Because of the bandit’s distraction yesterday, we took more time to travel than Domhan expected and we needed to camp out. Domhan and the coachman already had measures for abrupt situations so they were already prepared. As I am the highest priority, I was made to sleep inside the carriage with an arrange bedding while Domhan and the coachman stood guard the whole night. As such, I do not have any fair recollection of the passing night of the forest.
As for dinner, the coachman was skilled enough to hunt an edible snake and grilled together with some mushrooms and herbs. At first, my mouth refuses to chew on the meat of the snake, however, when the coachman told me that he thoroughly cleaned the snake’s gut and was able to extract the content of its belly, I finally settled with the mushrooms.
After that, Domhan accompanied me with my walking practice and made a lot of progress. Although unsteady, I can walk by my own now. Because of that, I was able to tuck myself in the makeshift bed swiftly to dreamland.
Morning beckons and we continued our travel. Unlike yesterday, it was uneventful and filled with nothing but sightseeing. Before noon, we arrived at our destination.
What beheld in front of me is a huge rocky fort with steel fences. It was as big as a town and there are lots of barracks spreading out right from the entrance. As our carriage moves towards the outer sect of the fort, we saw small houses made out of woods and stones alike. There are men tidying up the places and there are those who are tempering metals in the open.
As we got through the outer part of the fort, we come across the midsection where are all the garrison’s barracks and supply hall where they secure their foods, weapons, and armors. The smell of the greasy metal wafts mixing with the smell of a soup being cooked.
At last, we got to the inner part of the fort where King Cuh, the elders, and his generals lie.
“This is the backside entrance of the fort. Basically, it was the pathway for our retreat. Opposite to this direction is an expanse of a meadow where the Kingdom of Madd lies. Finally, exploring towards the west of this fort takes you to the zone; where the battles are commenced to repel the empire.” Domhan explained while he himself keeps a keen eye of his surroundings.
“There’s something odd…” I muttered as a familiar smell circulates throughout the place. The stench of the odor wasn’t that strong but I can never ever mistake it.
We continued further inside the fort and the carriage we are riding came to a halt. Several guardsmen wearing leather armor over a plated short skirt came in our direction. Apparently, it was an inspection but as soon as they lay their eyes upon Domhan, they just briefly checked the content of the large sack beside the coachman.
After that, the carriage continued a little further before making a turn and bringing the door side of the carriage in front of the large steel door of the main building of the fort. The building was thoroughly built to be strong as metals and thick logs are used to support it. From there, King Cuh Rux and Elder Iarann are waiting with their heads lowered together with the guards in the vicinity.
Domhan swiftly stood up from his seat and open the carriage’s door himself. He then extends his hand towards me, as if to assist me. Without any questions, I let Domhan take me and help me with my difficulty in climbing down the stair.
King Cuh Rux and Elder Iarann approach us with a splendid demeanor in them.
“Doiteain’s words are taken for granted. You have indeed flourished beautifully with her guidance. Divine Beast Aster, would you like me to escort you around?” King Cuh Rux presented himself while holding his hand towards me.
“I couldn’t refuse any offer. All kindness is welcome.” I gently took his hand. The strong, rough, and robust arm that immediately became something I lean on. Even if I recall my days as a man, I wouldn’t ever dream of attaining such manliness. Not only that, I am two heads shorter than King Cuh Rux that it made me feel like I’m walking beside a giant.
Elder Iarann shows a glee smile but his eyes are ones that are full of anxiety. I can deliberately guess that something would be amiss. Everything is a possibility in our surrounding and that includes uncalled incident and misfortunes.
After a while, while the elders exchanged pleasantries, we head inside the fort and a huge hall immediately came to my view. There wasn’t much to gawk at but the astounding caricature of animals that the building have reminds of mythical beasts from the Greek mythology.
As we are traversing the path of the hall made out of bricks, I caught sight of King Cuh Rux staring at me with an extremely mesmerized countenance.
“Is there something…on my face?” I nervously asked since he is the king. It’s an actual position that beckons respect and wonder. He is a figure that rules over his lands. Even if they tried to claim that my position would befit higher than his, I firmly believe that someone as useless as me bequeaths nothing but disappointment.
“Ah well, it’s nothing. No, to be honest, I’d like to know your thoughts about our kingdom.” King Cuh Rux asked me about my opinion. Although I’ve seen something, the problem lies with how I can answer that.
“Although I don’t want to say anything that may upset you, please do know that these are my honest feelings.” I turn to King Cuh and told those words. “I am at loss for words. I feel like I don’t have the rights to judge how a king runs his kingdom. If I ever sway your decision with my words, then I am partly going to be responsible for any results.” True to my nature, I tried avoiding any harsh and painful backlashes that coincidences can create at the moment’s notice. It is indeed true that I want to do something for them but I am not confident in giving out opinions.
