Chapter 206 – An unlucky meeting

The hill was green and lush. There were flowers on the hill. They have various colors as they sway left and right. He sat on the hill, his hair swaying gently in the wind. There was a blue river a few miles away from the hill. This river glistened along with the mild sun. He tugged his coat. He smelled the flowery aroma. There was a great hum that was making him relax.

It has been ten days after visiting Alexander. He took a train and used a public bathhouse to clean himself. He then used the rest of his money to buy necessities such as a sleeping bag and cooking tools. He looked like a traveler with how he was garbed.

Before he left the populated areas Joshua was able to hear the news. The Crown Prince did try to rebel against the Emperor. There were indeed an uprising and the Crown Prince led it. The battle over the Capital was swift and deadly. Many died but the Crown Prince declared ‘freedom’ for the migrants. The colonies also supported the Crown Prince’s rise. They sent envoys and made a pact that will unite the Empire. The colonized states will still be under the Crown Prince. But they are free to govern themselves.

The world didn’t have a major enemy. There were many troubles brewing but it was not for Joshua to care. He just sat on the hill. He looked at the endless blue sky and lazed around with his back feeling cold. He couldn’t care less about what the rebels are doing.

At the moment Joshua was just sprawling around lazily with a calm look on his face. Indeed, he could just go back to Lingua Farnese and find a job. But at the moment he wasn’t fond of doing so. He just wanted to lay his back on the hill and sleep.

There were no people around him. So he just sat while feeling the sun on his face. There were birds flying around the place. They are white and long. Their beaks are hooked and long. Joshua spotted a three-legged bird. He then saw a strange dire animal with two heads.

Sometimes, Joshua forgets that he was living in a world where strange creatures and magic exists. There were many animals around the place. There were many wonders and the likes. He started to remember that one of his wanting was to find those places.

It was a eureka moment for Joshua. He stood up. He slid down the hill and crossed the forest before arriving at a ranger station where a ranger was cleaning the barrel of his rifle. He looked at Joshua with a questioning look. He didn’t bother talking where he was. He asked if he didn’t do anything. Joshua replied that he just sprawled around the hill.

Joshua sat on a chair. He took some food and ate while listening to the voice box, a radio that was recently spread around the Empire after production. There’s a factory district around the Empire. Joshua also learned that there’s an entire island filled with factories.

The radio kept on talking about news. Joshua listened in for an hour before taking his leave. The ranger had this happy look on his face as he disappears from sight. Joshua caught sight of that but just laugh helplessly. He went down this road before walking down this straight asphalt road. There were no cars passing by so he just wandered without any destination in mind.

He held his bag and whistled. The sun changed its position and was facing the world. Joshua’s shadow moved with him and before long he saw a tree that was good enough for him to rest. He sat and leaned near the tree. He took his canteen and drink. He put his hands on his stomach as he rested.

An hour passed by. Joshua stood up and continued walking. The sun changed its colors. The two moons above the sky were slowly appearing. Some starts shined despite the sun still being up. While walking Joshua spotted unusual creatures that made him wonder how they float. The creature he saw was a grey-looking fish that was flying. The flying fish floated around and was spitting a beam of water as it does.

Joshua had to run because the fish targeted him. The flying fish was fast but it didn’t leave its territory. Joshua heaves a big long breath. He continued his journey until he reached this waiting shed. There was a bench so he sat and waited for any car.

It took a while and the lights above were dimmed as he spotted a car. The car was grey and looked like it was new. It was four-seated and it was slowly moving toward him. Joshua hailed the car. He thought that the car wouldn’t stop but it luckily didn’t pass Joshua.

“I am heading to the next town. Can I ride? I’ll pay if it is bothersome.”

Joshua looked at the driver who he caught taking a glance at him. Joshua waited for the driver of the car to answer. But the driver just gestured for him to enter the car. Joshua was thankful and entered the car. He put his things behind the front-seat.

“Thank you, I really appreciate it. I thought that I’ve to walk to the next town. I’ll be getting off there.”

“No need. You can continue riding with me. I am traveling around just like you, Joshua.”

“I see. Wait...did I tell you my name?”

The driver took her glasses off and put it in the compartment of the car. She glances at Joshua and revealed her face. She was a beautiful woman with a snow-like skin. Her blonde hair was tied in a ponytail. Joshua observed her face and felt like smashing his head.

“Oh my, please don’t make that face. Aren’t you glad that fate seems to reunite us like this?”

“Well, fate seems to be an asshole then.”

“Hmm, you are still not kicking the door of my car open. I expected you to do it by now.”

‘I am tired. Not to mention that you have a car.”

“That doesn’t make sense. You would do anything for your freedom.”

“I give up.”

“That’s not fun at all. And here I was thinking how I would tackle you and then tie you up. Then force you to marry me right here and right now. How many kids do you want?”

“I want to die suddenly,” Joshua said helplessly.

“Oh my, don’t say such awful thing. This Dolce is happy to see you again. Are you trying to make me sad again?”

Joshua slapped his forehead. He looked at the window and smiled helplessly. How would he ever know that he would meet Dolce in the middle of nowhere?