Sin of Greed

CHAPTER 5

“Mago… Mago, wake up.” A gentle voice and warm hand wakes Mago up from his deep slumber. He rubbed away the sleepiness from his eyes and look who has been calling his name. It was his mother.

“Good morning, mama.” He yawned. But the morning he thought was peaceful was torn when he finally opens his eyes and saw the distraught people around him.

Heavily wounded people are being treated by the medics. And others are being attended by their own family. Some are covered in blood-soaked bandages crying in pain, some are giving out soup and bread.

And some are mourning due to their pain whether from physical injuries or from emotional trauma.

There are medics who are carrying stretchers with someone covered in blood-stained blanket on it. When a stretcher goes past in front of Mago the bloody hand of the deceased person accidentally come out from the confines.

The sight triggers Mago to remember everything that happened last night.

“Gran-gran? Where’s gran-gran?” Mago said turning his head side to side looking for a glimpse of his grandfather.

But his parents’ silence was enough answer for him. Furrowing his eyebrows, his tears well up immediately but he bit his lips preventing himself from sobbing.

Mago didn’t know what he should cry for, whether his wounds or the pain he felt from the loss of his grandfather. It wasn’t just a nightmare. It was the cruel reality.

“Mama? Why did you leave him? Why did everyone leave gran-gran?” Mago’s stippled sobs and cracked voice rang through their ears and tugs the strings in their hearts.

They knew what is true and they wanted to tell him the truth but they can’t because Mago is too young to understand.

Until someone suddenly spokes from behind them. “They didn’t leave your grandfather.”

Turning around Mago saw the wounded but already treated Meyer with his left arm on a sling.

“Sir Meyer, i-it’s not the right time…” Minato and Magdalene begged Meyer to not tell Mago the truth. Because they knew his feeble mind can’t understand it.

“If now is not the right time, then when?” Meyer said, his eyes held seriousness that words cannot explain. He kneeled in front of the crying Mago.

“Hey, kiddo. Corporal-… your grandfather, isn’t weak.” Meyer said and handed Mago the sword that used to be Olei’s.

“…I know… I was there.” Mago said, taking the dented sword from his hands not even looking to Meyer’s eyes. Meyer couldn’t hide his surprise when he heard the words of the kid.

He can’t imagine that those gruesome scenarios were buried inside the head of this little kid.

Mago quietly whispered as his tears flow, tightly gripping the sword close to his chest. “He’s strong.”

“Hmm.” Meyer only hummed in approval. Gritting his teeth, reminiscing the memories during their fight.

‘Corporal Olei stood brave in front of those goblins fighting them without the fear of being killed.’

“Gran-gran is strong! Stronger than any of you!”

“Hmm.” ‘Of course, Corporal is really strong!’

“But that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t need help, does he?” Mago broke in to heavy sobs. His tears and snots are mixing together.

The people around him knew that kind of tears, because that’s not the first time they hear the sound of despair and the pain of losing someone you love.

“Yes, but-”

“Then why?! Why do they leave gran-gran when they have magic! They can fight but they chose to leave! You’re all cowards!” Meyer was cut off when Mago’s voice echoed through the vast room.

Each word struck them like a lightning.

And all the people who heard him furrowed their eyebrows and gritted their teeth. Especially, Leon. Because Olei was there for him and his family when they needed him most.

He clearly remembered how Olei endured the freezing blizzard just to get a doctor for his pregnant wife who’s in the verge of giving birth.

Each person who’s Olei helped couldn’t stop their tears as they did their silent eulogia.

‘The kindest person who’s willing to be in anyone’s side if he’s needed, was betrayed by his own fellow villagers.’

Meyer tried to spoke calmly. “They didn’t leave your gran-gran…”

“Liar!”

“Corporal made them leave!” Meyer Lysander, a strong grown up man and the captain of the strongest knights tries his best not to cry along with Mago.

He hung his head low, hiding the weakness he’s showing in front of everyone.

Mago asked barely opening his mouth. “Why?”

“Because they are weak. They can’t fight along with him, so he asked them to leave…” Meyer puts his hands on the kids shoulders and explained shortly, afraid that if he said anymore words the dam behind his eyes will leak.

The villagers’ eyes show that they regret every bit of second they run away from him. But what can they do? ‘We’re weaklings.’

“…He protected those who can’t fight for themselves. And only the strong can do that.” Meyer’s eyes are tightly close, yet his tears easily escaped.

Minato puts his hand onto the quivering shoulder of Meyer, trying to say that he also shares the same pain as he’s feeling.

“He fought not because he hates what’s in front of him, it’s because he truly loved what’s behind him.” Meyer looked up and said as he puts his fist on the small chest of Mago, indicating that he is the one that Olei truly loved.

Mago can’t speak as he tried to understand what Meyer is saying and stitch together every facts and events that happened.

His gran-gran is so strong, that he able to save other townspeople and defeat those monsters.

“I … I want to be like gran-gran!” Mago said gripping the fist of Meyer with his tiny hand. He’s tears stop as he saw the same determination of Olei in the eyes of Mago.

“I want to be strong! Stronger than him and I will protect everyone!”

“Sure kid. Be strong and I’ll wait for you at the top.” Meyer said and walk away. Behind his back Mago wipes his tears and put his fist on his chest saluting to Meyer.

