Chatter~chatter
The insistent murmur of voices wrenched me out of sleep. Rubbing the sleep from my left eye, I sat up and slid open the door that led to the front of the carriage, expecting to find Cassemir and Angar in their usual places.
But the driver's seat was empty. Cassemir and Angar were nowhere to be seen, which struck me as odd.
I quickly changed into the oversized, fresh clothes that had been left for me, securing my canteen and dagger around my waist. Grabbing a loaf of bread, I stepped out of the carriage.
A long line of carriages stretched ahead, some belonging to merchants, others – sleek, polished vehicles, clearly the property of nobles.
Yes, cars. This world was a bizarre blend of old and futuristic, a juxtaposition that still managed to surprise me.
Following the line of people, I eventually reached the source of the commotion. Pushing my way through the dense crowd, I finally saw what had drawn everyone's attention.
Alongside Cassemir and Angar, ten other knights were engaged in a fierce battle against a horde of massive wild boars, some of them reaching a height equivalent to two adult males stacked on top of each other.
I munched on my bread, watching the fight unfold with a detached curiosity, the battle nearing its end.
Those knights... they look silly. I chuckled, their movements stiff and awkward.
I watched them struggle against the boars, a question forming unbidden in my mind. If I fought them, would I win?
I took another bite on my bread, the question already fading from my conscious mind as quickly as it had appeared.
Silly? Who are you to make fun of good men fighting for the safety of us all, I bet you'd wet yourself if you faced those massive boars instead of them!
The words, sharp and accusatory, were directed at me.
I stopped eating, my gaze shifting to my left, pinpointing the source of the voice.
There, inside a sleek, black car parked nearby, sat a kid, likely around the same age as my current body – fourteen, give or take. He had long, blonde hair that reached his shoulders, framing a face contorted with disdain.
After giving him a brief, dismissive glance, I went back to eating and watching the fight. I wasn't about to waste my time and energy with this kid.
Hey! I'm not done talking to you!
He shouted, his face flushed with anger.
Well, I am, so... I retorted sarcastically, turning back to the fight.
That seemed to push him over the edge. He stormed out of his car, lunging at me.
I easily dodged his clumsy grab, and he stumbled, tripping over his own feet.
YOU DAMN LOW LIFE! HAVE YOU GOT NO SHAME AT ALL!?
He screamed, his voice cracking with fury.
I stared at him, my expression blank. Reaching out my hand, I offered to help him up.
Thwack!
He slapped my hand away, his eyes narrowed with resentment.
I don't need your help...
He muttered, his voice barely audible.
He slowly stood up, brushing off his expensive clothes. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned a fancy-looking sword, its hilt adorned with a thorn rose emblem, undoubtedly belonging to his family.
Sebas, enough!
A new voice cut through the tension. A beautiful girl, dressed in an elegant gown, emerged from the same car. She looked several years older than us, likely around seventeen.
Sebas, seriously, control yourself...
She said, her tone a mix of exasperation and authority.
That's when I noticed that the fight against the wild boars was over, and the crowd's attention had shifted entirely to us three.
And you... apologize now. Don't make a habit out of making fun of people, it's not good. She turned her gaze to me, her expression firm but not unkind.
I scratched the back of my neck, sighing inwardly.
Apologizing means admitting that I was wrong, but I wasn't wrong. I was merely voicing out what I saw. Therefore, I won't apologize.
I met the boy named Sebas's furious gaze, my own remaining steady and unyielding.
Angar gently tapped me on the head with a light karate chop, a playful gesture that still carried a hint of disapproval.
Then, he patted my head, a small smile gracing his lips.
Lady francine. Cassemir announced, stepping into the scene and bowing slightly towards the girl.
Though I agree with what Hanse said, it's how he phrased it that was wrong. So, allow me to apologize on his behalf. He bowed again, his movements smooth and respectful.
Then, he turned his gaze to me, his expression softening.
Hanse, boy. I'm not going to force you to lower your head, but it wouldn't hurt to be just a little kinder to others. What you said might have been right... however, there's a place and a time for everything. You could have voiced your criticism after the fight, in a more constructive manner.
His words hit hard, making me realize just how much of an asshole I'd been.
I was projecting my own frustrations onto others, using my observations as a weapon instead of offering genuine insight.
I... I'm sorry, genuinely.
I said, directing my apology to the knights.
I kept my head held high, refusing to bow, but the sincerity in my voice was undeniable.
...
I see... so he's with you? A student, perhaps?
Francine asked, her tone polite and slightly curious as she studied me.
No... he's my son.
The faces of everyone around us dropped into expressions of utter shock, their mouths agape.
The only exception was Francine, who merely looked a little caught off guard.
Wait, what? Cassemir has a wife? No way, right? He's probably just saying that to shield that brat, the crowd murmured, their voices buzzing with disbelief and speculation.
We are not blood related, but I do consider him as my son, Cassemir added, his voice clear and firm, silencing the murmuring crowd once more. A gentle smile played on his lips as he looked at me.
I was caught off guard by the unexpected declaration, a warmth spreading through my chest. A wave of gratitude washed over me, the simple words carrying a weight that resonated deep within. Someone considered me family.
It was a feeling I hadn't realized I craved so deeply.
.
.
.
But the warmth and happiness were abruptly cut short as the ground beneath our feet began to shake violently. The snow, precariously perched on the branches of the surrounding trees, cascaded down in a flurry of white.
The trees themselves swayed back and forth with alarming force, some of them snapping in half with a loud, splintering crack.
Cassemir, recognizing the urgency of the situation and the need to help others, quickly passed me into Angar's arms.
Wait!
I shouted, reaching out towards him, but my voice was lost in the growing chaos that surrounded us.
Angar, his expression grim, carried me away from the crowd, towards a more open area with fewer trees.
I could only watch in horror as I saw Cassemir, his face etched with determination, helping a man who was buried beneath a fallen tree. In a moment that seemed to defy reality, the earth itself opened up. A massive section of the ground lifted high into the air, creating a huge, gaping rift. Cassemir, along with several other people, were swallowed by the earth, disappearing into the abyss.
Cassemir, NOOOOO!
I screamed, my voice raw with anguish.
Angar, stop! STOP! You need to save him!
I thrashed against Angar's hold, hitting him with my fists, desperate to go back and help. But he remained steadfast, his grip unyielding as he continued to carry me away from the devastation.
...
Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.
– Dalai Lama.