Several days had passed since Sol's arrival in this new world. Contrary to his initial expectations of venturing out and exploring its mysteries, he found himself staying close to Caulot. Together, they practiced swordsmanship, foraged for fruits and vegetables, and attended to various chores. Sol couldn't help but notice a remarkable improvement in his swordplay. It was as if he had wielded a blade countless times before, despite never having touched a weapon in his old world. His movements flowed more smoothly, his strikes were precise, and his defensive maneuvers seemed almost instinctual.
As he sparred with Caulot in the clearing, Sol felt a newfound confidence surging through him. His footwork was agile, and he effortlessly parried Caulot's attacks, countering with skillful strikes of his own. The sword felt like an extension of his arm, responding to his every thought and command. However, progress in other areas proved elusive; he occasionally picked up poisonous plants, filling entire baskets with them, only for Caulot to explain their dangers before disposing of them. Navigating the forest was still a challenge, but he was gradually growing more adept.
During these days, Sol found himself engaging in conversations with TEL, eager to learn more about the Holy Roble kingdom.
"Tell me, TEL, what else have you discovered about this country?" Sol leaned against a tree, its brown, textured bark providing a stark contrast to his gleaming black armor. The surrounding vegetation was bathed in soft sunlight, creating a picturesque scene.
"Master, I've gathered information about the country's ruler, Queen Calca," TEL responded, his blue gemstone eyes radiating life.
Upon hearing the mention of a female ruler, Sol felt a sense of unease. A woman leading a country? She might be one of those feminists. I'm surprised this nation even thrives.
"It appears that Queen Calca's authority is more prominent in the northern regions," TEL continued. "In the southern parts of Roble, local nobles tend to maintain greater control."
Well, that clarifies why the south remains intact; the north must be in disarray, Sol thought to himself. Politics were not his forte, but he held a strong aversion to feminists and their claims of being ideal rulers. The memory of past encounters with such individuals rankled within him, making him apprehensive about a woman holding power.
"Wait, is this queen married? Wouldn't a king not be ruling instead?" Sol asked, his curiosity piqued.
"No, master, she is not married," TEL responded. "Rather, I've heard rumors that she is in a polyamorous relationship with two women, both of whom are sisters, but I cannot validate this claim."
Sol had thought correctly, and a smirk tugged at his lips as he contemplated this information. So she is one of those feminists, no wonder she went lesbian, he mused, She must be one ugly and fat woman who probably wanted a man, but because of how despicable she was, had to resort to this desperate method.
His amusement led to a chuckle as he considered his accurate guess. There was another reason for Sol asking TEL about the politics – he didn't want to present himself as a foreigner. He was trying to learn whatever he could to avoid unnecessary attention.
Ironically, though, his armor was already an attention magnet. Whenever he attempted to remove it and try regular clothing, he felt naked and exposed; it just didn't feel right to him. This was even truer when he tried to take off his helmet. Although he had shown his features to Caulot, he stopped taking it off near him. It just felt wrong, like he shouldn't be doing that. Brushing these mysterious feelings aside, he looked at TEL, who stared intently at Sol, perhaps intrigued by his reaction to the political information.
There was one thing that Sol wanted to know about TEL. "TEL, if I may ask, what are you exactly? I still haven't remembered anything from back then. I'm glad you helped me, but I just need to know what you are and why you serve me."
TEL tilted his head, his blue gemstone eyes gleaming with curiosity. "My name, TEL, stands for transsubstantive entity lower-class."
Sol stuttered, trying to grasp the meaning. "Transsubstantive? What does that mean?"
TEL reached out to a nearby thicket, and his robotic leg magically turned from metal into a green substance. "I believe it means the ability to change one's composition upon touch."
Sol was amazed by the demonstration but felt ignorant for not asking earlier. He had previously witnessed TEL's incredible ability but hadn't paid much attention, still being taken aback by this new world.
"As for why I serve you, it was because I was made to die for you," TEL said, bowing slightly. However, Sol had other ideas.
"No, you only serve Ausar, and I am not him. If you want, you can leave me here," Sol offered, leaving the choice to TEL.
TEL looked at the black-armored knight, his gemstone eyes gleaming with curiosity. He could sense Sol's sincerity.
