The Strongest Knight's

Ch. 9 - Little Boy

*Advanced flashback

One day before entering the labyrinth, in a village far from the center of the royal capital Inggram. Richard who was still devastated by the case that dragged him decided to leave the palace, even when he wanted to leave there was nothing to prevent him.

Without carrying a sirah or fancy clothes, he walked in the middle of the citizens who passed by wearing ordinary robes like a traveler. Not knowing the direction and purpose, at this time you just want to stay away from friends who do not believe in it.

In this village, there are several races of Sheds or Humans who have animal genes. Their characteristics look like humans in general but they have tails as well as animal ears. They also have the ability of animal genes that they have.

For example, Shed with the Cat gene, the tail and ears will be shaped like a cat and have the ability of a cat, for example jumping from home to another house. In addition, they also have the same weakness with the weakness of animal genes they have.

Another example, Shed who has the rabbit gene then the shape of the ears and tail will be similar to a rabbit.

The population of Sheds on the Neverland mainland is dwindling, which is because the wars are increasingly making the Shed race difficult to breed. Moreover, they are not a race belonging to one kingdom, but they are divided under the rule of kingdoms.

Unlike the Dwarven and Elf races who had their own kingdoms, the Shed race had to survive under the orders of the other elves. The thing that makes their number decreases is also the way they breed, Shed can not mate if the animal genes contained in them are different. For example, Shed Bergen Lion cannot mate with Shed Bergen Bear. They must find the same Shed bergen in order to breed.

Richard was still walking while looking at the Sheds who were transacting. There was something strange after he had been in the village for quite a long time, it seemed like the Sheds were very respectful towards humans.

If they are walking and happen to cross paths with humans then the Sheds will bow, especially those they meet humans who are noble.

Richard's attention then turned to the little boy race Shed who seemed to be a cat was being whipped in front of a shop. It seemed like the little boy made a mistake and made the owner of the tavern angry.

Richard initially did not want to interfere, because he knew very well how the world worked. Moreover, the child is a slave with a chain around his neck. But for a long time Richard became pity and tried to approach the owner.

Richard approached, while the little boy cried out in pain and apologized.

"E.. Excuse me sir.. Why is this child you are tormenting?"

The slave owner saw Richard. "this goddamn slave has stolen food at my shop. I don't know who the owner is." he said annoyed.

The little boy looks shabby with dirty clothes and is not fit to wear. Richard finally gave the money to the owner of the tavern to compensate for his losses.

"Are you the owner of this slave?" ask the owner of the store after receiving some gold pieces.

"No, I just happened to pass by."

"Then I take this slave and sell it again."

"Hey sir, you'd better get him back to his owner."

"I've been screaming all day here and there but no one wants to admit this dirty slave" he said.

"Then he's mine because I've paid you with gold coins." claims Richard.

"Are you kidding.. The price of slaves on the market is twice this."

Without a second thought Richard took out all the gold pieces he currently had to redeem the little boy. The shopkeeper who checked and was satisfied with the numbers then dragged the little boy in front of Richard.

"hey little sister, are you okay?" Richard approached slowly and stroked the little boy's head.

The little boy seemed a little evasive, probably out of fear that he would be beaten at any time. But unlike that, Richard took the little boy to a bar and fed him.

At first the slave refused because it was unethical for him to sit on the same bench as the master but Richard's kindness melted the slave principle embedded in his mind. For the first time the boy smiled and ate his food voraciously.

Seeing the boy smile at Richard's previously troubled mood, he calmed down again. He thought a small thing like this could bring about a major change to the world he currently belonged to. Although mentally weak, but Richard's sympathy and empathy is very large.

Richard was shocked as the slave asked in his soft voice. "Eh.. Hehe, I'm not hungry." Richard replied with a smile, holding back his hunger while holding his rumbling stomach.

Not that he was not hungry, but now Richard's money was only enough to buy food for the little boy, after he had previously made up for it at a high price from the tavern owner.

Amidst the small discussion of the two of them, Richard's hearing was suddenly distracted by the conversation of several people sitting not far from his desk.

"Have you heard, one of the holy knights has done a depraved deed" said one of them.

The others then responded. "Yes, that's a shame. My acquaintance said in the palace. If it wasn't for the rapist the holy knight might have his head cut off by this time."

It turned out that rumors about him had spread widely even in this small village. Hearing that Richard who had calmed down his heart again felt pained at the accusations he did not make.

The conversation grew heated, to the point that the rant and the curse were addressed to Richard without the men knowing that Richard was among them.

"Little child.. Are you done eating?"

"Yes, thank you for the food."

Richard unceremoniously pulled the little boy out of the bar because he couldn't stand the bad words people had about him.

The two of them walked away from the bar, the little boy turned out to be quite sensitive when he found out that Richard was grieving. "Sir, did I make a mistake. Why are you crying, please forgive me." The little boy kowtowed in Richard's face.

Richard wiped his tears and lifted the face of the little slave. Richard removed the shackles on the boy's neck.

"What do you do, not sir.. The tools will be mocked." The little boy panicked as Richard pushed at the shackles.

"Look down" said Richard.

As Richard tried to open the shackles, suddenly the magic circle activated and the shackles would explode. A few seconds before bursting swiftly Richard opened and deactivated the magic. It was easy for Richard to deactivate the Fire-type magic, as Richard himself possessed the Fire empire and had the title Ignis.

The little boy was even ready to die but when he opened his eyes, he was still alive. "What's going on.. Uh.. Master you took this shackle off my neck?"

Richard smiled and hugged the little boy, "you're free now, you're no longer a slave" Richard said.

"But sir.. I'm.."

"Look.. The world is wide. You can be anything you want. Now that you're free, I'm no longer your master." - Richard.

"But.. I'm. I want to come with you, sir."

"I'm sorry but, I can't. I have a job to do."

"Master... I'm."

"my name is Richard, greetings. Now you don't have to call me master anymore."

"Sister Richard." said the little boy.

"I have to go, I have things to do. Survive it.. I hope we can meet another time." After saying that Richard hurried off to leave the little boy.

While the little boy continued to look at Richard's back which was getting further away. Unknowingly the little boy's tears came out filling his cheeks. "Sister Richard.. You don't even know my name." he muttered.

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