Currently I was kneeling on the ground facing the Heroes as they berated, scolded and basically gave me an ear-full. It was a wide range of complaints from Carl's 'you should have trusted us to go with you', Gary's 'Why didn't you take me a long it sounded like fun', Sayuri's very extended 'We were worried and at least tell us what you're going to do', and Alicia's… well I let her punch me a few times and she was quite happy with that. As punishment it was decided that I would do something for each one of them no matter what it was, well within reason at least. Because there was only one of me they decided to take it in turns and played rock-paper-scissors to decide who went first. The order would go, Gary, Carl, Alicia and then Sayuri. Sigh… I had a lot of work ahead of me.
With that done and dusted we went back to Tollot to pick up the things we had left at the inn. Along the way we passed a certain destroyed building. A large crowd of people had gathered and Guards were keeping them from getting too close.
"Isn't that the slaver's office?" Carl asked in surprise, "What the heck happened to it?"
"It looks like someone blew it up," Gary said indifferently.
"Who would-," Their eyes landed on me.
I stepped back with my hands held up, "Hey don't look at me like that. Do you really think I'd go that far?" I averted the accusation.
"Yeah, like Dave would go on that much of a rampage," Alicia laughed. Well she was right in a sense, I went on a far greater rampage.
"Besides if you look carefully it looks like it fell apart more than it exploded right?" I said hopefully.
"It does kind of look like that," Carl noted with shrewd eyes. Of course it did, I made it so it looked like it collapsed due to bad architecture and it just so happened that a strong earthquake occurred in that exact spot, and mysteriously only that spot.
The Heroes dropped the topic and we headed to the inn. After collecting our bags we left Tollot straight away but not before hearing rumours about how all the slaves in the area had just vanished. I acted as surprised as the other Heroes and their suspicions on the culprit passed me by. On another note I wonder how Sebastian was doing handling the new town. He'd probably kidnap Alferir from the castle and force him to help, unknown to me I was actually right on the money.
It was just past noon and although I hadn't slept for all too long I was still able to summon the cloud with no trouble and resume our journey. Sayuri and Carl suggested for someone else to drive and I happily agreed as I lounged on its softness. Gary led the cloud towards the Klerical Kingdom's capital and although he couldn't make it go as high or as fast as I could, we still would make it within a few days.
After several hours of cruising Carl asked a significant question that surprisingly I hadn't really thought about,
"Hey Dave, the Heroes are summoned around once every fifty years to stop the Demon Lord right?"
"Yep," I replied absent-mindedly.
"And the previous Heroes were about our age?"
"Well not really, from what I've read you guys are actually some of the youngest. Most of them were summoned in their mid-twenties."
"Well fifty years is a pretty long time but shouldn't they still be around?"
He had a point…, "Well I used to think that the Heroes just went back home eventually but the King said they couldn't do that." According to the stories from my father and grandfather they just stopped appearing. For the first few years to few decades they'd butt heads with our family but then as peace settled throughout the continent they just disappeared.
"Maybe they found another way home." Sayuri said hopefully.
"Maybe," I nodded, "Most of magic is still a mystery. If they figured it out and went home I wouldn't be surprised."
"Could they have left to explore the world?" Gary asked, "They probably settled down somewhere else or maybe they just died."
Alicia hit him in the back of the head and the cloud dipped forward a little, "Don't say that! You're going to jinx us, besides it's not like the Heroes have died before right Dave?"
"Well…." Hmm what should I say here? To be honest, yes the Heroes had been defeated before and some of them even died by a Demon Lord's hand but the truth was only the Heroes from this world we're ever recorded as to die. The rest just ceased to exist. My father had fought the Heroes many times and took the life of one from this world but no matter what, the others would escape with their lives. We called it the Heroes Blessing, but that wasn't to say they weren't beaten to the point of wishing they were dead.
"Hey Dave don't just go silent!" Alicia looked at me with slight desperation.
"Let's just say no," I smiled.
"That answer doesn't help at all!" she grabbed my shoulders and shook me.
"It doesn't matter anyway," I said as I tried to push her back, "You're different people."
Carl pulled her off of me, "Dave's right. We can't be complacent here. Just because no other Hero has died doesn't mean we won't."
"Eugh, what a downer," Gary sighed but then laughed, "But it makes it more exciting!"
"I don't really want to die…." Alicia muttered, "And I don't really want to kill anyone either."
"But we have to kill the Demon Lord," Carl clenched his fist, "Or at least we have to try. You all remember how strong he was. If we don't go in with the intent to kill him we'll lose."
