YM778.TV Chapter 112: The Smiling Nun
"Women are so complicated, they probably haven\'t even woken up yet..." he murmured. Those three were peacefully asleep on the living room sofa, exhausted after a whole day of intense training. He didn\'t want to wake them, especially since he spent the day discussing ways to arrange for more wives... At least, that\'s what they believed.
Whatever Xyn had used on them during the conversation was strong enough to knock them out completely.
Now, he was in the city, wandering the rooftops while observing a festival taking place. He didn\'t know what the occasion was, but it seemed to be just a common event. Food stalls and hanging flags decorated the place, creating a festive and lively atmosphere.
As he walked across the rooftops, Strax watched the city below. The full moon illuminated the streets, revealing a vibrant festival that seemed to fill the air with laughter and music. He moved silently, the sound of his steps almost imperceptible. His keen eyes took in the details of the celebration, but his mind continued to wander, absorbed in his thoughts.
"It\'s so calm..." he murmured as he watched the festival. He was really trying to occupy his mind with something. Following his observation, he found something, or rather... someone, a familiar figure among the crowd.
Christine, his loyal subordinate dressed as a nun, was in the middle of the square, surrounded by children. She wore her characteristic habit, but her behavior did not match her feared title of assassin. Instead of executing her deadly skills, she was helping the children set up small stalls and distribute toys.
"So this is how you are when I\'m not watching you..." Strax murmured with a smile on his face. The scene was curious but comforting. Christine, normally cold and ruthless in her missions, displayed a softer and gentler side as she laughed and played with the children. Her movements were graceful and calculated, but they carried an unexpected tenderness.
Strax paused for a moment, watching her with a slight smile. He knew Christine had a dark past or something like that. After all... who doesn\'t in this world? But moments like that showed that even the most tormented souls could find redemption and purpose.
Although he knew it was just a facade and she was indeed a maniac who loved to kill...
He decided to descend from the rooftops to get closer. Moving silently, he jumped into the nearby alley and walked towards the square.
As he approached, he could hear Christine\'s cheerful voice encouraging a child to try a ring toss game again.
"Come on, kids, you can do it!" she encouraged, cutting some small flags. "You\'re doing very well," she said with a soft laugh. "Come on, try again, it\'s not that hard."
Strax approached the woman from behind, catching Christine\'s attention. After all, she had sensed him a long time ago. She was an assassin; her targets always had to be observed... and so did her master. She would observe him very well. She looked up and, upon seeing him...
Different... After all, it was the first time she saw Strax\'s new appearance, his long hair making her a bit excited... a gleam of recognition passing through her eyes. She nodded slightly, a discreet smile curving her lips.
"Oh, my lord," she said in a respectful tone but without losing her softness. "What brings you here at this hour? I thought... you would spend a good time with your wife now that Beatrice is safe," she said while continuing to help the little ones.
"I needed to clear my mind," Strax replied, watching the children around. "And it seems I\'ve found something more comforting than I expected." Christine smiled and turned her attention back to the children. "Sometimes, helping others is the best way to find peace," she commented. "These children have little, but their joy is contagious."
Strax smiled warmly as he interacted with Roger and the other children at the festival. The boy\'s innocent enthusiasm and the way he regarded Strax as a hero brought a sense of lightness to Strax\'s thoughts, temporarily lifting the weight of his responsibilities.
"My name is Strax. And what\'s your name, little hero? I\'m sure it\'s a unique name that a princess gave you," Strax teased gently, prompting Roger to smile shyly and introduce himself.
"I\'m Roger," the boy replied, smiling timidly. "Are you friends with Sister Cristine? Sister Cristine always says we\'re her only friends besides the nuns," he commented, glancing at Cristine, who seemed to be trying to conceal something.
