Chapter 9: The Mad Hatter’s Bargain

Levi, hearing the call, turned his head slightly. Only then did he notice another prisoner confined in the cell, who had been silently huddled in a corner.

The dungeon was incredibly dim, preventing him from clearly seeing the man’s face. From the sound of their voice, however, it seemed to be a man in his prime.

“A rabbit hole?” he responded, his voice hoarse.

“Heh heh, you don’t understand, do you? These cells are built underground, quite deep, just like the holes rabbits dig in a field. They say it was converted from an ancient ruin, you know.” The man explained with the air of a seasoned veteran.

“Hm, I’ve learned something new.” Levi turned his gaze back to the ceiling, replying indifferently.

“You look absolutely miserable, little brother. What did you do?” The man continued to engage him.

“They say I’m suspected of home invasion, assaulting a woman, and murder,” Levi said slowly. “But in truth, I merely gave a thorough beating to the noble who was bullying me.”

“The arrogant young lady from earlier?”

“Precisely.”

“Haha, how interesting! You’re operating in reverse!” The other man burst into loud laughter again. His raucous, crow-like cackles echoed through the cell.

“What do you mean, ‘in reverse’?” Levi didn’t understand.

“Your timeline is inverted. Others commit the crime first, then face judgment, and finally receive punishment. You, however, are punished first, then judged.”

“But I didn’t commit a crime in the end.” Levi frowned slightly.

“Isn’t that even better? It means you’re not a sinner.” The man clapped his hands twice, smiling.

“How can an innocent person being wronged be considered a good thing?” Levi sighed. “With all due respect, are you in your right mind, sir?”

By this point, Levi had already sensed that the man’s words were a little off.

He was destined to die in this prison, so he no longer feared offending anyone.

Yet, the other man showed no anger; instead, he laughed even more heartily. “Heh heh, people often tell me that.”

Following this, the man rose and approached, standing beside Levi and looking down at him. A wide grin spread across his face. “Let’s get acquainted. You can call me Mad Hatter.”

He then dramatically mimed tipping a hat in greeting, despite having no hat on his head whatsoever.

“Mad Hatter?” Levi asked, perplexed.

“It’s my nickname. I’m a hatter, and everyone calls me Mad Hatter.” The Mad Hatter grinned.

‘A fitting name indeed,’ Levi thought.

“My name is Levi, from the Grey River District.” Out of politeness, Levi replied.

“Oh, what a coincidence! I also live in the Grey River District, so we’re fellow townsmen!” The Mad Hatter clapped his hands.

“You’re a Redlander, aren’t you?” Levi stated.

The Mad Hatter’s features and wheat-colored skin indicated he was a Redlander from the Western Continent. Strictly speaking, his homeland should have been across the Western Sea.

“What’s important isn’t the birthplace, but the distance between hearts.” The Mad Hatter dramatically pointed to himself, then to Levi.

‘We’re not that close, actually,’ Levi thought to himself.

Yet, he simply smiled in response. “Very well, it’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.”

As a man facing death, he didn’t mind chatting with this eccentric fellow to pass the time. The man appeared mad, but his mind was clearly lucid. Speaking with him was quite amusing, as there was no predicting his next remark.

By the faint candlelight from the corridor, the Mad Hatter and Levi scrutinized each other.

For some reason, Levi felt the man’s eyes were unlike those of ordinary people. They resembled two bottomless wells. He couldn’t fathom the Mad Hatter at all, yet the Mad Hatter seemed capable of looking directly into his soul.

“Indeed, you have been wronged.” After a long pause, the Mad Hatter suddenly declared.

“That’s what I said from the beginning,” Levi replied.

“What a pity. In that case, I can’t take your soul.” The Mad Hatter spoke with regret.

“What do you mean?” Levi was utterly bewildered.

“By tradition, I can only hunt the souls of sinners, unless someone willingly offers their soul to me,” the Mad Hatter explained.

“Hunting souls? Only a legendary devil would speak like that.” Levi inquired. “Sir, this isn’t the Inquisition. You weren’t arrested for believing in the Abyssal Cult, were you?”

It was said that a cult called the Abyssal Cult circulated among the Redlander tribes. The Church of Salvation preached that these heretics worshipped abyssal demons, offering live sacrifices or luring others by fulfilling their wishes to hunt their souls. Consequently, the Abyssal Cult was marked for eradication.

Believing in the Abyssal Cult was a grave crime in the Empire. Severe cases could lead directly to the stake.

However, the judgment and punishment of heretics typically fell under the jurisdiction of the Inquisition, not the local constabulary.

