Chapter 99: Cab |
In a somewhat filthy corner of the temporary medical area—
Cab’s dirty little face was covered in tear stains as he tightly hugged his only remaining family member with his tiny body.
“Brother! Brother! You have to hold on—don’t fall asleep…”
Cab’s voice choked with sobs, but he tried his best to suppress them, afraid of disturbing the others around him who were suffering just as much.
He roughly wiped away his tears with his sleeve, which was already soaked with dirt and tears.
“Brother! Just hold on a little longer… just a little longer… I heard people outside saying the merciful Holy Knight Lord will arrive soon. He’ll definitely be able to save you!”
He continuously whispered into his brother’s ear, as though doing so could breathe life back into the gradually cooling body.
The frail boy in his arms looked around thirteen or fourteen years old. His face was pale, and his cracked lips had turned purple.
Wrapped in an old but relatively clean cotton blanket, he remained only half-conscious as he gently stroked his younger brother’s head.
It was said the disaster had been caused by lunatics detonating magical bombs while surrounding Shadow Guild assassins. Those affected could only consider themselves unlucky.
Last night, their parents had also tragically died while fleeing with the crowd.
Now, only he and his younger brother remained.
But in his current condition, even if he survived, he would only become a burden to his younger brother.
“Take care… of yourself…”
Using the last of his strength, he slowly spoke each word.
“Brother, forgive me… from now on, you’ll have to rely on yourself…”
The boy gently looked at the younger brother in his arms, as though trying to engrave that immature little face deep into his soul.
“God… I offer everything I have… please bless my younger brother…”
The light in his eyes gradually faded. The hand gently stroking his brother weakly dropped down and softly landed upon the cold ground.
Cab’s body suddenly stiffened.
He viciously bit down on his lower lip until blood instantly flowed out and dripped from his chin, yet he felt no pain at all.
He hugged his brother’s still-warm body even tighter, his tiny arms trembling slightly from exertion, as though as long as he refused to let go, his brother would never leave…
After Dean and the others disembarked, they anxiously inquired for news and quickly learned that a Holy Knight was treating the wounded at a temporary medical station near the harbor.
Dean was both excited and worried. After giving instructions to Zack and the others, he immediately rushed toward the medical area.
This temporary medical zone had been hastily converted from several abandoned harbor warehouses.
The entrance was packed with people and filled with chaos. Wounded individuals were constantly being carried in, while stretchers covered with white cloth were silently carried out.
Most of those being removed were people who had failed to receive treatment in time, could no longer hold on, and had already lost all signs of life.
Dean was stopped at the entrance by guards maintaining order.
Originally, Dean wanted to say that he was the Holy Knight’s disciple, but remembering that his teacher had always concealed his identity, he swallowed the words back down. He could only anxiously pace outside the cordon while stretching his neck to look inside.
“Please! Please let the Holy Lord examine my brother! He’s not dead! He really isn’t dead!”
“He just moved!”
“Please!”
A somewhat familiar hoarse child’s voice entered Dean’s ears.
Hearing the sound, he turned his head and saw a familiar little figure, his face covered in tears and dirt, desperately clutching the arm of a volunteer carrying a stretcher. His tiny feet were nearly off the ground as he tried to stop the man from moving forward.
Yet his weak body lacked even the slightest ability to halt the man’s steps.
“Cab?!”
Dean called out tentatively.
The moment his name was called, Cab briefly thought he had heard his brother’s voice. Within his limited understanding, at this moment, probably only his brother would call his name.
He rushed toward the stretcher carrying his brother and shouted excitedly:
“Did you hear that?! Brother just called my name!”
“He called my name!”
“He definitely isn’t dead!”
“Put my brother down!”
Cab let out a heart-rending roar.
His voice immediately attracted the attention—and dissatisfaction—of many people nearby!
“Where did this brat come from?! What are you yelling about here?!”
The adventurer responsible for maintaining security in the area immediately frowned and strode forward, shouting at Cab in a low voice filled with impatience.
He had already handled far too many similar incidents today and was utterly exhausted both physically and mentally.
If the other party had not merely been a child, he would already have slapped him.
Still, he did not let him off easily. Mixed within his low roar was a slight pressure of spiritual force.
Cab immediately felt dizzy, his vision darkening as his frail body swayed violently, nearly collapsing onto the ground.
Fortunately, he was caught by a strong arm just in time.
“Sir, I apologize. I was too reckless and caused you trouble.”
Supporting the shaken Cab, Dean quickly apologized to the adventurer. Though he did not fully understand what had happened, it was probably related to him calling Cab’s name earlier.
Dean’s palm gently rested atop Cab’s head as a soft stream of spiritual energy slowly soothed his heart.
Although he could not yet condense Holy Light, his spiritual energy already carried a slight calming effect upon people’s minds.
Helping the trembling Cab steady himself, Dean looked at the displeased adventurer and sincerely asked:
“Sir, I know this child. May I ask where you are taking the person on the stretcher?”
The adventurer maintaining order caught the scent of sea wind on Dean and knew he must have just returned from the sea.
Suppressing his dissatisfaction, he quickly explained:
“According to the orders of Lord Holy Knight, everyone who dies from death energy must be cremated as quickly as possible to prevent the death energy from leaking out and endangering even more living people!”
After speaking, he ignored Dean and waved his hand, signaling the two volunteers to continue carrying the stretcher away.
“Put down… my… brother… he’s not dead!”
Cab’s consciousness was already blurry, yet he still clenched his teeth and let out weak sobbing cries.
Hearing Cab’s desperate and stubborn pleas, Dean felt as though his heart had been viciously twisted.
“Please wait! Can I take a look at the person on the stretcher?”
Dean swiftly stepped forward and blocked the two volunteers within just a few strides.
“Kid, are you done yet?!”
The adventurer’s expression instantly darkened. His hand pressed against the hilt of his sword.
If Dean wasn’t taught a lesson, everyone else would follow suit, and the order that had finally stabilized could very likely collapse into chaos once again!
Didn’t he see that a huge crowd had already gathered around them?