NOVEL NEXT
Chapter 204: The Cause
“A-A human?!” Traces of fear permeated the cat-eared attendant’s astonished voice, as she covered her mouth and uncontrollably took a step back.
Her terrified cries naturally caught the attention of the other customers in the store.
“Human…”
“It’s actually a human…”
“Why have they shown up here?”
Like a giant rock thrown into a calm pond, it instantly stirred up countless waves.
The Asiatic Cat customers began to engage in spirited discussions, deliberately speaking in hushed tones and causing their whispers to fill up the small restaurant. Countless gazes began to size Ji Bai up in an indistinct manner.
Ji Bai could not discern the underlying emotions behind the gazes, which seemed to carry vague undertones in them.
They were not piercing his back and sending a shiver down his neck, but he could still tell that they were not born out of any friendly goodwill.
Even the previously gentle and friendly cat-eared girl’s gaze towards him had taken on a somewhat peculiar expression.
That made him deduce that the meaning hidden within those gazes did not contain any positive emotions.
While the term beast-eared race was used to collectively refer to the Asiatic Cat race and other Asiatic Races, the former was known for its extreme pacifistic nature as well as their exceptional friendliness towards other races.
Unless some extremely vile conflict happened, they would never display any type of malice or negative emotions towards someone of another race.
Only the trolls, who left deep marks on the bodies of the Asiatic Cat race, would suffer the hatred and fear of their entire race. Nevertheless, such grievances were something they would not voice out no matter what.
Incapable of harboring jealousy and hatred, they would rather downplay the issue, letting it pass by like a gust of wind that fades away without leaving a trace.
However, the troubles that hung over their hearts to this day were undeniably scars they were unable to forget.
As Lil’ Sha observed the reactions of her fellow clansmen, a memory seemed to resurface in her mind. Her hands wrapped around Ji Bai’s metallic helmet, she lowered her head and fell into silence.
Ji Bai was in no hurry to take back his metallic helmet. Instead, he chose to remain silent, pouring a cup of tea and drinking it.
He did not feel flabbergasted or puzzled by the outcome, nor did he harbor any dissatisfaction. Ignoring the peculiar gazes directed at him, he continued with his business, picking up the bread and eating it.
‘The flavor is surprisingly good. Mhm, especially when compared to eating tasteless and textureless dry rations.’
“Miss Attendant, I assume it’s alright for me to finish my meal here, correct?” Ji Bai’s gaze remained fixed on the green tea in his cup.
“…Of course you can.” The cat-eared lady replied with a forced smile, as she nodded in a somewhat timid manner. With awkward and clumsy movements, she turned around and headed back into the kitchen.
A tense, uneasy atmosphere instantly engulfed the small restaurant. Vigilance and alienation pervaded the air, making it seem as if they had congealed and manifested into reality.
“…It might be best for you to wear this obscene middle-aged man.” After a long moment of silence, Lil’ Sha handed the helmet back to him.
Ji Bai remained silent and made no attempt to reach out for it. Instead, he continued to drink his tea, cup after cup. It didn’t matter that the tea wasn’t made from rare or valuable leaves; he wasn’t interested in savoring its taste. Like a boorish alcoholic pouring one drink after another, it was solely a means to drown his troubles.
Seeing that, Lil’ Sha no longer intervened in the matter.
The dishes were served shortly after, but they were incredibly bland, to the point of being almost tasteless.
However, that did not stop Ji Bai from eating a lot.
Little did he know that his palette had changed; The dishes which utilized all sorts of seasoning to cater to one’s taste and cover the original flavor of the ingredients were far less palatable as opposed to eating them as they were.
Had he already forgotten the original flavors of the dishes before the heavy seasoning, or was it more accurate to say that he had never experienced them in their natural state before?
Following Ji Bai’s silence, the only audible sound was the crackling firewood burning in the restaurant’s stove.
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As the winter breeze outside the restaurant entrance brushed against their cheeks, which were rosy from the warmth inside, it felt as though their sinking consciousness was finally pulled out from the quagmire of drowsiness.
