Chapter III : Criminal

We met the next day as we had arranged, I inspected the house of which Ashu had spoken at our meeting.

The house consisted of two room with comfortable bed and a single large airy sitting room, cheerfully furnished, and illuminated by two broad windows.

   The apartment was in every way so desirable, and so moderate that the terms between us seems requrired no bargain, and with we at once entered possession.

That very evening, I moved my things around from my hotel, and the following morning, Ashu followed me with several boxes and bags as he offererd me his assistance.

For a day or two, we were busily employed ourselves in unpacking and laying out our property to the best of our advantage.

With that done, we gradually began to settle down and accommodate ourselves to our new surroundings and our daily lives.

Ashu certainly was not a difficult man to live with, if i say so myself. He is quite fun in his own ways. With his amazing stories  and his vast collection of books in his closet, he is one entertaining man.

 He is also a hardworking man, spending his time reading maps and books that I’m not aware of. But there was something mysterious about him. There are times I have noticed such dreamy, vacant expression in his eyes, during those times he stares blankly at the ceilings.

I might have suspected him of being addicted to the use of some narcotic, it was common for the explorer like him to be addicted of somethings, had not the temperance and cleanliness of his whole life forbidden such a notion. I forgo that thought from my mind but still was quite intrested.  There are some nights he does not even returns, my curiosity deepens as times passes by.

As for me, I applied for the guild, and recently became a member, completed up to three jobs just in this weak, they were quite easy.

One of them was catching a local thief, the pay was good but I was finding little too boring for my taste.

As a child, I always craved excitement, whenever sister at the church, read a book or two of adventure and mystery. I always seemed to imagine myself there instead of the main protagonist, I carved for the life like theirs, full of adventure and a reason. 

 Because of that sole reason I joined the army, though I couldn’t joined them as a soldier because of my health interference therefore I joined them as a military doctor but...

Now that, I retired as a doctor, I again seek for that sense of excitement and danger, I don't want my life living, catching petty thieves. So that's why I decided to ask Ashu; "Can I go with you, pretty please!!"

"No!"

“Why!?”

“Because it’ll be dangerous.”

“I’m not an idiot, I know It’ll be dangerous, I was war veteran you know, I can be just fine.”

“No, you were a doctor.” He flatly rejected it without even thinking for a second, but I too did not learn the word give up. And so, my quest to convince him, began.

I pestered him regularly, whenever he goes, I secretly followed him, constantly keeping tabs on him,  he goes to bathroom, I too followed him and than one day, "For God's sake!! Fine, I’ll allow it, but then don’t blame me, for whatever happens with you, okay!?" after constant pestering and begging, he aggreges to take me.

"Yes!" With a joy plasterd on my face  I asked, "When do we leave?" 

 "How about in three weeks? I need to prepare some things, before that, in the meantime why don't you train your body."

"Okay, thanks by the way."

"No-Need to thank me."

As the weeks went by, my interest in him and my curiosity as to his aims in life, gradually deepened and increased. His very person and appearance were such as to strike the attention of the most casual observer. He was over six feet in height and so excessively lean that he seemed considerably taller.

His eyes were sharp and piercing, save during those intervals of torpor to which I have alluded; and his thin, hawk-like nose gave his whole expression an air of alertness and decision. His chin, too, had the prominence and squareness which mark the man of determination. But, it wasn't just his physical appearance that caught my attention.

It was the way he spoke and talks about his dreams, to becoming the supreme king, with such a conviction and passion. I couldn't help but wonder, what’s driving this man  to him become so obsessed with this impossible goal.

One day, I finally couraged myself to ask him, "Ashu, if you don't mind, is there a particular reason,  behind your obsession with running for the supreme king? You seem little bit... more than obsessed, why is that?"

He looked at me for a moment, and then let out a slight smile. "No reason,”

“Do you not wish  to tell me?” I asked.

“No-No, off course not, but it’s like I said, I don’t have any particular reason. "

“You mean to say, you don’t need a reason, for dream , so dangerous and so big that everyone in the world wishes to havi it. You expect me to believe that” I said.

“But it’s true. All I’m after is,  to do something, that keeps me on the history books.”