A chill went down my spine as they all became scarily serious for a moment.
"That reminds me," Alicia began, "Back when we met him in Pranx, why didn't he just kill us?"
"But he also said he'd kill Dave…." Sayuri looked at me.
I pretended to think about it before I answered, "It's probably because if you die, the Kingdoms' will just summon more Heroes. As for me I'm from this world so I'm fair game." Of course the actual reason was because I was just messing around and wanted to taunt them. "Anyway this conversation is getting too serious let's play cards and relax. Trust me when I say that the Demon Lord isn't going to attack anytime soon." I pulled out the deck of cards with a smile.
As Sayuri, Carl and Alicia were doing their own training Gary was taking the opportunity to reap the rewards of my punishment. He stood in front of me with a grin,
"Teach me some awesome magic!" is what he had said. Awesome magic didn't really narrow things much so we decided I'd teach him how to do short-distance teleportation and how to fly to an extent. It was actually super handy for me because I was going to teach him anyway. Haha, the fool wasted his one chance to order me around. Still this would take a quite a lot of time spanning days if not weeks so the other would have to wait their turn. Hopefully they'd eventually forget.
Like this we spent our time peacefully traveling to the Klerical Capital. There was no real rush so our travel speed decreased to spend more time having fun exploring the countryside or training. One day we even went fishing over a lake while sitting on the cloud. It did get awkward when Gary snagged the lake's resident monster fish and was pulled in to the water to which we learnt neither him nor Alicia, who instinctively tried to save him, could swim. Though that event only succeeded to entertain me.
Four days since we left Tollot we arrived outside the Klerical Kingdom's capital. The Heroes were slack jawed at the city's' amazement. The capital to my surprise was even bigger than Elsbeth's. It spanned several kilometres of land and in the centre a humongous cathedral overlooked the city. I was certainly impressed but not only for that reason. When the ambassador from the Klerical Kingdom said we'd be kept safe if we went there, he wasn't joking. The area around the cathedral was dense with magic. Barriers we're set up all around it, all being powered by something inside. It tickled my interest to see if I could break it. This after all was the Kingdom who dared to enslave my people, I'd pay an extra special visit to its King. It would be interesting to see if this Kingdom's so called God could stand up to the might of a Demon Lord.
"We'll head straight to the Palace," I said as we dismounted from the cloud.
"Are you sure we can just do that?" Carl asked.
"The Kingdom is already expecting the Heroes to make an appearance. This way we can save some money and besides the food and rooms will be nicer." I gave them the thumbs up.
"Some good food would be nice," Gary rubbed his stomach, "Sis' and Sayuri's cooking is starting to bore me."
Alicia threw her bag at his head, it collided with a nice thunk, "Well how about you cook for once then!"
"We just need better ingredients!" Sayuri defended herself.
"Then we'll put it on the list of things to buy," I smiled to placate them. "This city is a key trade point. If there's anything you'd like to have, here's the place."
The road to the city's main gate was packed with people coming and going. It was midday and many travellers, adventurers and merchants were trying to pass through. All people and goods needed to be checked before entering the cities walls and guards carrying weapons saw through the process. The line moved quite quickly but it still wasn't very pleasant. There existed a side gate that nobles and those with special standing or permission could pass through but going through would mean to declare our presence, something that would be too much of a bother right now.
Merchant children ran between the flock of people selling food and other small goods while the line moved. They were doing pretty good business but their prices were higher than what could be found in the city. Because of my excessive purchase the other day to save my people I didn't want to waste money and although I know that the Klerical Kingdom would offer us money as Heroes, I refused to take from them. If I ever did decide to invade, this Kingdom would be first, not that I would of course, I was just still bitter about them kidnapping my people.
Eventually we made it to the front of the line. By showing our Adventurer IDs and declaring that we weren't here as merchants we were easily let through.
We got a bit into the city before Alicia sighed with relief, "That was easier than I thought it would be."
"What did you think it was going to be like?" Carl asked innocently.
"No, I've just had some bad experiences with things like this."
Gary laughed, "It's not like we've got anything to hide this time Sis. Relax."
"This time?" Sayuri faced them curiously.
"Ah well let's just say before we came here we did a lot of different things to try get money," Alicia smiled mischievously.
"Like smuggling?" Carl's eyes hardened on them. Ah, his sense of justice was triggered.
Alicia reacted to his expression with a firmer gaze than his, "What, got a problem with that?"
