Chapter 46 – Different Roles to Play

Benton had many concerns staying inside the stronghold. He was worried about the bombs and the falling rubble. There were many shakings and so far he had been unable to sleep. Not to mention that there was a gaze that keeps bothering. Like an unseen shadow that would strike his heart soon.

Benton had become wary for the past few days. The war has been taking a toll on him. He was having daily headaches about the ammunition and the arms that needed to be repaired or cleaned. Not to mention that he had no choice but to sort through the explosives while making sure that he wouldn’t suddenly blow up.

It has been hard for Benton. He hasn’t sleep or eaten well. The only reason why he was able to function was that of that lingering fear that covers him. What or where was it? Where was this malicious gaze coming from?

This made Benton afraid. In his years living in this stronghold, this was his first time being so wary of any shadow that would come after him. Like a dagger that just near his neck.

“Benton?” said Forsa.

“Yes? Benton shook his head. “What is it?”

“You look out of your mind,” Forsa took a bottle of mead and drank it. “Or are the explosions getting to your head?”

“Maybe,” Benton sighed deeply. “I am tired, and all these maintenances are making my hands hurt. My arms barely move now.”

“To think that I’d heard the day you’ll say that,” Forsa snickered. “I guess all these blood and violence tires people out no matter how strong they are. Even that crazed bull looks like he hasn’t been sleeping for days. The same can be said to the Warlord.”

“Yeah,” Benton crossed his arms. “Can’t you blame the lass? She’s not even past twenty-one and she has been keeping this city alive. Since her father died, she has been here all alone. She’s lucky to have Shig of the Red Garb to accompany her in these darkest days.”

Forsa smiled wearily. “And thankfully we have heroes around too. Thank the heavens we have Archie around.”

“Archie did his best. Though the lad seemed like he would handle everything, everyone’s so tired yet that lad’s eyes falter whatever the Gods have been throwing so far at him. Not to mention that girl he was with. Cassia I think? She’s been going around helping the stronghold, acting as the Warlord’s aid at the moment. Not to mention that Leiko and others had started drawing fire from enemies. She hates human but she isn’t that cold to gaze past through the innocent women and kids around.”

“Yeah,” Benton then remembered. “There’s also that lad who could not speak. He piloted that air balloon yeah?”

“Oh that lad, he has great knowledge. He made this formula that helps infection. He cooks well too.”

“That’s all you can say?” said Benton.

“Yeah, he piloted that air balloon but that’s really it. He contributed but he isn’t really racking up more merits other than that.”

“Is that so?” Benton raised a brow.

“Yeah, that lad has been staying inside. I believe he would hide in the kitchen. Occasionally he would visit my lab and that’s that.”

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Forsa said while drinking mead again. Benton looked at his old friend saying. “Weird that he did all of that and now he’s staying on the sidelines.”

“The lad named Joshua is good as a support. But I say that Archie does better in playing the role of the Hero. Charismatic and has the guts to keep his word true. It’s quite rare to have someone like that. And yet he was only a Proctor of a village once.”

“Makes sense,” Benton shrugged.

“Well, it is not like I am comparing the two.”

“True that,” said Benton. “Though I think there’s something wrong about the lad.”

“Not really...”

“I guess that’s only me?”

“Who knows?”

The two sat quietly for a while. But after drinking his mead Forsa left. Benton was left with a pile of guns in front of him. He was in the hallway of the stronghold. In front of him were the soldiers that were getting ready. There was rubble around the place. There were many wounded that it made Benton’s face crumple. It was a terrible smell and it was still getting thicker every single day.

He observed the soldiers. They were running around the place while some pull their comrades inside. There were many soldiers carrying around equipment. But what Benton noticed was this young lad carrying something. He recognized the man as Joshua, who he has been taking note. He was carrying a pair of greaves and bracers to Archie who was maintaining his rifle.

“What’s that?” said Archie.

“Could help you,” Joshua equipped one of the bracers. “I hastily welded the runes to this bracer. It should spit fire if you focus your will on it.” He then pointed his palm out as a pillar of fire comes out of it. It made everyone look at him.

“That’s something,” said Archie. “But what about the air balloon now?”

“It has holes in it. And I don’t think it will do us good to fly it again.”

“I see. So what're the greaves for?”

“This.”

Joshua wore the pair of greaves. After that, he suddenly got pushed ten feet up in the air before landing back to the floor.

“That’s...”

“Great isn’t it?”

“It is. Why do you give me these things?” said Archie. “It should work for you.”

“Not really,” said Joshua. “I am not really going there. And I think you are going to need these more than me. I am not that good of a fighter anyway.”

“Still...it doesn’t mean you cannot use this.”

“Just take them, Archie,” Joshua removed the bracer and graves he equipped. “You have nice greaves so let’s exchange.”

Archie looked at Joshua. “Thanks for this...this will help me.”

“It sure will you goddamn Hero.”

Joshua patted Archie’s soldier before taking his leave. Benton watched them from far but the moment Joshua’s eyes turn to him. Benton felt something crawl down his spine. It was a very dull eye lacking any light. It was a pure seething hatred filled with a fury so tranquil that it made Benton shudder in fear.