Chapter 121: A Wise Choice?
Kazuka reflected; he recalled everything from the beginning until now. Remembering unforgettable memories that were like a part of himself, constantly reminding him, his mind rummaged through other memories:
"Look, look at me. Those who go with us all hope for joy after having to live their previous boring lives."
"They hope we will be friends and have wonderful adventures and not have to regret."
"Even I am like this, I hope for it very much. I had to stay with you guys for so long, every day longing for a wonderful trip. Yet just as we've started, you say you want to stop? Huh?"
Airi burst into tears, tears streaming down her face.
"You are destroying our dreams, do you still consider us friends? If you do, then why do you hurt us this way?"
"Why are you so selfish? Kazuka. What do you want me to do when everything ends? Go back to my tribe? You want me to suffer once more?"
"You want Ayaka to go back to that dark and damp forest to live until old age in loneliness?"
"You want Aoto to have to adventure alone?"
Airi cried loudly like that, Ayaka also cried along, she hurriedly used her hand to wipe away the tears. Although Aoto was a newcomer, his eyes also glistened with tears.
Kazuka cried even louder than Airi, his words were almost unintelligible.
"Then... Then what should I do? I'm so scared."
Discarding those thoughts, he had made his decision. He did not want this journey to lack anyone, or for them to have to participate in these things. He wanted to save the innocent, but deep down, he always placed his friends above strangers he didn't know.
Raising his voice to break this uncomfortably silent atmosphere:
"Then let's decide it like that, we will help them escape the city."
"What do you guys think?"
All five people looked into Kazuka's eyes; those eyes had something that made them pay attention. They had also heard Aoto's analysis.
Airi nodded and crossed her arms in front of her chest.
"I know what you guys are thinking."
Airi turned to Ayaka with worried eyes. In the group, it could be said Ayaka was always the kindest. Airi just by looking could read that Ayaka also wanted to save everyone, Ayaka's eyes shone with a light of benevolence.
"In any case, we have power, not great but we have it. In my opinion, now we should let those two go, and as for the problem in the city, we will proactively help to avoid casualties, considering it an effort for both."
Ayaka was quite surprised when Airi spoke like that; indeed she also wanted those two to go, she also wanted to save the city, she also had thoughts like Airi but hadn't dared to speak.
Takeshi nodded.
"I think that works too."
Elyssia glanced at the whole group.
"Everyone, make a decision."
Kazuka seemed to see that was okay, he reflected in his head; indeed, if they abandoned them it would be a bit heartless, even if Aoto said they weren't good or bad people, he understood the point. But without trying to help, how would they know.
"I agree."
They all nodded once and gave a firm "um," not in unison but as solid as rock.
Aoto turned to walk out, the whole group followed immediately behind.
Stepping into room number seven. Nara seemed to be asleep. Hiwcel was still looking out at the azure sky, white clouds floating and warm yellow sunlight. He watched the flocks of birds flying far out of sight.
Suddenly hearing a noise, Hiwcel turned back and saw Kazuka's group standing in front of him.
"Huh?"
Kazuka with serious eyes went straight to the point.
"Let's do it like this, we just discussed. We will help you escape outside as safely as possible, okay?"
Hiwcel frowned, not understanding what Kazuka said.
"Why help? Want to kill me outside?"
Kazuka shook his head, he had prepared what to say in his head and ignored what Hiwcel said, paying no mind.
"We saw your circumstances so we're helping."
Turning to Takeshi standing behind.
"Takeshi will help you. He has the Earth Elemental and can take you outside easily. No one will follow or know."
Hiwcel was a bit suspicious.
"You guys are really helping me?"
Kazuka nodded, trying to explain to diminish the suspicion toward the group after they had gone outside to discuss. He knew Hiwcel was still very wary after the shock, so it was understandable.
"Definitely will help, we also want to leave the city, we'll probably leave after."
Hiwcel still tried to ask:
"Then you guys don't want to save the people in the city?"