"It was true that I was always secretly displeased with Ausar. He was always so ruthless, and I even feared him. With you, however, I feel a difference," TEL admitted.
"A difference?" Sol questioned.
"Yes, master. I want to see this redemption of yours. Maybe you could do better than Ausar. I really want to see your journey, and I'm already pleased by your current progress," TEL responded.
"Pleased? I haven't done anything yet," Sol remarked, puzzled.
"You have," TEL nodded his three-lobed head. "You showed actual compassion to that boy, Caulot. Ausar would've either shown fake sympathy or demonstrated extreme cruelty."
"Cruelty?" Sol inquired further.
TEL looked down, his tone somber. "It's better if you don't know, master."
"I see," Sol replied, deciding not to press the matter further.
Clearing the forming silence, Sol said, "I'm glad, though. I actually really like talking to you, TEL."
TEL looked at him. "I appreciate the kind words, master."
"Also, no need to call me master. I'm not Ausar, alright?" Sol suggested.
TEL was intrigued. "Then what shall I call you then, master?"
Sol grinned behind his helmet. "You can call me Sol, then. If that's not suitable, then I suppose 'Master Sol' works."
"Very well, Master Sol," TEL echoed gleefully.
"Anyhow, I should take my leave. Caulot's probably wondering what's taking me so long," Sol said.
TEL nodded and left, leaving Sol alone. Sol made his way to the nearby clearing where Caulot was waiting.
"Well, you sure took a long time," Caulot commented, sounding somewhat annoyed.
Sol chuckled, shrugging his arms. "Sorry, I had to use the restroom again."
Caulot eyed Sol, then shifted his focus. "Right, well anyway, want to do our training? I think I've been making great progress. I think my muscles are getting bigger too!" He stretched before flexing his muscles.
"Doubt it. We've only been training for a few days, but yeah, let's do our workout," Sol agreed. The two of them left the clearing, jogging to keep a similar pace with each other. Sol's failed duel with Caulot had been an eye-opener. It showed that while he might be physically strong and incredibly fast, he lacked any combat skills. If Caulot could take him down, there were probably much more dangerous opponents out there.
It might be true that I was physically fit in the old world, but I doubt that standard would hold here, Sol thought to himself.
He quickened his pace, sprinting ahead. Caulot managed to catch up but barely. After a while, they rested on a slope, gazing down at the nearby village. It was still early morning, and the sunlight bathed the ground in a warm glow. The village nestled at the foot of the gentle slope presented a picturesque scene of rustic charm. Quaint cottages with thatched roofs glistened with dewdrops in the morning light. Constructed from timber and stone, the buildings exuded an air of enduring simplicity.
Winding cobblestone pathways meandered through the village, connecting the cottages like a web of interconnected lives. Flowering vines adorned the fences, adding bursts of color to the scene, while carefully tended gardens boasted an array of blossoms in various stages of bloom.
At the heart of the village, a modest square opened up, adorned with a stone fountain where water bubbled and danced, creating a soothing melody. A few market stalls, still shrouded in cloth and untouched by the bustle of the day, promised fresh produce and handmade goods for the villagers later in the morning.
In the distance, the village chapel, a small, weathered building with a sloping roof, stood as a symbol of faith and community. Its spire reached skyward, casting a shadow upon the ground where villagers gathered each week to seek solace and connection.
Surrounding the village, verdant fields stretched as far as the eye could see, a patchwork quilt of crops and wildflowers. The fields whispered stories of hard work and the promise of harvests yet to come.
Overall, the village was a place untouched by the rush of the modern world, where the rhythm of life flowed in harmony with nature's cadence. It was a tranquil haven, basking in the soft embrace of early morning, awaiting the arrival of its people to breathe life into its serene streets once more.
Caulot had caught his breath and was dazzled that Sol still wasn't tired after all.
Amazing, even after all that running, he's still not out of breath, Caulot thought. He found it incredible that despite wearing that armor, Sol wasn't exhausted at all. Staring at the silent village once more, something caught his eye – an old friend, or rather, potentially something more.
"Wow, Nadine sure has grown," he muttered to himself.
"What?" Sol faced Caulot, now sitting upright.
Caulot smiled while looking at the faraway person of affection. "That's Nadine right there. I really like her. She's an old friend."
