Chapter 196

"For the dead, having a place to be buried is better than being devoured by wild animals."

"Moreover, to me, this behavior is more like a transaction."

"Trade?"

Theresis asked in confusion, and in response, Zuo Jian took a small, blood-stained bag from his waist and tossed it to him.

He took the bag, feeling its heavy weight and hearing its clinking sound.

Upon opening it, what comes into view is a pile of silver nameplates filling this small bag.

"A mercenary said that in that place called Scar Market, the nameplates worn by mercenaries in life are a form of circulating currency. Different nameplates represent different values, and many mercenaries have their own bounties."

The boy picked up one of the nameplates, feeling its cold metallic texture.

No matter how powerful or legendary a mercenary was in life, in death he weighs only as much as this rough piece of iron in his hand...

"It's so light."

Theresis sighed subconsciously, then placed the object, whose owner was unknown, aside.

The nameplate was put back in the bag.

"But the deal you're referring to is..."

"It's the nameplate in your hand. It represents the value of a mercenary in life. I'm taking it, and in exchange, I'll provide value to their remains after death."

Zuo Jian forward and placed the bag that Theresis had returned to him on his waist.

"Isn't it still an unnecessary thing?"

"You could have simply taken the nameplate and disposed of the body as you pleased, just like most mercenaries do."

"I guess I'm just being a bit dramatic. Besides, if I actually did that, wouldn't I be just like those mercenaries?"

Zuo Jian smiled, then led Theresis toward the nameless town where Theresa was.

"So you don't like being treated as a mercenary?"

"It's more like I dislike having my life put on a price tag... no, I should say I dislike anyone's life being put on a price tag."

"But didn't you also take those nameplates that represented the mercenaries' value?"

Theresis glanced at Zuo Jian with a hint of disdain, seemingly refuting the mismatch between his grand pronouncements and his actions.

"You're right, that's a reality. Some things won't just disappear because you don't like them. Often, in order to get things to go the way you want, you have to do things you're not used to."

Even I am no exception.

He walked side by side with Theresis across the desolate wilderness on their way home, and soon only the sound of their boots rubbing against the yellow sand and pebbles remained between them.

But soon, Zuo Jian spoke again.

"However, Theresis, although I may do things that I'm not used to or even hate, I will always set a bottom line for myself, regardless of the outcome or the process."

"Bottom line?" Theresis listened as Zuo Jian uttered the word, seemingly pondering its underlying meaning.

After all, for most people in Kazdel, their only bottom line for survival is 'no bottom line'.

"Alright, let's keep going, we'll be there soon." Zuo Jian led Theresis, looking at the numerous earthen mounds with weapons stuck in them that could be vaguely seen in the distance, and embarked on a completely different journey.

"Brother—you're back!"

As Zuo Jian pushed open the door to the simple but thoroughly familiar little house after a few days, the pink figure inside noticed the commotion outside and immediately put down her needlework, running over to check on Theresis's injuries.

"I'm fine... Theresa."

"Really? But you..."

Theresa checked Theresis's injuries with some concern, but he clearly intended to cover it up. After giving a few perfunctory words, he returned alone to his small room.

Faced with her brother's attitude, Theresa had no Zuo Jian but to turn to Zuo Jian for help. She only breathed a sigh of relief after he gave her a reassuring look.

"Zuo Jian... you must encounter a lot of enemies outside... after all, things have been too peaceful lately... normally, there would be enemies almost every day----"

"Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on Theresis. In fact, he's far more capable than I thought. Every time I fight those mercenaries, I feel he's a little stronger than I was before."

"Yeah..."

After hearing this, Theresa didn't seem particularly happy. She simply returned to her seat, lost in thought.

Zuo Jian looked at her, remained silent for a moment, and then suddenly spoke.

"However, he shouldn't need to go out for 'training' for a short period of time."

"Huh? Why?"

"Because I plan to go out for a while, if nothing unexpected happens, I should be able to ease the situation with the mercenaries around here a bit and make things a little more stable."

Zuo Jian sat down next to Theresa and told her about his upcoming trip.

"Going out... is it... Scar Market?" Clearly, Theresa knew quite a bit about this, and could even guess Zuo Jian's destination with just a little thought.

"Yes, so Theresis can just let him rest here for a while..."

"Um... Zuo Jian, could you take me with you?"

The girl hesitated before interrupting Zuo Jian, as if she had made up her mind.

"Theresa? Why do you say that?"

Zuo Jian looked at the tailor girl with some surprise, unable to figure out why she would suggest going out with him to the Scar Market.

It should be noted that, Zuo Jian's speculation, this 'journey' was definitely not a pleasant one.

"My brother... he practiced so hard for me. He said that as long as he mastered the sword, he would have a chance to be selected as Royal Court guard, which would improve his current life."

"So... that's why he's been so eager to follow you, Zuo Jian, out for arduous training lately..."