Kazuka shook his head helplessly and sighed.
"Of course I want to save them, but out of respect for your decision, we will help you escape. Anyway, we aren't acquaintances."
Kazuka said that to make Hiwcel feel more secure; if he said he would return to save the city after taking Hiwcel away, it would surely stir compassion inside him.
Hiwcel seemed to soften; staying here with the group these past few days made Hiwcel observe them more and see the group was quite good.
Takeshi standing behind spoke up:
"What do you think?"
Hiwcel sighed, face looking down. Indebted for his life, now once again Hiwcel felt extremely uncomfortable. But escaping meant freedom; he was once a noble, the fact that others only empathized and gave him many benefits like this, indeed he understood it, if there is a benefit, use it.
"Okay, then I will trust you guys.
Anyway, we are finding it hard to escape this city. Thank you."
Kazuka nodded.
"Good."
"Then Takeshi will handle the rest."
Takeshi nodded.
"Come downstairs with me."
Going down below the inn, the whole group circled the stairs and went to a small and narrow path. At the end of the path was the warehouse containing many items of this inn.
Nara walked right behind Hiwcel. His face was tense; although he saw the group was quite good, he still maintained suspicion.
Arriving at the backyard of the inn, many things were kept here, mainly pig bones, beef... They threw them temporarily into a pile to clean at the end of the day. It wasn't yet time for many guests, so no one was preparing food, thus the backyard was empty.
Kazuka faced Hiwcel, his eyes as if hoping he could be safe and smooth.
"Goodbye."
Airi stood nearby and advised:
"Go carefully outside. We don't have much, these five gold coins will be enough for a very long time for you two to eat. So try to find a job and live."
Hiwcel nodded, the final words are always the words that carve deepest inside.
"Thank you everyone, if fate allows, we will meet again."
Nara stood behind, eyes shy. She spoke up:
"Thank you everyone."
Elyssia: "Goodbye."
Aoto also added: "Goodbye."
Ayaka with quite worried eyes.
"Remember to be careful on the road."
Takeshi poured energy outside, but not covering his body, instead channeling it into his hands. He was placing one hand on the ground and pressing down hard, eyes shut tight, energy as if channeling into the ground very rapidly like a bottomless pit.
Takeshi was mapping the path outside in his head. He imagined he would dig deep into the ground to avoid people above sensing them, then go straight outside.
Takeshi opened his eyes, he still kept that posture.
"Come here and stand near me."
Hiwcel and Nara stepped closer to Takeshi and stood tight against him.
Airi reminded Takeshi:
"Remember to do it carefully."
Takeshi did not respond.
Suddenly the ground shook violently. Then the ground from two sides like a large mouth surged upward and surrounded all three of them into a stone semi-circle.
Inside, orange energy glowed from Takeshi's hand, lighting the space within. Hiwcel and Nara were quite panicked, but also tried to brush it off.
-"If it were normal it would be fine, but now I'm bringing two people along, must be very careful. Otherwise, I'll make them die from being crushed in here."
Suddenly the inside shook. Outside, the half-sphere could be seen gradually descending like an elevator. Then the hole gradually closed, leaving the remaining five people watching for a moment.
After a while, they were outside. No longer was there any sign of a city, surrounding them were trees and grass. Takeshi had tried his best to take them as far away as possible.
Takeshi lay on a small patch of grass and panted from exhaustion, arms and legs spread wide and eyes closed.
Hiwcel and Nara stood in front and gazed at the quiet lake surface ahead, their hearts even more determined to leave. Specifically for Hiwcel, he was certain inside that he would not return.
Hiwcel turned back to look at Takeshi.
"You stay lying here, goodbye."
Takeshi opened his eyes, he gave an "um."
"Go, remember to live well."
Nara turned back.
"Thank you."
Hiwcel held Nara's hand and walked away, they did not turn their heads back to look at anything even once, everything gradually vanished.