Chapter 34 Dicttis
The city remained bustling as ever.
It was even more prosperous than when Dick left.
It's probably the booming slave trade that's made so many people rich.
Dick's eyes were bloodshot as he looked at everything on the street.
Now there are no children to be seen on the streets.
Those children were either locked up at home by their adults and strictly protected, or they had already been replaced by cold gold by their adults.
Dick headed towards the lower town.
Along the way, people moved about, and many carriages were covered with a twisted and writhing white cloth.
Dick walked into the 'friend's' shantytown, kicked open the shanty gate, and looked inside.
However, when Dick saw the scene inside, his expression darkened—
It's empty inside... there's nothing there, not even any furniture...
My friend has disappeared.
Dick clenched his fists... He took deep breaths, reminding himself to look on the bright side, that perhaps his 'friend' had moved away for various reasons, taking little Perseus with him temporarily.
Or perhaps Perseus felt more comfortable at home and had his 'friend' take him back to live there.
Don't assume the worst...
Calm down, Dickies... calm down...
He kept repeating this to himself, trying to suppress his emotions, which were like a volcano ready to erupt at any moment.
Dick returned to his shanty, a small and simple but cozy little home he and Perseus shared...
Pushing open the door, Dick's heart sank to the bottom.
There was no trace of the son either.
The furniture and beds were covered in dust...
Perseus the Younger never returned.
Maybe it was in a tavern...maybe his 'friend' was worried that Perseus would be lonely at home alone, so he took him to a tavern...although it's not a place for a child, but...it really wouldn't hurt to be there...he could understand.
Dickis prayed silently... It didn't matter if his 'friend' hadn't taken good care of little Perseus, it didn't matter if he lost weight, Dickis's wish was already very low, as long as little Perseus was still there, as long as he was alive...
If his son were still alive, Dick would be willing to give all the treasure he received from the Nemean Cave to his 'friend'... as long as young Perseus was still alive...
Dick searched every pub and casino in the city.
However, neither Perseus nor his 'friend' were ever seen...
Until Dick stepped into the last tavern...
"Have you seen a little boy? He's very handsome, about this tall... with golden-brown curly hair. There should be an adult with him; he has a long face, freckles, and a receding hairline..."
"No, no, get out of my way, don't block my way, that girl is about to take off her clothes."
"No, buddy, you're the 23rd adult I've seen looking for their child this month. Sigh, what a world..."
"..."
Just as Dick was in despair, a man who looked like a nobleman's guard raised his hand from the corner—
"Hey friend, I do vaguely remember this person you're talking about..."
Dick was startled and hurriedly stepped forward, asking excitedly:
"Brother, have you seen that child?"
The guard shook his head and said:
"I haven't seen that child, but I think I've seen that man before..."
Upon hearing this, Dick immediately pulled out a handful of gold coins from his pocket and pushed them in front of the guard.
"Tell me, where is that man! These are yours..."
The guards were dumbfounded. After a rough count, there were nearly a hundred gold coins.
This is equivalent to half a year's wages for him...
He licked his lips, swept the gold coins into his pocket, and then said:
"That man, I remember we've played a few rounds together before."
"He was unlucky...he lost everything, and then, I don't know where the money came from, he started gambling again..."
"But he lost again later..."
"Originally, I thought that man was probably dead, either branded as a slave or his creditors would come looking for him, cut off his limbs and throw him into the sea to feed the fish."
"Unexpectedly, after some time... that person inexplicably became rich, paid off all his debts, and even moved into the Upper City..."
"What incredible luck!"
After hearing the guard's account, Dick was quite surprised...
He was a member of the lower class who had lived in Argos for over a decade, and he knew all too well how difficult it was to cross class lines in Argos... yet his 'friend' was able to move from the lower town to the upper town in just a few months...
Luck...it must be luck...
When luck comes, nothing can stop it...
Perhaps young Perseus has already been taken to the upper town by his 'friends' and is living in a big house... Perhaps things aren't as bad as he thinks... Yes, things haven't reached the point of no return...
Dick kept comforting himself...
After getting the exact location, Dick turned and left the tavern, embarking on the road to the upper town.
The upper city of Argos was an area where only nobles, wealthy merchants, and warriors personally selected by the king were qualified to live. The houses extended outwards from the royal palace, like a group of soldiers guarding the king.
In the Upper District, residents dressed in magnificent robes and adorned with gold jewelry greeted each other and chatted about some elegant and interesting matters.
But suddenly, a beggar appeared on that wide, clean road paved with stone slabs...
Calling him a beggar might not be entirely accurate...
Disheveled, filthy, and smelly, he was also carrying a longbow...
That's clearly a savage!
And Dixtis didn't care at all who saw him...
He only wants his son...
He only wants Perseus...
Thump thump thump—
He arrived at the gate of an unusually spacious villa and knocked on the door.
Soon, a guard opened the door and saw Dickies standing outside, looking like a beggar.
A feeling of disgust immediately arose in my heart...
"Let Ixeter come out, I'm his friend..."
Dickis spoke without any politeness.
The guard pinched his nose and sneered, "Do you think you can just see Lord Exeed whenever you want?"
The guard then tried to close the door, but Dick stopped him.
Ignoring the guards' attempts to stop him, he stepped into the villa and said:
"I don't know why you call him 'Master'..."
"But he used to call me Your Highness."
The guard angrily said:
"Now that Master Exeed has made a fortune, you poor wretches are all trying to curry favor..."
"No wonder you've always been at the bottom of society!"
"Get out of here! If you take another step, I have the right to kill you right here!"
Dicttis was never a good-tempered person.
He punched the guard in the face.
The guard clutched his face in pain, and Dick took the opportunity to trip him with his leg.
He then kicked him hard in the back of the head.
Kick him unconscious.
After doing all this, Dick went to the spacious, luxurious house and knocked on the door...
"Exai, come out and see me!"
The 'friend' had no idea what had happened.
He had just finished his afternoon nap, dressed in light, loose clothing, when he opened the door to his room. Seeing the dirty figure outside, he frowned and immediately began to curse:
"What are the guards good for?!"
"Where did this beggar come from...get lost!"
Dick stared at him coldly.
Only then did the 'friend' suddenly realize the danger.
His expression was one of utter shock and disbelief:
"Di...Dicktis!"
"You're not dead?"
Dick took a deep breath and questioned:
Where is my son?
...