Sol looked at Nadine, a young girl with brownish-blond hair, who was busy in the backyard of her medieval house, a modest distance away from him.
From his vantage point, Sol observed Nadine's diligent work as she tended to her laundry in the cozy backyard. The early morning sunlight painted a gentle halo around her, casting a warm radiance on the tranquil scene. Her diligent efforts and the soft hum of her melody filled the air, creating a serene backdrop to the waking village.
The medieval house, with its timbered walls and thatched roof, was a charming addition to the rustic landscape. Vines of ivy clung to its walls, and a well-tended garden bordered the backyard. A small wooden fence marked the boundaries, adding to the picturesque scene.
Sol clenched his gauntlet. "I see, and do you have feelings for this woman?"
Caulot turned red while facing Sol. "Um, er, uh..." Caulot struggled to speak, but Sol could easily tell.
He's in love, eh? No, he has a crush, but I doubt this woman cares about Caulot. A rage that Sol all knew too well began to surge inside of him. Memories of his haunting past, the trauma, and the misery of back then.
It all started like this, didn't it? Both Zephyr and I experienced this feeling and paid dearly for it. I'm going to protect Caulot from that; he doesn't deserve to feel the same misery we did. He glared at the young girl, anger swelling up within him.
"Don't bother, Caulot."
"W-what?" Caulot stammered.
"She isn't worth the effort, Caulot. You will go through nothing but a path of misery." Sol looked at Caulot, anger could be heard in his voice.
"I don't believe..." Caulot began, but Sol cut him off.
"SHE ISN'T! She will do nothing but take everything away from you. You will lose everything you ever cared about. Women are nothing but useless pigs who manipulate men. We are better off without them." Fury was evident in Sol's voice. Sol got up from his rest, walking upwards from the slope.
"Let's go; we don't want to be seen by the villagers." Caulot followed him, their walk back to the shack was silent. He found it hard to believe that was Sol. He broke the awkward silence, replying to Sol's vengeful comment.
"I still don't believe what you said." Caulot had imagined his voice to be adamant, but only a whimper came out.
"What? What did you just say?"
Caulot tightened his body, closing his eyes. "I think what you said is wrong!"
Sol grabbed his arm, squeezing it. "You know nothing; you've only seen one side of them. For all we know, she's probably having an affair with several men."
"That's not true!"
"Oh yeah? Let me clarify this with you, Caulot. That creature will probably target an older man—someone with actual wealth and status. Why do you think she'd bother with you? What do you have to offer her?"
"I-I..." Caulot stammered, completely overwhelmed by Sol's aggression.
"That's precisely it. Women often see men as objects of affluence. They don't care about us; we're nothing more than pawns to them! They'll swiftly abandon you if you're not useful. Women always have it easier; someone is always there to take care of them. But us men, no one looks out for us."
He felt a sense of satisfaction after his tirade. He recognized that Caulot had been wounded by his words. Nevertheless, it was necessary; he had to shield Caulot from those 'scoundrels.' He didn't want to witness the same fate befall Caulot.
"Do you grasp it now, Caulot?" Sol muttered, trying to calm himself.
"What about mother? Was she like that with father?"
"Probab—"
Caulot teared up and rushed off to the shack, leaving Sol alone.
"Damn it," he muttered, his head hanging low. He had realized he had made a mistake, letting his trauma spill onto Caulot.
I should probably apologize. I truly regret saying that, he thought to himself. He made his way to the shack; its exterior appeared more inviting than its interior. Just outside the shack's doorway, Sol overheard Caulot talking to someone. He mentally prepared himself to make amends. I shouldn't have insulted his deceased mother like that. What was I thinking? I'll set things right.
"He's right; I truly have nothing. I can't earn a single coin. Why was I even born, Mother?" Caulot said, clutching his bag tightly. Sol discreetly observed from the doorframe.
"I don't know what to do, Mother. Soon, we'll both starve. Once they clear the forest, I'll truly have nothing. No one will allow me to tend to their fields or work with their livestock. I just wish you had left more than this bag. If only I had some wealth." Caulot cried, his voice cracking, tears streaming down his cheeks, and pain piercing his heart.
Sol felt that pain too, a pain he knew all too well. I've experienced this feeling before. That crisis where you question your purpose. That dread when you feel utterly useless. He hung his head in regret, understanding what Caulot was going through. He retreated from the doorway, leaving the vicinity of the shack and re-entered the forest once more.
