Pursuit of the Sun 1.2

<blockquote("- Oh! - The lady dramatically covers her mouth with her palm. - If only there were more like you, perhaps society would gradually improve. ...I am ashamed of this, but I also failed to catch your name, wanderer?.. It seems to me that every ordinary resident, laborer, or even an aristocrat is obliged to know by name and face those who support the functioning of our mechanism without sparing their own lives, - Tifa leans forward slightly, addressing her words strictly in private. - If it is not a state secret, and if you have the desire to unburden your heart on this matter—I am a good listener. Our times are too chaotic and often undeservedly push worthy people into the background, leading to burnout even in their best intentions. But we cannot build such a wonderful society that way, where everyone breathes freely and walks the streets without looking over their shoulder every ten steps.

-- My name is Oswald, alas—not as melodious or rare as yours. Eh, if only everyone understood this, -- the sheriff wipes away an imaginary tear, dropping to a whisper. -- Come then this evening to my humble residence—it's in the nobility quarter, at the end of the rightmost street, in the middle.

Added after 2 hours 49 minutes

Giving an approving grunt, the battered berserker nods leisurely, knocking back the first stack of fuel for better speed-reading. The memory of his home nest arises again, where in another life, it seemed, an old nanny read them fairy tales of luxury about monsters dwelling in the void. This time, instead of impressionable children, the listeners were men beaten by life and each other, and he himself was certainly no sweet old storyteller woman.

"This highly interesting and instructive book was written by Dolfo Caruso in the hope that the ingenious techniques and wise principles I describe will allow the reader to preserve their life, property, and honor in various dangerous situations.

A noble and educated person, which my reader undoubtedly is, will ask: with a multitude of glorious instruments of slaying and self-defense, from the dagger to the crossbow, why should I learn such a simple pursuit as fistfighting? Is it not more dignified to plunge a blade into the heart of a scoundrel who threatens me, cut off his hand, or slash his face? I answer: all these methods are good for an honest duel or a friendly bout, but when you are threatened by an unworthy man, any unexpected move will serve your benefit. And the more unexpected and ingenious the move, the more effective it is! I, Dolfo Caruso, have confirmed this many times with my own example, thus overcoming enemies larger and stronger than myself. "

-- No way, I'm already scared. Turns out you have to be educated and noble first, -- Hans is completely bewildered.
-- The unexpectedness and ingenuity scare me more, -- Raban grumbles. -- You could go crazy using methods like that.

"In every fight there are five phases: Greeting, Preparation, Attack, Exit, and Finishing. Other masters claim there are fewer; I would rather say there are more..."

This part of the book consists of extremely tedious and complex theoretical discussions about the order and number of phases, and by general vote it was decided to move on to more practical things.

-- Pff, what a bore. -- Dale is apparently bored. -- People have nothing better to do; so many words, zero use.
-- Maybe we're just not noble and educated enough?..

"In the Greeting phase, you and I, noble reader, can already win by destroying the resolve of scoundrels and dealing heavy damage to their sanity. Surprise them! Make them believe that a primitive spirit of a perfect killer dwells within you! Poke your fingers in their eyes, threaten to rip off their skin or jaw, grab them where no one would wish to be grabbed, do a flip—and the enemy will think thrice if the game is worth the candle."

-- I don't know about you, but despite all my experience, far from being surprised, I'm already sh***... -- says Sigeber and everyone nods in agreement.

"In the Preparation phase, if the enemy has still maintained the will to fight, we shall destroy his capacity for it. Distract his attention! Throw a handy object at him, tear your shirt, make a feint—or better yet, two. The scoundrel will be completely lost; his gaze will not encompass the multitude of events occurring. Having confused him, we successfully conduct the Attack phase. "

-- Hargen, is that really what's written there? -- Rainulf decides to finally ask this question that is tormenting everyone. -- No, if you just made this up and actually can't read—I swear, we won't beat you as a crowd.

"In it, we proceed to the last resort, which short-sighted people often mistake for the first. We shall break his body! Here, esteemed reader, are the secrets of the most ingenious and cruel techniques of Master Dolfo Caruso.
- Strike the enemy's Adam's apple with a three-finger strike, so that he loses courage and voice
- Hit him in the stomach one palm above the navel, so that life begins to leave him
- Attack the lower part of his shin with a foot strike, depriving him of mobility
- With the edges of both palms, attack his collarbones with strength and fury, so that his arms lose power
- Bite him on the nose and let him part with his breath and honor
After all these techniques, you will easily seize him and be able to strike his nape, ears, hands, and groin in any way you wish without risk to yourself. "

-- I like it! I mean, it's unlikely to be that effective, but definitely painful, -- Bison nods. -- I'd also bite off an ear.

"As with everything in the world, our attack must end and the Exit phase begin. Listen to me carefully: the best thing for you will be to kick the scoundrel in the stomach with both feet, then stand on your hands and do a backflip. Besides the fact that the move is extraordinarily sudden, the distance will also be maximized. This trick saved the author of these lines even when faced with many attacking villains. "

Instead of a thousand words, Dale jumps up from his seat and performs the specified move—only the wall acts as the scoundrel. Although in the cramped tavern he lands on one of the tables, he still manages to complete the flip to general applause.
-- If I try to repeat that, my back will definitely snap, -- Raban grumbles with the rights of an old man.

"In the Finishing phase, we repeat the first and third phases—we humiliate the scoundrel with a wicked mockery and crush him finally with a mighty attack. For if you, O reader, have followed my advice exactly, the enemy is already helpless—proceed here at your own discretion, but know that Dolfo Caruso's signature move is to perform a high jump and crash down on the enemy with all your weight, leading with the elbow. It is good to climb onto a table or even a roof beforehand.

Now that you possess this wisdom, I wish you many great achievements, O noble reader—for no scoundrel shall stop you anymore!"

-- Oh damn... How should I put it... -- Sigeber desperately tries to comprehend the treatise, veins appearing on his forehead. -- Bullshit.
-- Not bullshit, but a joke, -- Rainulf corrects.
-- But in every joke there is only a part of a joke...

Added after 27 minutes
Woldemar and his companions arrive at the prison, and the guards lead them to the dungeons on the lower level—there, in solitary cells, in complete darkness and without any rations, particularly dangerous criminals are held. The guard with a torch opens the door, and the preachers can observe a witch before them—wincing, either from pain or dissatisfaction, she reluctantly rises from the stone floor, hiding her hands.

-- You again, butcher. Do you want to take away even my last hours of peace before death? Or have you come to execute me personally?