Chapter 172: Once Again, in the Name of the Hanged Man

Chapter 172: Chapter 172: Once Again, in the Name of the Hanged Man

Benduin seemed a little embarrassed by the question.

"To be honest... White Bear Town was just the first stop on my journey as a Ranger..."

Benduin scratched his head.

Vili fell silent, somewhat relieved for Benduin’s good fortune. If he hadn’t run into him, Benduin would likely be dead on the spot by now.

If he’d gone to the neighboring Diamond Town instead, Olay would have probably lopped his head off by now.

"You can’t really blame me. Your Guards are far too rough with the common folk."

Benduin tried to defend himself. "As a Ranger who upholds Justice, I must see its will through to the very end."

Vili had a feeling that Benduin’s grasp on common sense was a little shaky. The Personal Guards of the Noble Group naturally felt an inexplicable sense of superiority when facing commoners. On top of that, as the armed force of the nobility, it wasn’t strange for them to be rough in this day and age.

Vili already kept a very tight rein on the Personal Guard Team and Guard Team in White Bear Town. The teams in Diamond Town treated commoners even more deplorably—some of those men would even blackmail or extort small business owners.

The average commoner would have been used to these issues, but Benduin seemed to think it was completely abnormal.

’He must have been born into a wealthy family, completely blind to the struggles of the lower classes.’

"You seem to have an obsession with the title of Hanged Man?"

Vili asked, glancing up at Benduin.

"It’s not an obsession!" Benduin’s tone was resolute. "Becoming a Hanged Man has been my dream for as long as I can remember!"

"When I was ten, my father hired a tutor for me, Master Gobenla."

As he spoke, a look of reverence flashed in Benduin’s eyes.

Vili raised an eyebrow slightly. ’Just as I thought, from a wealthy family. Ordinary families never get the chance to study.’

"Master Gobenla was a famous scholar in Garden Town. Though he’d only been in Garden Town for two years, he had already become very well-known."

When he mentioned Master Gobenla, Benduin’s tone was filled with heartfelt admiration.

’Garden Town, hmm...’

Vili nodded. Garden Town was another small town near the frontier, quite small—not even a third the size of White Bear Town.

"Master Gobenla taught me knowledge, but more importantly, he taught me about Justice and courage."

Benduin’s eyes gleamed with conviction. "The year I turned eleven, Master Gobenla discovered by chance that I had the talent to become a Transcendent, so he told me stories of the Extraordinary world. As it turned out, Master Gobenla himself was an enforcer of the will of Justice—a Hanged Man!"

Hearing Benduin’s impassioned tone, Vili was suddenly reminded of Colson.

’Both of them seem to live in their own little worlds. Though, Colson is probably the more normal one, relatively speaking.’

"From that moment on, I made a vow! I absolutely had to become a Hanged Man!"

But after saying this, his tone fell. "Unfortunately, I don’t seem to have the talent for it... I’ve never been able to form a Heart of Justice. It’s so frustrating. I truly believed I was a just person."

"But even though I didn’t become a Hanged Man, I did awaken my talent as an Earth Mage. Coincidentally, Master Gobenla is an Earth Mage too."

Benduin’s words made Vili’s heart stir.

’Someone with two Extraordinary Professions, a Hanged Man and an Earth Mage...’

Other than himself, this was the only person Vili knew of who possessed two Extraordinary Professions.

"Where is this Master Gobenla of yours now?"

Vili was now intensely curious about Benduin’s teacher, this man who was both a Hanged Man and an Earth Mage.

"Master Gobenla left Garden Town two years ago..." A shadow passed over Benduin’s eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a determined glint. "As a Hanged Man, he said he had stayed in Garden Town for too long and had to resume his crusade to punish evil. I begged him to take me along, but he said I was too weak."

"There was nothing to be done, so I could only watch him leave reluctantly. For the next two years, I trained as hard as I could, and half a month ago, I finally became a Junior Mage!"

At this, Benduin’s gaze shifted to Vili. "I remembered Master Gobenla’s words: ’Justice has nothing to do with status, only with one’s heart!’ So I decided to leave home and become a Ranger who fights for Justice. I had it all planned out. If I met a real Hanged Man on my travels, I would become his follower, and we would punish evil together!"

"I never thought I’d be so lucky! I had just arrived in White Bear Town when I met you!"

Benduin looked at Vili, his eyes filled with anticipation.

Vili felt a little uncomfortable under Benduin’s earnest gaze.

He suddenly found himself admiring Benduin’s teacher, Master Gobenla. ’His indoctrination skills are truly impressive.’

’Swaying a rich family’s kid to run away from home... at least, I don’t think I could do it.’

"My Lord, please allow me to be your follower! Let us travel the world together and punish all evil!"

Benduin suddenly performed a salute exclusive to the Hanged Men before Vili.

A flicker of amusement showed in Vili’s eyes.

’A Junior Mage, delivered right to my doorstep... I have to keep him.’

"As a Hanged Man, I am very pleased."

Vili walked up to Benduin. "But Justice is not limited to punishing evil."

Benduin froze. His heart skipped a beat as he met Vili’s solemn gaze.

Vili’s tone of voice reminded him of Master Gobenla explaining the nature of Justice.

"Guarding the common folk of a region, giving them a peaceful life—that is also a form of Justice," Vili continued. "The very reason I became the Lord of White Bear Town was to realize this kind of Justice. You’ve seen it yourself; White Bear Town still faces all sorts of issues. If you are willing to stay, we can solve these problems together and forge this brand of Justice. Then, when the time is right, we can travel the world and punish other evils."

"This..."

Benduin hesitated. It was true; Master Gobenla had also said that Justice takes thousands of forms, and the most important thing is to possess a Heart of Justice.

Protecting the safety of the weak and defenseless commoners... that was indeed a great act of Justice.

"Once Justice is achieved in White Bear Town, will you take me with you on your journey of retribution?"

It seemed Benduin had made his decision.

Seeing the look on Benduin’s face, Vili knew he had been convinced.

"Of course."

Vili gave a firm nod. "We will always walk the path of punishing evil..."

"I give you my word, in the name of the Hanged Man."