Chapter 12: Defiance
The entire place was quiet. People burst into cold sweat. Not daring to make a single noise, they walked towards the tax collectors sitting on the chairs and placed the coins on the table.
"This village... Is developed... I like it" The devil-like man said with a horror-inducing smile on his face.
His presence alone was terrifying let alone his voice.
"All of you're quite honest eh?" The Local Officials quickly nodded their head but the sarcasm in the voice was still fresh.
A deep sarcastic voice...
A smile appeared on his face. A smile that wasn't humanely possible. As he looked around the smile just widened even further, to a point that it seemed as though his face would rip apart.
"All of you seem to have a peaceful life thanks to us the officials."
They didn't complain.
"All of you are provided with hope of living due to opportunities provided by us."
They didn't hope.
"Well fed because of us.'
They barely dared to think or breathe in his presence.
"Y'all should be grateful to us."
That was the way it should be, for they were commoners, peasants, beggars.
They were already fortunate to be in his presence. They were—
He froze. Kervan froze as his eyes spotted a tinny little figure hiding behind her mother.
She looked scared, disturbed, terrified. At least that was what her body language said.
Action spoke louder than words.
However her eyes... There was defiance present in them...
Embers— No! Flames of defiance erupted within those two little eyes. Flames that dared to burn, Flames that threatened to engulf him.
Reflexively he took a step back before the monster realized what he was doing.
He! He was scared of such a little girl...
Hahaha!
Interesting! Interesting!
That smile...! Mornil frowned. His instincts were screaming to run from here.
That smile appeared on the abomination's face for a split second before vanishing. But the chills within Mornil's bones remained.
Is he gonna kill everyone here?
Or am I just overthinking?
Even if he doesn't look like a human that smile of his...
It wasn't just a reflexive smile...
His instincts were screaming to run away from here. But he was currently within the line of paying tax. Running away would be akin to screaming that I won't pay tax.
Clenching his fist he kept his instincts in control.
Something's wrong.. Very wrong.
And it seemed like his guess was very right.
"Stop." His booming voice reached everyone's ears.
"You... come here." For a second it seemed as though everyone's heart paused, hoping that this monster hadn't pointed towards them.
Many were relieved after looking at the direction in which the finger was pointed.
The center of attention was... Loyola. She froze with confusion written all over her face.
"M-me?" She stuttered.
"No. Not you. The little offspring of yours." Loyola's heart sank even more.
"Y-your grace... Has my child-offended y-...ou?"
"Bring her!" His booming voice alon seemed to produce a Shockwave that shook Loyola's soul.
"Your Grace! Forgive her!" She finally mustered up all the courage within her heart. Finally, she looked back at the monster who seemed to be as calm as ever.
The Local Officials instantly jumped off their seats and rushed towards Loyola.
"No! Please don't!" Loyola begged however it was of no use as Sera was snatched from her hand. Mornil was frozen on the spot.
Sera? Why Sera?
Tears instantly flooded the little child's eyes.
As the monster looked into her eyes he paused yet again. Those tears. They weren't tears invoked by fear... No, they were tears that came out due to the pain. Those locals were rough as they snatched her.
"Kid." The monster growled. "You seemed dissatisfied. Don't you."
"I..." It was well within everyone's expectations. The fact that she didn't cry upon seeing this abomination was already impressive. Even an adult wouldn't be able to speak properly in front of this creature, let alone a child.
But the next few sequences of actions surprised everyone
"I... I'm shocked sniff." She wiped her tears. "No one is well fed, no one is living in peace. Mom... She has to work till night and past few days she doesn't even sleep properly. Waaaa, nothing is taken care of!"
Silence. Speechless.
Was this really a child?
He squinted. His Corpse eyes clearly discerned her age. Indeed, she was a child.
If so, this was too daring for a commoner!
"Does anyone else think so too?" Silence. No one spoke a word.
"No! She's lying." One of the local officials tried to protest but one single gaze and he became quiet. They had an urge to rip this child apart.
"You, this little thing's owner. Come here." Loyola rushed towards Sera the moment she gained the permission.
"Sir forgive her!" She begged as she embraced Sera.
"Forgive you? You haven't done anything wrong." Even though he tried to sound gentle his booming voice just negated the effect.
"Here. Take this." He suddenly extended a leather pouch towards her. God knows from where this pouch appeared.
At first, Loyola didn't even look at it but then hesitantly took the pouch. The moment she looked inside her pupils dilated.
"Gold?"
"And here, one for you too little one." Sera extended her hand and received that one single gold coin.
A commotion erupted. They all had expected that she'd be beheaded but what was this?
Mornil who was still frozen suddenly became even more horrified. His stomach churned as his instincts kicked in.
Something bad... very bad is about to happen.
...
The sun was slowly sinking.
A total of five other people had received the so-called reward.
Arbiter narrowed his eyes as he glanced at Kervan.
"Your Grace. What's the point of killing those people."
"Defiance. Those people had defiance engraved within their bones."
"So if you saw a group of ants with defiance walking in front of you, would you go out of your way to l squash them?"
"Yes. And I shall squash you too if you continue to show this kind of defiance. Know your place."
The arbiter felt a wave of headache coming towards him. This man was too dumb. His acting was so bad, this Arbiter wanted to puke.
Well... I'm stuck with him for a few years...