“That’s too broad for an answer. I’m sure you’ve seen a thing or two by now. There’s no need to consider my feelings as I upheld yours higher than mine.” King Cuh Rux assured me with a smile, however, such words are just shallow and meaningless in the context of the real kingship.
“King Cuh Rux, asking the young lady such question troubles her greatly. Can’t you see it? Isn’t it more appropriate to focus on our current task right now?” Elder Iarann lightly scolded King Cuh with a low and stern voice.
“Hahaha, she is certainly fumbling on her words and thoughts. It’s quite shameful of me.” King Cuh Rux lightly brushes off Elder Iarann’s words.
Before I notice it, Domhan wasn’t with us anymore. I frantically swing my sight left and right but I couldn’t see the old man who was kind and gentle despite his raspy voice.
“O’ Divine Beast, if you are perhaps seeking for Elder Domhan, he has left already. He has matters to attend to such as fortifying our defenses by the west.” Elder Iarann said with an utmost respect.
“How about Doiteain?” I queried as I was also hopeful that we may meet here.
“Elder Doiteain is one of our major forces, even among us Druids, Elders of Gauls. She is currently in the zone to keep an eye for the enemy. Do not keep and anxiety within your heart as Elder Doiteain is a war-hardened woman.” Elder Iarann answered me flawlessly.
That as it may, Domhan and Doiteain are the only people I was able to become comfortable with. They stood as my grandparent figures. They are both caring and try to spoil whenever the possibilities come. I am not saying that Elder Iarann and King Cuh Rux are bad; it’s just that I still haven’t talked with them much to the point of letting them in my psychological safe zone.
King Cuh Rux occasionally returned back to the castle but that’s just to take care of a few minor things. All we could do was to exchange greeting and pleasantries. Meanwhile, since Elder Iarann is King Cuh’s personal aide, he was with him all the time and can only check up on me when possible.
Contrary to Doiteain’s careful and aloof attitude around me and to Domhan’s raspy but gentle one, Elder Iarann exudes an extremely strict one. King Cuh Rux seems whimsical but critical about things but I shouldn’t make a baseless judgment.
“What do you usually do with Doiteain and Domhan?” King Cuh Rux asked abruptly with a crescent lip curving upwards.
“At this point in time, I practice walking. As you can see, I can walk fine on my own now.” Since learning how to walk comes naturally to every being living inland, I came to learn it bit by bit with no pestering problem. Running and hopping would be another thing but I am just glad to be able to use these legs.
“Oh, so it’s okay to make you match with my pace?” King Cuh Rux grins while he let go of my hand.
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“Please don’t.” I cling once more to his arm as such statement seems no joke. His words are strangely impish and he sounded like he was just joking but there are still things I am insecure about.
“King Cuh Rux, no matter how you like the Divine Beast please refrain from giving her troubles.” Elder Iarann lightly scolded King Cuh once more with a lighter tone. No matter how much he likes me is a little off-putting.
“Aw, but I really like to see her flushed face, although her clinging is such a sight to behold.” King Cuh Rux reveals his intention upon this small fallacy.
There seems a lot of mixed signals in my gesture but like what they wanted, I’ll keep it in my mind since it’s way better because I do not want them to feel betrayed upon my actions.
Since King Cuh Rux and Elder Iarann settled the fact that I am able to walk by my own, we keep the pace moderate enough for me to stride. It was both my exercise for walking and at the same time, a tour for me in the fort. It comes to the question why do I need to take a tour on a place where a battle may break out anytime?
The fort or the one they called Siog Sciath, is a fortress that completely merges with the land. The Gauls adopted a lot of defensive measures from the Kingdom of Ecklan, however, they used a more olden design for the reason the Gauls doesn’t have resources to replicate the modern architecture that the Kingdom of Ecklan uses.
Using the techniques of the Gaul’s merging with nature, they stabilize a defensive position accordingly with their surrounding, all the while adopting the style for fortress fortification and design that the Kingdom of Ecklan had.
Facing towards the Empire of the Rousse is a hidden entrance surrounded by deep moats and a stratified wooden door that blends with the trees. The ramparts are pulled in and out using spellcraft. The fort’s walls are compromised of layers; olden woods as cover, rock as the mid-layer, and metal walls ironed flatly. It repels a lot of heavy attacks from any sources. Even with such heavy precautions, the Gauls are still losing to the Rousse. That as it may, the fort is specialized in a defensive battle where it can defend almost anything.