"But...I..." Theresa sat to the side, looking down at her interlocked fingers, and said with some worry.

"But I don't want to just..."

Hiding behind him like this, I thought... I wanted to go and see the people of this land for myself..."

"Really? Then you'd better convince Theresis. I'm worried that he'll come over all bruised and battered and accuse me of stealing his dear sister."

"So, you've agreed?"

"Um."

"Okay, I'll go talk to him right away!" After receiving a positive reply, Theresa excitedly went into Theresis's room.

Zuo Jian looked at the girl's back and couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

Perhaps this girl named Theresa initially just wanted to break free from the protective circle established by her brother, or perhaps she simply wanted to see what kind of land she lived on.

Or perhaps, the other person's purpose was something more purely about proving to their brother, who had always protected them, that they didn't actually need such desperate care from him.

However, regardless of the process, Zuo Jian had already guessed the outcome.

Because he could tell... Theresa was... a kind person.

Whatever her initial purpose may have been, after personally traversing the land of Kazdel, and witnessing firsthand the suffering of the Sarkaz and the Infected, her innate kindness must have planted a seed of idealism in her heart.

A seed... attempting to save all Sarkaz and the Infected.

However, before that...

"Are you kidding me?! Absolutely not!!!"

The boy's roar was almost deafening, and Zuo Jian, as if he had expected it, covered his ears. Then, accompanied by a violent sound that could have sent the door into a second repair, Theresis kicked the door open.

The young, pink-haired Sarkaz charged out, his eyes wide with rage, sword in hand. He hadn't even had time to put on his clothes; it was clear that just seconds before, he had been bandaging himself.

Behind him, Theresa was desperately tugging at his clothes, trying to stop him from rushing towards the Zuo Jian.

"Brother! It'll really be alright!! Don't do this!! Brother----"

However, Theresa's attempts to stop her seemed to have no effect; the girl, clinging to the boy's clothes, was dragged all the way to Zuo Jian's side.

Theresis was staring intently at Zuo Jian, then raised her hand and lifted her longsword!

"What are you thinking?! Why did you make Theresa go to the Scar Market with you?!"

"Leaving aside the fact that the area is almost entirely populated by mercenary groups, the mercenaries we've encountered along the way have been incredibly dangerous!!"

Faced with the boy's threat, Zuo Jian raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself.

Not quite. Theresis has been much more composed lately... only during battles, but she still can't help herself when her sister is involved.

No, this is a good thing.

It's normal to show this kind of expression when your family members are in potential danger.

"I admire your protective expression towards your sister, Theresis, but your act of pointing a sword at me now... is clearly impulsive and reckless."

"So what! Tell me! Why did you take Theresa away!"

"Brother! Don't do this, it was my own fault..."

"Theresis, I assure you, as long as I live, I will not allow your sister to suffer any harm. Can you rest assured now?"

"What..."

"I just think that Theresa has the right to make her own decisions about her future after she has truly seen the so-called realities around her."

"At that time, will she choose to continue hiding under your wing as a pampered tailor girl, or will she choose to step out of your protection, stand on her own two feet, and follow her own ideas?"

"Don't you think your sister at least deserves this?"

"Or do you intend to protect her like this until the day you're gone, or until you make a mistake, and then she suddenly has to face the bloody reality of this land? After your protective layer is torn away?"

"Don't you think this is a bit too cruel?"

"I..."

Theresis clenched her fist, seemingly wanting to refute, but unable to find a reason.

Until Zuo Jian patted him on the shoulder

"This is your sister's own choice, and I think it's necessary to respect her decision. As for the safety issue..."

He paused for a moment, looking at Theresa behind Theresis.

"I assure you, as long as the individual named Zuo Jian lives in this world, I will do everything in my power to protect Theresa, regardless of time, place, or space."

Meanwhile, Theresa, who was patting her brother's shoulder, was also taken aback when she heard Zuo Jian's promise. She seemed surprised that he would make such a... solemn promise.

"I understand... but... but... I still want to say..."

"Protect her... please... Zuo Jian..." Theresis pounded her fist on Zuo Jian's chest, as if she had used up her last bit of strength.

"Yes, I will."

(Tsk... I've revised this second half so many times, but it still has this weird sense of déjà vu... It's like... a brother-in-law entrusting his sister with something?)

(Uh, I'd better not think about that anymore. I should focus on writing more of Theresa's story every day.)

(What? Laurentina? Uh... it's okay, we'll win.)

(I guess so.)

Chapter Thirty-Three: Zuo Jian Begins His Pursuit of Power

Did you bring your clothes?

"I brought it!"

"Those emergency rations..."

"Yes, brother, there's no need to stuff any more in. There's not much food left at home. What will you eat if you stuff it all in?"

"Take it."

Theresis looked at her sister, and after a moment of silence, turned and pulled a small cloth bag from under the dilapidated floor of the hut. She then carefully placed it in Theresa's hands.