Endless Debt Chapter 1164 - 21: Restrained Justice_4

"Don’t worry, Priest, I’ll leave here sooner or later."

As Gami spoke, turning his back and looking at his receding figure, York experienced a pain he had never known before.

York had always held the belief that as a member of the clergy, one must never reveal the secrets confided by others; to do so would be a violation of his faith and professional integrity.

Yet, in the deepest recesses of his heart, York recognized that this sinner needed to face the transgressions he had committed and be held accountable by the law. He understood that withholding information from the authorities about this criminal’s actions would be akin to allowing him to evade justice.

The internal struggle nearly fractured York’s very soul, and he called out to the departing silhouette.

"I require your confession, Gami."

Gami continued on without turning, as if he had not heard a word.

When night descended once more, Gami retrieved his shovel and resumed his grim task.

A light drizzle persisted throughout the night, diligently washing away the accumulated dust from the ruins, along with the grime and blood staining the fallen bodies. Having performed this ritual numerous times, Gami was now intimately familiar with the process. He swung the shovel with practiced rhythm, soon unearthing another corpse from the disturbed earth within the pit.

Following a month of relentless labor, Gami had managed to clear the majority of the bodies from the underground casino. However, the sheer volume of the piled corpses still presented a considerable challenge.

It mattered little to Gami; his sole interest lay in acquiring the wealth of these individuals. He stripped them of their adornments and valuables, discarding the lifeless forms as a scavenger bird might, seizing upon their discarded riches.

Rainwater permeated his clothing, and the damp, chilly air filled his lungs. Amidst the repetitive labor, Gami allowed his mind to wander, fantasizing about a future where he could journey to the Wind Source Highlands, a place whispered to be an idyllic sanctuary for a fresh beginning...

Eyes like rubies flickered into Gami’s reverie; the memory of a mysterious man had been a frequent visitor to his thoughts in recent days. That enigmatic presence evoked a singular, unique sensation within Gami, yet when he attempted to articulate its exact nature, a concrete description eluded him.

It remained but an echo, ceaselessly resonating within the confines of his mind.

Soft footsteps emerged from the persistent rain and encroaching darkness. Gami cautiously turned his head, a flicker of hope suggesting it might be the man he recalled. For reasons unknown, Gami found himself anticipating another encounter with him.

However, upon turning, he saw a golden cross gleaming brightly in the gloom.

York stood holding a kerosene lamp, observing Gami as he unearthed the graves. His voice carried a note of sorrow. "I have secured the evidence, Gami. Do you have anything further to say?"

Gami harbored no inclination to confess, while York felt bound by the tenets of his religious order. Trapped in this moral quandary, York saw only one viable path. He resolved to apprehend Gami himself, to elicit a confession, and deliver him to the sheriff.

The sight of York caused Gami to freeze in place; a profound reverence for the divine authority rendered him incapable of continuing his task with the shovel.

"Pri...Priest."

Gami’s voice trembled with palpable fear, a reaction that brought a grim sense of satisfaction to York.

"Do you deny the allegations, Gami?" York inquired, his voice tinged with triumph as he began to advance towards Gami.

Gami adopted an expression of profound regret, further fueling York’s sense of victory. But before York could utter another word, Gami spoke.

"I confess to you, Priest."

Gami voluntarily dropped to his knees, tears streaming down his face, though it was impossible to discern if they were tears or merely rainwater.

"You are truly a devout priest, keeping my secrets even now," Gami murmured, his voice laced with a dark humor. "But sometimes, your devotion is excessively extreme... laughably so."

Just as York began to ponder the reason behind Gami’s peculiar statement, Gami realized that York had approached him alone. With a sudden, swift motion, he swung the shovel, striking York’s ankle with considerable force.

Overwhelmed by searing pain, York collapsed directly into the mud. Simultaneously, Gami sprang to his feet, relentlessly swinging the shovel and brutally striking York’s head. Soon, agony consumed York's consciousness, his vision blurring into a stark crimson haze.

Once, twice!

The thunder above drowned out York’s pained cries. The blood that splattered onto Gami’s face was soon washed away by the relentless rain. When Gami’s strength finally waned, he ceased his assault. York lay below him, battered and barely clinging to life, with only the golden cross adorning his chest remaining pristine and radiant.

"You are far too devout, Priest. Sometimes, that is not a virtue."

Gami taunted York, then delivered a forceful kick, sending him tumbling into the very pit he had been compelled to dig.

A chilling agony slowly enveloped York as he felt heaps of soil piling upon him, the crushing weight threatening to shatter his very bones.

"Fear not, Priest; your sacrifice shall serve as the catalyst for my new existence."

"They will find you eventually, perhaps in days or months. Regardless, I shall be long gone by then."

"I am grateful for your mercy, Priest."

Gami’s voice faded into the distance. York understood, this was the soil claiming him completely. As all sound ceased, an absolute silence descended upon his being.

In his final moments, York could not help but weep. He wasn't certain of the reason for his tears – perhaps for the mercy he had shown, or his own tragically foolish piety, or maybe for nothing at all.