Chapter 12: Ownard to Adventure

The judge had pardoned me and placed me in the care of the Priestess and the Chosen Hero. It is because of them that my life has been spared.

"What is the meaning of this?" I ask of them.

"That's quite ungrateful of you," Sir Manuals tells me. "How about a thank you instead?"

"But I am your enemy. We tried to kill you!"

"Like I said, you saved my life. If it wasn't for you, I'd be dead."

"But I did not consider your well-being when you were attacked back then. I just wanted revenge from the pent-up anger within my very being."

"Yeah, yeah, I get it. You've been picked on by bullies and finally stood up for yourself. I've seen it before."

"I do not understand. You speak as if what I have done could be pardon so easily."

"Elric," the Priestess speaks, "you got to understand, we don't see you as an enemy. You're just... timid."

"Timid?"

"Yeah. We'd be more than happy to be your friend."

"Are you offering your friendship to me? After all that I have transgressed?"

She raises her shoulders, raises her arms, and cocks her head to the side, a foreign gesture to myself. "We just pity you."

"Pity! Just who are you people, that you would confess to such cowardice."

"Oh man," says Sir Manuals, "no wonder people can kill each other here so easily. Is this how it was during medieval times in our world?"

"Besides that," the Priestess continues, "we need your help. Mertyl said that we were summoned here to defeat the Evil Overlord. We have no idea how to reach them, however. You worked for a cult that was in allegiance to them. Maybe you can help us."

"I was not someone of a high ranking, but I do know bits of information."

"Anything that can help us will do."

"In such a case... then perhaps I can be an aid."

"Fantastic," she turns to Sir Manuals, "he can be our guide."

"Yeah, I figured," says Sir Manuals, "So how about it? You want to join us."

He then places his left hand on my shoulder. I am taken aback by this gesture as I tell him, "Sir Manuals... what is the meaning of this... you couldn't possibly..."

"What?"

"Same," the Priestess tells him, "by putting your hand on his shoulders..."

"Agh!" and he pulls his hand away.

The Priestess addresses me. "Disregard that. We have different cultures. Please forget the gesture."

"I see..." I tell them trying to keep my dignity from escaping, yet I have my suspicions that my face, which is emitting heat, is clearly visible for all to witness.

(POV of the guy who stole the Flaming Hot Divine Crisps)

Forthwith, I ran, and ran, and ran. My ankles buckle from such strenuous exercise, but I let it not bother me lest they take me and my spoils. Divine Crisps, the Holy Treasures of Crum, one bag in my tenure. One bit augments your power beyond those of mortal men, and I have an entire bag.

After finding a dense area of trees, I hide behind a great boulder and lean against it, catching my breath. Such heat radiating from the bag that I sweat most profusely. This is the true power of the gods in my hands.

I open the bag and inhale the fragrance. What powerful aura enters my nostrils. It is so strong that I can barely stand as my legs shake. Even the King himself was so scared that he fainted, but naught I. Nay, I shall take into this within my person and claim the powers that be and claim my power.

I take a single piece. The red aura, like a powder, it takes a hold of my fingers. I smell the particles within my digits. Even from this dust, a great immense strength that no other food in Onyun, dare I say Crum, can fully reach. I wonder if I can even lick the very essence of the dust itself.

I dare say, by taking a whiff, my nostrils do clog up and I have a most powerful reaction to pull away. Could this be a power that no mortal can even come close to, lest the powers that be attack thee?

Then perhaps a lick. If eating a single piece would lead to overwhelming of the body, then perhaps a lick of the powder should gauge if I can claim this power for myself, or be damned for handling powers not fit for one such as myself.

Thus I place my finger full of the Divine Dust to my tongue and-

🖼️

(Manuals POV)

"Sir Manuals," says Elric, "what is this that I look upon?"

"It's a truck."

"Truck? Like some sort of wagon?"

"In a way, yes. It's hard to explain, but this is going to be our mode of transportation."

"What wonders do you have from your world that you would have such a thing?"

Elric sure is amazed at what is nothing more than a regular delivery truck. That goes for Luna, whose running around in circles from excitement. It's kind of charming since they have never seen anything like it, just like how I have never seen magic and monsters before. This is all so weird, but in a way, this is what I always wanted. Playing video games and reading manga about fantasy worlds, I guess I really did want to have an actual adventure like this. But I was so afraid of being called a dork that I kept it to myself. I think I'm really going to like it here. Except that...

Uh...

Twenty people... really Steph? And I already killed one. I don't want to get used to that.

It took them hours but the diggers finally cleared an opening to the surface. I get into the driver's seat and turn the key, the engine starts, the dashboard lights up. 100% battery power but 0% gas. Steph says there are alchemists working on a gasoline substitute, but I myself hardly know how gasoline is made. I guess they don't teach you everything in Automotive Technician class.

Steph gets in the passenger seat while our two new allies get into the trailer, which is connected to the front of the truck so I can see them get all excited back there.

"Are you guys ready?" I tell them.

"Let us proceed!" shouts Luna.

"Lead us, Chosen Hero," says Elric.

"Yeah, let's go," says Steph.

"Then we're off!" I say as I step on the gas.

The truck starts building up momentum as it slowly gets up the ramp. The incline was quite steep as I see our new allies holding on to some bars that are attached to the side of the trailer. I shift gears to give the truck more power to climb to the surface. Ever slowly, we reach the opening as the sunlight gets in my eyes. I pull down the sun visor as the truck finally ascends into the castle courtyard. I step on the gas and the truck flies by at 30 mph towards the perimeter of the city. This is much as it can run on electricity alone, but it's complete sorcery to everyone else who can't believe something so big can go so fast. In my excitement, I press the middle of the steering wheel and the truck's horn bellows out its loud honk, scaring everyone around as they all run for cover. I bet they thought some monster was coming for them, but I just laugh.

"Same, calm down," says Steph.

"Why should I?" I respond, "We're going on an adventure!"

I wave goodbye to everyone in the Kingdom of Onyun, as we venture out into the unknown world of Crum.

(At the King's chambers)

"What happened?"

"Your Majesty, you are awake!"

"My throat. It feels so coerce."

"It was the ill power of those Accursed Crisps. They had overwhelmed you, Your Majesty! In fact, a lowly guard ran off with them. We are now searching for him as we speak. We suspect he was the one who had given you the cursed food."

"Perhaps... you are correct. I should have consulted the Priestess about them. Bring her here so I can ask her about it."

"Sir, it is too late. She has already left with her companions to stop the Evil Overlord."

"WHAT!? She left without my permission? No. How could she! She was to be my next wife!"