Arc 6. A seemingly endless loss
Road to a Hero:
Three Chances in Another World
Chapter 14. Off to the rails
With the loud noises of everyone getting ready, Edward rolls side to side, trying to wake up. Though they were supposed to nap, according to the dawn sky outside, they all slept the day away. He looks to his side, finding Erin gone, and realizing he’s the last to wake up. He quickly gets up, stumbling around the room. He grabs a towel and then begins walking to the bathroom in his room. He took a quick shower, then a quick session of drying himself. He finds himself staring in the mirror, brushing his teeth, and brushing his hair at the same time and stops for a second. He slowly raises his hand to his right eye, touching the branded scar on it. He thinks to himself about what they’ve all been doing as of late, why they’re doing this, and what it means to them. After spending his life working to kill Moro, he finally did it. But being almost a year since he finally killed him, he’s had no life goal. Saving Walgonia, and coming to Valatrocitus, are goals, yes, but they don’t fill the whole left in his spirit.
And it seems like the warrior's spirit knows this. Even if it’s metaphorical, it feels real to him. All of the emotions he holds dormant without thinking about them are locked away in the back of his mind. Bjørn, his stepfather, was a master martial artist. He trained with monks, and due to his training, he taught Edward the ideals he was taught. Edward doesn't live his life based on those values, but the ability to push everything away and maintain one's composure is a passive ability he’s picked up, made even worse by the Helsing way of training. Again, he snaps himself out of thought, forcing his feelings into the cage that’s locked away. Once Edwards is all ready, he quickly moves out of his room, bumping into a newly awoken Gray.
Gray: “What…are you doin’?”
Edward: “I heard all this commotion? Are we not leaving?”
Gray: “It’s…like…six in the morning. Erin’s running around because she’s making breakfast, and everybody else just wants to get ready. I…just woke up.”
Gray keeps cutting himself off with various yawns and then gets cut off again when Soku bumps into him.
Soku: “Move it will yah, I’m trying to get downstairs before those two idiots, not including you of course, you’re in your category.”
Soku jogs down the stairs, leaving Gray with his first insult of the day.
Gray: “She’s a lot meaner in the morning…”
On Gray’s way down the stairs, he moans and groans, pushing past his instincts to go back to sleep.
While sitting at one of the few large tables, everyone patiently waits for Erin to finish breakfast. Though everyone is surprised when she exits the kitchen with Rosemary along with her. Gray is now fully awake due to the sight of pancakes on a plate in Rosemary’s hand, completely disregarding the plate of sausages, ham, and eggs. Rosemary kisses Gray on the lips while setting down the food, and Erin does the same with Edward, ending up with both Gray and Edward blushing. Peter watches this with a spiteful look in his eye, completely jealous. Soku thinks it’s gross, making a face at Rosemary. After all the hot and delicious food is set down Rosemary and Erin sit to eat.
Erin: “So, in an hour you guys are gonna head out to the grand reveal, you excited?”
Gray: “Um, I guess, a little on edge. So, if I’m right, the Montgomery family made a railway to Constal, and it’s just gonna be some big ceremony?”
Julius: “Exactly. And then, since Constal is in the middle of Valatrocitus, you will stop about halfway to Constal and get in a carriage, such a carriage will take you to the Everspirit forest. Then you’ll invade a deal with the Barons, and come to Constal. Then you will stay at Constal until the New Year's Eve party.”
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Gray and Soku both stop eating to express their annoyance at how much they have to do, but stop once they see each other.
Gray: “Could you not copy me?”
Soku: “Sorry, the idiotic waves coming off your brain have affected my actions.”
Gray: “Thank you.”
Soku groans while everyone else begins chuckling.
Julius: “Now, Peter, Lance, I want you to stay here with Erin while they do this.”
Lance sighs but doesn't care much, but Peter is heavily aggravated, standing up in dismay.
Peter: “What!? I’m a Hero of Walgonia! I made the community’s, basically made the car that got us here, why am I GETTING LEFT OUT!?”
Peter’s outburst breaks the calm tone the room had before, making everyone feel a bit uncomfortable, except Julius and Erin.
Julius: “For those reasons I want you to stay here. You will be off to Constal, but not until later. I want you to make sure Lance does not do anything irresponsible, and I trust that you can do so.”
