Chapter 196 - Only Goodness and Mercy 1

This is before Zola Dawn started her stakeout near the coastline.

In an unknown part of the forest of the Freelands, Joshua found himself taking cover from the snow. He was rather cold so he rubbed his shoulders and blew some cold air, making a cloud. He thought that he’d be finding caves and exploring ruins. But he was now under a tree’s shade, sheltering away from the chilly snow.

Alexander sauntered near Joshua. “Want some cig, bro?” he offered a cigar. Joshua looked at him with a thin smile. “No thanks, I don’t like smoking.”

“Then too bad,” he put the cigar on his lips and lights it. “Archie and the blue-haired elf will be starting the ritual. I checked the area and no enemy should be around. Let’s not assume that there will be no enemy though.”

“Yeah, they’ve been chasing the skyship fanatically. I guess these High Lords are really that adamant in killing Eiya.” He puffed some smoke. The smoke drifted forward, leaving a distinct smell.

Joshua said. “Well, we are trying to use the mist barrier to camouflage this whole continent. Not to mention that it has another effect.”

“That surprised me,” Alexander nodded.

“Indeed,” Joshua thought about the areas they visited. Eiya has disclosed information about the mist barrier. According to Eiya, the mist barrier would be able to cover the whole of the continent. It will also suppress the monstrous beings that have ill will.

She told them about the existence of the Isolist tribes and the Rat-Kins that has formed cities under the Livia Continent. It was an absurd tale. Joshua recalled how fearful Eiya was while talking about the old world she knew. The Isolist tribes, the one he met while struggling about with Silo and their nemesis the rat-kins.

“You met them?” Eiya said with surprised. She thought that they have been extinct so that was a surprise for her. “I see, they are alive. That’s great. I thought they are long gone, but it seems like even today they still fight the rat-kins”

Then she continued explaining about the lost kingdom. There was a kingdom of many and they fought the green-skinned warriors that came from a place that was called ‘beyond the falls’. The place was a dangerous area where the green-skinned are from.

A long time ago they tried conquering the continent by making use of giant flying whales. These whales were proud sky whales but they were captured and carved into vessels. The Orcs made use of these vessels to invade the continents in an attempt to capture more fertile lands.

The Orcs have their reasons for invading. But their reason was not acceptable to the humans who the Orc saw only as a cattle and food for them to tend and eat. The elf race was too thin for the Orcs. Humanity didn’t fear the Orcs and brought them upon their sword. They started a crusade fought the Orcs with absolute bravery.

The elf race was a secluded race. They tend to their own business but they have their pride. The humans did so much that they had to help them.

They created the mist barrier for the work that the humans did. They granted the humans power through the runes and spells but that made the humans stronger.

The orcs were driven back and nature did its course and annihilated them properly. They were eaten up by the Gigantes Sea and were nowhere to be found. The few that scattered were hunted down. For one hundred years the human and elf alliance wage war against the enemy while the dwarf crafted weapons for them.

The One Hundred years was a golden age. The continent prospered and the allure of a common enemy made the alliance work together. Many wonders and structures were formed. But in the end, the wanting for power wrecked the continent. The lands split. The mountains were cleaved. The sea brought havoc on ports and cities. The ‘connection’ that was formed from every nation vanished.

Those who survived cursed the runic powers. They called to the light and worshipped it. The elf race tried to sneak back to their abode but the High Lords wage war against them. Humanity was frail and they weren’t able to help the elf in their war.

It was at that time that Eiya joined her sisters. She allowed herself to be trapped within the obelisk in hoping that they would be able to seal the ominous high-lords and the rat-kin that were ready to emerge. But the Isolist wage war against the rat-kin while the high-lords continued their assault against the elf race.

The mist barrier succeeded. But even with the suppression, the High Lords succeeded in killing her race. Eiya doesn’t know if there was still someone left of her race somewhere in the world.

Joshua thought how pitiable Eiya was. He finished recalling what was told of him and looked at the sky. The sky was covered in gray clouds. Snow fell everywhere and the thick snow that filled the ground doubled. He looked to the right and saw the skyship covered by snow.

“Will the skyship be alright?” asked Joshua.

Alexander turned his head at the skyship. “The skyship can just blow away the snow. The plating usually heats up so no need to worry about anything. Even airliners are nothing to the skyship. The thrusters help too.” he said with confidence, still blowing smoke from his mouth and nose.”

“Is that so?” Joshua nodded. “Still, I wonder what’s happening down there.”

“Who knows?” Alexander pointed his palm forward and released an invisible force. “I can tell that the ritual’s done. They should be right here now.”

Archie and Eiya appeared out of the cave’s mouth. Archie waved his hands and led Eiya towards the two who was relaxing under the tree. “Done yet?” Alexander extinguished his cigar and spoke. Eiya nodded her and answered. “The Ritual’s done, we should hurry to the next site.”

“You got it.”

Alexander nodded his head. He then trudged through the snow. Eiya and Archie followed and behind them was Joshua who just walked quietly without saying anything. He looked around him. There was no trace of enemies. But he felt this ominous feeling as he entered the skyship.