Chapter 164 – Journal Entry 14: Fort Encampment

We arrive on the fort encampment early in the morning. The Fort encampment is rather large, and according to Elena, the place is connected to the trail that will allow us to travel without any problem to Sardis. This place is rather called as an entrance town. I could see why since apparently this acts as an entrance garrison that will check up on troublemakers.

The world is in dire trouble. The people, the nations due to the Sanctus curse has decided to band together in unity against the dark lord that still hasn’t been killed. Most of the people believe that once the dark lord is gone the red faint light will finally disappear and the world will come to peace.

But in my perspective, I could see that there is a strange unity, a fanatical unity that causes the world to be at peace. A common enemy that the world can blame their faults, grievances, and failures at, it is easy to say that is merely the curse of the dark lord’s fault than admit it is their wronging.

I find it hard to believe that there is no one that could defeat the dark lord of Sanctus. There must be someone, I mean even the Mistress of Fernery Island can be considered as strong, the Elven Queen, the Emperor of the Deus Kingdom and The Western Nation that could bombard the dark elven lands isn’t acting out.

The Ancient Hero that wields the ancient mechanical I always hear about should be able to fight the evil, isn’t doing anything. I thought that Heroes could do so, but looking at this unity, the peacefulness despite the curse above makes for a weird idea, a thought that the world might be better if the curse stays. This is only my opinion, but I find it odd that the world is this unified. I know that there are lunatics like the cultists but it doesn’t mean that the world isn’t unified.

A common enemy really works well, every race, every clash of ideals could be halted just in the name of one common enemy they can hate. Hence, despite the reddish shade of the world that illuminates everyone. Everyone can share the comment opinion that they hate the Sanctus dark lord.

A common opinion that the dark lord needs to go, but yet when I looked around this Fort Encampment I could see the banners, the posters that say to be careful. When the carriage I am riding passes through one of the others, I can hear the enthusiasm in their mouth how to survive this world.

Something was wrong yet, there was also something right. I do not know how to explain it myself, but the world might be better with the Sanctus curse on. But that is merely my opinion, I do not know the full scope of the world and at the moment, I have much more important things to worry. Like my memories, and where did I come from?

I am lost yet uncaring...which scares me.

...

Elena was tired controlling the whole golem powered carriage. I was feeling okay, just smoking my cigar in the early morning. Grom as well was smoking under the limelight of the sun. The Fort encampment was loud. The people going to wherever they want to go were quite a lot.

I got used to the commotion. It was merely people, and besides inside the walls of this fort encampment, I felt safer. It is not like I don’t feel safe even outside. But I don’t remember fear or anything like that so I am just dumb and jaded most of the time.

The threat of monsters and things like that doesn’t move me. Something is really wrong with me, but I guess I am just going to push it out of my mind. Elena is sleeping under the carriage. Miss Leona and Tisza are partially asleep. Apparently, they can use a passive ability of the elven rangers to connect with nature. Due to this, they can partially be aware of their surroundings while at the same time be able to rest. It is the unique ability of those who are chosen to guard the Elven Forests.

One with nature is what they call it. Nonetheless, I and Grom are guarding the ladies. Besides, the guards and the few people in the fort recognize Grom and Elena’s carriage. Nobody would dare to try anything, not to mention that the Gatling gun by my side is a very convincing persuasion tool.

I looked in front of me with listless eyes. As I stare around, scanning everything my eyes landed on a carriage, a person with the same listless eyes as me stared back. Seeing such eyes, I move my vision back, to see the whole person and what I saw was the teenage girl I met back in Soren.

“Oh.”

I could only say that. I guess, that she is going back to Sardis, and seeing this teenage girl widen her eyes, and was about to go out of her carriage. I began to sigh, but luckily a hand came after her collar, and the teenage girl was pulled back inside the carriage.

That was quite a relief, I won’t have to deal with her. I mean, judging by the design of her carriage, that was quite well done, I say that this teenage girl and the half-elven lady is a noble. Their carriage also has the flag of Sardis, which makes me think that they live there.

No one really brands their carriage like that unless they live there.

I guess she is from a rich household huh?

I took a mild breath. I put the cigar between my fingers, and pulled it out of my mouth, letting the smoke formed a tiny cloud in front of me. My attention to the carriage disappeared, and I went back sitting, waiting for the controller of this carriage to move on.

The Morning Sun is quite well up. Along with Grom, I continued acting listless. Smoking, as people and carriages pass by in front of us.