Chapter 26: Good and Evil

  The first watch is delivered

  "Jonie, what you just did was wrong." Odara didn't look back as she carried the attacker who had fainted.

  "Isn't it?" Johnny asked in some surprise.

  "You shouldn't have drawn your sword and threatened the shopkeeper."

  "But he is indeed the one hiding the murderer!" Johnny argued.

  Audra stopped in her tracks, turned around and gazed into Johnny's eyes, her face extremely serious: "But you didn't know before he confessed, you just suspected. Is it right to threaten civilians with a weapon because of suspicion? This is not something a good person should do."

  "Really? But..."

  "Joni!" Odalra raised his tone, "The great Odin is a benevolent god, he does not want his people to be harmed, nor does he want his people to harm others at will. Every battle you fight should be for your survival, not for pleasure. Every time you wield your weapon, if it's not for justice or to kill the enemy, then at least it should be when there's no other choice. Yes, the person you threatened today is indeed someone who deserves to be threatened, but what about tomorrow? If you make a habit of this, you will be abandoned by the gods. Listen well and remember this: if you take pleasure in killing, pride yourself on intimidating civilians, use your abilities to burn, kill, and plunder innocent people, then I, Odalra Ludwig, swear in Odin's name that I will hunt you down forever until I kill you myself and wash away the sinful name I taught you."

  Jonah stared at Othala. Good or evil? As he pondered this question, Othala was more serious than ever before. For the first time, this clever and vengeful, seemingly easy-going middle-aged man exuded a strong aura, as if divine spirits were with him, as if he had seen through Jonah's soul.

  "You're a clever kid." Odara turned back, continuing to walk forward, her mouth not stopping, "I once saw someone as clever as you, he always had many wicked ideas, and like you, was good at hiding his emotions. At the time everyone thought that he would become a great figure, he would prove himself on the battlefield of fighting against barbarians and resisting invaders, being admired by all people, being enfeoffed by the royal family... everything would move in the most beautiful direction."

  This was the first time Johnny had heard Odell talk about his past. He listened with rapt attention, unable to help asking, "And then?"

  He felt it wasn't a happy story.

  "He was always able to resolve many troubles, sometimes from people and sometimes from monsters. Although the means were not always bright and just, they solved the trouble. The villagers felt that his way of doing things was unpleasant, but they did not hold it against him. Later... because of some small matter, he accidentally killed a villager." Odala's voice sank down, "In the kingdom of Osetin, even the king cannot arbitrarily kill civilians. The nearby kingdom guard quickly arrived at the village and soon found out the true culprit, wanting to take him away. A clever young man, his future was ruined!"

  Audra finished speaking and fell silent. Johnny knew the story wasn't over yet.

  "So you can't act impulsively like before, or it will lead to consequences that you cannot afford."

  What? Is that it? The story isn't over yet, is it?

  "What happened to him in the end?"

  "What happened afterwards?" Odara seemed reluctant to continue, but after a moment's hesitation, she went on, "With the help of some friends we played with, he escaped. But during his escape, he encountered obstacles and took hostages. Afterwards...the hostage never came back, and someone found his body in a nearby forest."

  Joni was somewhat shocked. This, how did you manage to do this?

  "The retired soldier who taught us martial arts in the village was extremely angry, and that night he packed his bags and vowed not to return until he had killed the man. He did come back, but as a corpse, and passersby found our village through documents on his body. He was killed by his own disciple."

  Although he had seen many similar martial arts stories, this was the first time he had heard of such a thing. He somewhat understood why O'Dala was so excited.

  "So, I don't want the same tragedy to happen a second time. At that time, we were just a group of kids and one careless thought killed a villager, a teacher. If you commit such a crime, you won't be as lucky as that bastard." Odaraga threw out a sentence lightly and quickened his pace towards the castle.

  Joni hurried after him.