"But...from what I've heard, to run for the Supreme kings position, you need to obtain the Ark of covenant, which is I think was hidden away by the previous Supreme King, Albert K. Wiseman, before his mysterious disappearance.” I asked.

 “Yes, nobody knows where he is or where he hidden the treasure, not a single person.” Said Ashu, as he pulled a nearby chair, as he sat facing me, while keeping a book in his hand open.

 “Many powerful and dangerous individuals desire to obtain that treasure, for various reasons. You do know that right? Do you truly believe you can compete with them? These are some very influential and powerful people we're talking about, with vast resources and armies at their disposal."

"I know, and I understand, I may not be the strongest or wealthiest  at the moment, but I have a goal clear in sight and determination. I know exactly what I want to achieve and all I can do is move forward; I alone might not make it to the top but with good company,  by my side I might able to pull this off.” With a optimistic smile Ashu replied, as took a sip of coffee.

“But before that to happen, I need an air ship and minimum of 4 members, to register for the tower and form a party. And for that reason, heading for Counts Dorthey mansion is needed to done first, so that we can find a secret way or something valuable that we can sell at high price.” Said Ashu.

"But that wont work, for a tower to register a party, the party has to inculde atleast a single person that is chosen by the tower's Artificial intellegence model, itself...." As I said that, Ashu smiled and stared me right in the eyes, coveying something that I dont want to thinks its possible.

"NO WAY!! You! How!? Are you seriouse!!? The heck..." With a disbleaf and unable to speak, I sat down and took a deep breath.

"Its not something to overreact about. but yes I am."

"...Wow, I now, dont have any words to say, I mean, you are one of the kings candidate! I dont know how to process this information.... How many people knows about it!?"

"Other than you, currently three people. not that I care."

"You should!! I dont know if you know this but hidding the fact that you're chosen by tower is a serious crime, crime punishable by death."

"I know."

"..."

"Do you trust me enough, to share a information like this one? do you not fear death?"

"I do fear death and yes, I trust you."

  "..."

"I can't help but feel a sense of intrigue whenever I look at you," I said to Ashu with a smile. As I stood up. "He's unlike anyone I've ever met before. I don't know what the future holds for him, I wrong he's so gullible, but still I can't wait to see where his journey takes him." I forwarded my right hand in his direction.

“I’m not the strongest or the smartest, nor I have riches to offer you, all I can give you the medical support and the little bit of knowledge that I possess. But in exchange can you help me making my boring life more interesting.” Ashu, looked at my direction with a wide eye, shocked by my sudden action. He too stood up, placing coffee mug in his on to the table and shook my hand. And with a smile he said, “I’m happy to.”   

The day for our exploration had finally arrived. Ashu and I spent the two days prior to the event preparing for our journey. Ashu tasked me with packing our essentials, such as protein bars, matchboxes, sleeping bags, knives, ropes, nails, hammer and four bottles of water. I also made sure to pack the most important item of all, toilet paper. I mean how could we forget that right.

I packed these items into our bags, while Ashu was busy packing things I wasn't familiar with. Out of curiosity, I asked him what he was packing and he simply replied that they were weapons and a few chemicals.

Our bags were packed and we set off for the valley of Lutia.

"How are we going to get there?" I asked, locking the door as Ashu head down stairs.

"Don't worry, I've got that covered, Leon will be going to help us." We met with Leon and Ashu asked if we could borrow a ride for a few days.

"So, you guys are heading to Lutia. How about take my car, currently I don't have any Air ship available, so?"

"No sweat, that'll do just fine."

With that, Leon brought his car while we waited outside the guild.  He asked us which one of us knew how to drive. Ashu took the keys and sat in the driver's seat.

"Guys, before you go, I have a advice for you. do not take that straight route for the vally,  I hear that the King-slayer, Cale Valtia, has been caught by the justica and is being held in Val Shiri prison at the base town," Leon said with a serious tone.

"Because of this, the route for the valley is completely blocked and secured and any unauthorized access is impossible. I suggest you guy’s take another route."

"King-slayer? Who is that and what did he do?" I asked, intrigued by the cool nickname.

" You've never heard of the infamous Cale Valtia Stark!? Leon exclaimed in surprise. In response to that, I nodded.

