The main reason why cars were banned outside the human domain was due to the possible loss of resources, and the fact that danger lurked everywhere outside.
Despite the year being 2149, humans had yet to discover other ways to fuel a car besides gas.
There were electric cars. But they needed a substantial amount of lightning, the kind of amount that would drain one's mana core to the brim.
It wasn't practical.
And so wagons had been implented, a little over four months ago.
"Huuu…"
Brandon let out a breath.
The fog smoke faded in and gradually dissipated.
Looking at Carl, he seed to be asleep.
The journey was smooth in the first five hours. No trouble.
Since the road wasn't paved, there were tis when it was quite bumpy.
But there were no complaints from both parties.
Brandon turned his head to look at Alia who looked back at him.
The two exchanged worried glances. A worry for Carl.
But the two stopped there.
They had an unspoken agreent not to speak of the matter.
Whatever plagued Carl was none of their business. They were rely here to escort.
Though the request seed rather boring, the two had never thought of it that way.
Being outside of the human domain was quite refreshing.
Although Brandon had left Vale city a couple of tis in the past, things were different now.
The world had significantly changed.
According to reports, terrains and different bios started to form.
Brandon was quite excited to see the sight.
And this village of Carl's…
He wanted to see it for himself as well.
To see the extent of the calamity's aftereffects.
After all, Vale city was structured to withstand earthquakes. And though there were several buildings that were destroyed, it wasn't to the point where it couldn't be repaired.
One such building was Victoria Mall.
Claire's family business.
Now that he thought about it, how were his friends doing?
He had already promised to himself that he wouldn't see them until he was strong enough.
But still, he quite missed them.
Especially Rachel.
That was when he turned to look at Alia and asked.
"Could you give so advice?"
Alia.
By now, he was used to going to her for advice.
It was always like this in the past.
Whenever a problem plagued him, he would always ask Alia.
And all the ti, she would always give him the right answer.
He could count on her.
"About what?"
"....You see, there's this girl. Before I disappeared, things were a bit rocky with her. She had several issues, and I knew that. Which was why I held off on… uhm…"
"Dating?"
She finished for him.
"Yes, that."
"Go on."
"As you know, I refrained from eting my friends. But, do you think she still feels the sa way about ?"
"Hmm… that depends."
"....?"
He tilted his head.
If he wanted to know about won, then the best person to ask was a woman.
Though he knew Alia had never dated, surely, she knew the way won's minds worked.
"But let ask you first. Do you still feel the sa way about her?"
That…
He was actually unsure.
But he felt compelled to respond to her feelings.
….That was if she still felt the sa way about him.
"I don't know actually."
That was the truth of the matter.
And that was when he realized that the only reason he was pushing her away was so he could co to terms with himself.
If he still felt the sa way about her in a year, then he would undoubtedly begin dating her.
He didn't want to date her, just because of the heat of the mont.
Rachel didn't deserve that.
He was indecisive.
He could very well agree that it was an asshole move.
But it was for himself.
"Well I don't want to give you an answer if you're this indecisive."
Alia crossed her arms as if she was judging him.
"But what do you plan on doing if she finds soone else?"
"Then that's for the best. Rachel deserves soone better. Soone that isn't as indecisive as ."
It was then he realized he had blurted out her na as his eyes widened.
"Oh, so it's her. Well… at least you're aware of yourself. But…"
She paused, letting the tension sink in. But continued as Brandon urged her.
"To her, you're dead, you know?"
"I know."
"Then…?"
"It's for the best. I'm still unaware of my feelings right now. Who knows? Maybe my feelings will change in a year or two."
"So you plan on disappearing for two years? Isn't this needless?"
She had a point.
The way he spoke seed as if he was just running away.
But still…
Again, if his thoughts were jumbled up like this, then Rachel truly deserved better.
Not soone as indecisive as him.
"It is. I don't know anymore."
"Well you have to gather your thoughts."
Her gaze lingered on the sleeping Carl.
"For now, focus on the request. We've got an escort mission to do."
"I guess you're right."
And the conversation ended there.
He cleared his thoughts.
Right, it wasn't the right ti to be thinking of such thoughts.
They had a mission, and a journey to complete.
And so his gaze lingered outside.
It was noon by now. The snow seed to be getting stronger in each passing second.
It was then when the wagon stopped.
Imdiately, Brandon neared behind the driver.
"What's wrong?"
"Goblins."
The driver pointed ahead.
The way the driver spoke was as if this was the new norm. Creatures such as goblins would roam the lands outside the domain.
And Brandon's conjectures were proven correct as Alia confird.
"I've heard reports about this. But it's still shocking to see them up close…."
Right.
Brandon felt the sa way.
He had only read books about goblins in his past life. But he had never seen one in person.
Just like the typical goblins, they were green. Bunch of midgets if he had to be honest.
And they seed to carry weapons, short swords to be accurate.
For wherever they got those, Brandon had no idea.
But they posed no threat.
The swords were mostly rough, so even chipped.
Poor goblins.
It was then when Carl woke up from the commotion.
"Huam… What's going on?"
"Don't worry."
Brandon assured him.
"Just rest there. We'll handle this."
"Huaa… okay."
Brandon and Alia imdiately hopped off the wagon and walked in front of it.
Five goblins stood to block their path.
Piece of cake.
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