"TEL, I require your services once more."
TEL appeared before Sol. "Yes, Master Sol? What do you need?"
"I need money—cash, coins, anything. Where can I find it?" Sol inquired of the robotic creature.
"Do you wish to access your treasury?"
Startled by this, he asked, "Treasury? I have a treasury?"
"Yes, Master Sol, follow me," TEL signaled Sol to follow him, retracing the same path they had taken on Sol's first day. The scenery was familiar, with the same clearing facing the mountainside that Sol had come from.
"Master Sol, please place your hand on that rock surface."
Initially hesitant but trusting TEL's guidance, Sol laid his palm on the surface. The two metallic doors opened before him, just as they had on his first encounter with this world. He entered the chamber, which he had come to know as the Phoenix chamber. Inside, the same metallic superstructure awaited him.
"Inside here, Master," TEL echoed, gesturing toward the doorway adjacent to the armory. Sol followed TEL's lead, entering the door, and faced the same hand symbol panel. Similar to his experience in the armory, he placed his palm on it, and the doors slid open to reveal something incredible.
Sol stood on the threshold of the treasury room, bathed in the soft, golden glow emanating from countless stacks of shimmering gold coins. The room was an expansive chamber adorned with ornate pillars and arches. Alongside the golden treasure, priceless artifacts adorned with intricate symbols were neatly arranged on gleaming marble pedestals. Each artifact told a story, and the symbols engraved upon them seemed to hold ancient secrets.
The air was thick with the scent of history and wealth, a heady mixture of aged parchment, polished metal, and the faint mustiness of time. The room appeared almost limitless, its contents stretching far and wide.
The gold coins were piled high in gleaming stacks, and the artifacts whispered a symbol Sol had never seen before. It was a treasure trove beyond imagination. As Sol entered the treasury, his boots clattered against the gold coins, and he bent down to pick up a coin bearing that strange symbol. He focused on it, feeling a sense of déjà vu wash over him.
Why do I have this feeling of déjà vu? Where have I seen this symbol before?
Then, it struck him. A sudden rush of voices overwhelmed him, all incoherent, yet he somehow grasped their meaning. It was a painful experience, his heart aching with agony, though he couldn't understand why. He scrambled to his feet, sprinting back to TEL, who awaited him in the doorway.
"C-Close it, TEL. I never want to see it again."
"Huh? Why, Master Sol?" TEL questioned, tilting his head in concern.
"That room... it's cursed. Those voices... What were they, TEL?"
"I'm not sure what you're referring to, Master."
Still traumatized by the ordeal, Sol stammered, "I kept hearing voices, cursing me, condemning me, and screaming."
"I'm not certain about those 'voices.' I will investigate that later. But do you wish to learn more about this treasury?" TEL replied, concern evident in his mechanical voice.
"Please do. Maybe I can find out where those voices are coming from."
"Very well, Master Sol. The treasury you now possess and its contents are a result of Ausar's collaboration with Galath. In one cycle, both of them bombarded the world with asteroids, forcing the subsequent civilization to mine these celestial bodies." TEL bowed his head, almost in shame. "Ausar enslaved that civilization, compelling them to mine relentlessly for thousands of years."
Sol was shocked by this revelation. While TEL had previously informed him about Ausar and Galath's past actions, he had never truly felt the weight of their malevolence. Now, he did. Those voices had rudely awakened him to the magnitude of their crimes. The anger they displayed was understandable; he despised women, and he had good reason to, but he didn't believe they deserved such suffering. He left the metallic doors of the treasury, lowering his head in misery.
I'm sorry, Caulot. I tried, but I can't use that gold. I just can't.
TEL followed Sol as he exited the hall containing more rooms, returning to the outside world. The same scenic view greeted him, a strange contrast to the horrors he had witnessed in the treasury. It brought him a sense of calm, and now he pondered how he would earn money. Originally, he had hoped to live off the treasury, but that seemed impossible. He could only come to one conclusion.
It appears I'll have to enter the village and find a job, he thought nervously. He had only seen the village from a distance, usually when it was devoid of people. He had no idea what to do, but he knew he had to work. That was how he could truly help Caulot.