, he didn’t have the type of fame that would ward people off, and even if he did, it wouldn’t be of use here as he wouldn’t stay here. He couldn’t support them via food or water, but what about their economy?

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  ?Blade himself did not have enough money to help them, but what if he could help them gain their own?

  ?Walking around, he looked at the different shops that found themselves there. That is when he noticed the majority of the shops, or at least the biggest ones.

  ?Walking into what seemed like the best one, which was still pretty rough, it looked stale, to say the least. The place was dusty. As he walked, though, he felt an uneasy presence.

  ?Drawing Severance against the neck of an individual, the flicker of the light revealed a rough man in his forties, carrying a hammer aimed at Blade’s head.

  ?“Tell me, kiddo, do you enjoy threatening old men?” the man let out after a while. Blade unsummoning Severance apologized for his mistake before asking.

  ?“I’m sorry for my actions, but could I ask why you were trying to kill me?”

  ?“Well, what else do you do when some unknown stranger tries to break in?” The older man huffs, putting down the hammer on a smithing table before continuing.

  ?“My name is Rugo. Now what are you doing here, kid?”

  ?As Blade took off his hood, he said.

  ?“Well, the sign said the place was open. Is this not a shop?”

  ?“Open? Ah, that rascal forgot to change the sign... ah... I’m guessing you are here for Scar. Well, just wait a moment, she will soon be done with her current client.”

  ?Despite his words, the man showed far more shame than anyone would by simply forgetting to turn a sign. And who was this Scar girl? Before he managed to ask, a man came down from the staircase behind the counter, looking refreshed and relaxed as he went over to Rugo. Blade could tell he was well trained, and his long hair encapsulated his features as he placed a stack of cash on the table as he said.

  ?“Another good round. Here is the extra. And you know my offer still stands. Give her to me, and I’ll make sure you never have to worry again.”

  ?“Leave the money and leave,” Rugo said harshly, already wanting the man to go. The man stared at him, before understanding the clear hint and readying to leave, but then he noticed Blade.

  ?“Oh, hello there. I don’t believe I have met you before. My name is Kis.”

  ?“Hello, nice meeting you too,” Blade said, shaking his outstretched hand. Before the man looks at his watch.

  ?“Well, I will be on my way. If you ever need my expertise, you are welcome to come to my establishment. It is in the next village over.”

  ?He left his parting words as he excused himself, taking his briefcase with him. When he left the door, the man’s composure broke, as he let out a distressed sigh.

  ?“Are you okay?” Blade says, looking at his stressed expression. The man looks at him before shaking his head as he says.

  ?“That damned man, if it wasn’t for him... I wouldn’t need to do these damn things.”

  ?Tossing the money against the wall, he calms down as hurried steps come down the stairs. There, standing behind the counter, stood a girl with long red hair and nothing but a towel around her. Running up to Rugo, she asked.

  ?“Are you okay, father?”

  ?“Yes, darling, it’s just that man keeps taking advantage of you. And I can’t do anything about it. Why must it be you!?”

  ?Blade was unsure what to say or if he should even intervene. In the end, he decided to ask.

  ?“What do you mean? Is it okay if I ask?”

  ?“Ehm, sir, are you here for me as well?” Blade blinked blankly, obviously confused, before Rugo interjected.

  ?“No, he isn’t a bad guy, he just wants to help. Isn’t that right?”

  ?Looking at Blade pleadingly. Blade nodded. He wanted to help them in this situation they were in.

  ?“Can you tell me what’s going on?”

  ?Rugo exhaled slowly before saying.

  ?“This is Scarlet, my daughter. When she was young, she was cursed with the Succubus Mark. It makes her insatiably lust after whoever marked her, yet since the caster is gone, she only generates pheromones which entices both women and men.”

  ?He looked visibly disgusted by his own words, as if he was struggling with something.

  ?“I tried starting this workshop to sell weapons, but no luck. Due to my uselessness, my daughter is selling herself just so we can have a roof.”

  ?His agitation was palpable. He hated it with all his heart, yet could do nothing about it.

  ?“It feels good, though. What’s so bad?”

  Scarlet asked. Only then did Blade notice the bruises that covered her. No, they were more like deep scars forced onto her skin, yet she looked happy, like a kid playing a childish game. She didn’t understand the severity of her situation, but Rugo did as he firmly rejected her.

  ?“No, it’s not okay. Remember?”

  ?Scarlet let out a confused look, before leaving to wash herself at Rugo’s gesture. When she left, Rugo voiced his plea.

  ?“Please, kill Kis. I don’t care how much it will take or however much you need. I just can’t let my daughter go through this anymore. Not with him, not with anyone!”

  ?“I can, but why, Rugo?”

  ?“All those bruises covering her... all of them are because of him. If it wasn’t enough that he was defiling my daughter, he is also abusing her.”

  ?He suddenly fell on his knees.

  ?“Please, take whatever you want.”

  ?Blade offered him a hand as he helped him up.

  ?“I’ll take care of Kis for you. No charge.”

  ?Blade wanted to help them, protect them from their unfair situation, so if that meant killing, then that was fine with him.