End War

Chapter 7 : Die in Idealism

Diafroz was a barren kingdom. Unlike the enchanting symphony of birdsong and verdant trees that adorned Yggdrasil, Diafroz bore witness to a more somber spectacle—its skies echoed with the cawing of crows, and the landscape bore deciduous trees. The very ground beneath was tainted, scorched by the unforgiving tongues of fire. This desolate land found itself squeezed between two vast kingdoms, Ivra and Exovia, embroiled in a ceaseless war, the aftermath of which cast its shadow upon Diafroz, staining it with the remnants of conflict. Amidst this grim tableau, two youths, garbed in attire of ebony, stood as silent witnesses to the strife that unfolded in their forlorn homeland.

"She scammed us. She stole all our staffs", Kido said in annoyed tone. He didn't trust Leila since their eyes met each other.

"I'm sorry, Kido. I didn't think she would do it", Jeanne felt sorry for asking him to trust her before.

"Huhh...what has happened, let it happen. Though, we don't have stuff to be sold so we can't make money. In this barren land, we can't get a ride to move and food to eat", Kido didn't want to be sinked in his anger and make her panicked.

"We can ask people we meet on the way for help, can't we?", Jeanne offered a solution.

"And how if they know you? I wonder how much money you are worth, as a princess of Ivra", Kido didn't agree with her. Jeanne was in silence. She didn't know how to answer.

"Let's think about it while we walk", they continue their journey. Jeanne was carried on his back.

The heat of the sun enveloped their journey. There was no water to wet their throats. They were desperate as they couldn't ask help to anyone. Jeanne lied weakly on Kido's back. Her lips were cracked, her eyes were surrounded by black area. Her sight became blur. Not long after that she passed out. It was a tough journey for a princess.

Kido's sweat dripped like morning dew. He walked little by little while keeping his body balanced so it wasn't falling down. His stomach growled, asking to be filled. The sun kept teasing him until it tired itself.

The night had come. Kido made campfire as usual, far enough from the main road to avoid the attention of passersby. Jeanne was still unconscious. Kido laid her down on the ground, covering her with dry leaves to keep her warm. Then he left her alone. He searched for any camp nearby. Even though there was no sign of human, he still tried to find it. Hours passed and he still hadn't found any camp yet.

"Huhhh", he exhaled then he lay behind a withered tree to rest awhile. In his exhaustion, suddenly a gentle breeze brought a voice. Kido sharpened his hearing. He was familiar with the voice. It was the voice of drunk men. He traced the voice and arrived at a camp. He merged with the darkness of the night and stole food and drink supplies from the camp. He used a large bag that was in the tent. Then he went away into the silence of the night.

The morning had come, Kido woke Jeanne up. Jeanne's head was ringing, her sight was still blurry.

"Here, eat and drink these", Kido gave her a piece of bread and a bag of water.

"Where did you get them?" Jeanne asked

"A traveller gave me those last night", Kido lied.

"They gave it to you?" Jeanne wasn't sure with his answer because she had known Kido's personality.

"....I stole it", Kido admitted after being silent for a while.

"I already guessed, I won't eat this", she refused to consume the food.

"Just eat them, you need energy. Ignore them if you want to die"

"No, I'm not hungry", Jeanne said it before her stomach growled. Her stomach didn't admit her lie.

".... I'd rather die than eat stolen food. We must not do bad things to fulfil our needs. It is our ethics as a noble. Theft and robbery are only carried out by animals. That's what my father, the King, said to me. So, I won't eat it" Jeanne insisted.

Her words offended Kido. His eyes widened at her in annoyance. Then he took the bread, tore it, moistened it with water, and squeezed it. He approached Jeanne, and grabbed her hair. She groaned in pain and opened her mouth. Kido force-fed her with bread in his hand.

"Just eat it and done! I hate people like you, people who are lulled by their idealism. You've insulted us, poor people who are forced to be evil to survive. You, the noble, live in your wealth, while we, the poor, live in our poverty. It's easy for you, clown nobleman, to say sweet things about ethics. Yet you close your eyes as if you didn't see our suffering. How dare you say that. Did you say you'd rather die? Then die in your idealism, nobles!!!", Without realizing it, Kido went berserk. Jeanne whimpered, helpless, until Kido came to his senses. Then he released his hands. Jeanne choked on food.

"Please, eat them", Kido tried to calm himself. He asked her for the last time to eat the food. Jeanne tried to catch her breath. She was still shocked and feared. After that, she ate and drank the food Kido had given.

They were in awkward moment until Jeanne asked him "If you hate the noble, why did you save me in the first place?"

Kido was still in silence. He tried to clear his mind first and then answered, "Back then I thought I saw a different noble. Your eyes radiated peace and justice. I thought you better not die in our hands that time.

"I'm sorry, I was disappointing you", Jeanne's gaze was facing the ground.

"No, I'm sorry. I vented my anger on you who are innocent. I became the man I hated most", Kido regretted his actions.

"Let's finish our food and start our move", They continued their journey.

Finally they reached the watchpost in the borderland. They disguised as siblings and war victims. They told the guard that they would go to Ivra to seek help from their family in Ivra. Looking at their condition, the guards felt sorry and allowed them to pass.

"Pheww! After weeks of journey, finally, we did it, Kido! We're safe", Jeanne was so happy.

"Be cautious! We haven't reached the city yet"

"Come on, you need to relax your shoulders a little bit", said someone who was carried along the way.

To be continued...