Chapter 51 – No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

A favor was something that Warlords take seriously. But each favor carries weight. Each has a weight that could prove good or bad to the Warlord. Now imagine the Warlord of a City being ungrateful to the benefactor who warned them and called reinforcements for them. That person, Dolce, who entered haughtily requested one thing after seeing Joshua’s cold-hearted presentation of evidence against Benton, who then died by Thermite Bomb.

Dolce was quite excited seeing Joshua. The little thing plaything she had once played all new and supple. He wasn’t like the first time they met. He wasn’t thin, he didn’t show bones. He was average and even had a bit of muscle in him. It was quite enough for her to be oddly happy. But seeing that thin peasant presenting himself with confidence, gesturing his arms, presenting what he has found with a cold tune was quite the show. She was impressed by how she acted. As if the sheep that she thought he was suddenly showed his true form.

It was euphoric for her. So how could she not step in happily? She thought that she’d be just getting a meek slave. But to think that the moment that her slave got a foothold, he was able to do things that she could not possibly imagine. Piloting an air balloon? Creating a lever and sliding lock system that could allow a rifle to fire continuously? Then, discovering a spy sent by her father and rooting him out? Not to mention allowing that same spy to die by his own hand?

She was ecstatic. She heard what he did. And knowing that made her want to procure him. She wanted her toy back. So she presented herself and boasted about the help she got. The Templar’s were behind her. They approved of what she wanted. Not to mention that getting Joshua was the same as getting the designs to the rifle.

The Warlord Mia was not happy to it. The Lord Enforcer by her side wanted to throw away that favor. But with the Thorn Cross Legion behind her. And the good that she did for the City despite her intentions. It was obvious that the Warlord Mia had no choice but to accept her favor of letting ‘Joshua’ come with her.

Joshua, who was afraid silly of the lady begged to them. “Please don’t hand me over to her! Shig! Please save me!”

Shig wanted to try. Yet how could he act recklessly in front of these zealous templar’s ready to exact vengeance upon the blood-crazed bull? How about Leiko? She lowered her head in shame, protecting her little sister in her arms. The only that wanted to save Joshua from the Lady was Archie. He stood up for him. He made clear his intentions, even mentioning the merits that Joshua did, which only made things worse for Joshua since knowing that he piloted an air balloon and save people using the knowledge he had was quite pleasing to hear.

Of course, the one thing she didn’t like was the sudden disappearance of confidence that Joshua had. Looking at him, she frowned. Where did that confidence go when faced with her? She was perplexed how the wolf before her turned into a sheep. She wanted to know why. But it was no time to do so with everyone watching.

As for Joshua, he watched Archie get subdued by the Templar’s. He watched Shig lower his head in shame. He watched Leiko embrace Kioko within her arms, trying to keep her quiet. Joshua knows that everyone had something to protect. He knew that they know he treated them as a family. He fought for this city. He did what he did so he can protect the ‘family’ he had. He understands their reasons. He was told from the very beginning and knew that they would choose their own.

Joshua understood that. He could. He wasn’t smart or unreasonable. He was afraid, but his reasoning didn’t leave him. He can understand what they are doing. He was trying to accept it all in a stoic manner. But even so, his heart broke into pieces. Sure, he could understand. But it didn’t mean his heart was steel.

He could only lower his head. He tried to gather the bit of courage he had not to cry. His heart wanted to shout: “PLEASE SAVE ME FROM THIS SHE-DEVIL” but his mind told him to accept this in a calm manner. He truly wanted to be saved. He appreciated Archie being taken down by Templar’s trying to save him. He could see Shig clenching his fist badly trying to stay calm.

But they didn’t act. All Joshua could hear was the please voice of the she-devil that wanted to claim him. All Joshua could hear was her she-devil’s voice slithering to him.

But what can he do?

He wanted to protest his freedom.

But looking around him made him realize.

That despite all the feelings he had in this situation. It didn’t really matter. They made their choice. And now he finally understood that he was truly alone in this world. He had allies. He had friends. But these friends won’t help him because of the consequences that might happen to them. Shig could save him but the Templar’s will interfere. The Warlord helping him would mean that she doesn’t give respect to her benefactor. Leiko was a Cagan native. There would be a chance that she would be discriminated by the zealous templars. She had made it clear to Joshua that she would everything for her little sister. That’s why she wouldn’t act. Archie was a great guy. He tried but now he was bruised and beaten on the ground trying to protest in front of a Justicar.

There was no need to talk about the obvious. Who won in this matter was none other than the Alva’s. Dolce had the lucky roll and now she had the chance to get the rifle designs and at the same time get her plaything back. She was the winner of this entire tirade.

As for Joshua, despite all the good he did. He was rewarded for this. He had the right intention but the consequences of revealing what he knew and doing what he did landed him in this position. It may be cruel, but his choices brought him here.