“No, it’s for operating without a license,” the Mad Hatter said. “They claimed my stall in the Golden River District was an eyesore.”

“Hm, that’s a wealthy district. Street vending isn’t permitted there,” Levi replied.

“But poor people are rarely willing to spend money on hats,” the Mad Hatter said, spreading his hands.

“How you set up your stall doesn’t matter, but you should be careful with your words and actions. Operating without a license only gets you a few days in jail, but proven belief in a cult means at least ten years’ imprisonment.” Levi offered a kind warning.

“No, I’d go straight to the stake,” the Mad Hatter suddenly grinned. “Because I truly am a devil.”

“I doubt that,” Levi replied, shaking his head with a placid expression. “You’d merely be sent to a madhouse.”

“That’s precisely why I enjoy being a madman,” the Mad Hatter said. “In this world, madmen live far more easily than normal people.”

“That’s certainly true. After all, this world is far from normal.” Levi, contemplating his own predicament, couldn’t help but agree.

“But I truly am a devil,” the Mad Hatter suddenly said, becoming serious. “You must know the difference between a demon and a devil, correct?”

“Demons kill people, directly devouring their souls. Devils, however, tempt people to fall, hunting their souls through contracts.” Levi recited the definition from ancient texts.

“Exactly! I am the legendary devil who can grant your wishes, provided you surrender your soul.” The Mad Hatter suddenly bowed to Levi, as if they were being formally introduced anew.

“So, Mr. Devil, do you wish for me to willingly offer you my soul?” Levi couldn’t help but chuckle.

He didn’t believe the man’s mad ramblings in the slightest, but he didn’t mind humoring him and playing along with the nonsense.

“Since we’ve gotten along so well, I’ll give you a little discount.” The Mad Hatter suddenly knelt beside him, reaching out to take Levi’s hand. He held it with both of his own, as if offering solace to a dying patient.

Levi looked at him with confusion, then suddenly felt a stinging sensation on the back of his hand, as if he had been pricked.

He instinctively pulled his hand back, seeing a red brand appear on its back. It glowed with a lava-like radiance in the darkness.

The brand vanished as quickly as it appeared, disappearing without a trace as if absorbed into his skin.

When Levi looked at the Mad Hatter again, his gaze had changed.

This seemingly madman clearly possessed some extraordinary ability.

“I won’t be taking your soul; instead, I’ll lend you my power,” the Mad Hatter whispered conspiratorially. “At this point, you shouldn’t mind borrowing a devil’s strength, should you?”

Levi quickly calmed himself, choosing to believe the Mad Hatter’s words.

As a man condemned to die, he had no value to exploit.

“Pray tell, Mr. Devil, how is this power to be used?” he asked, looking earnestly at the Mad Hatter.

“How the power is used depends on your wish; it can save lives or take them. Simply call upon it in your mind, and the power will activate.” The Mad Hatter’s demeanor had suddenly shifted from mad to perfectly coherent. “But remember, this power comes at a price.”

“Didn’t you say you wouldn’t take my soul?”

“This is called the ‘Mark of the Sacrifice,’ and the essence of this power is self-sacrifice. The more you demand from the abyss, the higher the price you must offer. If you choose to save a dying person, you will bear their death in their stead. Of course, you could also use the power of the abyss to transform yourself into a formidable demon, but once that power is expended, you too will die.”

The Mad Hatter offered Levi an apologetic smile. “My apologies, friend. Personally, I would have liked to free you directly, but I am bound by my mission and can only do this much.”

“If what you say is true…” Levi said slowly, looking at the Mad Hatter. “Then that is already enough for me. Thank you.”

Camilla might very well appear before him again, along with her corrupt Viscount father.

He was already a man waiting for death, so sacrificing his life was hardly a price to him. To be able to take his enemies with him, even at the cost of his own life, was an opportunity he yearned for.

The Mad Hatter stared at him, then suddenly grinned madly once more. “Why is a raven like a writing desk?”

“Is that… some kind of riddle?” Levi asked, bewildered.

“I hope my power allows your life to bloom like fireworks.” The Mad Hatter insisted on his hat-tipping gesture again, grinning. “What a good bargain!”

Levi realized he could never quite keep up with the madman’s pace.

Just then, a constable, accompanied by guards, appeared at their cell. He gestured for the guards to unlock the cell door.

“Mad Hatter! You’ve served your time, now get out! Don’t let me catch you hawking your wares again!” the constable shouted at the Mad Hatter, his face dark. Then, he pointed at Levi, who was lying on the ground. “And you! Stop lying there! Get up and come with us immediately!”