Dawn- An age of Darkness

We had lunch and not much happened. 

For once, things were uneventful. 

Dracona was relatively close and even if we left before the afternoon we'd arrive just after sunset. So, Alisa convinced us to leave right afternoon, as then we'd arrive before the evening. I didn't see why not. I didn't have to do in Xylax anyway.

I was supposed to look for a guy named Travador. Since it was similar to travel, I actually remembered a name for once. Finally, my memory wasn't failing me!

Since we'd be leaving in roughly an hour, I began to pack my things. I didn't have many things to pack since I had this ring. 

But still, there were plenty of things I wanted to bring along- like this herb for example. It had a similar look and benefit as green tea but tasted like lime water once boiled. 

Very sour, very effective. 

"Would you-" Viola's voice came from behind me. "Would you take me along? I know I can be a hindrance but- but I'll try- no, I will keep up!"

I stopped and turned around. 

She was looking very expectantly at me. I could tell, she was shivering and trying her best to say what she did but-

"Look, it's not about you being a hindrance, it's just this is a very dangerous journey. After meeting the person, I want to meet in Dracona, we'd travel to Galbatia, and after that my fight with the emperor will break out. Let's just say, I don't want anyone near me at the time. That includes all of you. I don't want anyone of you getting hurt."

There were times where honesty really was the best policy. 

"Really?" 

Another voice came from the door- this time Alisa and Ve entered. Biteria had followed them in.

Apparently, this wasn't one of those times. 

"So, you plan to ditch us in Galbatia or maybe-" Ve cracked her knuckles. "Before that?"

I got the feeling I shouldn't have said that last part. I gulped and as the four girls inched ever closer to me, I kind of wanted to run away. 

Jumping out of the window wouldn't kill me, right?

It was just 70 or so floors high anyway.

So- jump!

Or so I'd have jumped if both Ve and Viola weren't pulling the hell out of me. They'd dragged me back in and I was currently on the floor as Ve and Viola were holding my hands and Biteria, my legs. 

Where the hell did my bunny come from and why were these people so damn strong?

"What are you going to do to me?" I was almost scared. The surroundings around me almost felt dark. Just what were they planning to do to me?

Alisa grinned and let out a villainous laughter. "The world shall never know." She locked the door and slowly climbed on me…

She took off my armor and well…. Tickles!

"AHAH UAH AH HAHAHH!"

She kept on tickling me, my underarms, my neck, my feet, my stomach!

"AHAH STOPLE! SHs ha HA AH Ah! Stop stop!"

I had no idea what I was saying anymore. 

After roughly five or so minutes- which felt like an eternity, she stopped and the rest of them let me go. But I didn't have any strength left. 

I hadn't been tickled like that since the birthday of my third cousin, eight years ago. All my cousins thought it'd be funny to tickle me all at once… well, it sure wasn't funny for me. 

I breathed rapidly and barely kept my sanity. 

"We'll go with you, whether you like it or not," Alisa said. "And I believe I'm speaking on behalf of these two too."

Ve and Biteria nodded. 

"Me too!" Viola said. 

"No, you'll have to stay here. I'm sorry to say but you'll slow us down."

Alisa ruthlessly shut Viola down. Viola didn't fight back, I guess she knew. 

I still couldn't catch my breath.

"Let that be a lesson to you Daarc Green." Ve crossed her arms and puffed her non-existent chest with pride. "Never underestimate women's resolve."

Uh-huh!

***

Eventually, it was time for farewells, and though I wanted to have a normal farewell, Viola kind of cried way too much: silently, but crying regardless. 

She didn't say anything either. She just hugged me and wasn't letting go. I couldn't really hug her back and my hands just hovered but at the very last moment- I hugged her with one arm and patted her head with the other. 

"I can't say I'll be back, so you'll have to be strong. I'm not the type to force my will on others- well, not always." I chuckled. I might or might not have tried to force my will on others in the past and even now but I wanted to avoid that. "But- I'd like you to grow stronger and do things you like. I'd also like you to become a better ruler, so one day you can lead your people to prosperity."

Hearing what I just said with my own ears, almost made me sound like a hypocrite. I didn't want to force my will on her and yet, I was just laying out my vision to her without thinking what if she didn't want that. 

So- "But- feel free to ignore what I just said. Your life is yours and what you'll do with it is also your freedom. Stay strong and enjoy life while it lasts. Now I know that's really hard at times but really- good luck and goodbye."

I again realized, I sucked at bidding goodbyes. Like what the hell, me!? I couldn't even say a farewell without being cringe about it?

And yet, I found, everyone here just crying. Viola, crying was one thing. But the guards, maids, and even the ministers?

I honestly didn't know how to react to that. 

So- "Goodbye everyone. Take care of her for me." I spoke to everyone here in particular but then remembered something and looked at the head minister. "Oh yeah, try to see if the son of the duke can be trusted with some responsibilities like we talked about."

He smiled and nodded. 

As for the rest, they too nodded. 

Anyway, I was done. 

I climbed on Ve and well, lift-off. After a long time, it was just Alisa and Biteria with me on top of Ve.

Viola and others all waved as they gradually got smaller and smaller. I waved back for a short period of time but then stopped looking down. It wasn't because I was afraid, of heights, okay!?

'Aren't I riding Ve a bit too much these days?'

I laughed at my own joke as we gradually picked up altitude. 

Something was wrong with me. I was cracking jokes and laughing at them on my own too. 

***

Roughly three hours later, we saw the large walls of Dracona. About a kilometer away, we landed and then started traveling. 

Unlike Saram, this place wasn't a crackling mess. But instead of being hot and dry like that dessert full of cracks, this place was both hot and humid. 

And there were far too much grass and trees. What was this, a forest? It was too thin to be a forest though.

"Well, guys stay sharp for goblins."

"I don't think there's any around," Ve said. 

"Oh, trust me, they are everywhere." This did remind me something though. "What are we going to do with the goblin in my ring though. I mean it looks so humane."

"Oh yeah, how about we take a detour to the west region of Galbatia first. My old kingdom was in that region and I heard there were ancient ruins there built by the ancestors of the goblins."

"Really?"

If it was ancient to Alisa, I guess those stuff were really old. And wouldn't that mean Alisa was a demon? Oh, wait, just because she lived there didn't mean she was a demon. After all, most demons were categorized as demi-humans in the first place. 

But boy was this place hot. I was sweating like crazy and this way too much humidity didn't really help. 

But just as Ve said, we didn't come upon any goblins. We did kill several large beetles though. 

By evening we'd reached the city gates. If it weren't for the forest-like environment, it wouldn't have taken us this long. 

And even now it was still way too hot and there wasn't much wind. Damn, even deserts were better than this. At least those places cooled down at night…

Okay, maybe they weren't that better but still!

"HALT!"

And as usual, we were stopped right before entering. 

I guess one guy and three beautiful girls weren't something these people were used to seeing. Actually, this world didn't really have the concept of having multiple women as slaves or stuff like that. It wasn't quite absent from the culture but it was really rare. 

"First class?" There were about five guards and we were the only ones entering. 

The guard had a very suspicious look when he stared at my card.

"Yes, and all of them are members of my party."

The guard kind of looked at me with something in between envy and disgust. the guy couldn't decide, I guess. "Next!" He returned my card.

But there wasn't anyone next.

Anyway, finally, we entered. 

But I was not prepared to see the city. "WoW!"

Compared to the rest of this world's cities- this place was really- wow.