Chapter 120 – Distrust and Seething

Meeting them truly was a coincidence. Joshua did not like the prospect of it. Since he knew that if Kioko was their then surely her big sister would be near. She was indeed near and after a few months of not seeing each other. Joshua was not glad to see her at all.

Kioko attracted the attention of others. Archie and the former warlord of Avilla were in the flying ship. Archie, like the good person he was, was glad when he saw Joshua. He was surprised also when he saw Zola, who turned indifferent facing the group. Zola seemed like she switched personality again. Her face bland and impassive and every inquiry that Archie did were replied with a simple yet courteous ‘I see.’

Joshua attached the air balloon to the ship. He sat and faced the people who gave him to Dolce. He met eyes with Leiko who was about to open her mouth when they met eyes.

“I had no choice-“

“I know,” Joshua snapped and interjected her. “You did it for Kioko’s best. I get it. You’ll understand what I am feeling about what happened so don’t worry.”

He talked while seething. Joshua was not a saint. He was someone who trusted and got hurt doing it. He could understand her reasons but so what?

“I see.”

“Yes, I know. Still, I would be foolish to trust you again. You hate humans, I get it. You won’t trust me nor will I ever trust you. So it’s fair play.”

Joshua wasn’t speaking nicely. He didn’t really care that Archie was looking at them worriedly. But if he stops him then he would stop. He wouldn’t worry about being niceness to people who hurt him. Leiko, in particular, seemed like she was trying to make excuse. Was she feeling a bit of guilt? Joshua thought that maybe she did. But his heart told him no. It was a paranoia gripping him. He didn’t want to experience the same thing twice. So even if there was a lingering hint of guilt. Joshua would be too paranoid to accept it.

Their talk ended. Kioko approached Joshua and his treatment of her was different. He did not blame her for anything. He was nice to her. He knew that Kioko was a broken little girl that sees world twistedly. How could he fault a lost little girl? So he treated her well.

Leiko watched them talk. She found herself feeling odd. She remembered Joshua’s tone as being warmer. Yet the way he speaks to her now was filled with a seething hate. It felt cold and distant that watching Joshua talk warmer to Kioko made her frown. He could not fault Joshua but still, she could remember the favors he did for her sister. And what way did she treat him even when he did his best to be amiable? She cannot fault Joshua for his tone. And she could only blame herself for that. It was her fault that she didn’t trust humans. But does she regret it? No, she doesn’t. She was single-minded but that was all Leiko is. Her sister was her world after all.

...

Joshua conversed with Kioko for a while before meeting the pilot of the ship. To his surprise, the pilot was the smith that helped him them in the city of storms. Joshua thanked him. Barbados greeted him and exchanged pleasantries. Joshua was about to leave when Barbados told him that he was the one that buried Shig. Barbados asked Joshua, ‘Do you hate him for not standing up for you?’ which Joshua replied. “Yes. But I cannot hate those who are already dead.” Barbados nodded. “I see.”

Joshua left the wheel of the flying ship. He caught sight of Mia. He had nothing but contempt for her so he didn’t even bother to speak to her. There was no one that he could to so he went to Archie. Archie told him what happened during the time. He also told Joshua about the ruins and his discovery of Zola. This surprised Joshua. So he asked Zola if it was true and she nodded to confirm.

Unlike the others, Zola entertained Archie. She was thankful for him for releasing her from the medical pod. Joshua heard what happened and he was even more surprised. Archie could not believe it either but when he talked he showed sadness. He told Joshua that Cassia was dead. Joshua fought with Cassia so knowing that made him a bit sad.

Joshua then told Archie about his status. But Joshua’s paranoia didn’t let him know where he was living. He was worried and that he just couldn’t tell that information. But he told Archie about why he was flying around in an air balloon. And when Archie heard where Joshua was going. He could not help but react to the big surprise.

“You’re trying to get an audience of the Maltius La Fende Princess? So they found her?” Joshua nodded. “Yes they found her and we are trying to talk to her.”

Archie jolted back. “This is bad. Then that only means one thing.”

“An alliance between the Templars and the Maltius La Fende will happen.”

Mia interjected them with a grim tone. “If it happens then forget about taking my city back. It’s over.”

“Milady,” Archie said. Joshua looked at the lady and shrugged his shoulders. He folded his arms and said. “Well, it is not like I care about that. All we want is to talk to a friend.”

“Can we come with you?” Mia said. Joshua looked at her and furrowed his brows. “Why?”

“Despite losing my city, I am still noble by birthright. I can give us safe passage as a neutral party.”

Joshua looked at her dubiously. “You have a plan?” Mia nodded. “Yes, I do. I can see that there’s you’d rather jump off a cliff than trust me.” Joshua admitted. “Yes, after what you did to me in Avilla? I might.”

Mia said. “Then think of it as a deal. We’ll ferry you past the midland with this ship. That balloon would take you too much time.”

Joshua coldly looked at Mia. He then turned his eyes to Archie. “I don’t trust you. But I’ll trust Archie. Are you going, Archie?”

“Yeah, I’ll help the lady.”

“I see. Then that’s that,” Joshua stood up. “I’ll tether the air balloon to the ship. Just don’t treat us like a card you could throw away, milady. Because if you do. Then Lord God above forgive me, I’ll hunt you down even it if kills me.”

Mia shivered. The casualness of his voice along with the piercing coldness emitting from Zola and Titus eyes was enough to scare her. She wasn’t really planning to do anything like that. She only wanted to get on the good side of a princess of the Maltius La Fende, if Joshua was stating the truth.

“I’ll note that,” said Mia. Joshua nodded and excused himself. Zola followed behind and carried Titus along with her. Mia stood with her hair bouncing along with the wind. She was lost in thought. She expected him to be distrustful, but to outright say that? Mia thought that Joshua must be a really wary person.

As for Joshua, he felt like he should just fly away using the air balloon. But Mia was right. It would take time and he weighted the pro and con. So he decided to fly with them.