Steampunk Era: Mad Abield
Chapter 488 - 327: Reunion (Part 3)

Chapter 488: Chapter 327: Reunion (Part 3)

Malin got up early and prayed for Old Hoffman.

Even today, Malin has never kneeled and begged to the deities, because Malin, who comes from another world, does not believe in gods. Unlike others who worship a deity for so-called inner peace, those who confess their sins after committing the worst acts are not believers but demons that consume human flesh and blood.

Malin has seen too many demons in human skin, but unfortunately, the gods have never punished them. They still have descendants to continue their lineage.

Thus, as he grew older, Malin increasingly believed only in himself, in the baseline of being human that lies within his heart. Since the deities cannot manage others, Malin can only manage himself.

Even now, having encountered numerous deities, Malin still does not want to embrace any faith.

Because Malin has seen too many wicked people who claim to believe in the afterlife, in retribution, in the punishment of gods, yet still commit those sins that deserve a thousand cuts.

Because they know themselves that all of this does not exist, they are also aware that in purgatory after death, there is only thoughtless eternity—a frozen sea with no reading, no writing, no joy or sorrow.

But it would definitely not be a prison managed by a deity.

So, in their eyes, everything in this world is just business.

Thus, they reassure themselves that even without their evil acts, someone else would take up the pickaxe and continue digging their own graves.

Therefore, Malin will not believe in gods; they can cooperate, but Malin will absolutely never kneel before them.

Certainly not for the fakes, let alone the real ones.

But today, Malin knelt on the mat, just seeking a better ending for Old Hoffman.

In this world, when souls return to the river called Mana, they are cleansed of all pretense. Although it’s impossible to reincarnate after the ravages of time, Malin at least believes that there should be a place for Old Hoffman, like the Golden Prairie or perhaps the great Colosseum, where he could be far from pain and suffering.

There, he could wait for the day when Colin also arrives to tell him the stories of what happened after his departure, about the children from the orphanage established by his last two apprentices growing up and exploring the world.

There might be sadness in those stories, but there should be much more happiness.

A small abode built by the devout believer Colin and the unbeliever Malin.

Let every child who truly needs help not leave this world, full of crises and regrets, too soon.

Of course, Malin also understands that his prayer is useless because he is a non-believer—no Rightful God will respond to his prayers, and no Evil God will either. It’s just a futile exercise.

Bippo noticed that his master had finished praying and quickly ran to Malin, opening his little arms, expecting Malin to hold him.

"Not today, it’s too dangerous over there. I can’t bring you and Milani, so please, take good care of our home and protect Maya, alright?" Malin looked at Bippo and asked.

The latter seemed confounded for a while but eventually nodded after being bribed with an Acorn that Malin handed over.

After patting the little creature’s head, Malin began putting on his gear—today was going to be the most perilous one yet.

Although the Church of Justice, Church of the Harvest Goddess, and the Church of the War God would all send people, and he could also be of help from Ails’s side, Malin still instinctively read worry in Old Hoffman’s murky eyes.

It was the deepest love of an old man who was about to pass away for his apprentices.

It was as if he knew that his apprentices would come.

Just like his senior brothers and sisters did on the day Old Hoffman inherited their mantle; on that day, the last pair of senior brother and sister arrived at the ceremony. Back then, it was he who killed both of them. Today, it was supposed to be Colin who, after inheriting the mantle, would kill those pitiful predecessors whose minds had been twisted by Chaos.

But this time, it was an end. Colin would not gain sufficient power.

The Secret Keeper cannot reveal the secret, so Old Hoffman couldn’t say it, but his concern for Colin made Malin consider such a possibility—because he’s never worried about those fallen apprentices, but rather pitied them intensely.

This should not be the case.

Unless their existence was merely a type of Whetstone.

Then it all made sense.

Lillim had spent much time in the past week embroidering a battle undershirt full of blessed holy patterns for Malin. He put it on and then wore the Church’s battle robe over it.

With two holsters on his belt, Malin placed two .44 Revolvers in them, hoping the blessed bullets within would serve their purpose well.

After slinging his new gun over his back, Malin walked to the door, and just as he was about to open it, inspiration at the door behind him outlined Maya’s figure.

Malin turned around to see his sister, who was now a young lady wearing the obviously too small nightgown from the past, looking at him with unease and restlessness.

Malin knew why she was so anxious, because this scene was one she must have witnessed many times when she was young.

"Maya, don’t worry, I’m just escorting Old Hoffman on his last journey," Malin said with a smile to his sister. "Go back to sleep for a while longer. Maybe by the time you wake up, I’ll already be back."