Elder Iarann told me that one more advantage that they have over the Empire of Rousse are the trees surrounding them. The Empire of Rousse has a sect that greatly imposes the importance of nature. Burning the trees has become unthinkable for them as it violates their religion and at the same time, it may totally annihilate the whole forest.
With that in mind, if the Empire of Rousse burns down the whole forest and succeeds in colonizing the Kingdom of Tirheaarn, nothing will come out of that result but liability. The forest which is rich in both resources and livelihood would be nothing but ashes.
King Cuh Rux considered a lot of possibilities and uses the Empire of Rousses’ religion and needs to defend themselves against the odds. It was a sly but an indigenous strategy that came to them as a blessing but also a reason they are targeted by the Empire of the Rousse.
On a side note, they weren’t able to build watchtowers and turrets for the reason that it would defeat the purpose of the fortress hidden by nature. To fill in the deficit of watchers, they use the faes and spellcraft to install inanimate sentries that hide in the trees for the lookout.
Beyond the fort is their main force’s camp which directly faces the army of the Empire of the Rousse. They call it the zone as it’s the place where they battle and it was a place almost deficient of the presence of the faes. If the zone is crossed, the Empire of Rousse’s army may march towards here or to the west side. The reason Domhan went to the western border is to once more reinforce the army there.
Also, the reason why they need a lot of precious stone is the actual absence of the Elders in some parts of the fort. Each soldier carries a first aid stone with a healing rune in battle and a rune with strengthening spellcraft. Each time they engage in battle, the soldier uses these provisions and when exhausted, they will replenish their supply.
Moreover, they also need to resupply their armory, as such, not only they need to mine a lot of precious stones but also iron ores and steels. Even if they commonly wear a tanned animal hide and leather, they still need chainmail under it and a weapon to wield such as swords, spears, and shields. Even bows and arrows are costly.
Overall, we spent half the day walking around, introducing to me a lot of people and showing me interesting places I would never dream of seeing back in my world.
However, the familiar scent still wafts in the air and there are some places they purposely left out.
“How was it? Are you satisfied?” King Cuh Rux asked as he bites into his beef jerky. He nibbles and chew on it with vigor and alternates it with a baked rye bread dipped on a potato soup. King Cuh Rux and I are currently in a private room where we can dine. Elder Iarann left us on our own.
“Everything was new to me so rest assured because it was a sight to behold.” I can’t clearly describe the feeling that I have right now. Whether amazement or disappointment, I cannot distinguish it. I just stare at the soup filled with meat and vegetables and a freshly cut loaf bread and grape juice.
“What’s wrong?” King Cuh Rux notices my unrest so I give him protesting stare.
“I could eat the same thing as you have. There’s no need to give me any special treatment. I am used to the blandest food.” When I said bland food, it’s the hospital food. There’s several degrees of difference between our meals that it made me uncomfortable.
“Oh? Are you eyeing on this? I never thought you were the type to initiate this kind of stuff.” King Cuh Rux smiles at me. He tries to feed me the beef jerky on his hand and pushes it to my lips gently. It was full of saliva from his nibbling. Of course, I didn’t obediently open my lips and just stare at him.
“Not? Why are you staring at me like that?” King Cuh Rux tilt his head in confusion. He pulls the beef jerky away from my lips.
“This is too much food for me. I’ll share it with you.” I said as I immediately scooped a lot of vegetable and meat from my bowl and transferred it to his. After that, I sliced my loaf into half and shared it to him. Even if I tried to insist on revoking this kind of treatment I believe that it will not work. I have to give it to him in a roundabout way.
“Now we have half of each of my food. Since I can’t eat that much food, eat my share please.” I said to King Cuh Rux while I resume my own meal.
“Are you perhaps worried of me? Hahaha, I’m tough as steel but I will gladly take your offer. In return, have this!” King Cuh Rux persisted with the beef jerky and pushes it to my lips.
Left with no choice but to accept it, I nibble on the beef jerky offered to me. It’s elastic and tough but the saltiness spreads throughout my mouth. I stick my tongue to get more of the taste of the beef while pulling on it with my teeth. I gnash and grind it and the flavor embedded to the jerky spreads. After successfully cutting off the portion of the jerky I was nibbling on, I sip a soup from my bowl.
After the intense mastication, I lifted the glass of grape juice and drank it. The mellow sweetness washes off the pungent taste of the beef jerky down to my throat, creating a refreshing feeling.
After savoring the sweet-sour sensation that the grape juice brought to me, I found King Cuh Rux staring at me dumbfounded. He holds the beef jerky on his hand with a tight grip.
“I really didn’t think you’d eat it…” He told me as his face starts reddening a little.
