The Miserable Peddler

Finally, after a deep contemplation, Ranata take this crimson whip and stored it in his storage. But since he doesn't like to have a debt with another, he said to Chloe.

"Do you have any wish you want to be granted? If it's in my capability, I will fulfill it. You have gifted me a good present. So naturally, I must return the favor." – Ranata

Even though this man (or cat) have a malicious intent, but since what he did is beneficial to him in the end, didn't it's just right to payback for his "kindness"? Thinking like this, Ranata wanted to give a reward to this person.

But the one in question just answered him like this.

"A wish? I don't have anything like that. I already have everything I want and I can do anything I wanted to do. Even selling stuff in this bazaar is just a pass time activity for me" – Chloe

Hearing this, Ranata come close to this man side and whispered to him.

"Oho~ Pass time? Or should I say you like to play prank on people who bought your items? All stuff you sold are cursed items, right? Though I am amazed you can carry all of them all around without getting eaten by the curses." – Ranata

"Heheheheh. So you know that they are all cursed. But you still dare to buy them. Not only that, I am sure you know this, but the whip you just taken is the most vicious of them. Really, you youngster really have guts." – Chloe

Hearing his voice full with ridicule mixed with a bit of awe and respect make Ranata make a frown as he realized many things. Especially after he realized that the ridiculing tone is more likely intended not to him, but to this person who sell cursed stuff. Yes, it's more like this person is ridiculing himself....

[Celes, do you know something about this person background or history?] – Ranata

[Reporting to Master, this person is a bastard child of a famous merchant family. After the death of his father, all of his lawful siblings took over the company and all of his father's legacy. But out of their "mercy", they decided to give out all of the cursed and un-sold-able items collected in their family storage to him so he can start his own "business" before they kicked him and his mother out of their house. Under the influence of all the curses, his life started turning miserable and he is tormented both physically and psychically. His Mother soon died of illness and a series of bad luck stormed his life and his surrounding. All of his former friends and even the family from his mother's side exiled him. Even his fiancee break their relationship and is stolen by his sibling. The reason he covered his body and his face is because his form is deformed to be so hideous and even his mind and heart has been twisted by curse. He become a perverted soul who loves to see other people misfortunes and started to give out cursed items for free. Well, usually those items will be returned to him somehow in the later months. Either because the people who he gifted finally found him after desperately searching for him and begging him to take his item back or the owner of those items is dead and the items magically returned to him. Of course, all of his siblings who is so "merciful" to give him the "presents" is not escaping their retribution. All of them, including their spouses and their descendants have been buried six feet under ground now. Not a single baby even remained alive. I don't need to mention the cause, right, Master? *giggle* Right now, he is the only one person left from his father's bloodline.] - Celes

Hearing the story of this man's background, Ranata can't help but shuddered for a moment and goosebumps raised all over his back. Especially after hearing the last sentence followed by a sadistic giggling from Celeste.

He shakes his head and retorted to her.

[Ehem.... Celes.... Your ominous giggling earlier.... By no means are you affected by the cursed aura from those items, right?] – Ranata

[What are you meaning, Master? I don't understand~] - Celeste

Hearing Celes who answered him in a bright tone, like a cheerful innocent little girl who receives her favorite candy, Ranata can't help but to shrug off the issue.

[Ok, just forget it. The problem now, what can we do to help him? Can Holy Magic undo all the curses attached to him? Can we heal his body back to its original form? More importantly, can his twisted soul be saved?] - Ranata

[If it's just healing the body or banishing the curses, yes you can. But for his twisted mind and perverted heart, I am sorry but there is no cure for it. Even Gods is helpless when it comes to problem related with soul, you know? Except if you want to cleanse it completely and let it start over from scratch, but that would mean you turned his mentality state to be back to that of an infant. Regarding this matter, all we can do is only to lift his curses and heal his body to ease his suffering, but for the trauma and sorrows that have wounded his soul, it's up to him to try and heal it by himself.] - Celeste

[Ah, fine then. At least I can help him a bit, reducing his suffering. I will consider it as my payment for his "gift".] – Ranata

After making a decision, Ranata give a briefing to Althea and Lumina about his plan via Mind Link. After understanding its content and their Master intention, they give a nod and readying their stance.

"Well, since I don't like to fall in debt, at least let me will help you a bit. Althea, Lumina, restrain him!" - Ranata

"Huh!? Wha!?" – Chloe

Bewildered, Chloe can't make any immediate reaction since he caught off guard and restrained from left and right by Althea and Lumina. Right now, even the spectators around them are making a fuss toward this sudden change of event.

"What!?"

"What happened?"

"Why did our Goddess take order from that person!?"

"What will they do?"

Ignoring the noisy crowd who soon surrounded them and attract more people to come watching, Ranata flipped over Chloe's hood and taking off his mask, showing a monstrous face underneath it. So hideous that form, just seeing it is enough to make the woman screams, the child cries, and even the bravest of men would find their heart shrinking in fear. Seeing that monstrocity in front of them, the crowd gasped in terror.... And then....

"Arrrrrgggghhhhh!!!!"

"Kyaaaaahhhhhh!!!"

"Wh... What is that creature?"

"Is it a monster!?"

"A Demon! It must be a demon!"

"A demon infiltrate our city? My goodness!"

"Go! We must reported this to the Knights!"

Screams, cries, condemn and even accusing sounds can be heard from the crowds. Not standing it anymore, Ranata screamed to the crowds while activating both the Dragon Lord Hegemony and Intimidate at once.

"Shut up!!!! You folks are so noisy!!!!"