"Yes, I\'m friends with her, although she always treats me like an old man," Strax confirmed, jokingly noting Cristine\'s muttered remark of "Tsk... stupid master." But he didn\'t let it deter him. "She\'s very good at helping people, isn\'t she? You should have seen how well she helped the injured from that Famous Clan\'s fire," Strax continued, clearly amused by the woman\'s reactions.
Roger nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, she\'s the best! She helps us set up stalls and play games, she also gives us bread in the morning! And she takes us to bathe! Do you want to play with us, Hero?" Before Strax could respond, another child, a girl with braids and a wide smile, took his hand. "Yes, let\'s play!
It\'s so much fun!"
Cristine watched the scene with a satisfied smile. "Looks like you have new friends, Lord Hero," she remarked.
Strax chuckled softly. "It seems so. Let\'s play then, shall we?" He got up, still holding the girl\'s hand, and followed the children to a ring toss booth.
The children explained the rules with excitement, showing Strax how to throw the rings to hit the colorful pins. Strax picked up a ring and tossed it, deliberately missing to entertain the children. They laughed and applauded, thrilled by the presence of their new friend.
"You almost got it, Hero! Try again!" encouraged Roger. Strax smiled and tried again, this time hitting the pin. The children cheered with joy, jumping and clapping.
After several rounds of the game, the children began to disperse, some returning to their families. Roger and the braided girl bid farewell to Strax with warm hugs.
"Thank you for playing with us, Hero!" said Roger, smiling. Strax couldn\'t help but feel a bit touched by the title.
"Little Roger, why do you call me a hero? I haven\'t done anything to be a hero," Strax questioned, finding it a bit odd after spending several hours being called a hero...
"Hm? Haven\'t you heard the story Sister Cristine told the other day? It\'s about a strong man with black hair and red eyes who seeks his beloved, kidnapped by a cruel and demonic dragon. He slays the dragon, marries the princess, and they live happily ever after!" Roger recounted excitedly, clearly enchanted by the tale. It seemed to be his favorite.
Strax couldn\'t contain his laughter. "Hahaha," he chuckled as he ruffled the boy\'s hair. "Go back to the convent, good luck." He stood up. "Come back more often!" Roger said as he prepared to leave. "I will," promised Strax. "Take care and keep being these cute little heroes."
Strax chuckled as he noticed Cristine\'s momentarily faltering gaze when he laughed, deducing a few things on his own. He looked at Cristine, who approached him. "I didn\'t know I was a hero," he commented with a laugh.
"I-I didn\'t mean for you to know that... it\'s just a silly story," she stammered, turning slightly embarrassed.
"I thought you were cold and calculating at first, even knowing you were a nun and an assassin, but you\'re quite interesting, you know?" Strax asked as he started walking through the streets, with Cristine by his side.
Cristine let out a nervous laugh. "I guess we all have layers, Master. We\'re not always what we seem at first glance," she said, speaking more about him than herself. It was the first time they had talked more than just about work and servitude, and for some reason, she felt happy...
Strax nodded thoughtfully. "You\'re right. I\'ve been underestimated many times because of my past. But seeing you like this, helping these children, shows a side of you that few know. I\'d like to see more of that Cristine," he said, looking at her with a curious glint in his eyes.
"Is that what you want? It seems quite vague, considering you\'re a man much darker than I am, you know?" Cristine replied with a question, her curiosity evident.
"We\'re both killers in the end, aren\'t we?" he responded with a smile. "Someone who dedicates themselves as much to killing as to bringing joy. It\'s a rare combination."
A shy smile returned to her lips. "These children... they remind me that there\'s more to life than just killing. I do for them what wasn\'t done for me at their age."
They continued walking through the brightly lit streets in silence, the festive atmosphere around them providing a perfect backdrop for reflection. After a few minutes of quiet, Strax looked at Cristine and asked, "Why did you choose me to be your master? It\'s crossed my mind a few times since you asked for it..."
"I like you, the aura around you is comforting... That\'s all," she said, but inside, she didn\'t quite think it was just that... in fact... well... let\'s leave that for another time.