Chapter 24: You Are My Faith (V)

Previous Chapter ◊ Table of Content ◊ Next Chapter

Chapter 24: You Are My Faith (V)

Shang Ke’s gaze followed Tylor until he disappeared from sight. This man was the “culprit” responsible for repeatedly defeating the original Osari and ultimately driving him into the Devil’s Tree’s camp.

According to the original course of events, even after Osari became a King-level Apostle, he still did not dare confront Tylor directly. Instead, he secretly corrupted one of Tylor’s friends, ultimately causing Tylor to be killed by that ill-intentioned companion during the second attempt to seal the Devil’s Tree.

Had that not happened, given Tylor’s strength and willpower, he would undoubtedly have been one of the warriors who ultimately sealed the Devil’s Tree.

Shang Ke couldn’t arbitrarily decide that this man was Ravel just because of a mole. But if he really was the same person, then one of Shang Ke’s additional missions would very likely involve him. Of course, that was assuming Shang Ke survived the main mission first.

Shang Ke withdrew his gaze. He was in no hurry to arrange a long-awaited reunion with this “old flame.” As long as he stayed with Kaiser, the other important characters would eventually start popping up like bubbles. His job was simply to pop the black-hearted ones and leave the good ones floating.

“Shang Ke, sorry to keep you waiting.” Kaiser emerged from the academic building looking refreshed and called for Shang Ke to head home with him.

Shang Ke finished weaving the decorative cord in his hands, tied it around Pupu’s wrist, and only then stood up.

The three of them had barely reached the academy gates when they noticed a crowd gathered nearby. Two students appeared to be fighting. Such incidents were commonplace at a martial academy and occurred every few days. As long as no one was crippled or killed, the school generally turned a blind eye.

Unfortunately, the two students accidentally dragged several bystanders into the fight, and the duel quickly turned into an all-out brawl. Those who had been angered, those taking the opportunity to strike dirty blows, the naturally combative, and those who simply wanted to join the excitement… soon, everyone was fighting together.

Shang Ke couldn’t help sighing inwardly: Ah, the fiery passion of youth.

He had barely finished admiring that “passion” when some of it came flying directly at him. A longsword slipped from someone’s hand and shot straight toward his face.

Shang Ke instinctively shielded Pupu. Kaiser’s long arm shot out and accurately caught the sword by its hilt. The blade sliced across Shang Ke’s hood, followed by the unmistakable sound of fabric tearing.

Several strands of black hair fluttered in the wake of the blade as Shang Ke’s hood slipped down, fully revealing his face.

His appearance did not attract too much attention because nearly everyone was focused on the brawl. Only a handful of people gave him a second glance, and one of them was Tylor, who had just emerged from the building.

“Shang Ke, are you all right?” Kaiser tossed the sword to the ground, visibly displeased. “These people are getting more and more ridiculous. Fighting right at the academy gates without caring whether they hurt innocent bystanders.”

“I’m fine.” Shang Ke smiled, unconcerned.

“Then let’s go.” Kaiser placed a hand on Shang Ke’s shoulder, smiling brightly.

Tylor watched the two of them walk away, his gaze darkening slightly.

Was that Osari? He’s back after five years? He seems to have changed considerably. And yet… Tylor frowned. He couldn’t even dodge a randomly flying sword just now?

Forget it. None of that had anything to do with him. Tylor did not dwell on the matter. Although Osari had once been mentioned alongside him as one of the academy’s greatest talents, Tylor had never thought particularly highly of the man. He had possessed enormous talent, but he had also been arrogant and far too obsessed with winning and losing. What Tylor valued in a person had never been strength, but character.

“We’re here.” Kaiser pushed open the courtyard gate and gestured for Shang Ke to enter first.

It was an independent residence with its own courtyard. Weeds had overrun the grounds, making it obvious that no one had tended to the place in quite some time.

For the protagonist of this world, Kaiser was certainly living rather modestly at this stage of his life. Later, however, he would marry Tylor’s younger sister, the little princess of the Holy Empire.

“You two can stay in this room.” Kaiser led Shang Ke and Pupu to the guest room beside the master bedroom. The furniture was reasonably complete, but dust had accumulated everywhere and cobwebs filled the corners.

Shang Ke looked around. “I think I’m going to need a few rags and a bucket of clean water.”

Kaiser rubbed his nose, finally beginning to feel a little embarrassed. He had personally invited someone to stay at his home, only to bring them to a place that looked this run-down.

Shang Ke tied cloth over both his and Pupu’s mouths and noses, and the “father and daughter” began cleaning.

Shang Ke handled the large surfaces and layers of dust, while Pupu wielded a little wooden stick against the cobwebs hiding in the corners.

“Pupu, if you see a spider and get scared, call me,” Shang Ke instructed.

Pupu nodded solemnly, then began brandishing her wooden stick as she searched the room for “enemies” hiding in every corner.

After three hours of teamwork, the father-and-daughter pair finally transformed the neglected room into a clean little nest.

Shang Ke planted his hands proudly on his hips, and Pupu immediately copied him, equally proud of herself.

“Come on, let’s go get squeaky clean.” Shang Ke scooped Pupu into his arms and charged toward the bathroom.

“Hahaha!” Pupu dissolved into delighted laughter.

Kaiser returned carrying a large pile of ingredients. Hearing the two of them laughing together, the corners of his mouth involuntarily lifted and warmth filled his eyes.

