Only God

After wandering for nearly twenty years, Jon finally found the source of the so-called family curse. He could finally return home, finally overturn the various false accusations against him, and embrace a life of innocence.

In the early morning, as the sun slowly rose above the horizon, the world before his eyes welcomed the dawn.

On the day of his departure, Jon, leading his donkey, could not stop crying. The nobles did not understand why he was so sad, so they kept offering words of comfort and blessings.

Thus, Jon set out on his journey home, despite still having to evade capture along the way. Yet, his spirits had never been so high. Even after so many years of hardship, it had all been worth it—he was not only going to be reborn, but the family curse that had troubled him for years would also be broken.

No words could describe how excited Jon was. On the road home, at night, when there was no one around, he would shout crazily as if he were a wild monkey. The howling wind on the hillside carried his shouts to faraway places, and even the swiftest-running wild horses couldn't catch up.

After his shouting, he knelt on the ground and sincerely thanked fate for finally restoring his innocence. The next day, early in the morning, he even risked being captured to offer sacrifices to the divine beings in the Temple.

Every day on his journey home, Jon longed to instantly fly to his house. He missed the stinking stables, the voracious hunting dogs, the knights eager for competition, the diligent citizens, the Divine Statues surrounded by fresh flowers in the Temple, and the steps worn by time.

He even missed his brother and the Priest, even though they had persecuted him. But after so many years, Jon's edges had been smoothed out. The anger of the past had long since disappeared, replaced by an endless nostalgia.

Jon did not hate his brother or the Priest. With his current state, he could no longer harbor hatred. Being able to restore his innocence was already a favor from the gods.

The journey home was not very long, taking only about three or four months, but for Jon, who was eager to return home, it felt like an eternity.

However long it felt, the journey had to continue. After three to four months of waiting, Jon finally saw his hometown from afar, the pointed turrets of the castle on the other side of the hill.

"I'm finally back."

Jon muttered to himself, and suddenly tears began to flow.

Wiping away his tears and riding his donkey, he hurried towards the castle. Along the way, he encountered several familiar citizens whom he greeted, but they all gave him puzzled looks, not recognizing this beggar-like man at all.

Unwittingly, Jon finally arrived at the castle gate, only to be stopped by the Guards, who questioned this stranger.

"I'm here to see Olo Murray! Let him come out to meet me!"

Jon did not reveal his identity directly.

He feared that once he confessed who he was, he would be arrested.

The Guards did not let him in, but looked at each other, and finally, they all set their gaze on Jon.

Jon noticed an odd look in the eyes of the Guards.

"What's going on?"

Jon couldn't help but have an ominous feeling.

"You say you want to find Olo Murray?

But that man... has long been dead."

A Guard said slowly.

Jon stood rooted to the spot.

His brother... was no longer of this world.

Upon realizing this, Jon hurriedly asked:

"What about Brussels? Where is Priest Brussels?"

Another Guard replied,

"That Priest returned to the embrace of the Death God a month ago.

What do you, a beggar, want with such matters?"

Hearing the news of the death of both men left Jon thunderstruck, and he stood frozen in place, motionless.

In his daze, he subconsciously said,

"I am not a beggar... I am Jon Murray... I am Jon Murray..."

The people who had accused him were dead. Logically, he should be rejoicing, cheering for justice served.

But the problem was...

With the accusers themselves dead, there was no way to prove his innocence!

All was left without evidence, the injustices firmly established, with no possibility of redemption.

"Jon Murray, why does that name..."

The Guard pondered for a moment, then widened his eyes and exclaimed,

"The Rebel!"

The shout was like an arrow passing over the calm forest, startling countless birds. The Guards all turned their heads in unison, and Jon also realized what was happening. He turned and ran as fast as he could.

But the Guards would not give him the chance to escape. Brandishing their spears and after a mad dash, they pinned Jon down, holding him firmly despite his struggles.

"Let go of me! Let go!

I am innocent, I am not a Rebel!"

Jon kept shouting, but no one would listen to him. The Guards kept their grip, their faces showing ecstatic smiles.

The Mercury Priest had offered a substantial reward for the capture of fugitive Rebels: a large sum of money and a leap in social status.

If a commoner caught a Rebel, they would be granted knighthood; if a noble caught one, they would be given more land; and if a serf caught one, they would be granted a large tax-free field.

No one wanted to hear Jon's defense, their heads clouded with joy. Who would have thought that a Rebel would walk right into their trap? It was like being handed a fortune on a silver platter.