Chapter 26 – Ricky’s Story

All the present people approached Jack when they heard him cough. Lord Hardy also approached with Milo in his hands who had calmed down in his grandpa's embrace.

There was Andrew and a few other B-rankers.

"I thought you would have returned…" Jack said.

"How could we when you suddenly left? We thought something must have happened…" said Lord Hardy with a smile.

Jack nodded and told them what he had found. "Hm, so the mastermind was waiting for them. He must have fought with a powerful beast or something… Still, we need to be extra cautious." Lord Hardy said.

"And what if there are other boys like them?" Jack voiced out his doubts.

"Sigh, we still don't know how to identify them…" Lord Hardy shook his head. Maybe the physicians would be able to help or he will have to ask the higher-ups.

"That's not a problem, I can identify them," Lord Hardy's eyes lit up hearing his proposal. But it soon died down as he heard his next words, "But you will have to find a way to cure them."

"Sigh… Alright, but how are you going to do that?" Lord Hardy asked.

"Of course I have a tool to do that," Jack smirked and took out a white knife. It was smooth, sturdy, and sharp. "It will become warm in the presence of demonic energy," he said, surprising everyone.

Of course, he was just making things on the spot. It was just a bone knife he had made from the bones of a wyvern he had killed in the Dark Woods. It had no such abilities. But it will help to gather their attention on the knife instead of himself.

And if there was any remaining infected person or a spy, they would also divert their attention to the knife and would definitely try to steal it.

Though Jack knew the three figures wouldn't buy his lie, they at least wouldn't mind it. And Jack was right. All of them nodded.

"Then I would make the necessary arrangements," Albert said from the side.

"And I will think about a proper reward like always! Hahaha!" Lord Hardy laughed heartily.

…

After they discussed some things, Lord Hardy said, "Milo, go with big brother Jack, grandpa still has to do some work." Milo nodded silently without protesting. How would he after what he saw? His grandpa told him that Jack had beaten up the bad guy. So he obediently went into Jack's arms.

Jack looked at Andrew as if asking are you coming? To which Andrew laughed, "Haha, I am a part-time bodyguard of this man!" and gestured towards Lord Hardy with his chin.

Jack nodded and started heading towards his house. But as he remembered something, he stopped after a few steps and looked towards his father. Alban approached him after he sensed Jack's gaze.

"What is it, son?" Alban asked. "I can't come with you as I still have to investigate the surroundings…"

"What had happened with Ricky? And his mother?" Jack asked directly.

"Oh…" Alban paused and collected his thoughts for a few moments and sighed, "sigh… his father died when he was just a little kid and so his helpless mother had to take care of him by herself. Though it wouldn't have been that difficult for her as they had a small livestock… Although I said that, we wouldn't know a single mother's difficulties and sufferings by their appearances…" Alban gave a dry laugh.

"There was a merchant who also dealt with livestock, who then announced that Ricky's father owed him a large debt. He also had evidence to back it. Ricky's mother came to Lord Hardy asking for help and so he investigated the matter."

"But he had to back off as he couldn't find anything suspicious in the evidence. Lord Hardy was suspicious of the merchant, so he gave him a last warning… though the merchant didn't take it to his heart."

"We later came to know that the merchant forced the helpless mother into prostitution. Ricky's mother had no other choice…"

"It was then that Lord Hardy came to know of the merchant's illegal slave-trading activities and was successful in gathering evidence. He then announced it to the whole town before reporting it to the higher-ups…"

"Just to get a reply to only ostracize the merchant from the town and not kill him. This is the internal thing, only I know about it!" Alban showed his teeth.

"When people were expecting the merchant's death, he was only ostracized to people's disappointment. Suspicions grew among some people and yet Lord Hardy couldn't do anything knowing the fact that the merchant had a good backing. And so the merchant was banished from the Dulia town." Alban breathed out as if the story was finished and smiled.

"What about Ricky and his mother?" Jack asked.