"It's illegal," he didn't back down.
"So was a lot of things. Besides going against the law tended to pay more."
The mood between them turned sour. I stood near them with Sayuri surprised. Yes, Carl had his own views of right and wrong but I didn't think Alicia would register a wrong in his book, especially considering it was in the past. Now the question was should I stop them? It was interesting to see friction between them but at the same time it was kind of painful.
Carl stepped towards her, "It's because people like you that our world had so many problems. The law exists for a reason."
"Listen up," Alicia copied his action, "Until you've been through what I've been through, you don't have the right to say anything."
"Okay that's enough." Gary jumped between them and pushed them apart. "Yes Carl we did a few things that could be considered illegal but we didn't have much of a choice, money was tight." He smiled to Carl trying to make him understand then he turned to Alicia, "And Sis don't start anything here. It's all in the past."
Carl was still frowning, "So are you saying that if we were tight on money you'd break the law here?"
Alicia shoved Gary aside, "Yes we would. I'll do whatever it takes for me and my brother to survive."
"Why couldn't you just get a job then?"
"You think we had that kind of luxury?"
Carl persisted, "Still, there had to of been a way without you doing anything wrong."
"We did nothing wrong!" Alicia stamped her foot into the ground and it cracked. Their voiced which had been growing louder had already caught the attention of people nearby and with that motion it was now hard for people not to look.
"Stop it both of you!" Sayuri yelled at them, "Weren't you both just laughing with each other before?" The pair stared at each other dangerously.
I placed my staff between them, "Sayuri is right. For now let's just go."
"Tch," Alicia spat, "Let's go Garr, I can't stand to see this prude's face any longer." She walked off in a random direction, Gary nodded in a panic and followed her. Carl stayed where he was looking at the ground.
"Sayuri follow them please," I said as they left.
"Right," she quickly went after them which left me and Carl standing in the middle of the street. I touched the ground with my staff and the crack Alicia had made fixed itself.
Eventually the onlookers lost interest in us as I dragged Carl somewhere else. He was in deep thought with a thick scowl plastered on his expression and didn't even notice where I took him. It was only when I shoved a drink into his face that I finally got his attention. We were sitting down in a random tavern I had come across.
"Thank you," he replied and took a sip. His eyes went wide and he gagged on the amber liquid I had given him. "W-what is this?" he coughed.
"Not sure, ale maybe. I just asked for something alcoholic," I said as I took a sip of my own drink. It was orange juice if you're wondering.
"Why would you do that? I'm too young to drink!" he snapped at me angrily.
"And this is why Alicia yelled at you," I sighed. "Anyway there's no laws here that forbids people your age from drinking."
"Alicia was in the wrong," he gritted his teeth as he went back to that topic.
"Was she? I'm not sure about the customs in your world but from the way I see it, she was only trying her best to live."
"And because of that she broke the law. She could have hurt other people!"
"Is that why you're mad at her?"
He stopped and picked up his drink, taking another sip as he seemingly forgot what it was. His reaction was the same and annoyed he moved it further from him.
"I just didn't expect any of us here to have done something like that. We're all Heroes right?"
I slightly choked on my orange juice. Man he was going to freak when he found out who I was considering all the laws I've broken. Well he could handle that later, for now,
"Heroes came in many forms. Is it really that hard for you to understand Alicia and Gary's point of view?"
Carl sighed and clenched his fist tighter, "The way I was raised… I don't consider things black and white but there's a right way and wrong way. Whatever Alicia and Gary helped smuggle it was illegal and could hurt a lot of people. Even if they needed the money, I can't look at them the same way now."
"So it's just that?"
"Just that!? It's a big deal! How can they be Heroes after doing that?"
I smiled and with purposeful bluntness said, "I've killed before."
Carl froze, his lip jittered, "But you must have for a good reason right?"
"Well I would consider it a good reason. I protected my life and the life of my sister but in the eyes of that person he was doing the world justice. To the people who escaped after I killed him it was murder."
"But… you would have died…," his eyes flickered as he justified my actions. "Why did they try to kill you?"
"It was in the past, just like for Alicia and Gary. For them it might have meant life or death as well."
"…."
"You were both chosen as Heroes for a reason."
He was silent as he mulled it over in his head. Did he understand yet? It wouldn't be very much fun if the two of them were at each other's throats for the remainder of our journey. Should I give him another push? I was about to say something about change and forgiveness but suddenly his arm shot out grabbed the drink he had previously discarded and with one rough swig he drained it.
