A New Path
The Battle of Silvercreek had finally reached its conclusion. With the death of Lord William, the remnants of the Avalon Knight Order retreated to Merlesia, where Lady Orwella took over as Acting Lord Commander. Now that the truth of William's betrayal had been exposed, Ardenia merely awaited a delegation from the Albion Knight Council to negotiate peace.
At least Ardenia could breathe easy now. For the time being.
---
On Lorian Hill, a group of people gathered under a solitary oak tree. They were having a small picnic party. Several days had passed since the Silvercreek incident, and Zachary had decided to give everyone the day off today.
"I've made up my mind," said Adreana, who now wore a more casual dress. "In political matters, Finlay is far more adept at handling them than I am. Besides, I truly enjoyed my time with all of you. So, I've decided... I want to see more of the world."
Zachary smiled. "Well then, there's nothing I could do to stop you, Your Highness."
"Ah, just call me Adreana. Simply Adreana."
"As you wish, Lady Adreana," Brenda responded with a smile. She too wore a casual dress, a white one to be precise.
"Come on, Brenda. I told you to just call me Adreana during leisure time like this!" Adreana retorted, pouting her lips.
"Hehehehe~"
---
Asep and Treste were arguing again about their new invention.
"I'm telling you, we need more Lumite!" Treste insisted.
"No, we don't. We just need to make it more efficient," Asep countered. "The basic principle of the law of conservation of energy is that energy cannot be created or destroyed. So, we have to focus on how to maintain the output and minimize the input. In this case, the Lumite."
"I-I don't get your nonsense, but it sounds logical," Treste sulked.
"Whoa, where do you get all this knowledge from?" Clara asked Asep, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"From a book," Asep replied with a lazy smile.
"A book? What book?" Kirsche asked. "Our library doesn't have books like that."
"It's a very rare book," Asep said. "You won't find it anywhere around here. Ask the scientists of the Eternal Empire. And I'm not going to tell you the title, hehehe..."
"Hmph, stingy!" Treste exclaimed, sticking out her tongue with a sour face.
"So, what's the plan from now on?" Sylvanne asked Zachary, who was sitting beside her.
"For now, we just need to wait," Zachary said. "The Knight Council from Albion will send their delegation next month. Let's hope Lady Orwella's testimony can prove William's treachery. She's working hard right now as Acting Lord Commander to stabilize the situation. And as for us... we just need to enjoy this moment. Before another storm comes."
Asep gazed at the sky. A clear blue sky. He took a deep drag of his cigarette.
*Another storm... huh? I wonder what else will happen next in this world. This world... really is full of surprises.*
He smiled.
*But, as long as I've got smokes, I guess I'll be fine.*
---
Then, he remembered that face again. Adeline's face.
*Should I... visit her? Am I allowed to...*
He could feel his chest tighten. He felt something. A familiar feeling.
*Dammit... Not again...*
He knew that feeling. The feeling of longing. Longing for home. A place where one's heart belongs. He knew he couldn't go back, but that feeling... it was still there. Clinging to his heart, whispering faintly in his ear.
*Am I... falling in love with her?* he asked himself.
"There you are!" Stark's voice suddenly broke his reverie, making him startle slightly. "What are you doing here, spacing out? We're about to eat now. Come on."
"Oh, yeah, yeah, I'm coming," he replied, taking one last drag of his cigarette before putting it out. Bob and Karl were already waiting at the door, waving at him.
On his way to the tavern, he saw the girl come out of the refugee camp tent. Adeline. She was carrying a laundry basket. Seeing her made Asep's heart race. Deep down, he wanted to greet her, to talk to her. But his voice caught in his throat and couldn't come out.
It wasn't without reason. Honestly, he was just afraid.
Asep Muhammad Ridwan, in all his life, had never had the chance at a normal relationship with a woman. He feared any woman who got close to him would only end up suffering.
He didn't want to be like that. He didn't want to see the girl he loved suffer because of him.
Taking a deep breath, he shifted his gaze to the road, where the backs of his friends were already waiting.
"Oi, wait for me!" he shouted as he ran towards them, leaving behind a girl bathed in the morning sunlight.