"For god's sake, why don't you try to read the newspaper for once?"

"Are you going to tell us about him or not?" Said Ashu.

"Well, he's the sole survivor of the Gray war massacre, you know that the reason Gray war started, well, he was the reason.”   

 “You see he’s the one who single-handedly murdered the King of the Elesia Empire, who was allied with World nobles. This created a tension between, civilians of the planet seven and the world nobles.”

“Why though?”

“The man in action was once a member of the renowned Valtia family, known for being the strongest family of assassins. Those who guard the world nobles and responsible for protection of towers gate. Genral populas of planet seven thought that the order for kings assasination was given to him by them."

"Because he killed the King, also the entire royal family and anyone who was in the palace at the time. It was a brutal and senseless massacre, and then he disappeared after that. But recently he got caught by the justica's third divison" Leon explained.

Woah, I had no idea, the cause of The Grey war was a sole man. He sounds like a monster," I said, shocked.

"Well he is, people say he's a demon disguised in a human skin. He's also been rumored to have abilities granted by the tower, which made him a formidable opponent. That's why the government issued a high-security warning and secured the route to the valley from any unauthorized access," Leon added with a serious tone.

"…"

"Now that you know about this, do what I suggested. Take another route for the valley, okay?"

"…"

"Ashu! What happened? You look dazed."

"N-Nothing… Well, that certainly complicates things," Ashu said, rubbing his chin in thought. "Let's go, thanks Leon for the warning and don't worry about us."

"Alright, well I wish you both,  the best of luck on your journey. Remember, if you need anything, just send message me a and I'll be happy to help," Leon said as we said our farewells and set off on our journey.

I don't know why, but Ashu seems preoccupied with something on his mind. He's been quiet and distant ever since we set out on this journey. I've tried asking him what's on his mind, but he just tells me he's thinking about the route, as I held the map and guided Ashu along the way.

But then, out of nowhere, Ashu suddenly veered off the path we were supposed to take.

"Hey!? Where are we going? leon warned us not to take this route!" I exclaimed.

"Don't worry, I'm just curious to see that King-slayer fella."

"I don't know why but my gut tells me to see that guy, don't worry, I may not look it but I'm quite strong."

"Why the sudden curiosity?" I asked, still confused.

"I don't know. But Don't worry, I can handle whatever comes our way," Ashu said, his confidence unwavering.

"…"

And just like that, we arrived near the base town. As Leon had warned us, the security was tight around the base town.

"Ray, I'm thinking.... asking him to join our group, that is, if he's a good guy," Ashu said, his mind made up

"Are you out of your mind!! Haven't you heard that the guy is a monster, he killed the king of Elsia empire, I get that he's strong but why associate ourselves with a bad guy?"

"We can't be sure about that just yet, hadn't you heard, all these might be just be rumours..."

"Ray, I decided, don't worry I know what I am doing, just trust me," Ashu said, with seriousness and determination in his eyes.

"You're just being reckless now... he's been caught because he's a bad guy! And let's just say that he is a good guy and he agrees to join you then what? Are you seriously going to free that guy, you know what that means right?

We'll be defying the World government and authorities which in turn will put us on their wanted list!!"

"That's why I told you, it’ll be dangerous."

“But you never told, you’ll be freeing a vicious criminal.”

“Why make the enemies out the government!?”

“I don’t care. I can drop you off, if you want.”

 "…" I stayed silent, I don't know what to do. On one hand, I wanted to end my boring life by making it to be exciting and filled with adventure. On another, I don't want to make enemies out of the government.  A difficult choice to make.

I've decided!!; "Fine, I'll join you."

"…!! Thank you, you won't regret it, but… are you sure, our journey from now on will be going to be dangerous?"

"That is if we get caught and It's not like I have any family to take care of, so don't worry."

"…" with that, I forward my right hand for a handshake, and he accepted his gesture, with a smile.

This is where my whole life changed forever, don't know for better or worse, but I can't wait to see my future.

"What now? How are going to meet our potential comrade?" I asked.

"I have a plan!" Ashu said that with a huge grin plastered on his face…

Just by looking at him, shivers ran down my spine…

To be continued….