A gentle sway from the carriage and the neighs of horses awakens Mago from his deep sleep. He dozed on his way to the inner city.

Fifteen years have passed since the attack and now he’s ready to make his dreams come true, to be a Knight of the Kingdom or what others call ‘Hero’.

‘Meyer, I’m here to take your place.’ He grinned internally.

He looks outside from the wagon and he saw they are almost at the entrance of Ergasculom. As they enter the massive gate Mago can’t help but to gawk at everything in Ergasculom, due to the fact that he never seen so many people gathered in a single marketplace.

Even if all the people in his whole village gathered; their numbers won’t even take half of what is in here.

“Boy, this will be my stop. Goodluck to your assessment, kid.” The giant muscular bald man with shaggy beard smiled down at Mago.

“Oh? Right. Thank you so much, old man!” Mago returned the smile. He tried to pay him but the man refused saying Mago will need that much more than he needs money.

“And don’t call me old man! I’m sure I’m just a year or two older than you!” he growled at Mago but soon enough both of them laugh.

Mago walk around the place looking for an inn or any hotel where he can settle for a bit until he can pass the assessment. The whole place is new to him.

Wherever he looks there are people talking and bargaining with the merchants. The colorful streamers sways along the wind. Making it feels like some sort of occasion is taking place.

Different weapons are being sold to the people who- like him are also taking assessment in just few days.

Herbal medicines along with magical items, various species of animals and varieties of plants, everything is in here.

Mago felt like this place is much livelier than his hometown where fishing and farming are the main source of food and income.

“Wow! This place is really awesome.” Mago squealed like a kid as he looked at the magical staffs with fascinated eyes.

As he roamed around the place, he stumbled to a small cafe-like place. He entered the place and the bell chimed.

He looked around and saw the other magical items from wands that said to be used by ancient sorcerers to spears made from an exiled-beast. But when he looked at the price, he nearly fainted.

‘With this money, I can buy my own farmland and live happily with twelve children.’ He thought.

Mago was surprised when he heard someone talks behind him. He didn’t saw anyone when he came in.

“I guess you’re new here, young man?” A voluptuous and pretty lady wearing revealing clothes ask Mago with her sultry voice.

“Yeah, you can say that.” Mago blushed in embarrassment, he couldn’t control his excitement because this is his first time in Ergasculom.

“How did you know?” Mago asked sheepishly.

“Because you seemed ‘delighted’ with all the stuffs around here.” The lady walks up to Mago and lift his chin up making their eyes connected and Mago’s face immediately heat up.

Who wouldn’t? A pretty lady walks up to him with close proximity.

“Hey, what is that?” Mago’s blushing state quickly subsided as he asked her when he saw a weird plank of wood with lots of holes curved in it and pebbles.

“That is Sungka. A board game way from the Pearl of the orient seas. Want to try, pretty boy?” the beautiful woman asked as she cross her arms just below her bosom making it look brimming.

Mago nodded with excitement as she explains how the game works.

“Just so you know miss, I won’t hold back just because you’re pretty.” Mago said with a smug grin on his face as he fake stretching.

The game went on ending up with crushed Mago, 42- 8 in favor of the charming woman.

“Just so you know, just because you’re cute doesn’t mean you will not pay.” She said with a small smile on her lips.

“So, this is a gamble?!”

“Oh sweetie, everything is a gamble.” She playfully winked at him, making the fuming boy gritted his teeth but ended up paying with the last coin on his pouch.

“Grrr… I should have known!” Mago said exasperatedly through his gritted teeth.

“Well, would you like to try my fortune telling?” Her voice turns very seductive and that made Mago gulp from nervousness.

‘I can’t deny that this lady has her own charm against men.’

“How the-! Hey! did you know that you just took all my money? How can I pay now, you swindler!” Mago said trying to stay angry but the lady interrupted him.

“Don’t worry pretty boy, it’s free for you, okay?”

“Y-yeah. A try won’t hurt, right?” He looked at her doubting that it could only be a simple fortune telling.

The elders in his village reminded him that merchants are very deceiving. They may use sugar-coated words and even their looks.

Mago knew that this woman is one of those merchants who use their looks to lure customers. But even after all the warnings, he clearly fell on her traps.

“Sure, pretty boy. I won’t hurt you. And if by any chance, you can see heaven.” The woman said, her eyes turn slits for a second. Like a cat that wants to devour him.

Sure, Mago is a fine-looking man and his innocence captivate the hearts of many ladies without him knowing.

“Wait! I…uhm…” Mago stuttered not sure if he really wanted to ask or just let it slipped by.

“What is it now, pretty boy?” The woman turned to face him again.

“That spear… when I read the caption it said that it was made from an exiled-beast.” Mago said as they walk towards the spear that shines as the light hit it.

The designs of it are very simple yet at the same time very menacing. Something from that spears make him want to hold it.

“Yes. It said it was. But I don’t know if it was even true.” The woman said. “Why? What about it?”

“What’s an exiled-beast?” Mago asked but his gaze never leave the weapon. He seems mesmerize by the spear.

“I don’t really know. It was just a rumor. I don’t care about an exiled beast or whatever it is. So, do you still want to try my fortune telling.” She asked Mago with a wink.

Mago stiffen but nevertheless answered the woman flustered. “Yes ma’am!”

“Okay, follow me. Pretty boy.”