Gale mounted the horse he had bought on the black market and took Kael to a cave in the countryside.
The boy's coughing grew worse, especially while riding. The jolting made him convulse, and as soon as he dismounted, he spat out a mouthful of blood.
When Gale met him last year, his illness was not so severe. Now, however, he looked as if he were on the verge of death.
Seeing his emaciated body, Gale remembered his own past when he had been sick with COVID… or rather, the days he spent alone in his room doing things that would help no one.
He had experienced the torment of illness. Sometimes he thought that perhaps death was easier, but he survived, even though he lost loved ones, which made him retreat even deeper into his inventions.
What might Kael be thinking now? He was about to die in the flames, as his substitute.
Gale could not know. Nor could he save him. He did not even know his own fate after escaping the farm. He had no power to rescue that miserable child; he was just like him, struggling to survive in a cruel world.
But at that moment, a small seed was planted in his heart.
He wanted to change the world.
He had the opportunity and the ability. He felt a mission that only he could accomplish: that one day, the poor children of this land would have food, basic medical care, and be able to go to school instead of working in fields and farms at the age of seven or eight.
"Rest, Kael. There's food and water there. I'll see you tomorrow."
Kael could no longer speak. He only lay on the hay, gazing at Gale's face calmly, forming a faint smile.
Gale hugged him, gave him some water, and returned to his room.
The next morning, he went to the kitchen for breakfast.
Aldous greeted him with a smile and handed him a roasted lamb rib.
Aldous was the kindest person to Gale on the entire farm. A cook, bearded, chubby, a lover of food and of simple mind.
Gale remembered the silver coin Aldous had given him a long time ago during one of his trips to the market. It had been a turning point: with it, he bought more sulfur, made gunpowder, and confirmed that he truly mastered the method of making gunpowder.
Perhaps he would never see him again after that night.
Aldous was a good man. Just a cook. Gale did not want the Military Police to kill him.
He hesitated for a moment and then hugged him.
"What's wrong, Gale? Did a girl dump you? At your age I fell in love easily. After so many heartbreaks, I only fell in love with food, hahaha." Old Aldous's laughter echoed through the kitchen.
"Old Aldous, trust me. Leave the farm before tonight and never come back."
Gale whispered something into his ear, took his breakfast, and left as if nothing had happened. Gale knew that this man would die if he did not escape.
Aldous remained there, bewildered, scratching his head.
It was all Gale could do. Warning him was already taking too much of a risk.
He knew that, unlike him, Aldous was not prepared. He would probably run, and even then be caught.
But at least he had left him a spark of hope.
He remembered his first day at the farm, when Aldous hid half a sausage for him and waved it secretly.
Perhaps someday they would meet again somewhere else, taste lamb chops once more, and remember the farm as it once was.
The best path was to ignore everything and watch people die.
Gale had always forced himself to think that way.
But when the final day arrived and he thought of all those who would die, he could not fully bear it.
Even so, the path was cruel. He could not warn more people.
By afternoon, everything was ready.
He took Kael to his room and watched the road, waiting for the Military Police.
He went to see Historia. He said nothing; he simply played with her.
He took her to fly a kite and taught her how to spin a top.
Historia clapped happily and said excitedly, "Can we play again tomorrow?"
Gale patted her on the head and said cheerfully, "Of course. Whenever you want."
On that last day, he no longer hid his feelings.
Historia was about to begin her life in exile: she would change her name to Christa, become a commoner, and be sent to the refugee camp. A lonely and painful road awaited her.
That was why Gale wanted her, at least today, to be happy.
…
Night fell.
The sound of hooves came from afar. Scattered torches lit up the darkness.
Gale knew the Military Police had arrived.
He said goodbye to Historia after telling her a fantasy story. "I'm leaving. See you tomorrow."
"Alright. See you tomorrow," Historia replied, waving her hand.
Gale returned to his room and took the hand of Kael, who was lying on his bed.
"They've arrived," Gale whispered, trying not to make too much noise, and said, "I'm sorry, Kael. It's time."
"I… have been waiting for this day…" Kael whispered, already dressed in Gale's clothes.
Gale took out a knife and pressed his lips together.
"Lord Gale, don't worry…" Kael shook his head and said, "Just set everything on fire. I can endure it."
"But… it will be painful…"
"It's fine. Besides… knife wounds are obvious. The soldiers know corpses. That would alert them."
"I understand…" Gale clenched his teeth and said, "When I achieve my purpose, I'll take care of your siblings and tell them everything."
"Thank you."
Gale took his belongings, covered his mouth and nose with a wet towel, took the kerosene from the hay, and poured it over the furniture.
Then he began to set the fire from outside.
At the entrance of the estate, soldiers stood guard with weapons, taking Historia's mother hostage.
A burly man stepped forward. They called Historia and surrounded her.
Some soldiers burst in firing, and screams filled the night.
Gale lit a match and threw it into the hayloft.
With a hiss, the flames rose, lighting up the darkness.
The fire devoured the farm. Black smoke rose in all directions.
Gale took one last look, tightened his flintlock pistol, and disappeared into the night.
He reached the outer cave, loaded money, food, water, and gunpowder into the saddlebags, looked at the map, mounted his horse, and set off.
His destination was as close as possible to Wall Rose.