After washing up, Shang Ke saw Kaiser working alone in the kitchen and voluntarily stepped forward to help.

Seeing how skillfully Shang Ke handled the ingredients, Kaiser casually asked, “You know how to cook?”

“Mm. Why don’t I make dinner tonight? Consider it a thank-you for taking care of us lately.”

“Gladly. I couldn’t ask for anything better.” Kaiser looked as though he had just been granted a pardon.

And after tasting Shang Ke’s cooking, Kaiser never cooked for himself again…

During the three-day break, Kaiser showed Shang Ke and Pupu around the Imperial Capital. Vidora, Youri, Fred, and Amy all stopped by to visit. Visiting soon became mooching meals, and mooching meals eventually became placing orders. Without intending to, they had provided Shang Ke with a convenient way to earn living expenses—selling boxed lunches.

Shang Ke’s master-level cooking quickly conquered a crowd of teachers and students. Within only a few months, he had acquired the elegant nickname: Lunch Box Prince.

Shang Ke had no words.

“What’s going on over there?” Tylor noticed a crowd gathered beside the tree-lined path, with a familiar figure standing in the middle.

Quincy glanced over and smiled. “You haven’t heard? Recently, these delicious boxed lunches have become extremely popular. The person selling them has been nicknamed the ‘Lunch Box Prince.’ That should be him over there.”

“‘Lunch Box Prince’? Him?” Astonishment flashed through Tylor’s eyes. He looked over again to make absolutely certain he hadn’t mistaken the man for someone else.

Osari—the former genius, one of the academy’s famed twin stars—was actually selling boxed lunches? Tylor could hardly believe his eyes.

“What’s wrong?” Quincy gave Tylor a puzzled glance before casually adding, “Come to think of it, doesn’t that ‘Lunch Box Prince’ look kind of familiar? I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere before.”

Tylor: “…”

The students from Osari’s generation had long since graduated. Aside from a few senior teachers, the only people still likely to recognize him were former classmates who had attended the academy at the same time.

After returning to the imperial capital five years later, what exactly was Osari planning? Surely he hadn’t come back just to sell boxed lunches?

Although Tylor had never particularly liked him, he still couldn’t help feeling a little regretful at seeing a former genius fallen so far.

After selling the last of his boxed lunches, Shang Ke packed up and prepared to go home. He made only one hundred portions each day and priced them relatively high. That way, he wouldn’t exhaust himself and could still make a modest profit.

“Osari.”

Hearing someone suddenly call that name, Shang Ke paused and turned around. A curly-haired young man stood behind him, staring at him with open astonishment.

Shang Ke searched through Osari’s memories but found little impression of him.

“I can’t believe it really is you!” The curly-haired young man wore an exaggerated expression of disbelief as he pointed at Shang Ke’s cart. “When did you come back? And why are you here selling boxed lunches?”

With Osari’s former strength, he could easily have entered the Hall of Heroes and become an imperial officer with an official title and stable salary. Failing that, he would have been more than qualified to serve as a noble’s guard or work as a mercenary. Any of those options seemed more respectable than selling boxed lunches.

Shang Ke glanced at him. What’s wrong with selling boxed lunches? Do you have any idea how nutritious my lunches are, how beautiful the presentation is, or how incredible they taste? Once this young master dies a heroic death someday, everyone who ever ate one of my lunches will be able to brag about it, okay? The glorious name of the Lunch Box Prince might even be remembered for generations!

Seeing Shang Ke remain silent, the curly-haired young man became even more self-satisfied. “I’m guessing you don’t remember me. My name is Max. I was once one of the people you defeated. These days, I’m a squad captain in the Imperial Guard.”

Max? The name sounds familiar.

Wait—Max? Wasn’t Max one of the seven warriors who ultimately took part in sealing the Devil’s Tree? Although he hadn’t survived the final expedition, someone like this had actually managed to break through the demonic barrier? Wasn’t that supposed to be possible only for warriors with unwavering wills, upright characters, and exceptionally powerful faith?

Exactly which part of this peacock looks like a heroic warrior? My image of the legendary seven is completely shattered!

The curly-haired youth noticed the subtle change in Shang Ke’s expression and immediately felt vindicated. With a smile, he said, “Since we’re old acquaintances, would you like me to introduce you to a more respectable job?”

“No need, thank you,” Shang Ke replied calmly. He’s one of the seven warriors. I’ll endure it.

“Don’t be so polite.” Max stepped closer and looked Shang Ke up and down. “You certainly look much better than you used to. But as for your strength…”

Shang Ke’s footing was unsteady, his body riddled with openings, and Max could not sense even the slightest trace of the power of faith from him.

“Tsk, tsk. After His Highness Tylor defeated you, did you completely lose your faith?” A person without faith—or whose power of faith had become too weak—could only sink into mediocrity. Some people were ordinary from birth, while others simply collapsed after suffering a blow they could not endure.

Osari had once possessed extraordinary strength and could be called the strongest student of his year. Other than Tylor, no one had been his equal. Yet now Max could not sense even a trace of faith from him. This was no longer merely a matter of never recovering from defeat; it looked as though Osari had abandoned his faith entirely.

“No,” Shang Ke said quietly as he looked at Max. “I haven’t lost my faith.”

“Is that so?” Max drew the short blade at his waist and raised an eyebrow. “Then how about a match? I’d really like to see what kind of strength the genius who defeated me back then possesses now.”

Previous Chapter ◊ Table of Content ◊ Next Chapter