Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Slums (1)
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Nameless and I had been bickering back and forth for quite a while as we walked the streets, when the atmosphere around us began to gradually shift.
The chatter of people faded away bit by bit, replaced by a nose-stinging stench that grew thicker by the moment.
"Looks like we're almost at the slums."
"Yes, before we get there, Master."
"Hm?"
Nameless shoved my right arm—which I usually kept rolled up—halfway into my sleeve, wrapping it tightly around my body, then flashed a satisfied smile as if pleased with himself.
This was uncomfortable...
My clothes had been made a bit too large from the start due to poor measurements, so unless I left the sword arm free, it always felt awkward.
Though I'd stuck to this style on purpose afterward.
"Why the sudden change?"
"Slum dwellers have nothing to lose. They might recklessly charge at you just based on your looks, Master."
Hmm, my appearance wasn't that striking...
I pouted my lips in protest and glanced at Nameless, but his expression was so earnest that I couldn't refuse. I just nodded along.
Seeing I wasn't objecting, Nameless broke into a wide grin.
We must have walked for about three minutes like that when the sight before my eyes made me tremble.
"This place is..."
The slums.
Filthy, polluted streets.
A putrid stench that no well should ever emit crept up from the communal water source people drank from, and rats—creatures that should hide from human eyes—roamed freely.
Emaciated people in tattered rags bore scars everywhere from untreated wounds, while crows circled overhead above, cawing caw-caw as if waiting for them to become food at any moment.
I furrowed my brow.
Not because of the stench or filth, but because the scene was too painful to look at straight on.
"..."
People's conditions were far worse than I'd imagined, enough to disillusion even me, who had come with a casual intent to help those in moderate need.
Their eyes held no light—eyes of those who had given up on everything.
Even those who seemed relatively better off had venomous glares. Could they really change, even if I tried to help here?
My motivation deflated from the start.
I glanced at Nameless to see how he was taking it, but surprisingly, he seemed unfazed.
...Was he so indifferent because he was used to scenes like this?
I shook my head.
Now wasn't the time to dwell on his past.
I tore my gaze from Nameless and looked back at the street.
If my disciple could stay so calm, then I as his master couldn't afford to waver.
"Hoo..."
I took a light deep breath and slapped my cheeks.
"Master?"
"Alright, let's give it a go."
I stepped forward with vigorous strides.
...
Nameless and I had discussed it for quite some time, but we hadn't settled on anything concrete.
Truth be told, I had no real talent for this sort of thing, and Nameless was only nineteen—how would he know how to build an organization?
So the approach we settled on was what he'd called volunteer work: create an environment for those harboring hatred in life to escape it and follow me.
That was why we'd come to the slums—to build reputation among them from here on out. That was my goal.
Of course, that didn't mean helping everyone here.
I'd pick and choose judiciously.
I don't subscribe to theories of innate evil or goodness. I believe a person's disposition is shaped by their upbringing and environment.
Sure, there are exceptions, but experience tells me I'm mostly right.
People born and raised in slums like this—what could they possibly learn from?
Even the saying about dragons rising from muddy puddles holds only so much water; not all puddles are equal.
If I had to describe this place...
It was like mud mixed with filthy sewage.
Still, flowers can bloom even in mud, so I wouldn't give up on reforming them.
They might one day become kids who could help me.
Hmm, was I being too calculating about helping people?
A bitter smile tugged at my lips.
As I'd explained once before, I'm not a good person.
I always put my own safety first and, being naturally timid, rarely step forward.
Wasn't the reason we came to the slums just my personal greed—using these people to gather souls, rather than anything else?
I'd use other methods too, but the intent was impure all the same.
A sigh escaped me.
Using these pitiful souls...
I'd always seemed somewhat good-hearted, but what I was about to do felt blatantly evil.
"Tch, these stray thoughts won't quit."
I shook my head.
For my goals at least, it was time to get to work.
-Heavenly Nameless
Honestly, I hadn't wanted to come here.
Look at them even now—people daring to cast irreverent glances at my master.
Part of me wanted to hunt them down and gouge out their eyes, but that would surely disappoint Master, so I held back.
I feared being hated by her.
I stopped growling at those wretches and turned to Master.
She was rummaging through a bag bigger than herself, as if searching for something.
"Hmm, I brought some food... Ah, there it is."
As expected, food.
Slum dwellers probably hadn't seen proper meals in ages, so they'd swarm like moths to a flame.
But was that the best choice...?
Well.
Sure, some were born here, but most were fools chased out after overreaching with greed beyond their station.
Would people like that lack greed?
Even now, the scent of food from Master's bag had drawn venom-eyed lurkers creeping closer.
"Tch."
If they crossed the line, I'd strike without hesitation.
A wooden sword wouldn't kill, so Master would surely understand.
With my hand on the wooden sword, staying vigilant, something brushed my side.
I glanced down at Master.
"Nameless, put the wooden sword away."
"Yes."
I immediately removed my hand and adjusted my stance.
No need for questions.
Master always made the right choice; I just had to follow.
Master pulled an armful of bread from her embrace and scattered it on the ground.
As if forcing them to compete for it.
"Anyone who wants some, eat."
With that, she clasped her hands behind her back and stood by my side.
The slum dwellers rushed the scattered bread the moment her words ended, everyone scrambling.
But there were far too few loaves for the number of rushers.
I peeked at the bag—it was still stuffed full.
Maybe Master was too small to scatter it all at once?
"Master, there seem to be too few loaves compared to the people rushing in."
I voiced the question, but Master just stared straight ahead and replied.
"I did it on purpose."
Was my learning still insufficient?
I pondered her intent deeply, but nothing came to mind.
Swallowing my embarrassment, I asked the reason.
"Hmm, what happens when the long-starved see food?"
I turned from Master to see people fighting murderously over a single loaf.
It was the expected scene, so it held no surprise, but was this what Master wanted?
I shook my head.
Probably not.
Still, unable to grasp her intent, I voiced what I saw.
"...They rush the food like this?"
Master answered without hesitation.
"Exactly. Faithful to their desires."
She nodded and continued.
"People reveal their true nature before desire—especially those at the bottom."
"True nature...?"
"Yes. I want to see theirs."
Master pointed to one spot.
"Look over there."
Following her finger, I witnessed a scene that widened my eyes.
"See? They're starved too, yet some are giving their food to others."
Master beamed with a bright smile.
"The receiver might be family or a dear friend—their relation doesn't matter."
She shifted her forward gaze, smiling at me.
"What matters is they shared what was theirs."
Ah, I see.
"They have hearts that consider others before themselves."
Master was using this simple method to roughly sort the temperaments of the slum dwellers.
"I want to gather only those with such good natures and help them shed hatred unfit for them."
My master truly deserved all respect.