Chapter 135 – Cold Calm Head

The cruiser flew at high speed. It broke through clouds and passed through the borders of Maltius La Fende without stop. The cruiser flew to the Templar’s territory steadily.

While piloting Joshua made sure that his weapons were ready. He has always trusted his paranoia streak. He couldn’t let things go wrong so he doubled checked him. Alex saw that he was fiddling with his weapons and warned him. “Try not exploding the cruiser okay?” Joshua replied. “Okay” which at least made Alex feel relax.

The cruiser could fly for hours. But its main problem was that it could only glide. Indeed, the cruiser uses four thrusted that allows it to ascend. It has two wings and sub-wings that allow it to glide through the air. Of course, the thrusters itself are capable enough for a trip to Edawick and back to the demesne. But Alex had thought better and mainly used the thrusters to lift the cruiser up in high altitude to glide. Though he does it alternately since it would strain the engine.

The journey back to Edawick was long despite the cruiser. Alex didn’t risk straining the machine too much and landed on open clearings to check on machines and rest. He could fly the cruiser straight but the weather patterns made him decide against it.

Joshua was able to rest and eat. There are supplies inside the cruiser after all. But, sleeping and eating well didn’t satisfy his paranoia. He was deep in thought. He was spooked by what Cyra said. Not to mention that the idea of a friend being in danger bothered him. Adding to do that, there is an Empire that might burn the continent whole. The stress of his journey to Maltius La Fende was hitting him harder. The added stress was making restless.

Alex was kinda worried about the guy. He would offer him a roll of cigar. But Joshua would refuse it. Instead, Alex offered Joshua some wine which Joshua would not refuse. The wine kept him still throughout the journey. But by the time the cruiser was able to cruise half of Midland’s territory. It was empty. Although Alex was tasked abruptly and there should be no reason for him hurry and that he could always lie about what his cruiser could do. Alex decided to speed up and flew the sky cruiser past the borders of the Holy Midland.

He checked the map and by the time the sky cruiser arrived. It was already afternoon. He landed the sky cruiser deep in a forest through a clearing.

Joshua could recognize the trail so he went out of the sky cruiser. Alex clambered up his sky cruiser and manned the turret that would allow him to defend the cruiser. Joshua bid Alex goodbye and followed the trail back to Edawick. Alex watched Joshua’s heavily armed figure go. The afternoon shined upon Joshua. There was a rather gloomy mood around and he saw crows fly past the cruiser.

I followed the trail, the crunching of the leaves sounded out. Fall was here in Edawick. The trees were now naked and there was a cold wind. It took me a while to reach Edawick. But once I was able to spot the town. I hurried inside. The town was the same. There were peddlers coming in and out. The kids were running around playing. I half-jogged and went to where Silo’s house was.

His house was getting nearer. But the more I walk. The more I felt this uneasiness. I tried to dispel the feeling but when I saw Silo’s door half open. I drew my rifle. I hurried inside his house and caught sight of two men looking at something.

They didn’t notice me. I turn my eyes to where they are looking. Then I saw something that shook my soul. My heart plummeted down. My brain went cold. The two in front of me spoke something.

“Shit, he really did pull the trigger.”

“I told you not to threaten him further damn it!”

Their words register inside my head. I looked at Silo. His hair was disheveled. But that was not the problem. There was a bullet wound behind his back. He was holding to a rifle that was pointed to his mouth. Behind him was his brain matter spreading the wall. His eyes were sightless. His tunic was wet with blood. There was a combined smell of tobacco, wine, and blood.

I tried to register what was in front of me. But my brain was slow. My world has gone black and white. The two finally noticed me. They pointed their rifles at me. They spoke but I could only hear fly noises coming from their mouth.

Strangely, when the world turned black and white, I was consumed in this cold tranquil fury. My reasoning was there. My hearing and smell senses were working. The world was black and white. But I was calm. I was so calm that it felt like I was standing on ice.

The two seemed confused with my standing still. The one on the right tried to take my rifle. But I shot him in the leg. The one on the left tried to blast a hole in my head. But time slowed down and I saw floating words that allowed me to tilt my head slightly. The bullet whizzed past me and I shot the bastard in the stomach.

They were bleeding. I looked at them coldly. They were speaking something. Yet all could I hear were buzzing noises. It didn’t make sense to me at all. They didn’t make sense to me. I wanted the noise to go away so I riddled them with bullets. I squeezed the trigger until there was nothing that was coming out of my gun.

I could smell the smoke coming out from the barrel of my rifle. I took a step forward and search them. There was a note written in common tongue. I read the note and found out that they planned to make use of Silo as a way to control the Cyra.

But they probably didn’t think that Silo would pull the trigger on them. He probably refused whatever they wanted him to do.

I would like to say that he died like a man. But it didn’t matter. He was dead now. I feel a mix of whirling emotions stabbing my chest. But something cold kept my head calm.

And my cold calm head told me to find who wrote the letter.

I left the house and went to where Dan was. I need him to take care of Silo’s body. I don’t want the trail to go cold. But even thought I wanted to stay. My calm cold head told me to follow the lead as fast as possible.