The God of Jesters
Chapter 334 - 5.17.2 Loss.

Chapter 334: 5.17.2 Loss.

A week has gone by since the day the whole city of Phuket was occupied by the military. Causing countless trauma and confusion among the masses.

But that was mostly for the youngsters who hadn’t experienced what Yethel used to be like. For the older generation, the curfew and the subsequent gunshots were nostalgic. They have experienced similar things before, and even worse things thereafter.

Unlike the youngsters, who went on a protest over the occupation, wanting answers over why the city was brought under curfew.

Which was not hard considering the answer they received some a bit absurd, but believable. "It’s those bastards again, this time, a corrupted knight from their side."

"Guess their prior claims of never have a corrupted Knight is a lie. And if they can lie about that, who knows what else they can lie about."

"Hah, you don’t know the half of it. My uncle was in pier before it was occupied, so he could fear someone shouting. Turns out, this Knight was also there in Durum, when over thousands of people lost their lives in Durum."

"Who cares if people in Durum died. If she really did it, we should give her a medal."

"It’s just normal people. They are human like us as well. And if not for our military, we would have followed their suit. Who knows."

"Human like us? Due to those bastards, my older brother died. They couldn’t even bring his body, because nothing was left after the bomb blast."

Political talks followed by the gestating hatred for Radiant Hall, which was turning explosive as more partial truths were spread in the city. All done under my suggestion. Because at times, rumors are better at manipulating the public conscious than straight facts.

"Think they will speak the truth this time?"

"What can we expect from the higher ups in our government, they are always cowards, taking a beating with smile on their face. This time, as well, they probably would free the terrorist."

There was no denying on that aspect. We have freed some criminals and spies from Cynark after a proper compensation multiple times. But that was needed to lower Cynark’s guard against us.

Which is humiliating for one, but it does its task. We are just like a porcupine that can’t be touched easily. But in general, we truly don’t possess any true danger against them.

But unlike other countries, where they might hate the government for this. Most citizen although hated these choices made by their government. They still understand why we have to do such things.

"There will be a time, when they have to bow down to us." In the last twenty years, the one-sided massacre had slowly being coming to an equilibrium. In the coming recent years around the border, the losses on both sides had been somewhat equal if the Cynark’s numbers were to be believed.

"They are panicked for some reason. The duo of father and son know something important enough to facilitate an exchange under the threat of war. Do you know why?" And like they had expected, the war came to their door once again.

Cynark was ready for war once again if the two were not handed over to them.

"Just a threat, they are not in any form capable of starting another protracted war with us. Not so soon."

"You think the diseases you spread in some villages would be enough to stop them? Considering their population, they don’t care."

"But the public does, and they are still recovering from the Durum incident, I don’t believe Wortham is capable of starting another war, unless they wish for the disease to spread on the battlefront. It will be a disastrous for them. No general can be this cruel to their soldiers."

"Humans can be unreasonable, you should know it more than anyone." The Empress of this nation spoke in a sardonic tone. "A few days ago, they were intent on giving up Salah while throwing some criminal charges on him, whilst they ignored the son altogether, showing that they never really cared for him."

"Usual tactic of theirs for people they considered are better left dead." I spoke with an understanding tone.

As it truly was the most normal thing for them to do.

Generally, they don’t shy away from ruining their reputation to force us to hand over some of their criminals for a small some money. If it’s an important person, or child of an important family, the sum of money is usually higher.

When it comes to prisoners that might ruin the image of their country in the international community, they generally just clean their hands of the person and not ever bother replying.

Then there is the case of Salah Amni, who was not even abandoned like usual, but considered a criminal who would be put to death if he ever walks back in Cynark.

And now this, they want both the father and son duo back, even if it means that a war breaks out.

Making some of the confusion I felt before, finally gain a foothold. "Someone high seems to be backing that child. Someone capable of Prophecies."

*****

Prophets were a dime a dozen in any fair or market. But true Prophets were rare, barely capable of ever prophesizing a dozen times through their whole life, due to its cost.

The cost that was sanity and madness brought by looking too deep into the world mysteries.

So it sounded wild to think that a prophet would use the little chances they had to help a little boy like Rashid find Blue Rose.

"This can’t be, the boy is not in the level to be admired by a prophet. And even if he was, it’s absurd to think that a prophet would help that boy."

Or was the boy so important that it all seemed worth it from the prophet’s perspective.

"Hah, now this is a troublesome matter, don’t you think?"

"I am not at the level to understand any of it."

"You should understand it, you are going to look for that prophet soon enough."

"What about my father, didn’t you want me to kill him?"

"Priorities. Personal matter come later. We have to focus on what’s important. And what’s currently important is to look for that priest."

As for how to look for that priest?

It was easy.

Under the constant interrogation, I was able to obtain all the places where both the father and son have visited through their whole life.

Some of which might just be false, considering the mental barrier set up on their mind. But most of them were the correct. Which when self referenced against each other and mapping out the cities they visited together. A long-winded path appears on the map.

And if I am not wrong, the Prophet must have met them among one of those cities.

"1200 kilometers, Nine megacities, multiple towns and districts. It’s like finding a needle in an ocean."

"Treat it as a training exercise for yourself. The better you perform, the better closer you will be from your freedom."

"And Crow’s freedom."

"We both know, the boy enjoys this stuff, take him with you if you want. But use him appropriately without any special treatment. You should understand why."

******

Next to the school where I once used to study at, I lay there on the roadside, possessing the body of a beggar that died last night due to some hoodlums throwing rocks at him.

I watched as countless parents stopped to drop their kids at school one by one. Even the parents that were usually at capital were here today. And they seemed worried about their children, as anyone should be in their position.

Including the parents of my bullies.

But they were children, and children are meant to make mistakes, that’s how they learn things. So I never held any animosity toward them. I never came here for them.

"He is here." I thought, looking at the boy being slowly driven here by his father, who appeared to have aged by 10 years in the last week. "Try meeting with your old friends, forget about the past." he spoke to his child, before dropping him off and ready to leave the premises.

"The children these days have been too sensitive." I spoke to the man, who appeared too startled by my voice.

But when he noticed I was just a beggar. He calmed down. "It’s new to them." he replied to me and was going to leave the scene. But I still have to speak.

"Being cowards, definitely. They are unaware of the struggles we suffered from. The wars we fought, the family we lost, the daughter..."

"Don’t speak, the children are still here."

"See, even you appear the same, as father like son. It’s no wonder the children are so weak. You forgot your past, you forgot to teach your kids about the horrors. Which is why, the new generation is worse than insects"

"You... I am proud that my child is sensitive. Proud to give him this life where he could remain kind."

The past week has been hell for him. Turns out, his son had been running around with some terrorist and has faced death multiple times.

Which resulted in his family being questioned by the military multiple times. So much so that his wife is now in hospital, while his son appears lost most of the time.

It’s almost like he was back in the past as a child, where his father was barely home, and he lived in fear over whether he would live to see the other day.

"And don’t you dare call us coward or that we forgot anything. A man like you, who begs in front of children has no right call us that we forgot who we were."

"Hah, you lost things? I don’t have legs, I haven’t slept in a proper bed for the last twenty years. While you come here in a metal carriage with that sensitive kid of yours."