Chapter 205 – False Flag 2
Joshua was not stupid enough to stay inside the Capital City with whatever was brewing. He could smell the trouble the moment a pamphlet was given to him. It was a pamphlet that was printed with words that would induce rage against the Empire.
It only took three days for the whole thing to get large. Joshua was homeless so he was able to scour the area and know what the situation was. The whole thing was blown up. The official news said that it was a gas explosion. Joshua and the migrants could tell that it was not. There was no gas pipeline around the migrant’s residential area.
This official news in turned made the migrants angry. They thought that the Empire was really trying to kill them. The rebels also took the chance to recruit. The pamphlet was their work. Joshua could tell. He was being persuaded to join by someone. But he wanted to bother none. So he took a train and head to a place called Lingua Farnese where the tension between the Valorians and the Migrants are less hard.
Joshua was trying to save money before going to Lingua Farnese. He already prepared his fare. He was planning to move in later but the situation made him go here. He was a bit worn and ragged. He was traveling with his worn jacket. He looked like a drunken hobo but Joshua didn’t really care.
Lingua Farnese was a huge vinery. Joshua looked at the land before him. The land was green and lush. There were many grape farms and there was a winding river near the county. There were wheat farms to the left of where he was looking at. Behind him, there was an asphalt road that leads to many roads.
Joshua went down this flight of stairs. He then crossed a crossroad and sat on a park. He relaxed for a moment before continuing. He asked around the place. He was looking for a certain house. The house was somewhere around the county so it took him a long time.
He found the house near one of the farms. Joshua ambled inside. He walked around a dirt path. On his left were corn farms and there was someone working in the fields. The person has a white hair. His body was toned and muscular. He was plowing the fields with a hoe.
The white man has a sharp sense of hearing. He looked at where the noise came from. He spotted Joshua’s hobo-like look and smiled slightly. He planted his hoe on the ground and wipes the dirt off his hands. He walked to where Joshua was and raised his right hand.
“Long time no see, Joshua. You look shit.”
“Bad luck. But looks like you are doing fine, Alexander.”
“Well, when your wife is the Emperor’s blade. There’s no surprise that I’d be doing well.”
Three years ago Joshua learned what happened to Alexander. They met again when they were processing their documents. It was at that time that Joshua learned how Alexander was doing. They were friends so he was told to come looking for Alexander when he’s in trouble.
“Is that so,” Joshua said. “I guess Miss Olivia didn’t expect that she’d be meeting you again.”
“I didn’t even know she was alive,” Alexander said helplessly. “I guess it was all good luck.”
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“Dear?”
Joshua heard a voice. He looked at the voice was and saw a beautiful woman with a black cloth on her right eye, with blond hair, carrying a toddler.
“Miss Olivia,” Joshua nodded at her.
“Ah, I see.” Olivia nodded at him. “I’ll be leaving you two alone then.”
She went back inside the house. Alexander glanced at Joshua and said. “I am sorry.”
“It’s fine. I know what she was just doing her job. It was not her fault that we were her targets at that time. But Archie was a friend of mine. So please don’t blame me for being upset at her.”
“I see,” Alexander nodded. “I won’t force you to forgive her. Her skills were the only thing she had. She’s someone who lived her life as a blade.”
“I know. That’s why I rather avoid her at the moment. I don’t want to hate her. I am tired of all of this. Not to mention the rebels are trying to stir shit up again.”
“Don’t worry,” said Alexander. “It will be over soon. The Crown Prince will be taking the throne. The Emperor will retreat back and continue his research. They will soon create an act of uprising.”
“So they had to kill a lot of migrants to do that?”
“Sadly, they have to do it. They needed the support. The Crown Prince agreed to it. The Emperor knows this.”
“Hah, what a big fucking joke this is.”
Alexander looked at Joshua. “Is that why you look like a hobo?”
“Yeah,” Joshua muttered. “I guess I’ve to find a new place for me. Well, you should know why I am here.”
“I know,” Alexander nodded. He stood up and took something inside his house and handed it to Joshua. “Here’s some money to keep you on your feet. I advise you stay out of big cities. I thought you’re moving here. So what changed your mind?”
“I don’t know,” Joshua pocketed the pouch. “I’ve been cooped inside that city. I think I just want some peace of mind. I am tired of all the fighting. Besides, there’s no ‘world’ to save with that nuke around.”
“You’re right,” Alexander smiled. “I hope that you get your happy ending, Joshua.”
“Hah, now you are bragging about?”
“Heh,” Alexander smirked. “Goodbye Joshua, I hope you visit us if you can.”
“I will. See you around, Alexander.”
Joshua bid his farewell and started to walk out of the farmstead. He stopped walking when he reached the gate. He looked at Alexander who was playing with his child. Olivia, his wife was happily smiling at Alexander and her child. They looked so happy that Joshua could not help but smile at such scene.
Joshua has mix feelings when it comes to Olivia. She killed Archie and Eiya. She was the killer of those two. He was angry at her. But Alexander would protect her, knowing who she was. She already explained herself three years ago. And Alexander would do anything to protect her and their child.
So how could Joshua ruin their life? He was not that vengeful enough. That’s why he decided to leave them alone. The two had it hard already, especially Olivia. So Joshua left them to their happy ending. There was no need to do anything rash. Besides, he was tired.