The sound of the cartwheel could be heard dragging on the stones and twigs on the ground, currently speaking the old dirt road was originally built for merchants to pass by quicker from Hale village over to the next village going southwards.
However, it was soon closed down, and forgotten by many, except for the local elders of the village.
According to history books, its creation was planned in the late sixth century which is 690 that's about forty-two years ago, meanwhile, the project began five years later in the year 695, and it didn't complete till 712, which means it took twenty-two years to build, and that was with the effort of the witches and warlocks, teaming up with some of the brightest minds of that time.
With that said it's obvious that the Mythrolonica Highway was built twenty years back, however with its completion it brought a revolutionary change in the Mythrolonica Empire, so much so, the Mythrolonica empire became one of the most powerful leading bodies in the world.
It ranks third in the world power system, ironically enough though, a small kingdom across the Kingu Ocean, known as Camelot is by default the strongest leading country for the sole reason it's the home of the witch of infinity Merlin.
The Highway itself is connected to many different villages, local cities, kingdoms, and two other empires as well connecting two other continents, it was one of the greatest peace of architecture to grace the empire, after all, its built several miles off the grounds when crossing the ocean.
This highway was also the main route many merchants from across the content and other neighboring content would use to travel to get from one nation to another.
It was made and sponsored by emperor Mythrolonica himself; originally for the sole purpose of stopping Bandits from stealing their goods, and also to make migration, and traveling for businesses easier, for that reason, bandits began to rob small settlements, that being the local villages run by lower-rank nobles since they are easier prey to pick on.
However, with the rise of the gifted, and the development of steam technology, the Mythrolonica empire also develop into a third-world country, since there is a lot of steam-powered mechanics, sad to say though such luxury is only available to nobles.
So when you travel up the highway it's not rare to find steam-powered carriages or even steam-powered vehicles.
"Hey, are you ok back there?"
But as I was recalling information about the Mythrolonica highway, I was soon taken out of my thoughts when I heard Alexander call out to me, his back was turned facing the front, as he pulls the cart up the slope of the abandoned dirt road.
Of course, I was there, pushing it from the back, however, as we go along blood dripped from the cart making a trail, thankfully no one uses these roads anymore.
Although I didn't want to keep my older brother hanging so I responded to him.
"I'm good big bro, how about you, do you want me to tap in for you at the front?"
"Ah.No.No."
He said.
"I was just checking on you that's all."
"Is that so?"
I ask with a bland tone and expressionless gaze.
"Come on now little bro at least sound happy that I care about your well-being."
"I know you do, honestly out of everyone in our small household of four, I can happily say that you're the one that cares for me the most, truly I do appreciate you, big bro."
"..."
However upon saying that Alexander suddenly went quiet.
"Big bro, are you good, you suddenly went quiet on me?"
"..."
He didn't answer, however when I look at him he suddenly stops pulling the cart as he said.
"Hey, Sherlock?"
"What's up, big bro?"
"Am... What do you think about going to school, meeting new friends, finding love, and also getting a good education?"
"Ha, nothing really, I'm happy here with you guys, to be honest, a petty thief like me can't get enrolled in a school anyways, that and the fact I'm not of noble blood."
"But what if you could, would you take the opportunity to go?"
Big brother Alexander seems serious about this, honestly, he was confusing me, it is common knowledge that only nobles are allowed any form of education in this world, so even a possible what-if didn't make sense at all because it wasn't going to happen.
However, Alexander wasn't going to let me up on this, because he asks again, this time however with a serious expression on his face.
His eyes met mines and the way he clench his fist while standing straight also made him more serious than before.
"Sherlock, I'm been serious here, so please answer the question, what if you could go to school, would you take the opportunity?"
At the sound and the sight of seriousness, I sighed while scratching the back of my head, as I answered honestly.
"... Well if there was a chance I wouldn't mind, at least I can join a working class, and make more money for us to survive on."
"Really!?"
"I thought you would be against it, seeing you are so attached to us in a way."
"I won't refute that, but I'm a little loss, why did you even ask that question to begin with?"
Alexander just smiles, and I could tell a huge weight off his chest had been lifted, as he hold his heart in relief, from there he reached inside his coat as he pulls out a community poster, and then gave me it in my hand to read.
Of course, I responded to his request, by taking it from him, right after I began to read.
"I-I-Is this true?"
"I know its sounds crazy, but I did some research and it is true, even lady Hale confirm it for me."
"So what are you guys planning to do?"
"Mom, me, and Denzel are all working hard to send you overseas to Camelot to study at Merlin Academy For The Gifted."