"Oh, haha! I got strayed away from the story. So Ricky came to know about his mother's prostitution and he harshly berated her. She could have sold the livestock to pay off the debt, that was his point. But how could she? She had no choice either way… She committed suicide after a few days of that incident… that's what we came to know from our investigation."

Alban paused before continuing, "It happened after that damn merchant was banished. Ricky got infuriated as the merchant was left alive and blamed Lord Hardy for being involved with the merchant.…"

"And so Ricky stayed low to take his revenge and couldn't even achieve it…" Jack concluded. "Though it wouldn't have brought his mother back even if he had succeeded…"

Jack paused as his sight traveled afar, "Sometimes, death becomes a better option," and muttered.

Alban heard it clearly and although he wouldn't agree with him, he didn't say anything. Jack left for his house.

…

As he approached his house, he saw the whole neighborhood gathered in front of it. He was a few meters away when he saw Susy ran hastily towards him seeing Milo in his arms.

"He is sleeping," Jack said softly as he looked into Susy's eyes.

Susy had a lot of complicated emotions painted over her face. Tears had also stained her beautiful face and Jack couldn't help but find her bewitching.

Susy's world had collapsed when she couldn't find Milo. She had finally realized her helplessness and felt a tremendous need for someone reliable. If only her husband was alive, maybe this wouldn't have happened…

Although she had her father in the town, how could she live with him? She had her own family then…

Since she was a healer and a physician, she could earn a decent amount of money. So she started living near Jack's house.

Her father, Lord Hardy had no problems with this as Alban was there near her house. Besides, she wasn't that far from him, so he had agreed to her demands of independence.

Though this independence had now backfired, she thought. So with an expression of yearning, helplessness, and sadness, Susy looked at Jack who gave her a reassuring smile.

Until now, the neighbors and especially Rita reassured her saying that Jack would definitely bring Milo back as he was the hero of the town. And although she didn't distrust them, her heart couldn't stop its chaotic rampage inside knowing that her son still hasn't returned.

But now, just as the neighbors told her, Jack returned bringing her son back. His smile felt so reliable and reassuring that she just… hugged him along with Milo in between.

Jack felt a bit troubled with her action, but soon recalled her helpless expression and started patting her back in consolation.

Susy quivered when she felt his strong hand patting her back. His broad chest felt so reliable and so comfortable that she started crying silently in his embrace.

Jack felt delighted holding such a defenseless mature beauty in his arms. Though it didn't last long as she separated herself as her face turned red with embarrassment. So she quickly took Milo from him and started heading towards his house.

The black sky started to turn blue. Jack approached Rita who was holding the sleeping Miti in her arms. He took the sleeping Miti in one of his arms as he hugged Rita's shoulder with the other.

Rita's body tingled with his touch as she recalled her absurd dream and couldn't help turning red out of embarrassment and guilt. While Jack answered the neighbors briefly.

He then guided Rita inside and Susy followed behind who smiled at his affectionate actions. She would be staying at his house to calm herself as being alone at her house would feel a bit scary after what had happened. They laid the sleeping fluffs into the bedroom.

"Clean your mouths and then I will prepare tea," Rita said.

They then took the 'Sfinx' to clean the mouth. It is a herbal liquid teeth cleaner, and mouth freshener. Jack was surprised at first at how well it does its job. Clean white teeth and fresh breath in mere seconds. This liquid would have left the toothpastes to dust if it was brought into his previous world.

Jack and Susy sat on the sofa while Rita went to the kitchen to prepare tea.

"Sorry for my earlier actions…" Susy apologized with a rosy tint on her face.

"Don't sweat the small stuff," He returned her words and added, "Though it felt great for me being able to hold a beauty like you in my embrace, hehe!"

Her red hue grew even more and she averted her gaze while her lips couldn't help curling up in delight. Then her heart skipped a beat with his next sentence.

"I wouldn't mind holding you like that once more, you know!" Jack made a cheeky smile as he couldn't help teasing her after seeing her cute face.

Rita returned with tea and prevented the atmosphere from turning awkward.