His eyes were filled with an odd determination as he called to the waitress, "I want another one!" She jumped in surprise but nodded.
"I'd like another juice as well please," I called as she left.
"Damn it!" Carl hit the table. It cracked a little and I quickly repaired it before anyone noticed. "I don't understand but I kind of do."
"Well that's a start," I laughed and drained the rest of my juice.
The waitress came back with our drinks and as soon as she placed them on the table, Carl drank his in one fell swoop.
"Another please," he coughed and the waitress stared at him shocked. I had to wonder how much alcohol content these had, from the gazes of the people nearby it seemed to be quite high.
Interesting! I had planned to get him drunk eventually but for it to happen now, I smirked darkly, "You heard him, he wants another!"
"Eh-ah yes sir." And like that Carl proceeded to get smashed.
We found the others in a nearby park. From what it looked like Sayuri and Gary had managed to calm Alicia down. When they saw me however they all jumped up from their seat in surprise. I had Carl slung around one shoulder as he struggled to walk straight. The drinks had cost more than I expected but it was so worth it, he even broke the tavern's record on consecutive drinks.
"What did you do?" Sayuri yelped at us.
I laughed, "Carl got drunk."
"I want another…. Alicia…." Carl slurred as he looked up. Seeing Alicia's shocked expression, life knocked back into him as he managed to stand straight.
Alicia went back to being mad and huffed, "Just so you know we didn't do it because we wanted to. We were-,"
Carl sauntered over and placed a finger to her lips, "It's okay I understand. Bad things happen to good people. You're a good person. Even Dave's killed people…." He shifted unsteadily but his speech was quite eloquent. His comment however didn't go unnoticed as everyone except Carl flashed me a look of surprise.
"There were reasons, it was in the past," I waved it off. Now wasn't the time for that, right now drunk Carl was entertaining me.
"Alicia look at me," he drew back her gaze and removed his finger. "I didn't like it because it was you. I couldn't believe that you'd do that… because… because… I…." his weight gave way and he fell on top of Alicia.
Surprised she wasn't able to react in time and was forced to the ground. Carl was pressed on top of her as she struggled beneath him.
"Wha-what are you doing?" flustered she tried to push him and a surprising blush had lit her face. Gary looked at them smugly as did I. Sayuri however jumped in to help and as she pulled Carl off,
"Zzzzzzzz," he snored. His battery had dried out.
"He's sleeping…." Gary sighed, "And here I thought someone was trying to finally make a move on you Sis."
"And what's that supposed to mean!" Alicia picked up Carl's unconscious body and threw it at him. The two almost toppled as Gary barely managed to remain upright.
"Alicia are you still mad at him?" I asked.
"Well," she looked at Carl who was slumped over Gary, "I can't hate him."
"Good!" I smiled, this had gone better than I thought. "Well we can't really see the King while Carl is like this so let's find a place to stay."
During dinner at our inn a certain someone made his way to our table. His hands were plastered on to his head and a grimace had firmly taken over his features. He sat down next to us,
"What happened?"
"You attacked my sister," Gary half lied.
"What!?" Carl snapped awake, "Alicia I'm so sorry." Before Alicia could hit Gary, Sayuri did it for her.
"Well he kind of did," Gary rubbed his side which Sayuri had elbowed.
"You didn't attack me Carl," Alicia sighed, "So you don't even remember, huh?"
"No well…." Carl looked around guiltily.
"And you even did it so forcefully," I began, "Poor Alicia didn't even stand a chance. I can't believe you'd take advantage of the situation."
"Just what did I do!?" Carl blanched at my ambiguous words. I was going to lay some more on him but Sayuri glared at me. "Ah, that doesn't matter!" he turned to Alicia and bowed his head, "I'm sorry about how I acted earlier. You have your own situation. To be honest I've never had problems with money so it was hard for me to understand but I do now. Dave explained it to me."
Alicia blinked several times, "It's in the past anyway. Garr and I won't be doing those type of things again." Carl smiled and the mood between them settled.
"But can I still ask what I did before?"
A suppressed mischievous smile lit Alicia's face, "You really don't remember? Even when you touched me like that?" She shyly covered her body with her hands.
"No I- I would never- no I mean I wouldn't never but I-," Carl began to fluster and panic, "That is you're very attractive and everything but-," giving up he just bowed his head again, "I'm sorry I'll take responsibility for whatever I did!" We burst into laughter and even Sayuri giggled. "Why are you laughing? Hey! Just what happened!?"