  Thinking carefully, I really did something wrong. If this were in a game, the scene where I drew my sword and threatened him would probably have triggered a system prompt like "Your actions have shifted your alignment 5 points towards evil". But it was pretty cool though. Sigh, I'll try to control my emotions from now on. Joanie thought to herself.

  Back at the castle, Odara had Johnny wait by the entrance while she carried the attacker to report to the Earl. After coming out, she said to Johnny: "Revenge is my goal, hatred isn't. To achieve this goal, I will put aside hatred and stay clear-headed." This was something you yourself said, do you still remember?

  Joni nodded, and the knot in his chest suddenly loosened - he had indeed been hateful and agitated before.

  "That's good. I know you're not feeling well in your heart, although you didn't show it, but I can feel it. This guy is handed over to you, take him to the dungeon and interrogate him thoroughly. As long as he doesn't die, do whatever you want."

  Joni's eyes flashed with a hint of surprise, his heart racing. "And you, sir?" he asked in a trembling voice.

  "I'm watching you too, just in case you get overexcited and kill someone. Let's go, the secretary will follow."

  What a benefit! This is indeed a benefit! Johnny got excited.

  －－－－－－－－－－－－

  The dungeon is under the castle, damp and cold, torches cast a faint light into the dark cells that never see daylight, the cells are empty.

  Is anyone there?

  Joni turned back to look at Odara, who also looked surprised. The prison guard leading the way in front of them turned around and smiled obsequiously: "Two adults, usually some petty thieves will come in and stay for a while, but recently there are soldiers patrolling everywhere on the streets, so no one dares to commit crimes against the wind. It's empty here."

  So that's it, a terrifying atmosphere helps improve public safety! Johnny nodded.

  "You have torture chambers somewhere, take us there," said Johnny.

  In the torture chamber, he sat down and had the attacker locked up with iron chains. Johnny picked up a bucket of well water brought by the prison guard and poured it over his head.

  The attacker suddenly came to, opened his eyes, and saw Johnny and O'Dara staring at him. He tried to struggle to his feet, only to discover that he was shackled by iron chains and couldn't move. He glared fiercely at the two of them, panting heavily, as if in a state of extreme anger.

  Audrey was sitting on one side without making a sound, the protagonist of this interrogation was Johnny. And Johnny didn't make a sound either, he just smiled slightly and looked at the locked-up guy, sizing him up repeatedly.

  After a while, the scribe arrived with his pen and ink and papyrus notebook in the dungeon, and the interrogation officially began.

  "Name."

  "Hum!" The prisoner was very defiant.

  Joni shook his head and looked back at Odara: "Sir, can I be a bit excessive with the enemy?"

  Audrey smiled: "For enemies, we still have to retain a hint of respect. But for such despicable enemies, nothing is excessive."

  Joni nodded and looked at the prisoner again.

  "Name."

  "Damn you! I'm a wild wolf, and you think you can get it out of me..." The prisoner started cursing loudly.

  Jony's smile on his face disappeared. He looked around the torture chamber and found nothing suitable, so he pulled out his own short blade from his thigh and slowly approached the attacker: "Say it again?"

  "Oh my god... Ah! Ah! Ah----!"

  Joni's knife stabbed into the uppermost part of the offender's arm, where he had once read that it was a place with extremely concentrated human nerves.

  It seems so indeed.

  With a flick of his short blade, amidst the ear-piercing screams, Johnny's face was expressionless: "Name."

  "Ah——I said I said, my name is, ah——"

  Jony pulled out his knife.

  "My name is Moss, I don't have a surname, I'm an orphan." Moss replied honestly.

  "It seems we're off to a good start, Mos. Joni's face was smiling, just like when he spoke with the tavern owner," "First of all, let me make one thing clear: you dare ask about my mother again, haha, what happened earlier was just an appetizer, got it?"

  Mo sighed, inhaled cool air, and nodded vigorously.

  "Alright then, let's get started." Johnny patted Moss on the head and said kindly.