Chapter 388 - - The Light of Morality_1

—————✧✧✧✧—————

You’re a criminal!

Do you really see yourself as a savior?

Even if what you’re saying is true, you’ve only awakened a half-crippled Martial Spirit. Who gave you the courage to confront the entire Kingdom of Lucerne?

That prison guard may be a fool—are we fools as well?

Standing behind the cell door, Reggie and his two companions looked at Duge, who was sincerely inviting them, and the same thought arose in their hearts.

Then.

Almost simultaneously, three voices rang out, “I’m willing.”

Everyone locked up here was a felon. Even if not sentenced to death, they had to spend who knows how many years in these dark cells. Who would give up such a readily available freedom?

Moreover.

Holley had only awakened a half Martial Spirit, which wasn’t even combat-oriented. As long as they restored their own Martial Spirit abilities, getting rid of him would be as easy as turning their hands over.

Plus, with this Holley, who had nearly offended half the nobility circle, drawing hatred, their chances of evading pursuers would be even higher.

Perhaps Holley was genuinely an upright person.

But can righteousness fill your belly?

Didn’t that same righteousness lead to the ruin of his family and himself becoming a fugitive?

Belief, dreams…

They’re just fairy tales to fool children!

…

“Thank you all for being willing to trust Holley,” Duge reflexively wanted to fist-bump, but suddenly remembered that wasn’t the custom in this world. He abruptly pulled back his hand and nodded instead, “Simon, release them. Let us join hands and carve out a place in this world together.”

Simon responded, found the key, and set all three of them free.

Reggie was muscular and sported a big beard, looking in his thirties. He seemed twice Duge’s size and stood like a tower, exuding an intimidating presence.

Lass was much skinnier. His hair was graying though his face showed no wrinkles, making it difficult to determine his age. After coming out of the cell, he glanced at Duge several times before quietly standing aside.

As for Ole, he looked to be about the same age as Li En. Upon exiting the cell, his face was indelibly marked with uncontrollable joy, “Holley, you’re a good person. Thank you for saving me, but let’s get one thing straight—I can’t follow you for life. I want to enjoy life, enjoy love. I can protect you for up to a year to repay you for rescuing me. Yes, a year at most…”

Duge looked at him and smiled, “A year is enough. What I need are righteous companions, not servants to command. Ole, you don’t need to make any promises to me. Whenever you feel that my actions betray my ideals, you are free to leave me, and I won’t have any complaints.”

Reggie and the others looked at Duge again, seemingly not expecting such words from him.

For a moment.

All three felt ashamed.

Such an upright person, and they had thought of ditching him after escaping prison—what lowlifes they were!

Indeed.

One shouldn’t stand next to such morally noble people; they always make you look utterly tarnished by comparison.

“No, Holley,” Ole shook his head earnestly, “I’m a man of my word. If I say a year, then it’s a year. I don’t care what you become during this time. For this year, I will protect you with my life, unless I die before then. Otherwise, this one-year term will never change.”

Duge gave Ole an unexpected glance, raising his estimation of him. He always liked dealing with principled people.

“Since Ole has promised a year, I also commit to protecting you for one year to repay your kindness,” Reggie boomed.

“I too will protect you for a year,” said Lass, lifting his eyelids.

“You…” Li En looked at them and let out a dissatisfied cold laugh, “What a one-year term. Holley saved you from death’s cell.”

Indeed.

Li En was a good partner. Although a bit hot-tempered, he was indeed the kind to be truly heartfelt with. Duge analyzed their characters in his mind and looked at Li En appreciatively, “Li En, don’t say that. I’m not someone who takes advantage of others’ gratitude. And following me comes with danger. Their willingness to commit to a year already shows considerable courage.”

“But…” Li En still wanted to argue.

Duge shook his head at him: “Li En, an upright person should not limit others’ freedom for their own sake. A one-year term is enough for us to reach the peak of this world.”

Hahaha!

A strange bout of laughter suddenly came from the cell in front of them.

Duge turned his head to look.

An unkempt old man was slapping his thigh and laughing wildly, as if he had just witnessed the most amusing thing.

“What are you laughing at?” Li En barked.

“I’m laughing because you all are a bunch of idiots.” The old man wiped the tears from the corner of his eyes, “You probably forgot who this guy offended, haven’t you?”