"So...so you are not coming along with me?"
Alexander didn't answer right away instead he sighed as he scratch his head as if wondering how to answer, however he soon come clean as he said.
"Originally we wanted to take the steam bloat, however one straight trip to Camelot would cost us 3000 Gold per head, seeing it is located on the other side of the world, so far we have only saved up about 8000 gold in total, and we also need to buy your equipment to start the school year, in short, we are little on the short side, that why we have been doing extra jobs here and there."
"I see, so am I going to go by myself?"
But as I said this, Alexander instantly refuted my statement with a deadpan expression on his face, as he said.
"Yes, and No, we are coming with you but we won't go to the academy with you, as matter of fact we plan to start a new life at Camelot."
"What do you mean new life, are you quitting the life of a criminal?"
I said with actual shock on my face.
"Hehe... would look at that, I got to see another expression of yours apart from your usual expressionless face."
"Come on brother stop playing with me, answer my question?"
"Yes we decided to retire from our old ways of stealing, we don't want to ruin your future any more than we already have, although if anyone wages war against us, or attempts to sabotage our happiness, we won't hesitate to let the dog out."
"But apart from that, we want to give you a better life, we want you to make friends, find love, and maybe even become a noble."
"Brother...
I said with a surprised tone and a shocked look in my eyes, but I wasn't prepared for what he was going to say next.
"Sherlock we don't say this much but we all love you, you are the reason we change so much, you show us that life means more than a few pence, you thought us the meaning of family, and it is only right we do the same for you, little brother, so would you like to start over with us, things will be slow at first but I assure you life will be better from here on out."
Alexander said with great pride and brotherly love in his heart, as he walk up to me and pulled me into his chest with one hand, hugging me, something he has never done before.
I didn't know how to respond to this seeing I never see him behave like this towards me, yes we are close, but for once I felt like I am truly loved in this world.
Even in my old world, my little sister Vanis has never shown me this much sibling love or appreciation.
Yes, we were close, but not this close.
And if I had, to be honest, this feels good, I wonder if had an older brother in my previous life would we be this close as well?
The thought made me wonder for real, but as I wonder to myself, Alexander then began to say to me still hugging me.
"My little brother, although we are not related by blood, I see you as my biological brother from another mother, we have gone through many journeys, fought many bloody battles, and commit many unforgivable sins, but if it is for the family; then I am willing to sacrifice anything to maintain this happiness."
"And not just for you either, but also for mother, and Denzel as well, so promise me you will make us proud when you enroll in the academy, you don't need to be king, just do what you want, choose your own path, because by the end of the day, you are you, and no one else, make your own decisions and acquire your own happiness, so when your time comes, you will die with no regret, can you promise me this much at least little brother?"
Alexander asks with concern, as he wants nothing but the best for me. At this thought, I close my eyes as I said to him.
"Yes big bro, I will make sure not to disappoint, if I do become a noble I promise you; we will live a life full of riches and adventure."
"Good, oh just so you know we plan on leaving next week Monday, you see we are going to steal lady Hale's steam car as our last act of unjust theft, and from there we shall make our way to Masons Empire via the Mythrolonica highway, the drive will take us two weeks to reach since we have to drive through the Mythrolonica empire first, then cross the ocean to reach Mason."
Alexander announce to me with much confidence, as he was really serious about getting me an education, however, this was one of the things I mentioned earlier, my brother is a genius, and although he can be idiotic at times, he is just as reliable as Mother Deliah.
But based on what he said, the reason he plans to drive us to Mason is to shorten the trip and also the expense, so I responded to him as such.
"I see, if I'm correct, then you are going to cross over to Camelot via the use of the cruise ship right?"
"Yes and No again, sadly we want to take over the ride with us at Camelot, but the cruise is just too expensive thankfully though I have a friend who works as a fisherman in Mason, just last month I sent him a letter through mothers messenger owl Nesta, asking if he could give us a drop to Camelot since it is one of their routes, they should also be trading fish for spices since Camelot is home to various amount exotic spices."
He said with confidence, to which I ask.
"And what did this friend of yours say, will he aid you?"
"Of course, he owes me and Denzel a debt after all, but you don't have to worry about a thing, we plan to buy a house close to the academy so you can walk home after school, thankfully mother also says she knows someone in Camelot that can help us change our identities, so its a fresh start."
Alexander said excitedly, as he let go of me and proceed to lift the cart once more.
"But yeah let us talk more about this when reached home, but first let's get rid of these bodies."