The God of Jesters
Chapter 244 - 4.07.5 Introductions are in order.

Chapter 244: 4.07.5 Introductions are in order.

The journey on the train is beautiful and easy, filled with new sights and food to eat while you can sleep without worry. Considering that the train was the fastest method to leave the cold of the north, it should have been the optimal choice. Why would they choose the path of least interest?

The group was built up of true members of the Church of Jester. They wished to see the scenery while they journeyed across the plains at a much slower pace than the one they might experience on the train.

Of course, their main reason was something much simpler.

Remira is that very reason.

Through most of his life in this world, Jester had been hunted by various churches who noticed his existence, but while others would lose interest or be fooled by him after a long while, the Radiant Hall, being the very first, never abandoned his hunt.

Until of course, he made them pay a big price, and considering how he was a powerless wraith confined to the world of dreams, they finally stopped bothering him.

But that was when he was alone, with Yethel as his base, he had cultivated a strong following for himself, people that would perfectly give their life for him, enjoy his misery together, and find new ways to seek out their entertainment, just like himself.

A true family of sorts, which he cultivated through a simple technique he learned in his old world.

The rat cage where he trained the bloodthirsty rats that were only servile to him, with the exception of just one. But their training and how he molded and enhanced each one’s little kinks gave him a lot of inspiration while building and running some orphanages.

Where the normal ones will be thrown aside and ignored by him after they reach a certain age, while those talented who show some potential will be recruited and urged to do his deeds, while he slowly molded them to achieve their best, either by hook or crook.

Turning them into little maniacs who enjoy the fun of a job more than how they will complete it. So efficiency was never part of their thoughts. And unless they were specifically asked by Jester, the being that gave them such a wonderful opportunity, they won’t go out of their way to do things the easy way.

It was this very mortal family of his that could actually die and face the actual threat to the world filled with powers and organizations much stronger than him. A fate that is almost assured the moment they use the normal root, considering there were many after Farhad, not to mention, that there ought to be Remira who will inform her little mad group of Owl’s existence. Making their work much harder to do.

So until Farhad comes about to like their way and joins them willfully, hence decreasing the chance of being found out, they will have to take each of their steps carefully.

"Who are you?..." Weird figures surrounded him, all wearing the classic mercenary clothes with not much distinction. A bit too generic and boring in the eyes of Farhad, whose mind had been somewhat influenced by Jester’s meddling from before.

A weird thought in itself, but this made it easier for him to incur certain possible scenarios in his mind.

His body was intact without an injury, which was rare for him. Then there was an even absurd fact that he was not bound in any way. He can feel the flames in his body, burning ever slowly and waiting to explode if he wished it to be so.

Proving that these people haven’t placed a single ban on his powers as well. Of course, it might just be that they couldn’t do it. But why would they still not bind him with ropes?

Then there was the third point, an odd one, which was that he was currently naked. But none of the eyes of these people danced around his body, they just stared at him like a fan seeing one’s idol. A look he used to have as a kid when he saw his father.

But for some reason, he knew that these people were not actually interested in him completely. At least not him as a person.

All of which points out that these men were not normal kidnappers who came for his flames. And they can’t be anyone good as well, considering that Remira was nowhere close to him.

Leaving only a single person in his mind, who might know him enough but still showing his own version of goodwill.

"Consider us friends of your old friend, nothing more, nothing less." The man at the very front spoke, the one who seemed like the leader. Of course, the others wished to speak some more, but they didn’t do it, for now at least,

Their guest might panic if too much information was forced on them at a time. He might retaliate in response to any excessive stimuli, they have seen it happen before, and they don’t wish to suppress this masterpiece of their Leader by beating him to submission.

It would be too cruel.

So they took the soft approach, even including Scart, who was holding back his desire to take a trophy of his own from Farhad.

"An old friend?... I don’t have friends... So who are you?" His words didn’t mean that Farhad was oblivious to the identity of these people, whether he liked it or not, he had an inkling over the identity of this friend, but he can’t be sure as of yet.

And if these people called him an old friend of that old bastard, then did they know who he was and how far into the past he met that friend?

How much did these people know?

How dare they know it?

Jester in his eyes won’t be so careless to expose such an important and dangerous matter to a bunch of nobodies mercenaries. Of course, this might just be an irrational fear of his, not holding any true weight.

But the leader of this group spoke in a kind voice. "Of course the Jester’s friend. He spoke a lot about you in our dreams, how you used to kill others in the ring, the stories of your triumph over a cat even."

A bit shocked, fearful even. He never expected Jester to expose such details to some third party. It was his biggest secret, the reason he knew so much about Jester. So learning that this fact had been exposed to a third party, Farhad felt fear and a hint of betrayal.

An odd emotion, he understands fear, apprehension. He believed himself to be Harhad, he loved his family even after what happened, and he had lived as a Farhad for far longer in the land of the living when compared to his life as a rat. Not to mention, no one will willingly agree to be considered a rat, a disgusting creature of the sewers. It was his shame, it was his fate and he would take this knowledge with him to his grave.

But then why did he feel betrayed? It can’t be his emotion alone, he can’t consider that being a family to consider this slight from him as a betrayal. Although his mind was clean of the filth due to Samadhi flames, it doesn’t change the fact that Farhad had merged some of those existence memories into himself.

That was the only explanation he came up with while saying. "I don’t know what you are speaking about." An outright denial with an annoyed expression, which means to say. "What are you even speaking about?"

A lie that few might believe. And that was the case even here.

"A bit unexpected, guess we might have obtained some wrong information." But Owl was not the kind to push people, not his Master’s Masterpiece at least. "But let me say this, you have no need to keep your guard up, we don’t intend to kidnap you, unlike the other kidnappers you have met on your way."

"Not kidnap me?"

"I am bare naked, my captain is nowhere close and the most I can recall is fighting some undead and someone breaking my neck in a single strike. Care to explain what is going on?"

"Ah, we don’t know what happened while we were gone, but guess, it might have been an interesting experience."

"But before we carry on, let me introduce my companions to you. Starting with me, I am Owl the Turncoat, a nickname I earned in the orphanage." Farhad remained quiet during this segment, as it would seem this man really held no dangerous intentions against him and was truly just introducing himself.

Of course, this gave him the chance to prepare for a sneak attack. Because no matter what the man called the Owl, claimed. He can’t take such chances, he won’t believe a word these people speak. As they were part of his group and from what he remembers and has experienced in this life.

He was a liar, a cheat, and a being who would do anything to achieve his goal.

Much different than his innocent young self he has in his memory.

"The next is our youngest member, but also the most important, Mini the watchful. It’s better to be sure when you do anything in her vicinity, as there is a high chance she might just be watching it. The girl is a perv." Owl spoke in a loud voice, making Mini a bit embarrassed, but she didn’t speak much, just like she had been doing till now.