Chapter 7
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In a cramped room filled with the smell of old wood and burning wax, a man as strong as a mountain sat on an old chair and began to write a letter by the dim light of a flickering candle that cast shadows on the walls.
...
My dear wife, Marcel.
I am writing to you from the village of Hickory in the kingdom of Garthia. Our caravan has passed through many villages and countries, and we are now in the far south. It has been a difficult and dangerous journey, during which we have overcome rough terrain and many dangers, but we are now relatively safe in the small village of Hickory.
The village of Hikuriz enjoys a mild and pleasant climate, but I sense a strange atmosphere pervading the village, as if there is a hidden shadow looming over its alleys and modest houses. I don't know... Are these just figments of my imagination, born of exhaustion from the long journey, or are they a sign of something more sinister?
I have something disturbing to tell you. A few days ago, I met a boy of about sixteen, with black hair and blue eyes, no different from any other noble boy, but what is suspicious is that he is thirsty for specific knowledge, and I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing... Do you know why I say bad?
Since our caravan arrived in the village of Hikuriz, this boy has been coming to us constantly, asking in every way possible about different means of death and the most effective methods of killing!
Yesterday, the boy approached me directly and said something sinister:
"Hello, sir guard. You seem to have traveled to different countries and had many experiences, and you have extensive experience in killing. I can tell that from the many scars on your body. Would you mind teaching me how to kill someone?"
I've already tried many methods, but killing this person is like killing a fly stuck to the rear end of a farting light bulb!"
I didn't understand what he meant by his strange words, and neither did the other guards. I also didn't understand what he meant by "farting light bulb." Was it someone's name or just a random example he mentioned?
I really don't know. Is this boy obsessed with killing? Tomorrow I will meet him again and see if I can find out more about him and who is the person he is trying to kill...
With love.
Sergia.
...
The strong man named Sergia stopped writing the letter and rubbed his tired forehead gently, then stood up and lay down on the bed under the dim moonlight filtering through the small window...
Knock! Knock!
Suddenly, the strong man heard a knock on the door. He was startled because he didn't know anyone in this small village who would knock in such a soft and simple manner. The guards always knocked so hard that one day they broke a door in a previous village they passed through.
Sergia stood up and walked cautiously toward the door, then placed his left hand on the sword hanging at his side and slowly opened the door with his right hand.
After opening the door, the strong man saw a beautiful girl, about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, dressed in a simple maid's uniform, her cheeks slightly flushed with obvious shyness.
The beautiful girl raised her head and said in a soft voice that was almost inaudible:
"Hello, Mr. Sergia, I am the young master's maid, and he sent me to take care of your needs for the night."
Sergia was stunned for a moment, but he quickly loosened his grip on his sword and thought for a moment.
The girl in front of him was indeed beautiful. She may not have met the high standards of beauty he was used to seeing, but to someone like him, alone and far from home, the girl standing in front of him seemed extremely attractive. He couldn't count the number of times he had wished he could drag one of them into his room and play hide-and-seek with her in the dark... But when he remembered the face of his beloved wife Marcel and what she would do to him if she found out he was cheating on her, his face suddenly froze, and he looked at the girl with obvious regret and said in a sorry tone:
"Thank the young gentleman for his good intentions, but I am really tired and want to rest alone tonight."
When the beautiful maid heard this, she clenched her fists and looked at him hesitantly, then said insistently:
"I can do everything you need, Mr. Sergia, all you have to do is lie down and I'll take care of everything with pleasure!"
"Please don't!"
Sergia frowned, not understanding why this maid seemed so eager to spend the night with him. If it weren't for the fear of his beloved wife's wrath, he would have already pulled her inside.
Sergia said as he pulled a thin cord tied to a small ring around his neck, which held a miniature picture of his wife, Marcel:
"I apologize, as you can see, I am already married. Thank the young gentleman for his hospitality."
After hearing his sincere words, the maid hesitated for a moment, then bowed respectfully and left, her beautiful face clearly disappointed.
Meanwhile, neither of them noticed the shadow lurking in the corner of an abandoned house, watching them with suppressed anger and cursing in a low voice full of hatred...