Chapter 162

Joshua trudged through the well-paved streets of the demesne. He took a right turn into an alley and gazed at the door of a well-hidden pub that only a few visits. Joshua was informed about this pub by Alex, who was usually accompanying him now.

Archie was nowhere to be found. He was on an escort mission for an Elf. Joshua caught a glimpse of this ‘elf’ and was quite charmed. He had seen a bull-like and cat-like person, but not an elf. To Joshua, an Elf was akin to a living fantasy of a modern person like him. That’s why seeing one made him act like a fan that has seen his idol.

Eiya saw Joshua’s reaction and subsequently frown. It was quite odd to be looked at like that so she used Archie to shield herself. Archie laughed and greeted Joshua, Eiya did so too, knowing that Joshua was Archie’s friend after all.

Then they left somewhere on an important mission. Joshua wasn’t able to ask them so he spent his time walking around until Alexander found him and the two became pub buddies. Joshua had already told Cyra about what he did in full detail. He was scolded for his recklessness. But he was thanked by Cyra. He was told not to be reckless and was not allowed to serve as a proctor. She was worried that his mental health might be deteriorating.

Alexander was looking for someone to accompany him on delivery missions so he urged Joshua to work alongside him. The two have gotten along well. Alexander was an easy going person. He was carefree and he wouldn’t ask too much about any other person. He was also quite generous and thus Joshua was a frequent customer in the pub that he just entered.

“Boss,” called Joshua. The well-muscled man behind the counter nodded at him. “A mug of beer and some beef?”

“A mug of beer and some beef,” Joshua replied.

The boss of the pub was named Lee. He was a veteran who has served the demesne and was now enjoying the benefits of a pension. The boss has no family and his kids were already married. His wife has long passed away so the boss was passing his time managing the pub.

Joshua looked around the pub. The pub has double-seat sofas and square tables. He saw that Alexander was smoking his cigar so he chimed in on his seat. Alexander was bathing using the lamp that was placed by the boss. He turned the wheel on it and used it to warm his face.

He lazily eyed Joshua. “Is it snowing outside, Josh?”

“A little,” Joshua leaned his arms on the square table. He eyed the lamp as well. “Can’t really fly the skyship with visibility being so low right?”

“Yeah,” Alexander agreed, “Last time I tried doing so in the city I almost crashed into the bell tower. Luckily, my superior eyesight and reflexes saved me. If they didn’t I would have been crushed inside the cockpit.”

“I see,” Joshua nodded. He looked at Alexander and asked. “How long have you been working here as a pilot?”

“About five years I think?” Alexander replied. “I can’t remember anything after being crystallized once. All I know is that I got pulled out and then somehow got involved in being one of the pilots of the skyships. You know, they were planning to put this exoskeleton frame around the pilot to ‘dampen’ the ship. But they abandoned the idea after some thoughts,” he trailed off.

Joshua was used to Alexander trailing off sometimes. But there was something that caught his attention. “You got crystallized?”

“Apparently,” Alexander reclined on the seat and shrugged. “I don’t remember anything and at this point, I don’t really care. The folks who took me out of the crystal said that I have a superior physique for some unknown reason. They say that I might be some victim of an experiment with all the gashes and scars around my body. So why would I try to remember the seemingly painful memories? What need is there to weep over parts of life?”

“So you don’t remember anything?” Joshua crossed his arms. He glances a bit at Boss Lee who was preparing his order.

“I only remember my name and this odd heartache. Still, I tend not to think about it anymore,” Alexander said with a resolute expression. He then gave this look of not wanting to talk about it. Joshua understood and kept silent. He looked at Boss Lee who was carrying their meal to them.

‘Here you go boys, please enjoy your meals,” He then looked at Joshua. “Want some cigar? We got some new tobacco that was given for free by my colleagues.”

Joshua dutifully shook his head. “I think I just want some beer and food. Thank you for asking though, boss.”

“Your loss,” Boss Lee didn’t push it. He went back behind the counter and watched his pub.

Joshua started eating his meal like Alexander. The two didn’t speak anything and just ate and drink. The others inside the pub were doing so. Most of them drank their hot coffee and their meals before saying goodbye to the boss. After a few sips, Alexander finished his drink and said. “The life here ain’t so bad isn’t it?”

‘It is,” Joshua agreed. “But the peaceful pace of this city bothers me. Anytime now the Empire might attack and break this peace.”

“True,” Alexander inclined his head, “the city is well-defended. There are skyships and war machines going around while the soldiers are patrolling borders with snipers and scouts. Even that lady friend of yours is taking down enemy infiltrators. I’ve been hearing good things about her while flying.”

“I see,” Joshua nodded. He had already heard where Zola and the little pup Titus were. He was also kind of bothered that they were doing things while he was drinking and eating all around with Alexander.

Alexander seemed to have guessed what’s inside Joshua’s head. “I know that you want to do something to fend off that paranoia of yours. But Joshua, you have a crazy look on your face. Try to relax and not do anything. Understand that the Princess wanted to help you.”

Joshua moved his jaws but didn’t speak. He crossed his arms and stared at the beer mug. Indeed, he was not getting any sleep and all of his dreams were him screaming at the people he killed. Sometime he would awake early in the evening and sweat heavily with his chest panting furiously. He wasn’t in a good condition.