Chapter 163 – Journal Entry 13: Dread World

Outside the walls of Soren, I saw a world of red. The road was paved with stone. The path has many glowing orbs that summons warp gates out of nowhere. I could see Golems patrolling around the road as we passed them by. The carriage I am riding is fast. The meat fur abominations sewn together could not compare to the speed. Not to mention that I am shooting them with a crank operated Gatling gun. Every time I see some beastly abomination I would aim the Gun and fire at the enemy.

It is pretty easy. The world is dreaded indeed yet with these guys and the various Golems running around makes it easy for us to travel on the road. The sense of blood hung thick in the air. The wind is blowing right in front of me and the snake road that the carriage is passing through makes me nervous.

“Are you okay there?”

“Motion Sickness...is getting me.”

Elena asked me. I was a bit sick. The movement of the automobile while it treks this hazardous pathway makes me dizzy. If it wasn’t for the Gatling gun attached to this carriage then I would have fallen already. It doesn’t help that behind me. Grom is sniping creatures that could fly. I got to admit Grom wielding that scoped rifle while barely feeling the recoil is quite admirable. Not to mention that the movement makes it rather hard to do so. I guess he got a lot of practice.

“Just don’t vomit okay? It will take a while until we arrive at the way castle. We still stop there for awhile before waiting at the Fort Encampment.”

“I see...so by the evening?”

“Yes, by the evening. Just relax, and try not fall. I will not be responsible if you do.”

“That really puts me into relief, Elena. Thank you.”

“You are welcome.”

“You guys, please stop this.”

Miss Leona smiled wearily as she looked at us calmly talking. Her elven companion, who was forced to name herself called Tisza, merely, folded her arms as she listens to us. She is quite unfriendly, although she is chatty when it comes to Miss Leona.

“Sorry.”

I said that while relaxing my shoulders. I looked around. I could see the sea from this place. Despite the red light that illuminates above us. I could have a glimpse of the blue sea. There are some ships traveling on the horizon. And tracing them, I could see that beyond the mountain should be Sardis City.

I could not help but look forward to the harbor city. I have said that as many times but I have a quite fond feeling about harbors. Not because I love ships, but because there is something about the smell of the sea tide, the waves washing the sands that calm me. It is the hazy images in my head that make me wonder. Will I get some of my memories if ride a boat?

I can only wonder

...

It took hours to arrive at the way castle. In there we were greeted by similar carriages but not that great compared to the carriage that Elena is controlling. They have guards armed with rifles while we have a Gatling gun mounted on our carriage.

The way castle is filled with travelers armed to the teeth. Merchants who are with goods could be seen setting up temporary stalls. Since Elena was checking the wheels of the carriage. I decided to stretch my legs to the stalls. In the stalls, I bought some fruit and surprisingly they selling some fizzy juice. Carbonated drinks are quite popular, so they bring it everywhere as much as ale and wine.

All I needed was some juice and corn. So after buying them, I went back to the carriage only to find them casually eating. It was quite irritating that Elena didn’t tell me. But it is my fault for not obviously guessing that they would have brought lunch.

I despaired but Grom surprisingly shared some of his food towards me. I wanted to cry but he pointed at the cigar I have in my pockets. I gladly exchanged some of my cigars. I also lit his cigar for him, but Grom’s eyes stirred a bit seeing my lighter.

He inspected it and played around it but he gave it back. After lighting his cigar, Grom silently smoked it. I was eating my corn, meat and drinking my fizzy juice. Grom and I were the only men in the carriage so it was up to us to bond.

Well even though I say bond. Grom is silent as ever, only staring at the faint red sky, mesmerizing on something. I have no idea what my real age is. But I could see that Grom is older than me. I say if appearance alone he should be about thirty years old. Although that is just an estimate, I mean he could be older than that. After all, when I asked Miss Leona about her age, I just stopped asking.

She looked like she was still a woman in her 20’s but she was over hundred years old. It was quite shocking, and if I didn’t know she was an elven then I would have somehow called bullshit on her. So Grom could be much older, but like I said I am just going to stop asking about anyone’s age. Even the half-elven lady that the young woman named Nell accompanies was quite beautiful despite her probably age. Who knows, maybe Nell herself was much older than me.

Really, I do not want to ask. It tires me out.

I stared at the sky. I pulled my own cigar, lighting it I started smoking along with Grom. It was a good time to smoke. It calms my nerves and makes me composed. The cigar was quite good and was tasty enough to chew the end of it.

Somehow even though I expected myself to be scared the moment I step outside of the walls of Soren. I find myself strangely calm. It was like my head couldn’t even bother to be scared. There was a strange feeling of familiarity on the beasts, which I do not get.

Well, I suppose it is one of my quirks? Maybe I am some fearless Hero that fought too many beasts or something that made me unfearing against anything, well no matter, if that’s how it flows, then that is how it flows. I am not complaining.

It is much better to be like this.