“Isn’t it just Duke Linqi?” Li En said with disdain.

“Isn’t it just Duke Linqi?” The old man snorted with laughter, “Indeed, ignorant people are the happiest. In the entire Kingdom of Lucerne, there are only three dukes.

And Duke Linqi is the only non-royal amongst them. He controls a third of Lucerne’s armies, practically controls the Magic Guild, and he himself is the grand elder of the Magic Guild, the honorary president of the magic academy. With just you lot, what can you do against Duke Linqi?”

No wonder Saima Lynch was a prodigy magic girl; there was this relationship behind her!

Duge muttered internally.

He glanced at the old man and couldn’t help but think, there really were many talents in prison. He originally thought it was a disastrous start, but it turned out to be a crazy, uncontrollable one…

“With just you few, whose Martial Spirits have been sealed, a bunch of invalids?” the old man’s voice continued, “Or the one who awakened half a Martial Spirit? He can foresee disasters on others and prevent minor ones like flower pots falling or drowning in water, but can he stop man-made disasters? Even if you escape this prison, do you plan on hiding from one place to another after he predicts disasters, living a life like rats?”

The faces of Li En and the others changed.

Simon was shaking even more. He was just a minor prison guard; his impression of the Duke was limited to a name, so how could he possibly know the extent of his power?

He had always thought Prince Nelson was the more formidable one!

It was truly to die for; why did he let Holley go in a moment of hot-headedness…

All along, Duge’s expression remained calm. He smiled at the old man who was speaking his mind and asked, “Old sir, if I have Simon release you, would you be willing to follow me for a year?”

The old man was stunned and then a mocking smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

“Old sir, I’ve always held myself to the strictest standards, but I treat the people around me with the most leniency,” Duge smiled and continued, “From your analysis of the situation, I can tell you are an insightful person.

If you agree, I’ll have you released without demanding you to keep the one-year agreement. During this time, if you feel the enemy can’t be defeated, you can leave at any time. I will harbor no grudges against you, and I will only consider myself having misjudged. Would you be willing to follow me for a year?”

The old man looked at Duge, silent.

Lass glanced at Duge again, a faint smile tracing his lips.

What is moral coercion?

This is moral coercion!

Duge had a sincere smile on his face as he looked at the old man across from him.

I hold myself to the strictest moral standards, yet I demand others to uphold the standards of untrustworthy trash. I’d like to see how you cope with that?

Looking at the old man who remained silent for a long time, Duge shook his head, “Old sir, do you think Li En and the others really don’t know the strength of Duke Linqi?”

“…” The old man looked at Duge, puzzled.

“How many fools do you think are locked up in here?” Duge said, “But they know full well the strength of Duke Linqi, yet at their weakest moment, they resolutely chose to step out of this cell with a half-awakened Martial Spirit invalid like myself, to face an enemy that might never be defeated. To you, this might seem stupid, but to me, it’s courage. They are true heroes.”

Reggie clenched his fists tightly and stepped closer behind Duge.

Surprise showed on Lass’s face again.

Simon bowed his head in shame, ashamed of his earlier wavering.

Ole, who had been all smiles, now looked much more serious.

“Old sir, I became a despised playboy in order to save innocent people; I even sent myself to the guillotine, jeopardizing my family’s fate for a disaster that might not occur. In your eyes, that may also be foolish!”

Duge looked around at his companions and smiled again, “We are actually the same kind of people. But if the world didn’t have fools who knew the dangers yet still stood up, and only had wise people like you who laughed at others’ foolishness, would the world still be a good place?

If given another chance, I would still choose to be a fool, to fight for my beliefs my whole life rather than hide in a dark corner ridiculing others…”

Li En and the others straightened up as if their folly had become their pride.

At this moment, they felt they had become much closer to Duge.

Duge paused, then looked at the old man with pity, “I’m sorry, old sir, I’m no longer the playboy I used to be, and I should not have used such cruel words on you. Everyone has their own choices, and I respect your choice.”

The old man’s face turned red with anger, “Holley, who do you think you’re looking down on? If you release me, what’s protecting you for a year to me? Others might fear Linqi, but I do not…”

✦ ✧ ✦ ✧ ✦