Novel Full Chapter 1758: Failed
Chapter 1758: Failed
The screams were gone. He opened his eyes. The crowd had vanished. He was no longer floating within endless darkness, but standing in the corner of a small hut.
A purple-haired elderly man knelt before a child of about ten. The boy wore a pleading expression, while the man held a warm yet unyielding smile.
"Because your place is here."
"But you always say that!" the child groaned. "Every single time! You never let me come with you. Then what’s the point of all my training?"
The father sighed and rested a hand on his shoulder.
"Listen to me. You don’t train so you can run around hunting beasts. There’s only one reason to train." He held his son’s gaze. "To protect your family."
The child fell silent.
"You can’t come with me because I need you here. If I’m gone, who protects your mother? Who protects your little sister? This is why we raise arms. This is why we become stronger. Do you understand?"
The child clenched his fists, his expression gradually turning solemn as he nodded.
"Good boy."
The father smiled and gently pressed their foreheads together.
"I love you, Askkarl."
Atticus’ eyes widened. Askkarl...
"I love you too, Dad."
The child watched his father leave, fists still clenched at his sides, his small face set with determination. That day, Atticus watched him pick up a sword and practice until his arms could no longer lift it.
Then the scene shifted.
"I-I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to—"
"Shut up, you filthy thing!"
The little girl flinched as the boy’s hand swung toward her. Yet before it could reach her, Askkarl caught the wrist.
"You...!" The boy jerked his arm, eyes widening. "How dare you touch me? Do you have any idea who I am? I’ll—"
Smack!
The slap sent him sprawling across the dirt. The boy stared blankly for a moment before slowly touching his cheek. His fingers came away stained with blood.
"Y-you hit me?"
"I did." Askkarl’s voice was cold. "And I’ll do it again. Try touching my sister one more time and you’ll find out what comes after the slap."
The boy froze. For a brief moment, genuine fear flickered across his face. Then it was quickly replaced by outrage.
"...You’ll pay for this! I swear you’ll pay for this! Just wait until I tell my father!"
Askkarl watched him stumble away, scoffing at the threat. To him, it was nothing more than the tantrum of a spoiled child.
"B-brother... I didn’t know what happened. I just—"
"It’s fine."
Askkarl smiled and patted her head. It didn’t matter what had happened. Anyone who tried to harm his family was an enemy.
"But... but... is it really okay? He said he’ll come back and—"
"Haa, don’t listen to that fool." Askkarl waved dismissively. "It’s all empty threats."
He and his sister wore beast hides, while the boy had been dressed in fine silk. He was clearly from a wealthy family, unlike theirs. Their entire family lived at the edge of town in a single hut.
Still, it was just a fight between children. Nothing more. At least, that was what Askkarl believed. Instead of worrying, he found himself pleased that he’d managed to stand up for his sister.
Father would be proud. The thought brought a small smile to his face as he escorted her home. However, what he didn’t know was that the boy he had smacked was the town head’s son.
Not long after the boy ran off, dozens of soldiers descended upon their home.
Askkarl, who had already turned fifteen, was beaten bloody and dragged before the town head and his grinning son.
Nearby, his mother and sister were pinned to the ground, struggling helplessly as tears streamed down their faces.
"Sometimes filth forget what they are." The town head’s voice was calm and cold. "They start thinking they’re equal to their betters. They start believing they matter."
His lips curled faintly.
"But they don’t. It falls to people like me to remind them of the truth. To remind them where they belong."
He picked up a blade and placed it into his son’s trembling hand.
"Kill him."
"W-what, Father?"
"Do it." The town head’s gaze hardened. "Or I’ll hand him the knife and let him stick it in your throat instead."
The boy immediately fell silent. A moment later, he gave a shaky nod. The blade trembled in his grip, yet he still stepped forward.
Askkarl closed his eyes.
"Wait!"
A figure suddenly rushed into the compound. His father. The man immediately dropped to his knees before the town head, head lowered.
"I understand my son overstepped his bounds, my lord. But I take full responsibility for what happened. The fault lies with me. I should have taught him better."
"F-Father, no!"
Askkarl struggled violently, only to fall silent when his father sharply waved him down.
"You’re his father?" the town head asked.
"Yes, my lord."
"Hm." The town head studied him for a moment. "You’re right. It is your fault."
His fingers tapped against the armrest as he considered the matter.
"You’re willing to take full responsibility for his actions?"
"Yes."
"Good." The town head nodded once. ""LThen you’ll be hanged in the town square. Let everyone see it. Let everyone remember."
He casually waved a hand.
"Take him."
"No! Father! He’s not the one responsible! It’s me! It’s me! Take me!"
Askkarl struggled violently against the soldiers, but his father was already standing before him. The man grabbed his face and forced him still.
"We live to protect what matters to us. That is why we train. That is why we work hard. Never forget that."
His eyes held Askkarl’s.
"I leave your mother and sister in your care."
Then he struck the back of Askkarl’s neck. Darkness swallowed him.
He hadn’t witnessed his father’s death. But he’d seen the body afterward. The lifeless corpse hanging from the town gates. He’d seen the crows pecking at the flesh. Watched the body rot beneath the sun. Watched the soldiers cut it down and throw it away like refuse.