Volume 2: Prologue

Trudge. Trudge. Trudge.

As the carriage moved onward to our destination, I rested my head on my arm and stared pensively out the window.
With grasslands stretching out towards the horizon there wasn’t a whole lot for me to look at, or there was depending on how you view it.
Either way, the fact remained that there was little to do for me while being restrained in here.
Without me realizing it, a dismal sigh escaped my lips.
“What is bothering you?”
I looked over towards Kia who sat on the opposite bench.
Truth be told, a lot was going through my mind right now.
Mainly, I was looking back on everything that had happened after I arrived in Fira.
Since then, it has already been over four months and a lot has happened.
I met all kinds of people like Kia, Astress, Azazel, and Reath.
Meeting Kia was probably the best thing that could’ve happened to me, my first meetings with the others did not go nearly as well.
And while my relationship with Azazel in particular was everything but friendly, he did eventually allow me to stay at his home – may it be on Kia’s request.
I still remember how surprised I was when he gave me permission to stay.
Now that I think about that, I never really thanked him for that, did I?
Not that it matters now, does it?
Sorry for getting side-tracked there.
Another thing that happened was my training with Astress.
Actually it was Kia who was supposed to train me at first, but after having a firm discussion with her, she asked – or rather, forced – Astress to take over that role from her.
Of course she refused to accept at first, but in the end Astress did bend the knee.
Under her supervision, I began to train my swordsmanship and little by little I noticed that my physique and reflexes were actually improving.
And while I still wasn’t able to hold my own against her in one of our sparring matches, I did manage to surprise Astress a couple of times.
Like my harsh training, there were many obstacles I had to overcome as well.
One of these was my encounter with Lucifer, the psychopath who would not only kill me but also eliminate Kia’s father.
He also seems to be connected to some evil group called The Covenant, but who they are and what they want to achieve we still know almost nothing about.
That is one of the reasons why we are heading towards Prudentia, so that Kia can discuss what to do about them with her fellow rulers at the next Kings’ Meeting.
Besides meeting Lucifer, I was treated horribly by the townsfolk because of my origin as a Wanderer.
Apparently the Diablo family once took in another Wanderer, who would end up destroying major parts of the city and eliminating many innocent people.
As a result, the townspeople of Gehenna now believe that any Wanderer is a Harbinger of Death.
You may call it superstition, but the fact remains that they believe it enough to want to inflict harm on me.

As I sat there thinking this over, I answered to Kia:
“Nothing. I was just reminiscing. Sorry if I worried you guys.”
“Reminiscing? About what?”
Before I could answer her follow-up question, the carriage hit a bump on the road, sending everyone flying.
“That idiot! This is the third time already that this has happened today! Once we arrive at our next stop, I will have a stern word with him.”
Astress was – not for the first time – sharing her frustrations about the coachman with us, making it abundantly clear that she was no fan of his driving.
“Aren’t you being a little too harsh on them? I’m sure they’re trying their best.” I said.
“Simply trying is not good enough! Not for a servant of the Diablo family.”
At times I find myself questioning what her definition of ‘good enough’ truly is?
Then again, maybe the reason why she upholds such extremely high standards is how she became head-maid of the Diablo family.
There were likely other factors as well, however there’s no denying that she takes her tasks very seriously.
To the point where she spends her entire day doing nothing else.
That said, as someone working for a royal family, do you even have free time?
Ugh, there I am getting side-tracked again.
Where was I?
Besides her absurdly high standards, she also possesses a set of traits others could only dream of.
Her character could use some work, but I’ll refrain from saying that out loud.
I’d rather not put my own life on the line at the expense of such a silly joke.
“Shako is right! Despite these minor inconveniences, I must say I am quite pleased with our journey so far.”
Astress gave Kia a reproachful look, yet refrained from speaking her mind.
“If you say so, My Lady.”

Minutes passed in which not even a single word was said.
Only the sounds of rolling wheels and creaking wood carried through the air.
While most of our journey consisted of this uncomfortable silence, I never got used to it.
And having nowhere else to go made it only more unbearable.
Impatient? Perhaps.
I would like to say however that the only time we actually took a break and got to move our legs was at nightfall.
My poor bottom is screaming in agony right now!
Amidst the silence, Kia suddenly said:
“A lot has happened since I found you at Sharp Peak, has there not? To think only four months have passed since then, it is quite hard to believe.”
“I agree. And were it not for your kindness, I would’ve most likely died back there.”
Astress joined the conversation and added:
“I too remember our first meeting very well. How infuriated I was to hear that Lady Kia brought back a Wanderer, after the tragedy that unfolded last time we lent someone similar shelter.”
For a moment she paused, looking quite unsure of what to say next.
The look on her face gave hints of embarrassment, which was further emphasized by the blush on her cheeks.
“And…I must admit, I never truly apologized for my coarse behaviour at that time – as well as all the other times. Therefore, please forgive me!”
I didn’t expect to hear these words from her.
Needless to say, but I was quite taken aback by them.
So was Kia, who stared at her with mouth agape.
You’d probably suspect a similar reaction from me, however the opposite was true.
While I admit that I don’t like how Astress and I first met each other, I uncovered that there was more to her dislike towards me than simple hatred.
It was a combination of things, a bunch of complicated feelings and experiences which she had trouble expressing.
The fact that she helped me train these past few months – despite not wanting to at first – had proven me that.
Although I didn’t think she needed to apologize for it, I knew that her honour would have troubles living with that.
“Apologies accepted.”
Like a huge weight had lifted off her shoulders, she exhaled loudly.
“Thank you!”
Comically, the cart then hit another bump, sending Astress into another frenzy, making Kia and I burst out into laughter.