“Oh yeah, you were biting on it earlier. It wasn’t that good but the elasticity gave a challenge to it.” I told him with my utmost respect to the people who created the beef jerky. Come to think of it, it was also the same beef jerky he was nibbling and drenched with his saliva.
“Aren’t you bothered by it? It did come from my mouth after all, although I’m a little happy about it.” King Cuh Rux acted a little sappy and annoying that I could only sigh.
“I’m not bothered by it. In the first place, is it something you should be happy about?” I asked King Cuh Rux while start sipping soup with my spoon.
“Eh? Well, you see, I’m not one to act pure and all giddy about it. As a king, I had a lot of affairs in the past. But right now, I feel a little happy for giving you something like an indirect kiss. Don’t you think such subtle romance is mundane but sweet?” King Cuh Rux smiles at me again. It was a broad smile with his teeth showing.
“Happy? I’m glad that you felt that way but, I don’t know anything about romance. In my standpoint, tasting someone else saliva is untidy. Please tell me, why am I a target of your affection?” I am not dumb enough not to feel how King Cuh Rux actually sees me. The reason I haven’t said anything is that I do not know how to react to it.
Love has been one of the greatest mysteries in this world. Some may call it miraculous and some say it’s what makes the world moves. However, an empty shell such as me cannot fathom how it feels to be loved. Even if I try to bare myself right now in front of King Cuh Rux, I doubt I’d feel a thing.
It’s a concept I do not deter but it is also something I cannot give an actual meaning or form. In a theatrical stage, it’s a motivation and drive of people. It’s one of the reasons they put on a mask or lay bare in the face of others. It’s a feeling similar to palpitation I heard but I’ve palpitated enough in my life to know what it may actually feel.
Now that I’ve thought of it, what am I trying to grasp again? Was it a purpose in life? Was it the warmth of love? Or was it both?
“What I like about you? There’s no reason to sugarcoat this. Divine Beast, no, Aster, you should be aware that your beauty is transcendental. Anywhere I go, I will never find a countenance such as yours. Icy cold but it harmonizes with words fragile as glass. Aster, I do want you as my wife.” King Cuh Rux told me as he took my hand and firmly holds it with his.
“So, it’s all about appearance?” I ask nonchalantly as I bite onto my bread.
“Of course it’s all about the appearance. It’s a realistic answer after all and I am not denying that. People desire beauty even if the inside is rotten. It’s either for decoration, for a show, or just simply to boast. I am undeniably that kind of a guy.” King Cuh Rux said as he picked on the soup and ate only the meat.
“Eat your veggies.” I suggested although it might sound like I’m scolding him.
“Eeeeh? Anyway, I like you, Aster, because of your looks. If you tell me that you are disappointed, then that’s it. Though, I’m starting to like your personality too.” King Cuh Rux replied as he tried to deftly pull my attention away from his food.
“No, I am aware of that. It’s true that the first basis of liking someone is their appearance. That’s a hard fact and I am inclined to agree with you. Also, your veggies?” King Cuh Rux’s opinion wasn’t biased. Everywhere one goes, one's appearance would most likely be the first to be noticed.
“Right right! I love how we both agreed to a thing! Where do you want to go next? What do you want to see?” King Cuh Rux asked me.
“Everything.” I snap an immediate answer from King Cuh Rux’s question.
“Everything? Well, I’ve shown you almost everything but there are some fun places we can go outside the fort!” He replied with a cheery vigor, however, I slowly shook my head left and right.
“No, when I said everything, I want you to lay bare what you’ve hidden from my sight. Show me the places where blood reeks; where a little bit of scream leaks; and to the place where the darkest parts are.” Those words of mine are earnest and honest. I’ve noticed all of it and it was bothering me the whole time. “Please, stop trying to put on a show for me. I want to know more…” I added with a weak voice.
King Cuh Rux was flabbergasted by my words and sprouted widened eyes. He stares at me with a disbelief face.
“Then, you are honestly saying that you want to see the real face of this war? We do not want to involve you in our affairs. Seeing our condition may make you draw away from us.” King Cuh Rux dons a melancholic countenance as he looks down.
“Would turning my sight away from your reality will really help me? I am clueless of what I can do for myself and for your people. At the very least, I want to become aware of your plight.” I replied to King Cuh Rux’s question while I look at him straight in the eyes.
“Doiteain was right. You’re more than meets the eyes.” King Cuh Rux showed a relieved and refreshed smile. It was one genuine emotion that he actually showed today. “I think I belittled you a little. I offer you my apologies.” He added while he bowed his head.
“There’s no need for an apology. But, won’t you be scolded for not eating your veggies?” I said while finishing the last spoon of my soup.
And thus, I lay my eyes upon the waste this war has laid upon.