Chapter 56 – Avilla City and Compromises

He could move his body now. After the beating, he has gotten from the Templars. Archie thinks that at least he got least off compared to the others, who had their body’s burn in a cross for their defiance. Archie saw the cruelties of the Templars themselves. The way they burn the bodies of the men and women from Bali and Cagan did not sit well with him.

Archie didn’t want to sit around. He scuttled from his bedroom and trudged down the ill-repaired corridors of the stronghold. He reached a room, there were people inside, but his eyes went to the woman sitting in one of the tables, she faced the windows, eating a bowl of soup.

Archie sat near her. “Hey, what’s the food?”

She looked at Archie. “Skewed meat soup, it’s pretty bad compared to the food that he made.”

“Yeah,” said Archie with a frown. “He can cook well, I think even the other miss his food.”

Cassia looked around. “You could say that again.” She turned her eyes at Archie. “So how are your bruises?”

“Feeling better,” Archie lean his elbows on the table. “But I still get some ache there and then.”

Cassia looked serious. “Those bastards really got you. Those piece of shit Templars is really something.”

“Can’t blame them really,” Archie looked at the scratches on the table. “They were acting as ordered, but still don’t make it right.”

“Will be sold out by the Warlord if it benefits her?”

“I don’t know.” Archie thought deeply. “Shig explained it to me well. It seemed like Joshua’s rifle designs and involvement made the Alva want him. There are benefits of getting him, and with how this City owes that lady a favor. I don’t think she had the chance to refuse with an army of zealous of Templars ready to act in the name of Goodness.”

Cassia beamed up. “I actually thought you didn’t think about anything when you rush to save him.”

Archie frowned. “No, I am not that stupid. I hesitated but my heart told me to go. It was the right thing to do and he was my friend. How could I just stand there knowing that he’d be a slave?”

“It’s not your fault,” said Cassia with a sad tone. “How can we know that something like this will happen? All of them stood still why you tried, Archie. Honestly, you’re making me fall for you harder than I should be.”

“Haha...” Archie looked at Cassia. “Thank you, though I wish I could have done something to save him. But I know that forcing him out of that lady’s hand will be bad. This city had suffered long enough, and it’s hurts saying this but there was no choice there.”

Cassia gave a saddened look. “It is cruel really...all his efforts and what he did only to be treated like that. I know this world isn’t all sunshine and rainbows but...I too wish there was a better path.”

Archie nodded. He ate along with Cassia before leaving for his duties. He walked through the castle corridor and greeted the soldiers he fought with. While walking, he noticed Leiko walking towards him with her head down. Archie tried to hold his words out but he could not help but stop in front of her, his face looking aloof.

“Why are you still here?”

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t you hate humans?”

“I do.”

“Then why are you here?”

“Because I want to, and it is not your concern soldier.”

“Is that so?” Archie sneered. “I understand that you are wary of the Templars. I understand that you have a sister to protect. But not even a single voice to give for Joshua?”

Leiko twitched. “You won’t get it.”

“I won’t. I know that you have something to protect. You say you hate humans and I can understand that. But not even a single word to help a person that has helped you and has been good to you. It’s bothering.”

Leiko glared at Archie. “You say you understand. But yet you insist that I somehow help him despite all the Zealous Templars around him? Do you think that I can just stand there and say ‘Don’t do that’ despite the fact that my sister might get harm? I am not you and I cannot just rush in and allow myself to be beaten senseless. I know that I should have helped him. But making me choose the life of my little sister to the man that I just met months ago? Blood is thicker, and my sister has nothing other than me.”

“At least you could have said something!” Archie insisted.

“And then what? Say vain words? Say Empty Promises? Say that I’d save him like you did?” She spread her arms. “No. I won’t compromise my sister. And I know what I did. You don’t have to preach it as if I was wrong about my choice.”

Archie bit his lip. “You were wrong. But I don’t blame you. What I wanted from you at least was to give him a voice. It doesn’t make it right that he’d be given away just like that.”

“I know.” Leiko nodded and continued walking. Archie watches her back for a while before striding on outside of the stronghold. He could see the Templar’s forming rows in front of the stronghold. Their leader, the Justicar that came with them started praying to the sky, praising the light and its wonder. Archie watched them before shaking his head. He then went to where the soldiers he was in charge with and directed to them where they should go. They march together along the streets of Avilla. The city was getting help from the Thorn Cross Legion. The broken roads were getting fixed. The buildings were getting repaired. With the help of the Templar’s arrival in the city, the Merchants have started coming again. Of course, they offered to help the City but not without making it clear they wanted a foothold in the City. A much tighter foothold compared before. Archie knew that they have come here seeking to tighten their leash on Avilla. But he could also tell that they won’t be that successful with the Templar’s around.