20demayo Chapter 252: The Half-Ruined Tower
Chapter 252: The Half-Ruined Tower
Chapter 252: The Half-Ruined Tower
“Big Brother.”
The knight in dark-silver armor stopped.
The black-haired girl, who had called out to the armored figure, approached ‘him’ with light steps before coming to a stop at his back. Reaching out with her pale hand, she gently rearranged the long tassel resting on ‘his’ shoulders.
“Remember to mind your appearance in public.” Her voice, gentle and soft like flowing water, enveloped ‘him’ like a spring breeze.
“Mhm.” The knight grunted, turning around with a curt nod and a stiff, formal salute before briskly departing.
Watching ‘his’ figure recede into the distance, a cryptic smile revealed itself on Ji Yue’s face, which vanished as quickly as it came.
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Long, orderly queues snaked out before the teeming gates of Silk Shuttle City.
‘A majestically grand city’, Lin thought. At least, that was what her senses told her.
Even with her head tilted all the way back, she could not discern the true height of the city walls.
Each tile and brick seemed to be flawlessly cut and shaped in adherence to some ancient tradition, resulting in a breathtaking display that was impervious to the march of time.
She found herself enthralled by its timeless beauty and pristine appearance.
The Border Town she knew appeared utterly small and insignificant when compared to this magnificent metropolis, making her feel like a peasant who had wandered into the royal court for the first time.
High atop the city wall, flags emblazoned with the symbol of a sun cross fluttered in the wind.
“Your first time here?”
“Mhm.” Lin emotionlessly nodded.
“And you?”
“Me? Quite the opposite. This will probably be my last time here.” Ji Bai said, using the time in line to sort through and inspect the items in his bag.
He believed it was crucial to keep his gear in top shape. In a critical moment, a well-maintained piece of equipment could be the difference between life and death.
“Slurp...” Lin drained the last sip of milk through her straw and licked her lips, seemingly unsatisfied.
“...Is something on my face?” She tilted her head in curiosity.
“So, what does the milk taste like?” Ji Bai asked blankly.
“It’s a bit bitter. Not as tasty as you all made it out to be, but not completely undrinkable either.” Lin replied after crumpling up the empty milk carton.
“Well, you seemed to be having fun with that. In any case, I’ve got plenty left. Want some?”
“If you don’t mind.”
As she stuck her straw into a new milk carton, the air was once again punctuated by her slurping noises.
“If the taste is not to your liking, why are you forcing yourself to drink it?” Ji Bai asked.
“Who knows.” Lin said expressionlessly while nibbling on her straw. “Perhaps it’s the aftertaste – the way that rich taste lingers after the bitterness fades. It just stays with you, I guess.”
“It’s the same with you guys, isn’t it? You don’t enjoy milk, yet still carry it around.”
“Hey, don’t go lumping me in with him now.” Gordon, who had stayed silent until now, interjected with a straw clenched between his teeth.
While Ji Bai was not a fan of milk, it was not the taste that bothered him.
That creamy color had always threatened to dredge up an unpleasant memory deep inside of him. He knew that forcing it down would likely leave his stomach churning for hours.
As if a thought had suddenly struck him, Ji Bai silently shifted his gaze from Lin to Gordon, who was also sipping on the same brand of milk.
“Is there a problem?”
“Something’s off about your outfit today.”
“What do you mean?”
“If my eyes aren’t mistaken, those are men’s clothes you’re wearing. They don’t particularly... highlight your best features, do they?”
“...” He silently turned around.
“That’s him?” The towering knight sauntered over and appraised him with a quick glance.
A moment later, he extended his hand towards Ji Bai.
“Pardon the intrusion, but would you mind if I take a look at your sword?”
“Be my guest.” Ji Bai did not object and handed [Tranquility] over.
“...A most peculiar sword, indeed.” After a moment of close examination – running his hand over its body and giving it a few swings – did the knight finally break his silence.
“It’s nothing special.” Ji Bai said, taking back his sword.
“...If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, might I see your other sword as well?”
Just as Ji Bai was pondering what to do with [Tranquility], the knight’s voice pulled him out of his thoughts.
He could see that the captain’s eyes, alight with fervor, had locked onto the other longsword in his possession – the gleaming silver longsword hanging at his waist.
[The Silver Throne] – that was the name Lin Tuo had solemnly bestowed upon the sword after he fully repaired the weapon and handed it to Ji Bai.
At that time, Ji Bai could have never imagined that a longsword broken into pieces could be completely restored. He had even suspected Lin Tuo had simply tricked him by swapping it out with a replica.
“If that’s too much to ask, it’s okay to decline. It’s just that... something about your sword feels familiar to me, that’s all.”
“If you insist, Captain.” Without further ado, Ji Bai handed the silver longsword to the tall and burly knight.
“Thank you...” The captain accepted the silver longsword, his eyes reverent as if appraising a supreme work of art.
“It’s too identical...” He murmured in a hushed voice before silently returning the longsword back to Ji Bai.
‘Perhaps, it was fate.’ He thought.
“Pardon the delay, sir.” The captain offered a slight bow in apology, before turning to the gate guards. “Let him pass.”
“But Captain...”
“That supposedly ‘oversized’ sword is nothing but a blunt piece of cheap iron, the kind of thing a blacksmith would throw in the scrap pile without a second thought. It’s not something we need to worry about.”
“Let him through, I’ll take the blame if anything happens.”
“Understood.”
Upon hearing that, Ji Bai was taken aback. He hesitated, his gaze flickering down to [Tranquility] on his hips. “Actually, that’s not entirely true. This sword—”
“Alright, alright. No need for you to kick up such a big fuss about it. This toy sword of yours can’t even cut through butter! Thanks again for your help. We’ll be heading into the city now.” Gordon, unable to watch any longer, urged Ji Bai into the city with a shove in his back, not forgetting to offer a word of thanks to the Captain when they passed by.
“Has the rust in your helmet gotten to you, buckethead? He’s giving you an out, yet you insist on slapping him in the face. There’s a time and a place for honesty, you know?” Gordon grumbled in a low voice.
“...” And so, with his sword still clutched in his arms, Ji Bai allowed himself to be ushered into the city by Gordon.
“Say, sir. You were a knight once, weren’t you?” The towering knight called out from behind Ji Bai.
“...Not anymore.” Ji Bai did not plan to conceal that from him.
“I see. If you ever find yourself bored and missing your old life, you know where to find me.”
“...Understood.” Ji Bai paused briefly, before turning around and giving him a curt nod.
——————————
“Hey, Buckethead. Isn’t there a half-collapsed blue crystal tower in Silk Shuttle City?” Gordon suddenly remarked as they navigated through the bustling streets which were a stark contrast to Border Town.
“Yeah, have you been here before?”
“No, but I’ve heard of it.” Gordon said, a low murmur escaping his lips as he shook his head.
“When beings of higher realms descend, the half-shattered tower shall crumble, surrendering its form to dust...”
‘These words, it feels like they’re part of something, I remember hearing them before...’
“Families of Heavenly Sin brought disaster to the realm of mortals, leaving the boneyards of heroes in embers...” Ji Bai continued, each word escaping his lips, as if guided by an unseen force.