---
"...That's why. We Merlesian refugees have decided to settle in the Roake Mines before winter arrives, so we can get work and proper housing as soon as possible," Adeline explained to Zachary.
"I see..." Zachary nodded. "I understand. But, are you sure you want to go there? Roake is like... well, a huge slum that formed around an abandoned mine. It's not a safe place, you know?"
"I know. But we have no choice. Winter is just around the corner. We can't live in tents forever," Adeline said. "Besides, there's always work in the mines. And if we work hard enough, we can build proper housing before winter comes." She looked at Zachary with a gaze full of determination. "We will not be a burden to you and the people of Loriana. We will stand on our own two feet. That's why we're going there."
Zachary sighed. He knew he couldn't stop them. They were people with strong pride, and they wouldn't accept charity for too long. They would rather face the harshness of being a miner than be a burden. Such determination was how most Ardenians lived their lives.
"...Alright. Please take care of yourself, Adeline. If you need help, don't hesitate to ask us. We'll be there for you."
"Thank you, Commander Zachary. Thank you for everything," Adeline said, bowing her head in gratitude.
"No need to be so formal. Just call me Zachary."
---
The next day, after his patrol duty was finished, he sat in the corner of the tavern, drinking his usual Lotus Wine. Even though Lotus Wine had the property of calming a person, he felt a little restless that afternoon. Something felt off, and it was as if he was missing something.
"...well, they moved to Roake this morning."
"It seems they don't want to burden us any longer. Wow, they're such determined people."
"But, to Roake? Of all places? Even though the mines are still active, working there... I hear it's a bit dangerous, you know."
"That's what I thought. But that Adeline girl... I doubt anyone would dare mess with her. That girl survived a riot and formed a militia out of refugees. I respect her."
Asep, who had been sitting silently in the corner, suddenly overheard the conversation. His eyes widened.
*Roake? Adeline? Wait...*
He stood up and immediately went to Zachary's place.
*BAM!* He slammed the door open, startling Zachary.
"Asep? What's wrong?" Zachary asked.
"Adeline! Where is she? I hear she went to Roake?!"
"Yeah, that's right. She and the other refugees decided to settle there," Zachary said. "They left this morning. Why?"
*Why?*
Asep fell silent. *Why? Why do I... care?* He didn't really know. Technically they were strangers. They hadn't even interacted much with each other.
"...Nothing. I just..." He sighed. "Forget it." He said before turning his back on Zachary.
Zachary only gave him a strange look, though he knew exactly what Asep was feeling. But he didn't stop him as Asep walked out of the office. He didn't say a single word. He just sat there, watching Asep disappear from his sight.
*"He's got a crush on that girl, huh?"* he muttered with a small chuckle.
---
He stood alone on Lorian Hill, letting the autumn wind caress his tan skin. The sun in the west had already turned orange.
He didn't know why, but the news of Adeline's departure to Roake... felt like something had stabbed his heart. He felt it again, that pain. This time, not even tobacco could cure it.
*I'm such a fool... I should have said something to her. At least I should have said 'hi.' I...* His hands clenched. *I'm a real coward. I keep running away, again. Over and over. And for what? For this worthless pride of mine? Hah.*
"Whatcha doing?"
"Uwaaaahhh!" Asep shrieked in surprise. "Dammit! Karl, and uh... Stark, you followed me?!"
The two spearmen just stood there, staring at Asep.
"Well... Honestly, yes. You were acting strange, so we decided to follow you," Karl said. "And besides... Roake is about a day and a half away, so you can still catch up to her if you want to."
"It's not like that... Whatever. You guys wouldn't understand."
"Oh come on! If you like her, just say it. That's what men do! I got my wife after a month of trying, you know?" Karl said.
"Oh yeah? My wife accepted me after two months..." Stark added. "Wow, you're better than me, Karl."
"Nonsense! You married three women in the span of two years! First Eve, then Lisa and Rubia. Now you have five children and still haven't paid your child support!"
"You bastard! How do you know that?! Have you been stalking me all this time?!"
"Well, of course!" Karl replied, without the slightest shame.
Asep could only stare at them with a flat expression after witnessing that exchange.
*I... need time to process all this...*