Ji Bai aimlessly walked on this strange and foreign street.
He raised his head again, as if to re-examine this foreign city.
Nolan City, once the capital and trading hub of the Asiatic Cat race.
Its former glory had been trampled under the hooves of an invading race, leaving behind a landscape filled with nothing but sorrow and despair.
The fortunate ones who were still able to walk in their homeland appeared like soulless marionettes, keeping their distance from their fellow townspeople and giving the impression of strangers walking the same path.
‘Why did she want me to come here?’
This was not the first time that Ji Bai had found himself puzzled about the purpose of his visit.
‘Or rather, why did I force myself to overcome so many obstacles just to come to this place?’
What could this broken city offer that was worth stopping by? And how would that challenge his faith?
Could the reason be found in these homeless strangers who have accepted their adversity, despite being exploited time and time again?
If that was the case, it would seem that vampire had a flawed understanding of what constituted a true knight from the very beginning.
A knight swung his sword in the pursuit of peace, while raising his spear for justice. There was no doubt about that.
But no matter if it was ‘peace’, or ‘justice’, they were all concepts created for the benefit of mankind. In other words, the fate of other species was not under his control.
Mankind was feeble and they had already pulled out all the stops just to ensure their own survival.
Even more, the privilege of showing charity and pity towards others was reserved for the strong. As a species that belonged to the lower end of the food chain alongside Asiatic Cats, what right did they have to pity them?
Furthermore, the downfall of this city was not a result of human actions.
Both sides would not lick each other’s wounds; Instead, they would use their military power to fight over the scraps left behind by the stronger party. That was the harsh reality of the situation.
‘If that’s the case…’
“What’s the reason for coming here?” Ji Bai appeared to be asking this question to someone specific, while similarly seeming to be muttering to himself.
“Because I have something I need to accomplish.” The petite voice arriving behind him carried a conviction that seemed beyond her years.
Ji Bai nodded and did not ask further.
Each and every person had longings and desires which yearned to be fulfilled in their hearts.
“It seems that you’re quite comfortable in dealing with the negative emotions from the Asiatic Cat race, obscene middle-aged man.” After a long period of silence, a cold voice resounded from behind Ji Bai.
“Somewhat.” Ji Bai replied without turning his head around.
“Makes sense. As a former knight who once served in the Order of the Radiant Knight, you must have some idea of the reason.” Under the cloak, Lil’ Sha stared at Ji Bai’s back in a serious manner.
“Not particularly.”
“…Felina. You must’ve heard of this name before, right?” Lil’ Sha tone turned somewhat heavy, as if it was weighed down to a rock.
“The former eldest Princess of the Asiatic Cat Race.”
“So you do know. I really wonder if you’re one of the participants at that time.” Ji Bai came to a halt as he felt a chill coming on his back. Strangely, the wind blowing towards them now felt somewhat warm to him.
“Felina Feigold, my aunt, was an exceptionally wise ruler, an existence who only emerges once a century in the Asiatic Cat Race. She was extremely magnanimous and benevolent, diligently attending to state affairs and loving her citizens. Her resurgence bloodline had a purity close to our ancestors, a rare occurrence even in a thousand years. Her citizens loved and respected her, showering her with praises in belief that she would lead the Asiatic Cat Race to new heights. The bloodline constitution she possessed also foreordained that her achievements would be extraordinary in the days to come.” Lil’ Sha calmly muttered to herself.
Her voice gradually grew softer, until it was drowned out by the wind.
However, Ji Bai could still hear it very well.
“Yes, that was what her citizens and family thought.”
“However, all of it was for naught…” Lil’ Sha’s voice gradually lost her vigor.
“She was killed… by a human…”
“Just as she arrived at the negotiating table, someone dressed in magical armor from the human side stabbed her in the chest…” Lil’ Sha gradually lost control of her emotions.
“That vile person in magical armor had shattered everything and turned our hopes into an illusion…”