"Dad used to deceive me like this, too," Maya said with a smile as she retreated into her room. She slowly closed the door and eventually, before the door gap closed, there came Maya’s question tinged with a hint of tears.

"Brother, don’t forget to come back."

"Trust me..." Malin smiled as he approached the door, opening it to find his red-eyed little leopard. He extended his hand and embraced her.

"Not until today did I realize how important power truly is. If I had strength, I could stay by your side," Maya finally lost the battle to hold back her tears as she looked up at Malin, "Make sure you don’t end up like Dad, always forgetting to come home."

"I swear, I’ll return like lightning," Malin struggled to embrace his little leopard.

.........

Lillim gazed devoutly at the statue of the deity before her. Although the Shepherd’s Church had not witnessed a manifestation of their deity for a long time, she still believed in her. The Priest’s Church might be small, but everyone there still huddled together for warmth.

When she was very young, Lillim always felt that the church was like her second home. That was until she met Mr. Malin and gradually became attracted to him, eventually falling for him, feeling as if she couldn’t marry anyone but him, and finally realizing what a second home truly was.

It turns out, living under the same roof with the one you love, that’s what a new life is.

Today, Malin was going to witness a ritual.

Lillim knew the dangers involved, but it was something her Malin had to do.

Therefore, Lillim was very worried but also powerless to help.

This was the day the little lamb most urgently wished for power in her life.

It was the first time she understood why her mother always secretly cried whenever her father left home.

.........

Jessica, you’ve been working hard lately, have you seen such grand sights in the Capital that you’re eager to improve yourself right away?" her werewolf apprentice companion asked with a smile as she watched Jessica come down from the simulation training ground.

Jessica shook her head—no matter how magnificent the grand sights she had seen were, they couldn’t compare to that summer night when she first tasted the delicious food prepared by a boy her age.

That was the first time, she felt envy and jealousy in her heart—envying and being jealous of that girl named Maya, for being able to walk alongside him and for the reality of her youthful age.

It was not until she was recognized by her younger sisters and acknowledged by Mr. Malin that Jessica realized how much Fate favored her.

"I’m down now, so let me take over," her companion said with a laugh and climbed onto the training ground. Jessica high-fived her and watched as she went onto the training platform.

Jessica, you’ve let everyone down.

Being the eldest in your family, you should have taken on the responsibility of facing danger with Mr. Malin and fought for your father’s safety like your mother did, even at the risk of your own life, to drag him out of hell.

But you’ve disappointed everyone, and even more so, you’ve disappointed yourself.

Jessica sat down on a bench to the side, her sweat slowly dripping to the ground.

Never before has a day like this so provoked Jessica’s heart.

If you can’t even handle Malin’s affairs, what right do you have to be his loving partner?

Jessica, pursuing strength is not shameful, being without strength is the most shameful.

The werewolf girl thought to herself and then stood up—ready to find another simulation training ground. But just as she took a step forward, she saw her companion thrown out.

That was the reality of being forcefully ejected from the training ground when one’s strength was insufficient.

"Isn’t this difficulty way too high?" she looked at Jessica in amazement and exclaimed, "Jessica, you’re incredible!"

"Not really, I need to become even stronger. I can only stand behind the man I love and protect everything that matters if I’m stronger," Jessica stated earnestly to her friend.

.........

"Professor Clovis."

The call from someone nearby brought Clovis back to reality. She glanced at her kin in the audience, then turned to her colleague, "What’s the problem?"

"I’ve been attending your classes for the past six months, and at first, I thought I could keep up with you, and maybe even have a close competition in some areas," the elf girl said somewhat shyly, "But I was wrong, you’re the most formidable Toby Rabbitfolk Mage I’ve ever met. I’ve even found myself unable to keep up with your pace recently, your talent in Alchemy is so strong it sends shivers down my spine."

With that, she looked toward Clovis, "Have you become so powerful because of some secret?"

The question quieted the classroom after class, and Clovis paused for a moment. She looked at her peers, eager for knowledge, and finally sighed.

"I grew stronger to keep up with my husband’s strides. I don’t want to be the one that’s protected; I want to protect our home and everything else we can with my husband," she declared.

"Is it for love? That’s amazing! Mr. Malin is so lucky," the elf girl admired Clovis with adoration in her eyes.

Being able to follow my husband Malin is my happiness and fortune, and to maintain such happiness and good fortune is the motivation for my growing strength. I sincerely hope that each of you can find happiness because having happiness gives you a reason to strive," Clovis added.

The young Mage Apprentices began to applaud.

Clovis smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.

I haven’t done enough, if I were stronger, I could have helped Malin today, and prevented every sister from being so distraught.