Soku scoffs at Julius’ claim but Peter accepts it. But, now filled with embarrassment, he leaves the room.
Edward: “Well, I guess we can leave soon. Traffic will be backed up, so we may just need to leave now.”
Julius: “I made sure a path would be clear, though I understand your concern. Okay, I agree, we should leave now.”
Julius’ correction of his claim causes strange looks between everyone, even Erin. Gray shoves the rest of his food into his mouth, chugs his steaming hot coffee, and walks to the door.
Gray: “We’re ready aren’t we?”
Julius: “Not just yet.”
Julius leads everyone to the changing rooms, presenting them all with clothing for them to wear to the ceremony. A black pinstripe suit for Gray, and a navy blue one for Edward. Julius then presents Rosemary and Soku get luxurious pink dresses. Gray, Edward, and Rosemary go and get dressed without saying anything, while Soku complains about something else.
Julius: “Is it not to your liking?”
Soku: “I hate dresses, do you have anything else?”
Julius: “I am sorry, but I do not have anything else for you to wear.”
Soku is about to suggest she not go, but Rosemary pulls her upstairs into her room.
Rosemary: “Oh, my, GOSH!”
Rosemary giggles with glee, pulling out a hairbrush and makeup.
Rosemary: “Makeover!”
Soku: “NOOO!”
Soke tries running away but Rosemary pulls her back in, so she uses wind magic. But, once again, Rosemary pushes through, going into the fourth stage to hold her down.
Rosemary: “You never let me do this! When we lived in the slums, you’d have twigs and dirt in your hair all the time! Now let me DO THIS!”
Soku stops struggling and Rosemary claps her hands, currently filled with happiness. After a few minutes of struggling to pull out all the tangles in Soku’s green hair, trying to place Ophelia’s hairpin in the perfect stop, make sure the makeup is perfect, and pull the dress into place, Rosemary believes Soku’s ready. Rosemary pulls Soku out of the bathroom and then drags her back into the common room. Now, with everyone looking at her, Soku’s filled with embarrassment and panic.
Edward: “Um…you look nice.”
Gray gives her a large thumbs up, then gives an ironic wink.
Gray: “Hey, now we can both struggle in the ceremony…because I HATE WEARING SUITS!”
Erin quickly walks into the room, being overcome with joy once she sees Soku.
Erin: “YOU’RE SO PRETTY!”
Erin gives Soku a great big hug, plays with her hair, and stares into her eyes.
Erin: “Now, GO, GO, GO!”
Everyone rushes out of the room, though Erin does pull Edward by his collar to kiss him. Still, this one is filled with a somber tone, giving Edward chills down his spine. He doesn't act on any of his thoughts though, just leaving through the door. They then get back into the wonderfully made carriage they used to get here, and the guards begin pulling them down the hill and into the main city.
Gray: “WE’RE OFF!”
Gray looks out the window, waving goodbye to the Inn.
Gray: “Wait, what about our stuff?”
Julius: “Do not worry, I’ll gather them. Then I’ll put them in the next Inn you’ll be staying at in Constal.”
Edward: “What about Erin?”
Julius: “We will have to see what she chooses to do.”
Edward stares at his feet, unwillingly expecting the news. After about twenty minutes of travel, a happy Rosemary messes with Soku, Gray teases her, and then there’s just Edward and Julius, who sit quietly. Once they reach the main stretch, the roads are filled with angry travelers, having to walk while Gray’s group gets to be on the road. They all look out the windows, with the sight of all these people reminding them of when they spoke to Walgonia when they were given their title. After another twenty minutes of this, a few tomatoes in their carriage, and endless cheers, they reach the large wooden podium right in front of the train tunnel. On top of the podium are Rupert, Chester, and Orson, who are all waving at them. Then the biggest point of interest, the large steam locomotive, was ready to go. They all get out of the carriage and walk up the podium to be met with even more cheers from the people. Gray swallows any fear he has, pushes it to the bottom of his stomach, resists biting his lip, and begins sweating, but is calmed down by Rosemary, who tightly holds his hand.
Gray: “WE’RE THE HERO’S OF WALGONIA! AND WE’RE HERE FOR YOU!”
Gray’s met with a roar from the crowd, the thousands of people cheering them on.
END OF Chapter Fourteen